Quality cruise destinations in the Mediterranean Sea: After Hilo, your ship will sail to Kailua Kona, a coffee-producing center and home to the marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay. Learn more about exotic seahorses at the only seahorse farm in the U.S. Stock up on gifts during a sensory excursion to a Hawaiian chocolate factory, natural soap company, and Kona coffee farm, or take off with your loved one on a helicopter ride around the Kohala Coast, where you’ll see black lava fields, sea cliffs, and cascading waterfalls from above. Even though the Hawaiian portion of your journey has ended, your romantic getaway continues. Spend five blissful days at sea on your way to Vancouver, British Columbia. Indulge in all of the luxurious amenities onboard with your sweetheart by your side. Couple’s massage at the spa, wine tastings at our specialty restaurants, and intimate picnics on the Lawn Club are just some of the unforgettable moments you’ll experience on your Hawaii cruise. Read more details on onlinecruisebooking.
Monaco provides an interesting mix of culture and scenery for cruisers – especially those interested in racing. Hop aboard a Windstar Cruises yacht for an intimate seven-day voyage; you’ll enjoy stops in ports like Rome and Portofino, plus exclusive access to special Grand Prix events and Formula One races in Monte Carlo. If you’d like to explore Monaco without the racing theme (or on a bigger vessel) consider a Mediterranean voyage on Oceania Cruises, many of which include a stop in this picturesque region. The Cyclades, southeast of mainland Greece, are some of the most beautiful islands in the world, including Delos, known as the birthplace of Apollo. The Cycladic isles of Santorini and Mykonos are no strangers to major lines like Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, but booking a private yacht may promise an even more memorable experience. “Between the geographical makeup of the Cyclades Islands and the mythic nature and narrative behind each stop, the exquisite and traditional m/s Erato yacht is the ideal vessel to tour the Aegean Sea,” says Kathy Stewart, the regional director of Western Europe for tour operator Butterfield & Robinson. “This private excursion has it all: an enviable mix of biking and hiking adventures, authentic Greek culinary experiences both on ship and on land and ancient history woven throughout.”
Explore this wondrous part of the world on a cruise of your choosing. From Ho Chi Minh City and the 1,000-year-old capital of Hanoi in Vietnam to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, a cruise through Southeast Asia affords the opportunity to experience the region’s culture, sights and cuisine in a single trip. Several river cruise lines offer itineraries to these legendary destinations along the Mekong River, including Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways. You’ll also find Southeast Asia sailings to destinations like Singapore and Bangkok with larger cruise lines like Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.
The Ionian Islands are a great choice for a yacht holiday – as the sailing time between islands is short. Sailing here is also well sheltered, with easy holding anchorages. This allows for more time to be enjoyed onshore. The Ionian Islands include the legendary Corfu and Paxos, among 5 other islands. Each destination here is loaded with its own unique charm and drawcards. Between the sheer natural beauty and the wonderful Greek towns – the Ionian Islands is always a favourite cruising ground in this country. Discover less-known coves of famous Capri. Rent a yacht in Sicily and visit the volcanic Aeolian Islands with active volcanoes, enchanting bays, and cobalt sea. Sail through the glistening Mediterranean around Spain’s coast and explore some of its 8000 km long shores. Spain will capture all your senses with its historic cities, the scent of citrus orchards, towering stone castles, sapphire sea, and diverse landscapes.
At the moment, the official event calendar for summer 2021 gives as confirmed some parties in July-September period. Events organised under the most strict anti-Covid measures and with limited assistance so, most likely it will be possible to enjoy, even if not 100%, discotheques and clubbing. Ibiza, the second smallest of the Balearic Islands, is one of the world’s most attractive islands, a gathering point for countless celebrities from the worlds of fashion, cinema, music and sport. The wonderful thing about the so called “White Island” is that it has as many faces and provides as many options as visitors can desire: beautiful safe white sand beaches, cosy coves, a relaxing inland with rural villages, lively coast towns with a rich heritage and the best nightlife you could ever dream of. On an island where most of the beaches are fairly small, Comte stands out for its size as well as for the beauty of its setting. Overlooking a smattering of little islands (and the not-so-little Illa des Bosc) that rise out of its perfectly clear waters, the beach is 800m (2,624ft) long and is divided up into three sections, two of which are sandy and one of which is slightly rockier and just for nudists. It is lined by some slightly weird looking bars which offer incomparable views of the much-vaunted Ibiza sunset as well as decently priced food and drinks. Whether you have been to heavenly destinations such as Greek Islands, the French Riviera, and Amalfi Coast before or not, these beautiful sailing spots in the Mediterranean will call you to come back over and over again. So, why not indulge in the opportunity to discover hidden natural gems, new local dishes, traditions, and people each time you visit the Mediterranean? Here are a few useful sailing yacht cruise tips to help you plan your unforgettable summer holiday in Europe’s fanciest location.
Those who start from the east and sail to the northern coast, or who want to sail to the Aeolian Archipelago should not underestimate the Strait of Messina. This sea area is difficult to navigate, primarily because of strong, constantly changing currents. In addition, the frequent ferry and ship traffic demands a lot of attention. The Strait of Messina is not suitable for beginners and could be problematic for less experienced crews. The most important ports in the area are: Trapani, Marsala, Marina di Ragusa, Marzamemi, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Milazzo, Porto Rosa, Sant Agata, Cefalu, Palermo, Lipari, Salina and Riposto.
Croatia is a travel destination that is definitely having a ‘moment.’ Hailed as everything from the ‘new Greece’ to the ‘new Riviera’, this part of Europe offers beautiful beaches and a traditional way of life. There are no fewer than 1185 islands along the crystalline Adriatic coast, and one of the best ways to explore them is by boat. Head off from the historic cities of Split and Dubrovnik and make sure you include the upmarket island of Hvar, timeless Vis island and the more remote islands of Kornati or Elafiti. Expect traditional fishing villages, beautiful sun-soaked beaches and a plethora of attractive hidden coves.
As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily promises more sand, sunshine and secret anchorages than almost anywhere else. The Aeolian Islands – seven sub-tropical isles and scores of volcanic specks – are Sicily’s biggest yachting draw. Italian A-listers and humble fisherfolk sail atop crystalline waters suffused with seismic bubbles. Both enjoy platters of seafood spaghetti served on volcanic black-sand beaches. Sail in and join the club. They don’t call the island of Stromboli “the lighthouse of the Mediterranean” for nothing. A puffing volcano stands 924m (3,032ft) above the sea, offering sailors a 24/7 navigation point for the other six Aeolian Islands. Tie up in Stromboli’s mini-marina. Then tuck in. Island cuisine is a fiery mix of volcanically charged chillies and swordfish steaks. Read more details on https://www.cruisebooking.com/.
If you were going to compile a bucket list of British breaks, this is surely a contender, taking you through the Highlands and islands of Scotland to explore the endlessly beautiful Caledonian Canal, the magical islands of Scotland’s western shore and hidden sea lochs that are only accessible on the water. The deluxe Lord of the Glens hosts a maximum of 54 passengers and is one of the best ways to explore the area. Guests stay in outward-facing en suite cabins and enjoy superb cuisine throughout. What’s more, in May 2023, TV star and proud Scotswoman Carol Kirkwood is joining a cruise adding star appeal to your Scottish staycation. She’ll tell you about her life growing up in Morar and her grandfather’s role in building the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Take care when selecting dates and entering names of passengers. Since cruises run the same itineraries on repeat, it can be easy to select the wrong date and end up with a cruise that doesn’t work for your schedule or even departs in the wrong year! You should also be aware that passengers’ names must match their passport exactly when it’s time to board the ship, so when you type it in to make your cruise reservations online, check and then double-check. (This is especially important if you’re planning a honeymoon cruise and you anticipate changing your last name.)