Excellent Sicily sailing destinations and yacht charter solutions? Drop the diet. Sicily sits at the culinary crossroads of the most gluttonous nations on earth. Arabs, Spanish, Normans and Greeks deposited a foodie fusion. Like pasta con le sarde, an Italo-Arabian blend of fennel, almonds, sardines and saffron. Then there’s sfincione, from the Latin word for sponge, which is half pizza, half bun, with an anchovy-cheese-tomato flavour. In Palermo, posh nosh means A’Cumcuma. Here street food and fisherman’s catches are raised into photogenic bites like red shrimps with oyster emulsion. For Sicilian cuisine as it used to be near Portorosa, try Agavos Agriturismo. Stuffed anchovies and chargrilled swordfish rolls served with a sea view. Find additional details on www.sicilyseasearch.it.
Sailors often prefer the area between the northern coast of Sicily, Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Palermo, Cefalu, Sant Agata, Milazzo and Porto Rosa are ideal places to begin Yacht charter in Sicily. On a sailing trip between the harbors, bays and capes, one can explore the northern coast of the island thoroughly. A detour to the Aeolian Islands (Lipari Islands) is recommended. On the east coast there is the port of Catania, which is a convenient starting point due to the nearby airport. You can also begin a trip from Taormina or Syracuse.
Thanks to tranquil seas, stunning scenery and a long summer season, Turkey is a yachting favourite. Clear, warm waters and predictably calm wind conditions combined with fully equipped modern marinas add to the appeal. A wide range of wild coves and anchorages are nestled along the shoreline, easily accessed by sailing yachts with shallow draft. May and October are quite possibly the best months for sailing due to the lack of visitors, however September is also wonderful with warm seas and less daytime heat. The compact sailing area around Göcek and Fethiye is lined with pretty coves and inlets and dotted with restaurants, ideal for visiting on a sailing yacht charter. Another popular route is the coastline from Bodrum to Antalya, where mountains of coniferous forest provide natural relief from the heat. With generally light winds, predictable sea conditions and temperature plus short distances to marinas, there are many beautiful beaches and secluded bays to enjoy.
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. Thanks to our COVID-19 cancellation insurance, you don’t have to stress whether your travel plans will be affected due to COVID-19. Here are some of the reasons why you should book your Mediterranean yacht cruise in 2021 with IntersailClub: Flexible ReschedulingIf you have to change your travel plans because you cannot get to your departure destination due to COVID-19 travel disruption, you can either: Receive a credit for the deposit paid, which you can use in the next 12 months or Reschedule your charter for alternative dates.
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. If you are looking to charter a yacht understanding the costs involved can seem daunting and confusing. The two important things to understand are your base price and what you will be expected to pay on top of it. The best analogy for determining the cost of your charter is with buying a car. It’s never quite as easy as just walking into a showroom and saying, “I’ll take the blue one.” Immediately the salesman whips out his order pad and starts asking questions. “Do you want a radio?” “How about the fancy wheels?” “Did you want the two-tone paint?”
Scattered across the Mediterranean, the islands of Greece are ideal for exploring by boat. Set course for the Cyclades, where gems like Santorini and Mykonos are as alluring as ever. If you’ve only got one day to spend in Santorini, we recommend a trip to Akrotiri for a look at an ancient Greek settlement, and Santo Wines, for a taste of the region’s finest vino overlooking the famous caldera. Mykonos is set to be equally popular this summer, with the beach clubs buzzing and the picturesque bays studded with shiny superyachts. Head to Nammos for beachside dining, luxury shopping and partying among celebrities. If you’re looking to spend a day on shore, Cavo Tagoo is the place to be- caves carved into the chalky cliffs create a remarkably pretty setting.
Sailing tip of the day: Overlaying radar on the chart helps to interpret the display! The biggest problem most of us face when interpreting radar is lack of familiarity. We go about our daily business most of the year, then come aboard, hit the fog and turn it on. Unfortunately, unlike GPS, AIS and the rest, radar is more of a conversation between the operator and the instrument, so it’s not surprising we have trouble interpreting the picture. When I’m motoring, I, therefore, make a practice of keeping my radar transmitting even in good visibility and running an overlay on the chartplotter to keep me familiar with its drawbacks. The image above, for example, clearly shows that what the radar sees may not stack up with what the chart is telling me. Note how the trace seems mysteriously to end halfway up the coast. So it does, but that’s because the echo returning from high cliffs in the south gets lost when the land falls away to lower-lying estuarial terrain. The echo ends either because the flat shoreline isn’t providing a good enough target, or because the coast falls below the scanner’s visual horizon.
With over 200 beaches, chic coastal resorts and fine weather, Corsica is one of the best-kept secrets of the Western Mediterranean. It’s a fairly isolated spot that has kept the tourist masses away so expect a more traditional way of life and plenty of peace and quiet. The coastline is also pretty special with unspoilt beaches, hidden coves and secluded bays which are best appreciated from the deck of a yacht. Highlights include the beautiful town of Ajaccio which is encircled by mountains and Bonifacio, a major port with a restaurant-lined harbour.
2021 will still have to wait a bit longer to see the island at its best. The re-opening after a year of restrictions will be more paused and controlled so as to secure the stable situation Balearic Islands have reached. But no worries! We are sure there are many ways to discover Ibiza for those first-time visitors, in a more tranquil pace but, at the same time, genuine. Experts will find also their way to best attractions and best hotels and, we are quite sure, to a renewed way to enjoy Mediterranean nights. Sheltered by red cliffs that look as if they’ve been carved straight out of the Grand Canyon, Sa Caleta is situated just a 15-minute drive from Ibiza town. Its shallow, gentle waters make it a great beach for a family day out, especially as the paella served at the acclaimed La Caleta restaurant is meant to be some of the best in Ibiza – which is saying something on an island renowned for its seafood. This is a popular beach, but its cliffs lend it an exclusive, private feel as well as providing spots of shade in which to take a break from tanning. Whether you have been to heavenly destinations such as Greek Islands, the French Riviera, and Amalfi Coast before or not, these beautiful sailing spots in the Mediterranean will call you to come back over and over again. So, why not indulge in the opportunity to discover hidden natural gems, new local dishes, traditions, and people each time you visit the Mediterranean? Here are a few useful sailing yacht cruise tips to help you plan your unforgettable summer holiday in Europe’s fanciest location.