The medieval port of Rhodes, with its chain-tower entrance, the Fort of Saint Nicholas guarding the harbour mouth, and the minarets of the old town visible from offshore, creates one of the most memorable yacht arrivals in the Mediterranean. A classic vessel, with varnished brightwork and traditional rigging, makes that arrival properly. Classic yachts and historically layered destinations reinforce each other in a way that carbon-fibre performance cruisers and marble-interior motor yachts cannot quite manage. Eight classic yachts are available for charter in Greece and can form the basis of a Rhodes-centred Dodecanese circuit, moving through Symi, Tilos, Nisyros, Kos and Kalymnos at a pace that suits a traditionally built vessel making good use of the summer Meltemi. Symi neoclassical harbourfront architecture is particularly well suited to the classic yacht aesthetic, and the monastery at Panormitis offers a quiet anchorage overnight away from the tourist traffic of Symi town. From Rhodes, a classic yacht can also cross to the Turkish coast around Marmaris, where the ruins at Knidos and the bays inside Gocek give the itinerary a depth that the Dodecanese circuit alone cannot match. Weekly rates for classic crewed yachts in Greece begin around 12,000 euros for a smaller traditional vessel and rise to around 50,000 for a larger schooner. The advance provisioning allowance, approximately 30 percent of the charter fee, covers fuel, food, marina dues and provisions.
