SAIL AWAY

on your dream holiday this year with the latest news and off ers

Borrow a boat in the UK

A study carried out by Borrow A Boat found that 42 per cent of 18 – 24-year-olds are planning to charter a boat this summer, and with more people choosing to stay in the UK this year here are some ideas, for travellers of all ages, from Borrow A Boat’s CEO Matt Ovenden.

Isle of Wight: Dock at Southampton and sail across to The Isle of Wight in as little as an hour, depending on weather conditions. You can ride in style on the Allegro, an Italian designed, fast motor cruiser complete with a large open cockpit for entertaining and socialising and a wet bar with fridge and grill. Make the most of the British summertime by sunbathing on board or taking a dip via the swim platform. You can also stay overnight on the boat in one of three cabins, each with ensuite. Split between four friends, your trip could cost as little as £290 each per day.

London: If you fancy a city break, a boat trip in London is the perfect way to explore without all the traffi c and crowds. Take a trip down the Thames and see all the sites on the Thames Sailing Barge Lady Daphne. A captain will take you and seven friends to see sights including the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Greenwich, The O2, Canary Wharf and the Thames Barrier.

Edinburgh: For the adventurer and wildlife enthusiast, there are some stunning views to take in around Scotland’s coastal areas. Just outside Edinburgh’s city centre, charter a luxury catamaran for 10 guests, with captain. The boat takes you and your guests on a tour of some beautiful and historical locations including the famous Forth Bridges, Inchcolm Island and Blackness Castle. This trip is also great for wildlife spotters. Expect to see wildlife including seals, porpoises, puffi ns and many types of seabirds on your trip.

Weymouth: Are you an adrenaline junkie? Want to ride on the 26ft RIB that was the safety boat used in the fi lm Dunkirk and reaches speeds of more than 40 knots? Head down to Weymouth to ride the speedy twin engine RIB, Endeavour, which cuts through waves with ease. Thrill seekers can even request a donut to ride behind the RIB for the ultimate experience. www.borrowaboat.com

BVI welcomes you!

There is good news for anyone planning a trip further afi eld, such as the ever-popular BVI. Effective since 15 May, the BVI has a new entry protocol for travellers.

Those fully vaccinated* will be immediately released from quarantine, once their arrival test is negative. Proof of a Image: BVI Tourism negative PCR test no more than fi ve days prior to arrival will be required along with proof of vaccination status and travel insurance. The ‘BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certifi cate’ has also been reduced from $175 to $105 for fully vaccinated travellers.

Unvaccinated children will be tested on arrival and released from quarantine together with their vaccinated parents/guardian once the test results for the entire group are negative.

Prevention measures such as mask-wearing, hand washing and physical distancing remain in effect.

Image: Shutterstock

Solent in the Summer

This summer you could take a skippered or bareboat charter in the Solent with Britannia, who are based at Port Hamble Marina, near the mouth of the River Hamble.

Join family and friends and explore the South Coast from Southampton to Lymington or pop over to the Isle of Wight. If you choose, they have experienced skippers who can join you on board and know the best places to visit on a Solent yacht charter.

The Solent offers world-class sailing conditions, perfect for experienced and novice sailors alike. The 30-mile stretch of water between the coast and the Isle of Wight, fl anked at one end by the famous Needles and at the other by the historic Napoleonic forts, provides some of the most popular cruising waters in the world with sheltered anchorages, superb scenery and numerous historic ports, all a very short distance apart. Craft on offer range from their largest boat, a Dufour 460GL, right through to a high-speed 7m RIB. 02380 458 900 / info@britanniaevents.co.uk

Scotland West Coast and Hebrides Cruise

Explore the West Coast of Scotland and the Hebrides on a beautiful Oyster 62 yacht.

You will join the yacht in the port of Oban and embark on an adventure taking you around the Isle of Skye and into the Hebrides. The exact itinerary will be dictated by the weather forecast and will be decided by the crew before departure.

Sailing this area of Scotland is perfect for those who like to be immersed in nature. Surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, the West Coast and the Hebrides offer the chance to spot amazing wildlife including sea otters, whales, dolphins and basking sharks.

Throughout the week, as a crew, you will explore the magnifi cent islands in the Hebrides and experience the warming culture ashore where you can spend hours walking along craggy rocks to fi nd a secluded white sand beach, or tour a local distillery.

The cruise includes a qualifi ed and experienced skipper and fi rst mate. 7 nights: various dates From £2,000 per person www.kraken.travel

Restrictions up-date

Image: Ascannio / Shutterstock.com

The government announced which countries were on the initial green travel list in early May, as part of the new traffi c light system implemented when the international travel ban was lifted on 17 May.

Each country now has a green, amber or red status based on Covid-19 factors including vaccination numbers, infection rates and variants. For holidaymakers wishing to travel abroad without quarantining on coming home, means choosing a ‘green’ country. The green list, however, can change, although the government plans to review countries every three weeks, which will hopefully help to minimise disruption.

When visiting a ‘green’ country, travellers will need to take a private Covid test in their holiday destination before returning home (lateral fl ow or PCR), fi ll in a passenger locator form online before leaving and take a private PCR test on or before day two of their arrival in England. There will be no need to quarantine when back home, or take additional tests, unless the post-arrival test is positive.

The government has advised against visiting an ‘amber’ country, which requires self-isolating for 10 days on returning, although taking an optional PCR test on day fi ve, under the test to release scheme, can end the self-isolation early.

Remember, though, to also check the entry requirements of the country you are visiting as they will vary and may well require testing on arrival, if they are welcoming travellers at all (Australia’s borders are closed to most international arrivals until 2022).

You should also read the advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Offi ce before booking because if the FCDO advises against travel to a country, you will fi nd it diffi cult to get insurance. However, if you book through a good package holiday company, you will be entitled to a refund, date change or new destination should the FCDO advise against travel after you have made the booking. Note that some travel companies no longer follow the rules on FCDO advice, so check carefully who you book with.

IMPORTANT - The outbreak of COVID-19 continues to evolve. Please check FCO travel advice pages for the latest travel information: www. gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice. FURTHER INFORMATION Nautilus Yachting: www.nautilusyachting.com Nisos Yacht Charter: www.nisosyachtcharter.com Seafarer: www.seafarersailing.co.uk BVI Charters: www.bviyachtcharters.com Ocean Elements: www.ocean-elements.co.uk The Moorings: www.moorings.co.uk Mauri Pro: www.mauripro.com Dream Yacht Charter: www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk Sunsail: www.sunsail.co.uk Mallorca Yacht Charter: www.mallorcayachtcharter.eu Tall Ships Adventures: tallships.org Naleia Yachting:www.naleiayachting.com