31
ALL AT SEA MARCH 2021
SAIL AWAY
on your dream holiday this year with the latest news and offers
Image: Protasov AN / Shutterstock
Scottish Beauty
The beauty of Scotland is simply breath-taking, from mountains and lochs to beaches and bays. If it is adventure you want on your next holiday, and you do not want to travel too far, then put Scotland at the top of your charter wish list. It is all too easy to keep going back to the same, familiar places, but in doing so you could be missing out on hidden treasures. Situated in the Scottish highlands, the 13thcentury castle Eilean Donan (pictured) is found on an island where three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh) meet, and is surrounded by incredible scenery. Or how about Loch Scavaig? Found on the southern point of the Isle of Skye, the water is enclosed on all sides by slopes of mottled granite. For those interested in trying the local whiskey, it is a short sail from the Talisker Distillery on the shores of Loch Harport. Or, for nature lovers, a trip to the Treshnish Isles is a must for spotting puffins and seals. An archipelago of eight small islands, the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its ecological rarity, wildlife and its breeding ground for rare seabirds.
Naleia Sailing Calendar Dominik at Naleia Yachting has been in touch with an up-date about some trips on the Naleia calendar this year. All their scheduled trips are slightly redesigned to limit the presence in crowded places and maximise remote, natural and beautiful corners of the coastlines that you will be sailing along. ■ 8 – 15 May: Croatia, Naleia Sailing Course ■ 10 - 17 July: Italy, Sardinia-Corsica Route ■ 28 August - 4 September: Croatia, Sundown Sailors Route ■ 4 - 11 September: Croatia, Out and About route ■ 16 - 23 October: Greece, Dodecanese route ■ 13 - 23 November: Seychelles, Garden of Eden Route www.naleiayachting.com
Your Top Choice
Greece is traditionally a popular holiday destination for the British, and for those choosing to holiday abroad this year it will no doubt be one of the busier spots. The good news is that, although nothing in the Covid world is guaranteed, the Greek Tourism Minister has said that “Under no circumstances will a vaccination certificate become a condition for someone to travel to our country”. Flotilla holidays in Greece are a great way to tick the socially distanced holiday box, and are expected to be popular in 2021. Sailing Holidays tell us that some early summer flotillas are full already, partly due to 2020 deferrals, but also with those eager to escape the doom and gloom of Covid. www.sailingholidays.com
Image: Nikiforov Alexander / Shutterstock
The City of Sails
Auckland is known as the ‘city of sails’ and white sailcloth is always on show in its unique dual harbour - the city is sandwiched on a narrow isthmus between the Manukau and the Waitemata harbours. The city is one of New Zealand’s top sailing destinations, playing host to the Volvo Ocean Race, of which organisers say Auckland is the “spiritual home”. It has a legacy built on the legends of such iconic New Zealand sailors and race winners as Sir Peter Blake and Grant Dalton, and now leading into a younger generation with Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. This month, of course, Auckland is hosting the 36th America’s Cup, allowing the boat-loving country to share its rich and cultural voyaging history with the world. Auckland is a water lover’s paradise and there are more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world. There are also multiple marinas, three of which are near the central city - Viaduct Harbour, Westhaven and Silo marinas. Visitors are often surprised to find a maritime paradise such as the Hauraki Gulf (on Auckland’s eastern border) so close to a major city. On the other side, the rugged west coast is the ideal spot for surfing, kite-boarding and land yachting. There are 47 islands dotted around the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Some, like Waiheke and the volcanic peak of Rangitoto, are less than an hour away under sail. Other islands, like Tiritiri Matangi and Little Barrier, are refuges for rare and endangered wildlife. Dolphins, whales, orca and blue penguins can be seen
Image: COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi
playing in the sparkling waters of the Gulf. Great Barrier Island, meanwhile, with its peaceful sandy beaches, is a dark sky sanctuary by night. Sailing experiences you might enjoy in Auckland include: Overnight Sailing Experience: Sail overnight on a historical America’s Cup boat built by Sir Peter Blake and experience a weekend of camaraderie, fun and adventure in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. lovemynewzealand.nz Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise: Jump on board this boutique dining experience on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. Enjoy a threecourse meal during the leisurely sail and take in the fresh air, spectacular scenery and iconic city skyline. www.exploregroup.co.nz Explore Group - Auckland Harbour Sailing: Get out on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour on this relaxed boutique sailing experience. Take in the unique landscape and iconic city skyline from the water while you get involved sailing, or simply sit back and enjoy the fresh sea air. www.exploregroup.co.nz
Travel restrictions up-date
Under current UK Covid-19 restrictions, you must stay at home. You must not travel, including abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason. It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes. In England, the stay at home rule is set to end on 29 March. But holidays within the UK will not be allowed until 12 April at the earliest. People will then be able to stay away from home with other members of their household, or bubble, in selfcontained accommodation.
The earliest date people from England will be able to travel abroad for a holiday is 17 May. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced plans for allowing foreign holidays. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has said that travel restrictions are “essential and are likely to remain so for some time yet”. Note that different rules apply for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and so always check your local measures before booking any holiday.
FURTHER INFORMATION 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.
■ 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
