Looking for the best yacht sailing locations in Europe? Charter in December between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most US colleges have announced that they will start the school year earlier and not call students back after Thanksgiving. If your family includes college students, this opens up and entirely new charter opportunity in December with almost no crowds! Why not reward your students (and your whole family) with a charter in December?
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.
Yachting tip of the day: The plotter’s track function can help you in tight harbors! It’s fun to look back over a summer’s cruising by way of the track my chartplotter has recorded. Where the track really comes into its own, though, is piloting out of a difficult harbor into which you have successfully maneuvered. You know you got in OK, so to be sure of a graceful exit—tide permitting where appropriate—you’ve only to follow the same track out again. Be warned, though, that this works only so long as the plotter is set upright. The screengrab shows two versions of the same in-and-out tracks on my Raymarine unit. The coarse setting shown in purple is useless, while the finer, black version leads me straight back out through the drying banks. It’s all down to setting the instrument to record frequent data. In short, to succeed in close quarters, the plot should be set to record at shorter time or distance intervals than out at sea.
You might not always get the good weather but this part of the UK equals many of its European rivals in beauty. Over 95 miles of uniquely formed ancient coastline stretch all the way from East Devon to Dorset. Otherwise known as the Jurassic Coast, some of the rock formations here are 185 million years old and its England’s first natural World Heritage Site. Set sail from Weymouth Harbour and stop off at all the local beauty spots – Durdle Door, Lulworth cove and countless historic coastal villages. See more info on intersailclub.com.
A sailing holiday around France covers some of the most famous Mediterranean beaches and European port towns. The French Riviera is one of the most sought-after yachting destinations in Europe – with many well-known towns, cities, and beaches along this coast. Some of the best destinations here for a cruising holiday include Corsica, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Lorient, and many more. These are places that attract the rich and famous – so you can expect plenty of luxuries to be enjoyed in the towns. The French Riviera is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for a sunny sailing holiday. This is thanks to the magnificent beaches, picture-perfect towns, azure waters and calm sailing routes.
