3 off the beaten track destinations

You want to go sailing, but want to avoid the crowds. But where? How? Can I still go to Greece and escape the crowds? Find the Boatbookings secrets below to ensure you have a crowd-less charter!

Foki Bay – Ionian

Northern Hemisphere

Places like the Mediterranean see thousands of sailors flock to visit these gorgeous islands and quaint medieval towns. The only issue is is that these islands can get so saturated over the summer it leaves some sailors lusting for the quiet secluded bays. find below the top 4 places in the Northern Hemisphere that offer perfect sailing, in quiet destination

Number one: The Azores

Say goodbye to the crowds of Athens, and say hello to nature, dramatic land formations and some of the best sailing in the Atlantic! The Azores offers long-distance sailing for the gung-ho sailor type during April/May/June, and island hopping with the family during the July and August months! Check out our 7-day itinerary and our 14-day itinerary for some inspiration!

Number two: Corsica

Calanches de Piana in Corsica, France, late spring.

Corsica, a French island located south of the French Riviera and north of Sardinia. This rocky oasis offers some of the most picturesque bays that the Meditteranean has to offer. There’s only a small amount of yachts based in Corsica so our advice would be to start on the northeastern tip of Sardinia and sail up towards the east coast of Corsica stopping off at one of our favorite anchorages: Santa Guilia. Check out of Corsica sailing itinerary for some inspiration!

Number three: Croatia

Croatia has seen the rise in nautical tourism over the past 5 years, with it nearly topping the sailing capital of the world – Greece. This long skinny country, with thousands of islands, is the perfect playground for sailors. Islands such as Brac, Hvar, Solta are heavily visited during the summer months (unsurprising as they are truly unique). One area which is sometimes forgotten is the national park – Kornati. Located north of Sibenik, and just south of Zadar, the Kornati national park provides some of the most exquisite sailing. The islands are easy to navigate through and offers protection from Jungo and Bora winds. Read our various Croatia itineraries to get a feel for what you can experience!

Number four: Turkey

Turkey, where east meets west. A culturally diverse corner of the Mediterranean perfect for first-timers looking for some stress-free sailing. As the political unrest comes to a halt, Turkey is dying for people to come back sailing, it has the infrastructure to berth thousands of yachts and used to be an exciting hub of sailing. Turkey is mainly coastal sailing with a few islands laying close to Gocek and Fethiye.

If you are looking to explore and off the beaten track location, speak to one of our worldwide brokers today!

Sail into Spring

February is over and March shows no sign of heating up, the winter blues set in.. Wave goodbye to cold temperatures and charter a yacht with Boatbookings for an unforgettable Spring experience. Broker Alice provides an insight into the best places to sail in March, April and May to escape the April Showers.

Where to go when…

March

The BVI

Undoubtedly, the best destination for sailing in March is the British Virgin Islands. The trade winds are reliable and the islands are more tranquil than during the Christmas holidays. These islands profit from excellent sailing conditions, a dry climate, reliable trade winds and an excellent island hopping- bar culture. Visit the baths on Virgin Gorda, the new Willy T’s, the wreck of the Rhone. If you are feeling adventures head across to Anegada for some unforgettable conch fritters!

Guadeloupe

Get a taste of the outdoors in Guadeloupe. Whether you’re into remote beaches, exotic hikes in rainforests or scuba-diving amongst turtles on and coral gardens, this is the sailing destination for you. Tip- for those into French diving heroes, there is a statue of Jaques Cousteau located just off from Pigeon island (Bouillante, Basse Terre).

April

A favourite month of the year in the Caribbean. This month homes in some unforgettable regattas, idyllic trade wind conditions and consistently warm temperatures.

Antigua Race Week

Head over to Antigua at the end of April to take part in one of the most competitive sailing regattas on the globe. Not only is the sailing amazing, there is a mixture of great Caribbean BBQ’s and social events taking place during the week. The infamous Lay Day takes place on a neighbouring beach and is a must-do activity!

May

St Vincent and the Grenadines

As the rain and wind season begins in the Leewards head down to the Grenadines at the heart of the Windward Caribbean Islands to catch the last of the Caribbean sun and winds. The Grenadines are a quieter alternative than the Leeward islands and are home to some of the lushest vegetation across the Caribbean.

Turkey

An up and coming charter destination, Turkey hosts some of the best wind and climate conditions for a charter in the Mediterranean. Unspoilt beaches, historical ruins, a unique cultural experience, secluded bays and excellent marina facilities make Turkey one of the best destinations to visit.

Get in contact with the Boatbookings team today to start to plan your Spring Yacht Charter!

Beautiful Bodrum: A Turkish Delight

Having just read  Mark Twain’s “Innocents Abroad,” a classic account of tourism in Turkey, we’re now very excited about the thought of heading to the Turkish coast this summer.

Lying opposite the Greek island of Kos and jutting out into the Aegean, the waters off the Bodrum peninsula are perfect for a summer sailing holiday. The vibe is distinctly east meets west. The cuisine, bazaars and hammams are inherently oriental, with an easy going culture blending mosques with a bikini led lifestyle. Development has been carefully monitored and much of the peninsula retains its intrinsic character. The coastal towns and villages remain low rise against a back drop of pine clad hills, and are decorated by reflective and glorious blue water.

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Thanksgiving, Turkey and Malades Restaurant Bodrum

What’s your trick to preparing Turkey for Thanksgiving? All this talk about the celebratory bird has got us thinking about family celebrations, warmer climates and Turkey! The Turkish coastline boasts more than a thousand kilometres of shoreline, sharing the same crystal clear warm waters as popular neighbour Greece. With an abundance of history, archaeological sights and breathtaking views, the Turkish Riviera is a must visit during summer 2015!

Bella-Mare

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