A New Hatchling Takes to the Aegean: The Bird Yacht Fleet welcomes ‘Birdie’
The Danai’s yacht fleet welcomes its newest vessel, hatching this spring alongside the swallows of Halkidiki: a 48-foot PRINCESS yacht for couples’ cruises
Aegean Sea, Halkidiki, Greece: This spring, as the swallows hatch along the shores of Sithonia, so does BIRDIE, the newest member of The Bird Yachting Co.’s fleet and an invitation for couples to discover Halkidiki from an entirely new vantage point. BIRDIE comes with the full experience of The Danai, a family-owned member of The Leading Hotels of the World, where 56 individually crafted suites and villas, three restaurants and Greece’s largest wine collection frame an experience of deeply personal hospitality that continues seamlessly on board. A guest reclining on the resort’s private beach in the morning might find themselves at anchor in a Diaporos cove by afternoon, the service quality entirely uninterrupted.
Kimon Riefenstahl, Owner and Managing Director, The Danai & The Bird Yachting Co.: “With BIRDIE we wanted to create a dedicated couples experience on our most beloved routes, the hidden coves and Blue Lagoon of the Diaporos Island and the dramatic vistas of UNESCO-listed Mount Athos, where dolphins are often spotted circling the peninsula. BIRDIE is the perfect vessel for two on these waters, while THE BIRD and THE BLUE BIRD continue to journey to further horizons.
Welcome the Newest Hatchling
It begins at the picturesque small harbour of Latoura or at the dock of one’s own hotel or private villa, where the uniformed crew of BIRDIE is waiting. A welcome drink is handed on arrival, before guests are taken on a tour of the 48-foot PRINCESS yacht: the cabin for two, the sun deck at the bow, seating area at the rear, and finally a seat on the panoramic flybridge deck as BIRDIE sets course for the Blue Lagoon, accompanied by the sound of the sea and a curated playlist or one’s own, with high-speed Wi-Fi throughout. At the Diaporos Island, guests slip into waters of up to 25°C/ 77 °F, snorkelling among shells, exploring by SeaBob or stand-up paddleboard, or simply drying on a sun-warmed stone at shore. Back on board, the crew draws from The Danai’s five-star pantry: a wine list handpicked by the resort’s Head Sommelier from Greece’s largest private collection accompanies fine cheeses, cold cuts, and seasonal produce, with champagne and summer cocktails also available. For special occasions, the concierge team arranges everything in advance: a personalised cake from the resort’s award-winning patisserie, or a private photographer who, on the route to the Holy Mountain, might capture a resident dolphin family.
Halkidiki: Blue Lagoon, Mount Athos & the Diaporos Island
Between the second and third peninsulas, the Diaporos island landscape scatters across the water like a private archipelago with the silhouette of Mount Athos rising against the sky, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spiritually charged places in the world: 20 breathtaking monasteries from Byzantine times, untouched nature and impressive rock formations where guests aboard can, with binoculars, spot deep caves in which hermits continue to live in faithful seclusion from the outer world.
Three vessels, three flagship experiences
THE BIRD, the fleet’s 82-foot Sanlorenzo flagship, offers four cabins, a Flybridge, a private chef, and the celebrated multi-day MAMMA MIA! Cruise through the Sporades, with week-long itineraries available and a minimum duration of three days.
THE BLUE BIRD at 60 feet, is a PRINCESS yacht venturing along the Sithonia coastline and the Kassandra peninsula with three cabins and Flybridge.
BIRDIE,at 48 feet, hatches this spring: a PRINCESS built for couples, cruising between UNESCO Mount Athos and Diaporos Island with one cabin and Flybridge.
Enquiries The Bird Yachting Co.
The fleet welcomes guests from all shores around Halkidiki, with embarkation at all marinas, private villas, and hotels throughout the area. Bookings can be made directly at thebirdyachting.com or as part of a combined land-and-sea stay via The Danai.
