Never mind those five-star hotels and opulent condos – when it comes to the ultimate in lavish getaways, it doesn’t get much better than a long and luxurious yachting holiday. There’s nothing quite like taking to the seas on a private vessel which has all the high-end mod cons you could possibly want – and best of all, whether you’re a complete amateur or a seasoned pro, there’s a yachting break for you.
A favourite amongst the rich and famous, the appeal of a holiday on deck is something that has long stood the test of time – even if the scope for escape under sail has rather grown since the Thirties, the period that renowned author, Arthur Ransome painted in such a romantic light.
These days, the options are yours for the taking, with sailing getaways available in practically every part of the world. Whether you’re skipper of your own beautiful boat or looking to charter a vessel for the duration of your adventure at sea, you’ll never have to do all the hard work yourself if you don’t want to – so why not hire in a team of professionals to keep things running smoothly so that you can relax up on deck?
Sailing for beginners
Sail the Solent
If you’re new to the sport of sailing and are keen to get some experience under your belt, what better place to start than off home shores? Firstway Yacht Charter, in the Solent, offers sailing getaways setting off from the Solent, Southampton, taking you to a range of destinations including Beaulieu in the New Forest, Yarmouth and Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Newtown Creek, Portsmouth Harbour, Bembridge, and more.
Firstway has close ties with First Class Sailing, an RYA sailing school, too, so if you want to brush up on your boat handling skills or get some more miles as skipper or as crew before your Solent yacht charter then you’re in luck.
Adventure from Athens
Leave all the hard work to the captain with an Eclipse Yachting getway from Athens. Based in the Saronic Gulf – which opens out to the south of Athens and the east of the Peloponnese, it’s all aboard the beautiful Oceanica – a Jeanneau 57 offshore cruiser that sleeps 10. Based at Alimos Marina in Athens, guests can chat to with the skipper at the start of the week to chart a route taking in the likes of Spetses, Hydra and Dokos. Best of all, the Greek weather is famously sunny and warm – meaning plenty of time for catching some rays up on the deck with a cocktail and indulging in a spot of much needed R&R.
For the experts
Island-hop in Croatia
One of the most popular yachting destinations of the past decade, Croatia’s numerous islands, crystal clear waters and picturesque mountain scenery are obvious draws. Blessed with some 3,626 miles of coast, the opportunities for varying your route are endless.
Sail Croatia offers a variety of vessels for bareboat charter from Split Marina – including the Nax, a Lagoon 39 catamaran that sleeps up to 12.
Go solo in Sicily
Fancy going it alone and enjoying the peace and quiet of the ocean to your heart’s content? bareboatsailingholidays.com offers a breath-taking route around Italy, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands you won’t want to miss. To charter one of its yachts, you’ll need to have a minimum of an RYA Day Skipper qualification though, so experience is a must.
The rustic charms and raw beauty of Tuscany, the glamour and style of Capri and the Amalfi Coast and the history and diversity of Sicily combine to make for a truly memorable trip that is just oozing with culture. It’s possibly one of the most stunning sailing adventures you’ll ever embark on from the destinations right down to the luxury of your yacht.
