World Travel Stories

A travel adventures stories blog.

Europe’s beautiful yachting places? Sailing around Oceania: Just like Europe, Oceania features a huge variety of landscapes that are sure to take any sailor’s breath away. The Whitsundays in Australia is a series of 74 tropical islands nestled in between the coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Here, charterers can witness the huge diversity of ocean life that call the reef home, as well as the pristine white sand of the islands themselves. Not too far from these islands, Thailand offers untouched beaches replete swaying palm trees that will invigorate anyone sailing through. It is for these reasons that popular culture has tried to capture the beauty of these locations – the renowned Phi Phi islands have notably featured in a Bond film, while Maya Bay was featured in “The Beach.” Although it might seem like a headache to plan these kinds of monumental trips, it’s actually much simpler than you might think – regardless of where you are in the world or where you want to travel, digital charter platforms like Ahoy Club can help connect you with a yacht owner in minutes.

Beyond the obvious natural scenery, Greece has an incredible history and culture. A sailing holiday here could involve visits to ancient ruins and world-famous landmarks. The country is also known for its delicious food and excellent produce – something that makes docking at a port a whole lot more enjoyable. Greece covers a massive 6000 islands! For anyone planning an extensive sailing holiday – this offers an enormous number of places to visit and cruise between. Whatever kind of destination you may be after, there should be an island in Greece that will suit you. As Greece covers a fairly extensive area to cruise, here are two top parts of the country for a yacht holiday.

This is a much more touristy option but the Balearics still make a beautiful European sailing destination, and you can avoid the crowds if you know-how. The cluster of Spanish islands include Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera; all major holiday spots known for their sun-drenched beaches and sparkling blue waters. Also include a few stops to the pretty, unspoilt towns of Deia in Mallorca and the secluded Ibizan bay of Cala Llentrisca.

Aside from seasons and events, yachts of the same size may also differ in price and this may be down to a vast difference in on board amenities. A yacht which boasts an on board cinema or lavish water toys may have a higher base rate compared with a yacht of minimal amenities of the same size. If it is unclear as to why two yachts of the same size are vastly different in price, ask your yacht broker to explain what the differences are. Once you are clear on what the base price is and why, it is important to discover what costs will be applicable on top and this is dependent on the type of charter contract used. Discover more details on intersailclub. The key is to choose your times carefully. A difference of one week (from high season into low season) can make a vast difference in cost, while still providing the same weather as the more expensive period. The yacht itself is a major factor in determining the charter cost, but it’s not just about size. A recently launched charter yacht from a famed builder with an experienced and popular charter crew is going to command top prices for its size range. Yachts with a legendary name, such as a history of celebrity ownership, can also ask higher rates just for the “fame” value. And yachts with special features, such as alfresco movie theaters or exceptional water toys (a submarine, for example) are also pricier.

Sailing tip of the day: Do yourself a favor and mark your boat’s lift points: How many times has a crane or travelift driver who doesn’t know my boat asked me where I want the slings when he’s about to lift her out? Next time you’re successfully hauled, make a note in the back of the log book of where the slings landed. This might be in relation to stanchions, rigging or any other immovable reference point. When the time comes around again for the crane, stick an inch or two of masking tape at the right spot. The driver will be grateful, and you won’t end up with a bent prop shaft and heaven knows what else in the way of collateral damage.