I am very pleased to leave this reference for a very simple reason: such a pleasant experience deserves to be shared.
As I have already said to the Captain and Irene, a week with them "is not simply a holiday: it is an experience".
We are talking about a Captain with over 40 years of experience, who has transformed his knowledge of the sea and navigation into a real profession. There are three aspects, in particular, that struck me: the crew, the experience and the travel philosophy.
- The crew:
Saverio and Irene are a very well-matched professional couple.
Saverio is a person who has traveled the world and who, through cruising, has met many people, of all kinds. My impression was extremely positive: he is an authentic and genuine person. He says what he thinks, sometimes even in a rather direct and gruff way, but personally it is a quality that I appreciated very much. In a world where authenticity is not always taken for granted, finding it on board was a real breath of fresh air.
Irene, on the other hand, is much more than what the word "sailor" might suggest. She is an extremely attentive girl, present and dedicated to her work. In just over two seasons, she has become a fundamental element of the team. Seeing her work on board was truly a pleasure: precise, tireless and always ready to take care of what is needed.
Together, Saverio and Irene form a very complementary team, in which their different qualities are perfectly integrated.
- Experience
Here I think there is one of the most important aspects.
Saverio has a life of navigation behind him, between crossings and travels around the world, and one thing is evident from the first moment: for him, safety comes first.
Procedures, maneuvers, priorities and attention to sea conditions are not details, but an integral part of the way he steers the boat. When it's time to focus on sailing, he does it with great seriousness.
Staying in the cockpit and watching him sail is, to all intents and purposes, a small school of sailing in the open air. It was very informative and, personally, it made me want to learn and understand this world even more.
Irene, for her part, proves every day that she has earned her place on board. His attention and commitment are evident and I have great esteem for the work he carries out.
- The philosophy of travel
I think this is the main reason why I would come back on board.
Their way of traveling "is not that of a traditional holiday", and this is probably its added value.
There is no rigid itinerary decided months before. You decide day by day, evaluating wind, weather and sea conditions, choosing the coves and the best destinations at that time.
To some it might seem like a lack of planning. In reality, after experiencing it, I think it's exactly the opposite: it's a smart way to make the journey safer and, at the same time, more beautiful.
No one necessarily wants to reach "the most beautiful cove in Sardinia" if four hours later they risk finding themselves in the middle of a lump. Saverio's ability lies precisely in continuously finding the right compromise between safety, sea conditions and quality of experience.
Our group (great group!) was lucky: Saverio and Irene made us discover beautiful places, allowing us to experience them with tranquility and in total safety.
I could talk about many other aspects: about Irene's energy when she tells an anecdote, or about all those little attentions that made us feel really comfortable during the week and that, I imagine, are not necessarily "included in the program".
And then there is a not insignificant detail: Saverio is also an incredible cook. Our group was followed with great attention throughout the week, also and above all at the table.
Personally, I don't think it's easy to find crews so close-knit, helpful, competent and, above all, authentic.
I would really like to meet Saverio and Irene again in the future.
This was my first experience with them.
And it certainly won't be the last.
Greetings to both of you,
Mauro Fadda