There is no better way to enjoy this spectacular event than sailing to the Armata Spetses. The Armata festival, probably the most important event on the Greek yachting calendar, commemorates the naval battle that took place on the 8th of August 1822, during the early days of the independence struggle. It is also a standard event on the Live-Bio calendar.

Last year the weather was not on our side. Of course that is not a problem due to the fantastic location of Live-Bio that allows us to use our car in order to visit the nearby islands of Hydra and Spetses. This year however the wind forecast offered us a wonderful opportunity to sail to Spetses and enjoy the Armata show from within our sailing boat, Naziara.

Sailing to the Armata Spetses

Sailing to the Armata Spetses

Morning swim

Morning swim

Spetses Island

Spetses is a wonderful one day excursion from Live-Bio any time of the year. Having said that, the Armata event makes the (sailing) trip even more worth it, with the festive atmosphere on the streets, the dramatic representation of the torching of an Ottoman flagship and the spectacular firework show that ensues.

The Armata show

The firework display is one of the most impressive I have ever witnessed (in my opinion compares to the firework show I experienced on Rio’s Copa Cabana beach on New Year’s Eve). It is privately financed by the descendants of Laskarina Bouboulina, one of the most important female admirals during the Greek independence struggle who was respected and feared by all men.

We cast our anchor on the channel between the island of Spetses and the mainland of the Peloponnese and awed at the spectacular show. We have no more words to use. Sailing to the Armata Spetses is an event that you will not forget.

 

Beautiful walk from the old harbour to the new one in Spetses

Beautiful walk from the old harbour to the new one in Spetses

The Armata Spetses fireworks show

The Armata Spetses fireworks show

The Armata Spetses fireworks show

The Armata Spetses fireworks show

The Armata Spetses fireworks show

The Armata Spetses fireworks show

Sailing to the Armata Spetses

Sailing to the Armata Spetses

Sailing to the Armata Spetses

Sailing to the Armata Spetses