Valinor

Captain: Stjepan Marinkovic

Nationality: Croatian

Stjepan Marinkovic- CAPTAIN IN THE BVI
Stjepan is a versatile person with an eclectic mindset. With a spirit for adventure, he always finds some new, untrodden road. This adventurous spark led him throughout his life, and so he dabbled in many things, such as speleology, rafting, kayaking, free climbing, diving, martial arts, and many more disciplines. Along with physical activities, he enjoys reading, writing, studying languages and disassembling and assembling things. All these combined made him a knowledgeable and inventive sailor. Through his studies as an archaeologist, he got opportunities to travel and explore outback places and exotic locales, where he learned about many facets of local culture and folklore. Although he was always in touch with the sea, his love bloomed during an epic sailing voyage across the Mediterranean, following in the footsteps of ancient Phoenicians and Greeks. The sea called, and he could do nothing but answer. Now he takes guests on fantastic sailing adventures hoping to spark that same love that drives him. Stjepan is the happiest with the salty breeze on his face, and the horizon empty before him. Polite and curious, he enjoys stories that people tell and is always willing to listen.

Ana Klican- HOSTESS IN THE BVI
Ana is a unique individual with a passion for food, novelty and adventure. She has travelled extensively looking for new recipes and trying out local cuisine. She explored the street food of Thailand and India, undertook a food safari in Africa. She hunted the myriad cheeses of France and Switzerland, sailed through the Mediterranean spices and seafood, and participated in Middle-Eastern festivities followed by local food and culture. She believes that food is the best way for people to communicate and share culture, and at uni she studied International Relations to research that belief even further. She is an active individual who is thrilled by exploration. She is well-versed in biology, zoology and the natural world, and you can often catch her admiring some animal she finds fascinating, from insects to birds - she loves them all. Ana worked as an adventure guide and hostess on sailing tours in an adventure travel company in Croatia, thrilling her guests with unexpected snacks and attentive personality. Health was always her primary mission in life, and she radiates it in all aspects of her life, from her tidiness, to her cuisine. She caters confidently to any and all dietary needs, and her love of life, food and nature would leave anyone inspired.

Giannis Schinas- CAPTAIN IN GREECE
I was born in Nafpaktos a coastal town in Aetoiia-Akarnania in western Greece. During the course of my life I have found myself very much linked to the sea. The sea has always been my sanctuary where I have spent hours fishing, swimming, windsurfing and soaking up the Greek sun. It was my greater love for the sea that urged me to occupy myself professionally with the art of sailing since 2013 and up until today, I have been a professional Skipper with thousands of miles of sailing experience. I am fully aware of the fact that the sea is definitely a place that teaches you something new every single day. My motto is … treat the sea with respect and it too, shall treat you with respect… We love sharing this beautiful part of the world with our guests.

Thomas Drakontaidis - HOST IN GREECE
I was born on the island of Etoliko in western Greece. Ever since I was a child, the liquid element was a symbol of Freedom and Purity to me. I started sailing as a student and spent many unforgettable summers on the sea with friends and family. As an adult, I found myself working as a host in my family's restaurant, where I realised how much I enjoy providing services for the guests. So I combined those two areas of my life and I started working on sailing boats. This unique profession provides a great sense of fulfilment, it is ever evolving and it allows me to take the guests around the beautiful Greek islands and involve them in the local traditions. New faces, new mentalities, and new stories but in the end always the same beautiful feeling of fulfilment.