See full version: The 30 greatest sailing escapes to experience in your lifetime
In 2017, you can take a wind-powered journey in any part of the planet, and be involved as much or as little as you like – chartering and skippering your own vessel, joining an experienced crew to wrestle with a moody ocean, or embarking on a gentle voyage where a team of professionals provides the expertise. [links]
Arthur Ransome loved sailing. The creator of Swallows and Amazons, The Big Six and – in the case of the above excerpt – 1934’s Coot Club filled his children’s books with fun and adventures on the waters of the Lake District and the Norfolk Broads.
It is now 50 years since he died (in June 1967), taking his distinctly English vision of messing about in boats with him. But the appeal of a holiday on deck has not dimmed – even if the scope for escape under sail has rather grown since the Thirties, the period that the author painted in such a romantic light. here
T here were boats everywhere, and boats of all kinds, from the big black wherry with her gaily painted mast… to the punts of the boatmen going to and fro, and the motor-cruisers filling up with petrol, and the hundreds of big and little sailing yachts, tied to the quays.” more
Being taught to sail can also make for a great holiday. The Royal Yacht Association (023 8060 4100; rya.org.uk) offers a range of courses which are recognised worldwide – from tuition for beginners to the top-rank “Yachtmaster” qualification. more
Some of these learning curves are included in the 30 breaks below – but whether you opt to navigate to Cuba or go no further than the Wroxham hailed in Coot Club, the essential joy is largely the same.
Sailing trips come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, but one thing they all have in common? Each day onboard is a blissful mix of sunshine and sea breeze, alluring ports of call, and water as far as the eye can see. No matter which destination you choose — Croatia or Greece, Vietnam or the Galapagos Islands — a sailing adventure will be one of the best vacations of your life.
A wealth of laid-back and adventure-filled sailing destinations await in Latin America: embark on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday around the Galapagos Islands, get intimately acquainted with Cuba, or cruise through the technicolour ports of the Carribean.
Whether it’s Thailand, Indonesia, or Vietnam, a sailing vacation in Asia promises fascinating cultural highlights, phenomenal cuisine, and exotic ports of call. Browse our selection of tours to find the itinerary that suits you best. [links]
Explore Montenegro by sailing dramatic coastlines that are more steep and rugged than in Croatia, but equally attractive. Montenegro is one of the most popular sailing destinations in the world, so expect it to be busy.
The waters at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia may be some of the most amazing waters in the world! Sailing gives you the opportunities to snorkel or dive all day. There's plenty of sea life to check out so make sure you have an underwater camera. more
The Greek Islands are home to some of the greatest sunsets on Earth. With an estimated 1200-6000 islands in Greece, there are so many islands—each with their own unique character—that every port stop feels different and fresh.
Feeling the wind in your hair and smelling the salt in the air as you take to the sea - that is freedom. Sailing is one of the great joys of travel. Today, we chat about some of the best places in the world to sail.
Sailing in Croatia is quickly becoming very popular because it's shielded from inland eyes by the sweeping Dinaric Alps. The rolling coastline is speckled with pristine beaches, green slopes and some of the most charming towns and cities Europe has to offer (which is really saying something). more
Explore some of the most beautiful and most famous beaches in the world by sailing Thailand. Whether you’re looking for a place to dance and party, or somewhere more tranquil to chill out, relax and work on your tan, you will find a hundred or more that seem as if they have been put there especially for you.
The “Spice Islands,” as the Grenadines are sometimes referred to, is a chain of 32 picturesque islands sprinkled across 60 miles of the southern Caribbean in the West Indies, offering a perfect blend of dramatic landscapes, culture, abundant marine life, friendly people and unspoiled white sand beaches. Known as some of the world’s greatest sailing waters, you’ll find the ideal sailing conditions and lack of crowds make it one of the best spots for a vacation on the water. Bequia, in particular, has been a favorite destination for seafarers for centuries. If you want to charter a boat, you’ll find a number of options in Port Elizabeth, along with scheduled and private boat excursions. There are also several crewed and bareboat sailing options, from the simply outfitted and reasonably priced to the expensive and luxurious. It’s one of the best spots in the Caribbean if you want to escape the crowds. more
If you’re dreaming of a vacation that includes feeling the wind in your hair and the spray of the sea on your skin while enjoying magnificent scenery, get ready to pack your bags. These destinations offer the opportunity for the ultimate sailing escape.
Sometimes referred to as the “New Riviera,” Croatia has become an increasingly must-go destination for all types of travelers. There is really no better way to experience it than upon the crystalline Adriatic, where the sun is almost always shining brightly and its tranquil waters gently lap more than 1,100 miles of coastline, including a collection of postcard-perfect islands. There’s a lot of coastline to explore, which includes practically an endless number of picture-perfect beaches, lush green slopes and some of the most charming towns in all of Europe. The most popular spot to dock is at the island of Hvar, filled with well-heeled yachtsmen types. Be sure and explore the hidden coves, traditional fishing villages and remote island groups like Elafiti and Kornati too. more
This famous but tiny archipelago of islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean is remote, though it entices people from all over the world to see its legendary abundance of rare wildlife from blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises to penguins and sea lions. Demand for berths here is heavy, making expedition cruising the best way to explore the 19 islands while boning up on Darwin’s theory of evolution. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, fly in and take a week-long cruise, living aboard a boat. Snorkel or dive by day while sailing around the volcanic archipelago, occasionally coming ashore to play among the astounding wildlife. more