The Mediterranean is so vast and varied that choosing the ideal yachting destination can prove difficult. In just a matter of 700 nautical miles, you can cover six countries, visit more than 1,000 islands, and witness over 3,000 years of history unfold before your eyes.
Along the way you’ll find the coastline blessed with world-class resorts, glorious beaches and breath-taking seaside towns. All this makes the Mediterranean one of the best places for yachting holidays. The question is: where to start?
France
Where better to start than the south of France? The Cote d’Azur is famously heralded as the yachting hub of the Mediterranean, where most of the world’s most stunning superyachts can be spotted on a regular basis. If you are lucky enough to have your name grace the list of high net worth individuals, this is an ideal place for a luxury yacht charter in the Mediterranean. The French Riviera offers elegance and glamour with spectacular international events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. The region boasts an overwhelming choice of adventure, history, and beauty between the towns of Marseilles, Monaco, Nice and Cannes and the smaller fishing villages of Beaulieu, Menton, St Tropez, Hyeres or St Jean Cap Ferrat. These are perfect locations to drop anchor and indulge in an exquisite dinner of fresh mussels and other seafood delicacies.
Southern France isn’t just about the Cote d’Azur. The expansive golden sandy beaches beginning in western Toulon and extending to the awe-inspiring Pyrenees Mountains provide plenty of excitement for more experienced crews and endless entertainment for thrill-seekers interested in water sports. Among the most beautiful sailing areas of southern France are the islands of Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant, which are a stone’s throw away from St Tropez, where you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
If you feel like sailing to a bigger island, Corsica is not far and worth the trip to if you want to take in the beauty of the Mediterranean’s most mountainous island.
Italy
Italy is simply the tourist capital of the world. It is home to the greatest number of UNESCO Heritage Sites on the planet and its world-renowned cuisine, culture and history ensure that Italy could not be omitted from this list. Now you have the chance to rediscover this well-known country from a new, nautical perspective and all from the comfort of your luxury yacht.
There are four primary sailing areas in Italy: Naples and the Amalfi Coast, the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, and Tuscany. Each is a venerable homage to Italy’s proud culture and stunning natural beauty. Equally, each of these regions is unique. If you’re looking for a glamorous vacation then Sanremo is the destination for you. If you’re looking for a more challenging sailing experience, then Sicily and the Aeolian Islands offer plenty of fun and adventure. Meanwhile, Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is host to endearing beaches and small and friendly villages. Of course, with so many cities of interest within touching distance of the coast, including the antiquated Pompeii, romantic Venice, Rome and the quainter port towns around Genoa, a yachting holiday here is a must for all keen yachtsmen and passionate travellers in general.
All of these factors however, contribute towards overcrowded ports, making moorings in high season between July and August difficult and expensive. . Avoiding the summer rush is key, especially if you are chartering a yacht.
The Greek Islands
With a vast yachting area of over 15,000km, the Greek Islands are ideal for the adventurous type. With more than 2,000 islands constituting 20% of the country’s total land surface, Greece offers an ideal yachting opportunity for exploring the Mediterranean’s stunning natural beauty at your own pace. Since only 169 of these islands are inhabited, there is plenty of chance to escape civilisation and enjoy some peace. However, hopping uninhabited islands for days may put a strain on your yacht’s food stock. This problem can be easily taken care of with the help of a yachting provisioning company, such as Gourmet Deliveries, who will take care of your yacht provisioning needs, even in remote areas. Once you are done exploring the pristine beauty of deserted islands, pay a visit to one of the inhabited islands to discover a plethora of historic intrigue and enjoy exciting nightlife and entertainment.
With so many sailing areas in Greece from the Ionian Islands, to the Cyclades, to the Sardonic Gulf, Greece is truly the yachting destination which caters to all passions. For the less experienced yachtsmen, the Ionian Islands are recommended due to their sheltered sailing conditions. Meanwhile, the Cyclades offers more popular, but less predictable sailing conditions. The latter comprise some of Greece’s most famous islands, including the captivating white fishing villages of Mykonos.
Croatia
Although Croatia is becoming a more and more popular destination for keen yachtsmen, it is still a gem of the western and central Mediterranean. Just take one short trip around its thousands of offshore islands and its beautiful old port towns of Dubrovnik and Split and you’ll soon see why.
Its relatively recent prominence as a top yachting destination means there are plenty of unspoiled places in which to cast anchor, including an abundance of coves, bays and beaches across 5,835 km of Croatia’s coastline. Its lower rates of tourism and more gentle temperatures mean that Croatian islands and coastal routes are generally greener than the more popular destinations of Greece.
There are several sailing areas in Croatia: the Istria and Croatia’s northern coast, the Kornati Islands, the central Dalmatian islands, and the very southern coast. Tourist guides will tell you that the Kornati Islands are Croatia’s most alluring sailing grounds where you can weave through a selection of 140 islands each with its own unique landscape and charming sailing villages. However, Dalmatia, which boasts three UNESCO World Heritage sites – Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, is well worth sailing to. Three such important historical sites do not exist in such close proximity anywhere else in the world.
The sailing winds in Croatia are good, but also relatively tame, with the Mistral winds rarely exceeding 20 knots. This makes it ideal for the inexperienced sailor. Yet, Croatia is equally appealing to more experienced sailors.
Turkey
Turkey offers the perfect blend of Eastern and Western tradition. Home to over 7,000km of coastline and with warmer waters than most Mediterranean yachting destinations, the yacht charter season in Turkey is long and abound with opportunity. Turkey is ideal if you want a serene sailing experience early or late in the season. It has lately become a popular destination with the owners of fractional yachts.
Thanks to Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, numerous archaeological sites, temples and castles, sailing in Turkey transports you back in time. The most exciting Turkish coastline can be found in the south-west, with the most popular locations spanning from Izmir, through Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kaş right up to Antalya.
These are just a few of our suggestions. The Mediterranean is of course vast and full of potential yachting paradises. Nowhere in the world is the landscape so diverse and engrossing. We hope we have taken you some of the way to arriving at your own Mediterranean haven this summer. From here on, your yacht will do the rest.
Buy the latest Sailing Today
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
No mobile device? Purchase directly on Zinio for your desktop!
The post Destination: Mediterranean appeared first on Sailing Today.