For those of us for whom the road is the goal, there are some amazing options out there. While large cruise ships are enjoyable and posh, you may easily forget you are out at sea.
A voyage on a small sailing vessel can make you truly enjoy every mile of your trip. Zizoo, the leading boat holiday platform makes it easy to find yourself aboard a chartered yacht anywhere in the world, any time of year.
Sailing is the best way to see ports, islands and coastal cities. You will constantly feel in motion and close to the elements. You will never experience the night sky like when you’re out on the water. Most importantly, you will be let in on secrets many tourists don’t get to experience.
There is something about stepping off a sailboat that makes you feel like you own the port. It also adds the cool factor as tourists who just stepped off a crowded bus look on with longing.
Although it’s the Caribbean Sea that gets the most attention for picture-perfect blue waters and exotic island hopping, it’s time to look at some European destinations too:
1. South Pacific
The islands of the South Pacific are known as having some of the most crystal clear blue waters you can find. This region is comprised of many countries and islands including Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Here you will find not only beautiful beaches, and warm weather year round, but also some of the friendliest and welcoming people and cultures in the world.
Part of the allure of islands in the South Pacific region is its natural beauty and remoteness. Australia is the largest country is the South Pacific and offers the most convenient methods to access the region. Cruise holidays from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to the South Pacific islands are abundant during the summer months of November through to February. Prices are also very affordable with many cruise lines servicing these islands including cruise ships from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises Australia. The white sandy beaches of these idyllic tropical islands awaits.
2. Croatia
Croatia has been on every list of hottest off-the-beaten-path destinations for a while, you still have time to explore here before it goes completely mainstream. When you think Croatia think influences from Venice, Hungary, ancient Rome, and the Byzantine Empire. Imagine thousands of islands scattered just off of the warm Adriatic coast - even better than Italy.
A lot of people compare it to the French Riviera before it became too touristy. You can still find amazing hidden anchorages here. Explore a new historic town every day and enjoy the weather, which is usually stellar. Distances between ports are short, which gives you the perfect ratio of sail time and shore leave.
3. Rugged Spanish Coast
If you get bored easily and are looking for variety, come sail the Spanish coast. The coastline here changes so much, you will feel like you are entering different worlds at a breakneck pace.
Costa Brava includes some of the wildest and rugged terrain. Here, you will be away from people and free to contemplate amazing wilderness. Larger coastal cities like Barcelona and Malaga also beckon, and they have amazing food tours. You can get off the yacht and step into a vibrant metropolis before setting sail again.
Chartering a sailboat here is very popular, and you are sure to make friends with other sailors and the skippers are familiar with each other. This is a great opportunity for those of us who love to be social, exchange stories and recommend experiences.
4. Remote Greek Islands
Greece is an old favorite of yachting vagabonds since the time of Odysseus. Some say that he took so long to return home just because he loved being a nomad on the Aegean Sea. Not that we can blame him.
The Greek islands offer a lot of excitement for both novice and an old sailor alike. Have you ever seen a picture of the perfect white and blue houses of Santorini? If you have, you know that these islands are the most beautiful places on earth.
When chartering a sailboat on the Aegean you will find that although some things seem at odds, they tend to strike a perfect balance here. You can plot your course to include crazy party islands, secluded beaches or historical sites. Or mix them up into one diverse itinerary.
The Greek coastline carries both the weight of an ancient world and the lightness of a perfect carefree vacation.
5. Norway’s Fjords
Step completely out of your comfort zone and pretend you are aboard a wooden long boat, setting out to plunder and pillage. Maybe that is your comfort zone? Even if you exchange the open Viking drakkar for a cozy cabin charter yacht, you can still see and admire the same vistas that these warriors of the North did.
Cruising in Norway is a completely otherworldly experience. One of the absolute musts when sailing the fjords is to make sure your skipper has sturdy fishing poles. The salmon, herring, and cod in these parts are the best in the world.
Enjoy freshly caught dinner under the northern lights in the fall - or under the eternal summer sun. And we do recommend summer sailing here - you can see as much of the coastline as possible. Norway’s coast has more miles to it than the equator, thanks to all the nooks and crannies.
6. The Baltic
Welcome to the little sea surrounded by land - the Baltic. Some sailors describe it as a storm in a teacup. Get your passport and your visas ready, because you are able to cross a LOT of borders when you’re sailing this beautiful sea.
Your choices for shore leave include Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania. You can dock in a modern, neat port city or go super rugged and sail all the way up into the wild islands and fjords of the North.
Take a break at an ice hotel, or just enjoy the vast emptiness and being alone. If you have enough of being alone there is always the option of sailing into St. Petersburg. See if Russians can party quite like they claim they can. The Baltic Sea is your oyster.