| erranean yacht charters are one of the most popular | | | | great option for less experienced skippers. You |
| destinations for a sailing vacation. This area is the | | | | captain your ship and gain experience in sailing. The |
| birthplace of modern civilizations. You can explore | | | | flotilla leader is on a nearby yacht to offer guidance, |
| ruins dating to 3000 BC. The area offers a unique | | | | assistance and support as needed. If this is your first |
| blend of the old and the new. The landscape is the | | | | time sailing on your own, a flotilla is an excellent |
| result of a variety of geological activity over millions | | | | option. A charter broker can put you in touch with a |
| of years, including earthquakes, volcanoes and shifting | | | | group and help you plan your trip. |
| of the earth’s plates. The result is | | | | Areas to Visit |
| breathtaking scenery for sailing. | | | | Once you have decided how you will travel, you will |
| Options for Mediterranean Yacht Charters | | | | need to decide where you want to go on your |
| Bareboat Yacht Charters | | | | holiday cruise. When you charter sailing yacht in |
| Bareboat charters work just as it sounds. You are | | | | Greece, the company will help you set your itinerary. |
| chartering the ship and nothing else. If you are | | | | The Ionian Sea offers seven islands: Paxos, |
| qualified, you can skipper the boat yourself. You will | | | | Antipaxos, Corfu, Ithaca, Lefkas, Zakynthos and |
| have to show proof of your sailing experience before | | | | Kafalonia. There is plenty to explore in this area that |
| you are allowed to skipper a chartered yacht. Most | | | | ranges 180 nautical miles from the northern to |
| companies will take you out on a short trip and have | | | | southern islands. |
| you demonstrate your abilities. If you are unable to | | | | The Ionian boasts beautiful weather and excellent |
| do this, you will not be able to take the boat without | | | | wind conditions for smooth sailing. The islands offer |
| a crew. | | | | beautiful beaches and lush vegetation. For evening, |
| If you don’t have the sailing experience, you | | | | there are lively ports bustling with activity and night |
| will need to hire a skipper. In most cases, the charter | | | | life. Your crew will help you find activities that interest |
| company or yacht broker can help you find someone. | | | | you and assist in making reservations. |
| In some cases, you can arrange for sailing lessons, at | | | | You may prefer to sail the Aegean. The Greek |
| an additional cost. Bareboat trips include no supplies or | | | | Cyclades Islands consist of fifteen islands in the |
| food. You will need to shop before you arrive at the | | | | Aegean. Your charter company will help you set an |
| marina. | | | | itinerary and decide which islands to visit. The |
| Crewed Charters | | | | beautiful waters of the Aegean offer great sailing. |
| With a crewed charter, you can generally take a | | | | The summers are cool and the winters are mild. |
| larger yacht. The size of the crew varies according to | | | | There is a good mixture of villages and country side |
| the ship and number of guests. You will at least have | | | | to visit on your trip. |
| a captain and a cook. The cook will prepare your | | | | Choosing a Company for Mediterranean Yacht |
| meals according to your tastes. The menu will be | | | | Charters |
| discussed prior to the cruising. | | | | You can either book your trip through the charter |
| Some people choose this method because they | | | | company or through a charter broker. The fees for a |
| aren’t qualified to sail. Others can sail, but | | | | broker are paid by the charter company. In either |
| prefer to relax on a yachting vacation and not have | | | | case, look for a reputable company that has been in |
| the responsibility of being the captain. You will have | | | | business for ten years or more. Brokers deal with |
| more time to relax in luxury or enjoy activities like | | | | charters in Europe, the Caribbean and the |
| water skiing or scuba diving with a crew to look | | | | Mediterranean. A good broker will be familiar with the |
| after the boat. | | | | charter companies and the ships. Ask for references |
| Flotillas | | | | from people who have travelled with the company in |
| A flotilla is a group of yachts sailing together. This is a | | | | the past. |