CREOLE is a magnificent and truly legendary 65.3-metre three-masted schooner, launched in 1927 by the celebrated British shipyard Camper and Nicholsons and, to this day, the largest wooden sailing yacht ever built. Designed by the renowned Charles E. Nicholson and originally launched as Vira for an ambitious American yachtsman, she is a genuine icon of the golden age of yachting, a yacht steeped in history whose distinguished former owners include Stavros Niarchos and the Gucci family, who as her devoted custodians for over forty years have honoured her heritage with a superb, no-expense-spared maintenance programme. Kept faithful to her original design and her elegant 1920s character while offering an experience unlike any other, she is instantly recognisable by her striking ebony hull and three towering masts, and is serene and utterly spellbinding under sail. Constructed with a wooden hull and teak decks and carrying more than 1,000 square metres of sail, she is a swift and glorious performer, reaching a top speed of around 14 to 16 knots and cruising comfortably at 10 to 11 knots under sail or her twin MTU engines, and chartering aboard her is a rare opportunity to experience living history from one of the most privileged vantage points at sea. Her interiors are a beautiful testament to 1920s chic, classically styled yet updated for modern comfort and lovingly curated by her owning family to remain perfectly in keeping with her roots. The lower deck salon, finished in stylish green stingray paired with parquet flooring, exudes a calm, elegant aura for lounging or interior dining, its coffee tables cleverly converting into a full twelve-seat dining table, while the upper deck salon is a further showcase of period elegance, with ornate parquet flooring, silken roll-back sofas and original artworks. Life on deck is exceptional, with an abundance of space to lounge, lunch, dine or sail. The aft deck hosts a large formal dining area for up to twelve guests with a large C-shaped sofa behind the cockpit for relaxing in the sun, while the sheltered cockpit offers a secluded spot to sit and take in the views, whether of a beautiful bay or simply of Creole herself. Accommodation is arranged for up to 11 guests in six beautifully appointed en-suite cabins. The welcoming master cabin, in warm tones of walnut and elegant marquetry, features a desk and a seating area alongside a bathroom with both a bath and a separate shower, while four double cabins, a twin and a single complete comfortable, characterful accommodation, the doubles enjoying baths and the twin and single showers. An exceptional crew of fifteen, led by an experienced captain and including a world-class chef, ensures impeccable service throughout, and guests are warmly invited to learn the ropes and take an active part in sailing this queen of the seas, or simply to relax and savour the magic. CREOLE cruises the western Mediterranean, taking in Spain, the South of France and Italy, and offers charter guests a truly once-in-a-lifetime combination of maritime heritage, breathtaking sailing, exquisite period interiors and understated luxury aboard the most storied wooden sailing yacht afloat.
