Fans of classic Hollywood love stories now have a chance to sail on the famed yacht on which Richard Burton wooed and won Elizabeth Taylor, as the vessel’s current owner has put it up for rent. The Kalizma, an Edwardian motor launch bought by the Welsh actor for Liz in 1967, can be chartered by interested sea lovers for the bargain price of £8,000 per day.
Named after Richard’s children Kate, Liza and Maria, the craft has just undergone a multi-million pound renovation under the direction of its owner, Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya.
“It really has been restored to its former glory,” says London company Cavendish White, who is handling bookings. “It is a unique opportunity to be on an old classic and obviously has the nostalgia interest of being a boat owned by the Burtons and was visited by so many famous guests.”
The boat, which sleeps ten plus a crew of eight, featured an antique-furnished dining room, four poster beds and millions of pounds worth of artwork, including paintings by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh.
One of the vessel’s previous owners was Peter de Savary, the British entrepreneur who owns Skibo Castle. “I will always remember lying in this huge six-foot pink bath on the yacht, thinking of Elizabeth Taylor,” he reminisced. “Kalizma is one of the great classic yachts sailing around the world today and it was a great privilege to have owned it.”
Currently moored in Malta, the yacht is available for rental until September, 2002.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
