HOLIDAYS

ALL AT SEA NOVEMBER 2020 27 BOATING HOLIDAYS

EVERY MONTH WE BRING YOU HOLIDAY NEWS AND A SELECTION OF OFFERS

Image: Elena Vasilchenko/Shutterstock.com

WINTER BERTHING OPTIONS IN ITALY AT the time of writing, you need to quarantine on returning from Italy, but if that is not a problem and you fancy a winter getaway, here is a pick of marinas suggested by Evolution Yachting along the west coast of Italy. They should tick all the right boxes for your berthing winter needs.

Porto Maurizio is just 25km from Sanremo and 73km from Monaco. The marina has the capacity to take yachts up to 90m, with a draft of 6m. There is mooring assistance and fresh water and electricity supply at the berths.

Alternatively, Marina di Stabia sits beneath Mount Vesuvius, and is in one of the most sheltered and secure ports in the Med. The marina has berths available for yachts up to 100m and facilities include a yacht club with a Michelin star restaurant, a 26m pool, sport facilities, BBQ area and a waterfront gym, as well as restaurants and bars.

A stay at our fi nal marina, Roma Marina Yachting, means Rome is just under an hour away. The 230m dock, with 14 superyacht berths, can take yachts up to 85m stern to and can accommodate 150+m alongside. There is also 24/7 mooring assistance, security and dockside parking. evolutionyachting.co PADDLEBOARDING HOLS IN PARADISE

Image: David Xia/Shutterstock.com PADDLEBOARDING continues to grow in popularity, but why not combine it with a holiday to the popular British Virgin Islands. Many holiday companies, like MarineMax, can add this popular watersports kit to your trip.

MarineMax has suggested these fi ve great places to paddleboard in the British Virgin Islands. The Baths: Located on Virgin Gorda, you can explore the hidden crevices and creatures amongst these formations. Norman Island: Said to be the inspiration for Robert Lewis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, this is a popular spot for paddleboarders. Cooper Island: As well as paddling, this is a great area for snorkelling. Many also visit Cooper Island to spot a sea turtle as they are known to frequent here. Cane Garden Bay: Located on Tortola’s north shore, there is wonderful marine life to see here too. Little Jost Van Dyke: On a calm day, this area is great for exploring the mangroves. Located on the east end of Jost Van Dyke, enjoy the treasures of nature among the roots of these majestic trees. www.marinemax.com ARE you thinking about a sailing holiday in 2021? A fl otilla could be the perfect getaway, offering the chance to spend quality time with friends and family during the day, with the option to meet up with others in the evening.

When choosing when to go it is worth bearing in mind that there tends to be mostly couples and groups of friends early in the season - May and June - and then again late in the season - September and October. Not surprisingly, during school holidays there are families on nearly every boat (apart from the odd teacher).

To fi nd your fl otilla holiday, choose your destination, your crew’s level of sailing experience and the duration of holiday you are after.

If you choose to travel with Sailing Holidays, a fl otilla will be a group of 10 - 12 yachts, guided by one of their lead boats, with a skipper, engineer and hostess on board.

Their one week Kefalonia Flotilla starts from £525 per person including fl ights based on fi ve people sharing a Beneteau 331. This holiday, which starts and fi nishes in Sivota on Lefkas Island and explores many picturesque spots on Kefalonia and Ithaka, is perfect for fi rst time fl otilla sailors, as well as experienced sailors looking to introduce family and friends.

There are many other fl otillas available from Sailing Holidays, so visit their website or get in touch to fi nd the perfect one for you. www.sailingholidays.com

CROATIAN GETAWAY Yacht Getaways have been in touch to let us know that next summer will see the addition of an eightday Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik route called Croatia Southern Explorer.

This route will include full-board and cater for up to 12 guests on larger 62ft catamarans. It will be ideal for larger groups of friends and families wanting to travel to Croatia together in comfort and security in 2021, having missed group holidays this year. Pricing will start at 1,490pp.

The Southern Croatia Explorer route offers the best of Croatia’s stunning coastline, charming villages and rich history. Visitors will travel through the lush greenery of Mljet National Park, to the Peljesac peninsula, where they can visit local vineyards and sample the best wines, to Ston, where sailors can indulge in locally caught oysters and explore the ancient city walls.

Full route Itinerary: Dubrovnik - Sipanska Luka - Mljet National Park - Korcula - Peljesac Peninsula & Wineries - Walls of Ston - Dubrovnik www.yachtgetaways.com

GREEK FLOTILLA

LEARN TO SAIL HOLIDAY NAUTILUS Yachting understand that 2020 may have passed you by without you being able to get out on the water abroad, but they are taking bookings for 2021 with early booking discounts available until 31 December (and some limited offers in the New Year).

Next year, why not combine your holiday with an RYA course. Nautilus Yachting is just one of many holiday providers offering learn to sail holidays. You could, for example, learn on a fl otilla with an instructor on board your yacht. This is ideal for couples and families trying out holidaying aboard your own yacht. Alternatively, for those looking to further their sailing skills other options include RYA Day Skipper.

With Nautilus Yachting adults can, as one option, book a cabin on a shared yacht at an RYA Recognised Training centre in Gibraltar, Greece or Croatia, whilst families may prefer to book exclusive use of a training yacht in Greece, Turkey, Gibraltar or Croatia.

If you are not sure when to book, it is worth bearing in mind that Nautilus Yachting told us: “With many clients unable to travel this year due to Covid-19 and deferring their bookings to 2021, availability for some popular dates is already becoming limited. So we are recommending people book as early as possible to secure the best choice of yachts and departures.” www.nautilusyachting.com

IMPORTANT - The outbreak of COVID-19 continues to evolve. Please check FCO travel advice pages for the latest travel information: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-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