Corfu is a startlingly beautiful island. The water is the deepest blue, as is the sky. The hills are studded with pine trees. The people are the friendliest I have met, anywhere, ever. By day three on our last trip, when I walked into the bakery to collect a selection from their mouth-watering array of pastries to take to the boat for breakfast, I was being greeted like an old friend and being handed a free coffee.

Gouvia Marina, our base for this trip, is a shining jewel of deep blue water, surrounded by stunning bays and tiny islands to explore in the boat and with our drones. We have exclusive use of a recently-built, spacious and luxurious 45ft Bavaria cruising yacht for our trip, as well as the services of Sam Peters, a professional skipper, raconteur, and one of life’s special people. Lend a hand, and enjoy learning about sailing a cruising yacht, or simply sit back, enjoy the sunshine, and watch the coast slip by as we sail from bay to bay each day in search of perfect drone-flying locations.

You have the choice of sleeping aboard boat, for the full sailing experience (we have three spacious cabins, hot and cold running water, en-suite toilets, power and wi-fi on board), or of retiring at the end of the day to the adjacent Telesilla Hotel, for a proper double bed, air-conditioning and poolside bar.

DAY 1

Arrive at Corfu airport, and catch a taxi for the 15 minute journey to Gouvia Marina, a few miles south of Corfu Town. You can arrive on board any time after 3pm. There are excellent restaurants around the Marina for you to enjoy a meal looking at the sea if your flight means you arrive before this time. Meet with other guests. Unpack. First drone flights, at the Venetian Shipyard adjacent to the Marina. Followed by sundowners on board, and dinner at a local Taverna

DAY 2

Morning: On dry land – flying skills check-up; flying safety briefing; flying technique tune-up. Lunch on board. Afternoon: Sail out from Gouvia to the neighbouring “prison island” of Lazaretto, where Greek resistance fighters were imprisoned (and executed) during the Second World War. Fly your drone from the boat, to explore the island from above, in a way that is impossible without a drone. There is a large swimming platform we extend from the back of the boat, to make flying from the boat relatively straight-forward for experienced drone pilots. Dinner at the best barbecue restaurant in the area

DAY 3

Morning: Sail to Cave Bay and anchor. A beautiful place to fly a drone, with the azure water contrasting with the deep green of the pine trees and white sandstone of the cave complex. Also a great place for a swim! Lunch of freshly caught seafood at St Stephanos, a picture-perfect bay straight out of Mama Mia. Afternoon: Sail back to Gouvia, pausing as we pass Ipapantis Chapel to capture images of the yacht, and the Chapel, as the sun goes down. Dinner at a local Taverna

DAY 4

Morning: Sail to Kassiopi. Drone flying around the Kassiopi Bay, including views of the Castle. Lunch in Kassiopi, in a restaurant where we are welcomed as family, as this is where the Yacht’s owner has a house. Afternoon: Drop anchor in “Sam’s Bay” for a swim. On the way back to Gouvia, the final challenge: flying our drones from the back of the boat under full sail. Dinner at the renowned local restaurant “Harry’s”

DAY 5

That’s it. Pack up your drone, your amazing drone photographs and video, your luggage, a ton of memories, the contact details of the other guests, and head for the airport. We need to vacate the boat by 11am.