Julie and Greg are not your typical couple. A few years ago, they were living near Antwerp in Belgium, juggling full time jobs, social plans, and the kind of routine most people know all too well. But underneath that busy life, something kept nudging them. They felt that life could be different. Slower. Lighter. Maybe even a little wilder.
Fast forward to today, and their home is El Burro, a ten meter sailboat that carries them around the Mediterranean. They share the boat with their two cats, Nelly and Finn. Nelly was made for boat life. Finn took a little more time to adjust. They found him in a shelter on Crete, unsure of everything at first, but today he stretches out on deck like he has been living on a boat forever.
Who They Are
Julie and Greg are two people who chose freedom over the expected path. In reality, it was a decision that grew quietly over time. Greg became fascinated with the idea years ago after reading a book about a man who sailed around the world with almost no budget. That story stayed with him. Julie discovered her connection to the water during the stillness of the lockdowns, when the world slowed down and she missed being on the boat more than ever.
They bought El Burro back in 2016 and renamed her after ‘the donkey’ because she is slow, strong, and wonderfully stubborn. In 2022 they stopped imagining the lifestyle and stepped into it completely. They quit their jobs, sold almost everything they owned, and transformed the boat into their tiny floating home.
What Life on the Boat Is Really Like
Their days revolve around something most people check for five seconds and forget about. The weather. When there is favourable wind, they move. When there is no wind, they slow down. They read, swim, hike, fix things or walk long distances with their foldable cart to find groceries.
Some days feel magical with turquoise water, dolphins near the bow and nights spent under endless stars. Other days are much more demanding. There are moments with engine problems, restless anchorages or sudden storms.
No matter what the day brings, their lifestyle stays simple and intentional. Everything they keep on board has a purpose or brings genuine joy. Every choice matters. Living with less has given them so much more. More time. More calm. More space to be present.
Why Their Story Fits So Well With BEACH-STREET
Their life on the water makes it very clear why Beach-Street fits naturally into their world. They are surrounded by the sea every single day, so they choose products that do not harm the water they depend on. Their skin is exposed to sun, salt and wind, so they look for products that feel gentle, fresh and uncomplicated.
The values are the same on both sides:
Slowing down.
Choosing mindfully.
Taking care of yourself.
Taking care of the world around you.
Their Journey Still Unfolding
Right now El Burro is moored somewhere in Greece. When they left three years ago they had a bold plan to cross the ocean. Over time that big goal started to pull them away from the joy of living in the moment. They let the plan go and lived for a long time without thinking about what would come next.
For the first time in many months they have begun shaping gentle new plans. Nothing strict or fixed. More like a direction that feels right.
Next year they want to sail back to Antwerp to spend quality time with the people they love and miss. After that they hope to sail north and explore colder and wilder waters they have never seen before. Where the journey leads from there is something they do not need to know yet. Uncertainty has become part of their freedom.
If you want to follow along with their adventures, you can find them on:
- Instagram: @sailingelburro
- Website: sailingelburro.com
