25 03 21

Excellent Greece yacht sailing places in 2021? Synonymous with romance, culture and rustic charm, the Amalfi Coast is one of the darlings of the Mediterranean. This region is worth a visit for those in search of timeless beauty, proper Italian dining and UNESCO-listed heritage. Begin on the south side of the coast with a trip inland to Ravello, a medieval village that sits at dizzying heights above the sea- take a walk around the gardens of Villa Rufolo, then enjoy a meal at Palazzo Avino overlooking the mountains and the sea. Evening aperitifs are best enjoyed at Le Sirenuse, a chic hotel in Positano decked out in colourful majolica tiles with a terrace that offers unbeatable views over the town. Then, be sure to head down to the commune of Nerano to dine at one of two celebrity-approved restaurants; Lo Scoglio da Tommaso and La Conca del Sogno.

Italy has an extensive Mediterranean coastline, speckled with unbelievable islands, beaches, and beautiful towns. Sailing around southern Italy is always a popular choice for European cruise holidays. What makes this area even better is its close proximity to Greece – allowing you to include both countries easily into your sailing itinerary. As Italy has a rather lengthy coastline, the different destinations each offer something completely unique. Some of the best places to visit in Italy for a sailing holiday include Sardinia, Amalfi, the Aeolian Islands, the Sorrentine Peninsula, and Sicily. The Cinque Terre is another great coastal destination for those interested in sailing further north.

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. Find extra info at https://intersailclub.com/.

When you begin planning a luxury yacht charter it is important to be aware of what is included in the cost of booking your dream charter yacht. Although a yacht will have a base charter fee, this may or may not include additional expenses such as food and fuel and this is subject to the terms and conditions within the charter contract. There are various types of charter contracts and which one applies to you will depend on where you wish to cruise. Whatever the terms of your charter contract, you should understand the Advance Provisioning Allowance. This is an amount of about 20-25 per cent of the charter fee for a “plus all expenses” charter and about five per cent for an “all inclusive” charter. It is sent to the yacht before the charter to provision the yacht according to your preferences.

Yachting tip of the day: Every cruising yacht should carry one or two extra-long lines. Shock-absorbing, super-strong nylon is the favorite, but cost may dictate that you use whatever you can lay hands on. The lines may not see daylight for years until some unforeseen contingency turns up. But on that day, nothing else will do, as they can, for example, be bent to the end of an anchor cable that suddenly seems too short, or serve as a life-saver in a monster raftup. I once used mine on a simple dock under a mountain when a katabatic wind fell off a glacier at midnight and started to rip the pontoon off its moorings. I ran my super-long line ashore to a tree, brought the end back to the windlass and cranked it tight. The line saved my boat and the dock as well.