In the late ‘70s / early ‘80s, I was frequently in Greece on Pepsi-Cola business.

I was in love with a grand old hotel called The Astir Palace, just 30 minutes from Athens in the most incredible beach area.

In those days it was a European hotspot.  Friends of mine lived close by and I spent several happy weekends there.

The property has been reimagined, redeveloped, and renovated.

Trudy and I were lucky enough to spend a week there in August, working with the Bassatne family on a film project – capturing the extraordinary story of these four Lebanese Brothers turning a start-up into a $600 million business through hard work, commitment, imagination and courage.

The resort is now managed by The Four Seasons and is a real gem.

Producer / Director / Photographer / Story-maker – Steve Best and I spent the week filming story after story (helped and enlivened by Steve’s son Cayden who celebrated his 17th birthday with us, as well as continuing his pre-season soccer training). 

The sun shone, the sea sparkled, the stories got wilder, and the sense of Family and Friends coming together, connecting past, present and future, made for a five-day escape like no other. 

Our thanks go to the Bassatne Family for giving all of us an experience we will never forget, and allowing me in particular, to relive some golden days from a time gone by.

We live for moments like this.