Napflio4Sail: a uniquely Greek experience, a cruise with parea, and a young entrepreneur who never ceases to impress. The Greek word ‘parea’ means a group of friends. However, the meaning of this word is much deeper and more complex than the literal translation would suggest, much like our experience catching the wind in Napflio.
In Greek culture, friendship groups (parea) meet regularly, share their feelings, their problems, and the little details that happen in their lives, the good and the bad. They care for each other; help each other when needed; and look out for each other. These connections don’t exist superficially: they often discuss their worldviews, ponder philosophical queries, or even share their latest literary discoveries. They form a community which, like a family, provides strong support: it strengthens their self-esteem and makes them resilient when facing life’s challenges. This essence of a close, lifelong friendship is reflected and perhaps most widely acknowledged in the popular 90s TV series Friends.
It is also this essence that makes our young friend Konstantinos’ business a success. A talented young man, he decided to start his own business in his hometown of Nafplio, rather than join the corporate treadmill of big companies. A good friend of his father’s, an experienced sailor, acquired his own sailboat, thus giving Konstantinos an idea. The enthusiastic young business developer and the experienced sailor teamed up to offer half-day sailing to tourists holidaying in Nafplio. Such cruises, half-day and whole-day sailing programmes, are widely available on travel websites, with experienced captains and good marketing, but what distinguishes Nafplio4Sail’s programmes from the others is another (difficult-to-translate) Greek word: ‘philotimo’. The Greek words in it mean ‘friend’ and ‘appreciation’.
What does this have to do with a sailing business? I had a long conversation with Konstantinos, and as I listened to him describe his business, I became aware that I was discovering in him aspects of this very complex, very difficult-to-define concept, which is the fate of every Greek man. This being philotimo.
First and foremost, “philotimo” requires us to behave with humility and dignity so our family and our immediate environment can be proud of us. Honesty, fair accounting, and considering the opinions and interests of his employees – these are essential requirements for Konstantinos. Just as a man of the ‘philotimo’ spirit, he always strives to do his best; this young entrepreneur tries to listen to all constructive criticism, read literature pertaining to his field, and gain experience – his enthusiasm is an inspiration to all those around him.
However, Konstantinos and his team do not see his guests on board as a source of income but rather strive to create a personalised and truly unforgettable experience. They carefully choose where to source the snacks and refreshments that are served on board to ensure that everything is fresh and made from high-quality local ingredients. The wine is an excellent Nemean drink; the fruit platter is made of sweet, succulent, fresh, locally grown fruit; and the pies are made by one of the best local bakeries just before the tour to keep them fresh in the Greek heat. The soft drinks are also carefully selected to suit all ages and tastes. They do it with such care and love that you don’t get the impression you’re on a paid cruise but rather that you’re being looked after by friends.
Our first trip was a morning sail, with swimming and paddleboarding, and we heard about the history of Nafplio and the surrounding area, as well as the major buildings of the bay. Like our boat in the wind, time flew by. And because we had so much fun, we tried the private evening sunset tour the following year. I would earnestly recommend this unique experience to anyone on holiday in Nafplio.
