The rise of luxury tourism in Greece and the boom in yachting in the Aegean are transforming even the most remote scenic spots of the barren line.

As the latest evidence of this trend, Mersini’s seaside tavern in the small, meltwater-protected bay of Schinusa was reportedly sold for €3.5m to interests associated with shipowner Dimitris Papadimitriou, who also runs an iconic holiday home on a large area of ​​his property. families on the island.

The same sources state that the new owner has already reached an agreement with the prominent chef of Thessaloniki, Ioanna Theodorakaki, to have the tavern modernized and run under her as a “Duck” marked with the famous symbol. restaurant of the capital, located in the Patriarchate of Pilaia.

Schinoussa, because of its natural beauty, the relative seclusion that still characterizes it in relation to other islands of the Cyclades, but also because of the holiday houses that house important names of the Greek business and urban world, who often have guests, has become a favorite place for private and charter yachts, and the parties, receptions and weddings held here give it a strictly reserved but cosmopolitan character. This picture now includes a haute cuisine big name like “Duck” to add its own touch. What happens during this period on other small islands, another typical example is the restaurant Papaioannou, which landed on Patmos this year, leaving its mark on the restaurant “To Kyma” at the entrance to the port of Skala.

Schinoussa is located roughly in the center of the Lesser Eastern Cyclades complex, south of Naxos and northeast of Heraklion. It is a small island with 211 inhabitants and an area of ​​only 8 square kilometers, and its highest peak, Milos, is only 133 meters high. Its port of Mersini is considered one of the best marinas for small boats in the entire Aegean.

Mersini Tavern, which has been sold, has an area of ​​500 square meters and is one of the favorite places for those who travel around the Cyclades by boat and beyond. It is located near the pier, which catches the liner, at the mouth of the bay of the same name.