Quality yacht rental tricks and sailing destinations in the North Seas by IntersailClub

Excellent sailing destinations in the Indian Ocean and yacht rental guides? You may choose to live in your swimsuit and sarong, dress up for a formal occasion, or onshore, hike, ride bikes or horses. The key to packing well for your charter vacation is to not take too much, pack clothes flexible for several occasions, and remember that you’re out on the water and even in the height of summer, winds can be cool, so jackets or a warm pashmina should be part of your packing list. Consider the climate of your chosen charter destination. If you’re heading for sun, sea and sand, be sure to pack clothes to suit. Most restaurants on shore will expect you to follow the “smart casual” dress code, while some may request more formal apparel and footwear. See more details on Intersail Club.

When the day is over, a broad offer of hotels and accommodations will be waiting for you, from internationally prestigious establishments to good boutique hotels, from beach resorts offering all-inclusive services to cosy rural villas for those looking for a relaxing stay away from tourist spots. Cala Saladeta is one of the many stretches of sand on Ibiza that proves size isn’t everything when it comes to beaches. Small and beautiful, this is one of the most popular beaches on the island amongst both tourists and locals – and after just a few minutes here, you’ll understand why. Saladeta’s perfectly transparent waters give a whole new sense to the word turquoise and are shallow and calm as well, making it a great beach for a family day out (arrive early to claim your space, though). The last year was a year we stayed at home. It was the year of coronavirus anxiety, canceled plans, and severe lifestyle changes. With 2020 finally behind us, many of us are hoping for our lives to get back to what we know as ‘normal’: the life without facemasks and fear of illness. Life with schools, offices, restaurants open, and social gatherings and travel plans as things to look forward to. If you cannot wait to pack up and go again, let us show you the destinations that will make you forget about your daily stresses. Start planning your Mediterranean yacht cruise in 2021 in some of Europe’s most secluded locations of blissful beauty. A summer sailing trip in the Mediterranean Sea is a dream vacation that can quickly come true.

Greece offers a wide range of popular sailing destinations, but the Ionian Islands are one of the most extraordinary. Some of the best starting points for a sailing yacht charter are the ports of Corfu, Lefkada and Zante, with the main season running from May to October. Temperatures range from 26 to 35 degrees Celsius and the warm breeze mostly comes from the northwest at 4-20 knots. One of the calmest areas in the Mediterranean thanks to the gentle thermal winds, tidal range is minimal at around 30 to 60cm. Waters between the islands and the mainland are protected, offering calm and relaxed sailing, and the area surrounding the northern Ionians is considered very straightforward with easy navigation and plenty of anchorages found amongst the islands. Although the Meltemi wind can sometimes cause difficult sailing conditions, generally yachts under sail can use this to achieve exhilarating performance. With the pleasant Mediterranean climate, welcoming locals and beautiful scenery, the Ionian provides a sensational location for idyllic sailing.

The type of charter contract applicable to your charter will depend on where in the world you are cruising, as there are various terms within the industry which dictate how the payment structure is determined. For instance, a MYBA (Worldwide Yachting Association, formerly known as Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract operates under Western Mediterranean Terms (WMT) and is arguably the most commonly used, particularly with large yachts embarking on a Mediterranean yacht charter. This contract is often referred to as a “plus all expenses” contract and requires that the charterer pay for fuel, food, beverages and dockage fees as an additional expense outside of the base charter fee. Typically, guests can accumulate an additional 25% to 50% of the base charter fee though this is dependent on what is consumed. These expenses can be tracked through the use of an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) which we will cover in the next section. 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?”

Sailing tip of the day: There’s a good reason to run the engine for a while before departing! This is my stern with the engine running slowly in gear against the lines. We all know that when we’re charging batteries this lets the engine warm up thoroughly. However, I have a different reason: I just changed the fuel tanks and return feeds. I once did this and let go my lines straight away only to have the engine stop two minutes later. I’d somehow made a mistake with the valves and was left with a full fuel-bleeding job with empty filters. Most of us with more than one tank change them in harbor. The entrance is exactly where we don’t want to lose power, so I always give the unit a 10-minute run in gear just to make sure that if it does pack it in it’s not for lack of fuel.

Another beautiful Greek sailing route takes you through the less famous Sporades islands which are located off the East coast. There are eleven islands in total but if you start at Volos or Skiathos, you’ve got a good chance of visiting quite a few. Known as the emerald of the Aegean, expect rich vegetation, unspoiled green-blue waters and a more traditional way of life. Highlights include the picturesque island of Skopelos, the party-island Skiathos and the Marine Park of Alonissos which is dotted with secret coves.

Sailing around Europe: It’s safe to say, with its hugely diverse cultures and highly varied geography, that sailing around Europe is on innumerable bucket lists. The Greek islands will strike a chord with many, as each set of islands offer charterers something wholly unique. The Ionian on Greece’s west coast is dotted with delightful villages including Kioni on Ithaca or Fiskardo on Kefalonia, while the Cyclades chain to the east boasts gorgeous islands such as Mykonos, Ios and the incredible Santorini. In nearby Turkey, Bodrum on the Gulf of Gokova sees keen sailors flock from all over the world, and for good reason. Here, they experience untouched coves on the water and invigorating nightlife and impressive restaurants on the coast. Those more interested in Croatia will find over 1,100 islands to explore, made all the easier with reliably gentle winds and a myriad of beautiful harbours. If Italy is more your style, the Aeolian Islands just off of Sicily provide considerable environmental variety, including the unforgettable black sands of Stromboli and the hot springs of the island of Vulcano.

Cruising around the sparkling waters of Europe is one of the best ways that anyone could spend a holiday. We all dream about stopping on charming islands, exploring new port towns, cruising the beautiful waters, and living the dreamy yachting lifestyle. If you are planning on booking the best yacht holidays in Greece, or want to explore more of Europe, then be sure to check out some of these destinations. Chartering a yacht and sailing between these amazing places will result in one of the best holidays possible! Optional COVID-19 Cancellation Insurance. Our direct customers can opt for COVID-19 travel cancellation insurance that includes: Cancellation, Late arrival,Travel interruption, Hotel expenses. Optional COVID-19 cancellation insurance protects you if you or your crew develop coronavirus symptoms, test positive, or are unable to provide a negative PCR test.With the opportunity to cancel or reschedule your yacht cruise to any of the other Mediterranean destinations, you can plan your vacation with confidence.