In our latest DMC creativity showcase, Horizon DMC – partner for inVOYAGE Mykonos in October 2021 – shares how it worked with a US agency to create a jam-packed island hopping incentive programme to impress a young active group for its end-client…

The brief

Plan-it Consulting Services, a boutique meetings and incentives agency based in Connecticut in the US, briefed Horizon DMC to create an incentive programme for a group of around 50 guests that are of a young age, very active and have “done it all”.

“Plan-it has been travelling with this particular client for a number of years and we were very fortunate to be able to get many details on what they wanted to do, how they wanted to do it and what they have done in the past,” says Horizon DMC Deputy President Ifigenia Tsitouri. “Our focus was on the overall excitement of the guests and creating a “once in a lifetime” experience, combining fun with exclusive arrangements in a cultural yet fun environment.

The Solution

After discussing a number of options, the client decided to proceed with a private cruise around some of the best known and “off the beaten track” islands of the Cyclades complex, combined with a short visit of the capital city of Athens. The six-day programme took place in October 2019.

Guests landed in Athens and were transferred to a luxury property, located right in the heart of the city. A private sunset dinner with views of the Acropolis took place at the hotel’s “Presidential Penthouse Suite”, which was an ideal welcome to Greece and the city of Athens.

The following day started-off with a cultural visit to one of the most important Archaeological sites of the world - the Acropolis - followed by a visit at the new Acropolis Museum, a private buffet lunch overlooking the Acropolis, and a private charter from Athens airport to the island of Milos.

Upon arrival in Milos island, guests were transferred to the port where their privately chartered sailing catamaran yachts were ready to welcome them. Guests were preassigned their Yachts, travelling with separate branded luggage to match their assigned Yacht for easy reference and luggage transportation and hauling. A private sunset cocktail followed by dinner in a traditional Greek cuisine tavern was the perfect end to the day.

After enjoying breakfast onboard their Catamaran yachts, the small fleet of seven catamaran yachts sailed to the uninhabited island of Poliegos, where a swim stop was planned, allowing guests to dive into amazing crystal-clear turquoise waters for an ideal start of the cruise. After lunch on-board, the yachts sailed to the small port of Folegandros and guests were transported to the main town of the island, which is located at the top of the hill, offering amazing sunset views over the Aegean Sea.

Dinner was set in a beautiful picturesque squares and guests had the chance to continue their evening at one of the town’s bars before returning to the Yachts for a good night’s sleep, or more drinks at the Yachts’ lounging areas.

In the morning, a short cruise brought the small fleet to a secluded bay for a wake-up dive in yet another magnificent spot, before we a four-hour cruise to Sifnos island.

Guests then took part in a set of pre-selected activities – a two-hour hike from one of the island’s highest tips all the way down to the breath-taking ancient village of Kastro or exploring some of the island’s best known crafts and tastes with a visit to a local farm and pottery workshop. 

That evening, guests enjoyed dinner an al fresco dinner in Apollonia, savouring some of the best-known local dishes of Sifnos while being entertained with a private show of traditional local music and dancing. 

Breakfast on Day 5 was once again offered onboard, while cruising towards the beautiful bay of Despotiko, where guests had the chance to enjoy themselves with water sports and fun games at sea. After lunch onboard, a short cruise brought the fleet to the main port of Paros island where guests disembarked to participate in another set of pre-arranged activities.

The selection was between a private horse-riding experience, a bike ride from the port to the picturesque fishing-village of Naoussa and a tour to visit one of the island’s best-known wineries for a local cheese and wine tasting.

All activities ended at the super-cute fishing village of Naoussa, where the yachts had sailed and were waiting to welcome their guests.

On the final day of the programme, yachts to anchored-off the Ancient port of the “Sacred island of Delos” and guests enjoyed a visit to one of Greece’s most important and powerful Archaeological sites, said to be the birthplace of God Apollo and located just off the island of Mykonos.

Following the cultural visit, guests had the chance to enjoy their final swim off their yachts together with a traditional Greek lunch. The yachts then headed towards a very tiny pier at the bay of Agios Ioannis, where they had exclusively booked a luxury hotel. A welcome and cocktail was arranged for guests, while their rooms were assigned, followed by a private pool-side dinner accompanied by a traditional Greek show. The guests then headed out to enjoy Mykonos’ renowned nightlife for a final celebration after heading back to the US the following morning.

The verdict

“Feedback from our partners at “Plan-it” was extremely positive and guests were talking about the trip long after returning home. All in all, this was a wonderful project that was very meticulously planned with our partners at Plan-it. It is also a great example of what a very professional, careful and respectful cooperation between two operators can bring, as we were very fortunate in having to work with a wonderful team that led to establishing very strong bonds, as well as mutual respect,” said Tsitouri.

She added that an island-hopping programme like this is well suited to the current climate of social distancing, since small group cruises on yachts provide for a fully controlled environment that can be de-contaminated easily and effectively, and it allows groups to stay in their own “bubble” without mixing.