Top yacht rental recommendations and sailing destinations in the North Seas by IntersailClub

Best sailing destinations in the North Seas and yacht rental recommendations? 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. Discover more info at https://intersailclub.com/.

And remember, before or after staying in Ibiza, take the chance and spare some days for a visit to Spain’s mainland cities. Ibiza offers several daily flight connections with Madrid and Barcelona, just 40min away from the latest. Bachelors and singles will enjoy big city life, with good nightlife, shopping, restaurants and fun experiences. Couples and honeymooners may like to extend the trip and immerse in Spanish culture and heritage. Start with Barcelona and continue afterwards to the south, where charming Andalusian cities are waiting with incredible monuments and cosy old towns. Madrid can be the departure city, easily connected from Sevilla, Córdoba and Málaga by fast train. Families may prefer to extend the stay in the fantastic beach resorts and end with a short visit to main capitals before heading back home. The Spanish island of Ibiza boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Whether you’re into snorkelling in isolated coves, bathing in waters that redefine the word turquoise, or hanging out with celebrities in famous beach bars, there’s something here for everyone. Read on for the ten best beaches on the White Island. 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.

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.

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. 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: 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.

Island hopping around the Greek islands is at the top of many a traveller’s bucket list and the famously beautiful Ionian islands are a great place to begin. Start from Corfu or Lefkada and then meander through turquoise seas stopping off at each of the seven large islands and some of the smaller ones along the way (Paxoi and Antipaxoi make excellent sailing destinations). Expect all the usual cliched Greek images such as harbours filled with coloured fishing boats, white-washed villages, beautiful beaches, rugged mountains and traditional tavernas.

Turkey’s Turquoise Riviera has long been popular among private yachts, but recently we’ve seen an upswing in the demand for yacht charters in the region as well. Fethiye is one of the most popular spots to charter, as it provides access to tiny islands too small to name, sky-blue lagoons and secret coves where you drop anchor and swim straight up to the shore for lunch. Speaking of food, you should pay a visit to Lebessos Winehouse during your trip. Housed in a 400-year old stone cottage in the town of Kayakoy (which has been deserted since 1923) this restaurant is the gourmet dining leader of Fethiye. The venue earns extra points for its taxi service, saving you the hassle of booking a transfer. The service is friendly and accommodating and the local cuisine is authentic and perfectly-prepared- opt for tender lamb kleftiko, levissi chicken with chilli yogurt or honey-drenched figs. Plus, the restaurant has its own wine cellar where you can sample the local wines of Turkey.

When visiting Italy, especially the south, you can enjoy a multitude of islands and coastal destinations that are within easy reach of each other. Sailing around here is fairly easy and sheltered. Besides the beautiful scenery that you will get to pass, the historic Italian towns and ports found around the country make it one of the most desirable European places to visit. The warm weather, stunning views, outstanding Mediterranean cuisine, and warm hospitality make Italy an excellent yacht charter cruise destination, so you are going to love it, whether you prefer cabin charters or private cruises. Here a few ideas on sailing trips in Italy: Explore south Sardinia’s dreamy beaches and sail past the colorful villages of the rocky Amalfi Coast. Nestled at the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is Europe’s holiday hotspot.