O'Ptasia
- 85m | Golden Yachts | 2018
As the flagship yacht of the Greek yard Golden Yachts at the time of her completion, the 85-metre O’Ptasia quickly became one of the most popular charter yachts in the world upon her delivery in 2018.
One of the largest yachts available for charter and featuring an award-winning design by Studio Vafiadis, it’s certainly not hard to see why.
Made for charter from day one, O’Ptasia comes with an outdoor cinema, a spacious gym and a huge beach club complete with hammam, massage room and sauna.
Up to 12 guests are accommodated onboard across 10 spacious cabins. The owner’s suite is a particular highlight and spans 85 square metres with private panoramic views. Just as impressive is the 95 square metre VIP cabin, located on the main deck, as well as four double cabins and one twin cabin on the main deck.
The Captain
Captain Vangelis Berdos commenced his ocean career more than two decades ago on board motor tankers before completing a captain stint on the Hellenic Navy’s Ferry Ios. He has extensive experience helming M/Ys Sapphire and O’Neiro and running M/Y Suncoco for eight years. Trilingual in English, Greek and German, Captain Vangelis prides himself on ensuring that your every need and desire is met while on board and in his charge. His interests include martial arts, kart racing, sailing and watersports.
The Experience
The experience of O’Ptasia revolves around the finer things in life. A touch-and-go helipad ensures seamless adventures at sea, while there’s plenty to enjoy on board. She comes fully equipped with a host of exciting water toys, including a custom 9.75 metre limo tender, 6 metre Novurainia catamaran, an 8 metre Chris Craft tender and a range of personal watercraft, towables and inflatables for the whole family to enjoy.
With O’Ptasia’s crew of 29 having extensively travelled the Mediterranean, you are assured of always dropping anchor in the best spots. “In my opinion,” says the captain, “Greece and the southern coast of Turkey are two of the best cruising destinations in the world. There you can find tranquil bays, natural parks and ancient ruins, all within just a few miles of one another.”
When not enjoying the treasures of the Mediterranean coast, life on board is everything you could want and more. One of O’Ptasia’s highlights is undeniably the vast beach club complete with a bar, oversized seating areas and a full spa experience, including a massage room, sauna and steam room. There’s also a fully-equipped gym and an outdoor cinema for movie nights under the stars.
The Cuisine
Born and raised in Greece, Chef Valentina Argyropoulou studied culinary art in Athens before working in high-end restaurants across Europe. Her signature style is fresh, seasonal, and traditional with a twist. “I prefer cooking with seasonal ingredients to create the perfect dish - I always go to the local markets for fresh products,” she says.
Bringing her Greek heritage into her menus is not just about Mediterranean flavours and fresh ingredients, however. For Chef Argyropoulou, it’s all about creating food with heart and soul. “My mother taught me that through food, you could express your feelings and make people around you happier,” she explains. “Food creates memories. I love the opportunity to meet so many different people and cultures on board and to create these memories through my plates.”
Credit: Shutterstock
Recalling one of her favourite culinary experiences on board, Chef Argyropoulou describes a dessert to remember. “One of my signature dishes is the Chocolate Sphere filled with chocolate mousse, Caramelia Valrhona, and berries. The hot chocolate is poured over the top, melting the sphere right in front of the guests!”
Image credits: Jeff Brown
