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Plenty of cities stake a claim to being the yachting or sailing capital of the world, from sunny Fort Lauderdale in Florida to sedate Annapolis in Maryland, while cities such as Monte Carlo, Empuriabrava, Singapore and Dubai all vouch for having some of the largest marinas and biggest yachting scenes on the planet. Yet perhaps the real yachting capital of the world is somewhere with rather cooler climes, where getting in your boat, dinghy, yacht or sailing ship and setting out across the waters is a part of everyday life. It happens to be Stockholm, the Swedish capital and arguably Scandinavia’s most stylish and slick city, that is the real yachting capital of the world, and here are a few reasons why.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaven/3731398839/

Photo by Michael Caven on Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons Licence.

Island Culture

One look at a map may tell you why yachting and boating are so popular in the Swedish capital, and that is because the municipal area is made up of around 24,000 islands and islets, collectively known in Swedish as the skärgård archipelago. Overall, around 30% of the city’s collective area is constituted by water, and many in the region dub Stockholm the Venice of the North. The centre of the city itself lies on 14 major islands, but it is to the smaller islands, many rocky outcrops barely big enough for a few visitors, that most people like to travel to, for a bit of peace and quiet, and utterly gorgeous natural surroundings. And nor is boating here merely a leisure activity, as many boat-owners in this salubrious and well-heeled city use their boats to commute on a daily basis. And even if commuters do not have access to their own boat, tens of thousands of people travel to and from work each day on the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that ply the waters of the city, while travel to cities as far away as Helsinki and Turku can be undertaken on larger, overnight ferries.

A Culture Boat Ownership

Scandinavia leads the world in the amount of boats owned per capita, and Sweden comes top of the global rankings, with one in seven people owning their own boat. And whether they have a small rowing vessel moored to their own private yet modest jetty, or a more lavish and expensive super-yacht permanently berthed near the city centre, Swedes just love their boats. Go out on a sunny weekend and the waterways surrounding Stockholm will be full with people setting sail and enjoying the weather out in their boats. And even those who do not own a private vessel can easily and inexpensively hire a yacht charter to take them out for the day, or even longer, a favourite past-time for urbane Stockholm residents seeking to get away from the busy city.

Sophistication

Stockholm is one of the most fashion conscious cities in the world, and any visitor here is likely to be stunned at the sheer sophistication and élan of the locals, who all seem well groomed, well dressed and well spoken. And so going out on hired boat charters on the weekend seems like a natural extension of this style conscious attitude, knowing that setting sail on a stream-lined, vintage yacht or sailing boat is one of the most stylish ways to enjoy yourself.

Marinas and Boat Builders

Stockholm, and indeed Scandinavia as a whole, benefits from ample marina space, so you will never have to struggle when searching for a place to berth for the night. And, with so many people interested in sailing, there are a huge amount of boat builders in the region, set up to meet demand, many of whom are known to produce the finest and most elegant yachts on the market.

John is a travel writer who has penned articles on subjects such as locating the best boat charters in Hong Kong and where to go for the most stunning scenery in Britain.

Greece is rightly known for its fantastic sailing with over 2000 islands ranging from internationally known party spots to secluded coves and deserted beaches. Throw in a heap of culture (at the very least some great food and drink) and ancient archeological sites for good measure and the Greek islands really do have something for any taste.

Sailing charters in Greece are usually either bareboat charters where the charter party must have at least one certified captain and preferably one certified crew member, or skippered charters where the captain comes with the boat. Flotilla charters are also available which allow inexperienced sailors to sail their own boat accompanied by a flotilla of similarly experienced crews along with a lead boat with an experienced captain to help out in any tricky spots.

Where you choose to sail in Greece depends on a number of factors. First and foremost, the islands you wish to visit will play a deciding role in where you sail. Secondly, some areas are better for sailors with less experience since they traditionally have lighter winds and shorter distances between islands. Lastly, how easy it is to get to a charter base in your chosen area might also influence where you choose to sail, with Athens being a popular departure point due to easy accessibility by air.

Below is a roundup of the most popular charter areas in Greece along with their pros and cons in regards sailing conditions and ease of accessibility, so get inspired and start planning your Greek sailing vacation!

The Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf is in between Athens and the Peloponnese Peninsula and as such is very popular with trips starting and ending from marinas in Athens. Popular Saronic gulf islands include Aigina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, all of which have rich histories regarding their roles in the formation of modern Greece. A sailing trip in the Saronic gulf can also fit in a day trip to the ancient theatre of Epidavros, a beautiful place and not to be missed if at all possible!

Sailing in the Saronic Gulf is traditionally considered relatively easy going, the gulf being somewhat sheltered from the strong northerly ‘Meltemi’ winds that blow during the summer months. The area is also popular with flotilla groups leaving from Athens, and as such can get pretty busy at times.

Besides Athens, the island of Poros is another popular spot for charters with a number of firms operating there, but getting to Poro will usually involve going through Athens so often times it makes more sense to start in Athens anyway.

The Cycladic Islands

The Cyclades are the quintessential Greek Islands with amazing beaches, clear blue waters and pretty white villages. The island group includes over 200 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Popular spots include the famous islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Milos, the more laid back islands of Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Kythnos and Amorgos and of course the larger islands of Naxos and Paros.

Sailing the Cyclades is commonly done from charter bases in Athens with a one week charter allowing you time to see a range of the Northern islands. Two (or even three) week charters allow you to really get off the beaten track and visit many more islands in a leisurely circle from and back to Athens. The Meltemi winds can be strong in the Cyclades, especially in July/August, so it helps to have an experienced crew for the times when the winds are blowing and the waves are up.

The Ionian Islands

The Ionian islands are another popular choice for sailing holidays. Much greener than the above mentioned islands groups due to more rainfall in the winter, the Ionian islands are absolutely stunning, especially in the spring time!

Popular charter bases in the Ionian islands are Corfu and Lefkas (Leukada), both of which have direct international charter flights from many European destinations during the summer months. Other islands in the group include Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaka and Paxos, all of which are in easy reach during a one week charter.

Sailing conditions in the Ionian islands are also usually more easy going than in the Cyclades, meaning lighter winds and easier sailing. This makes them a popular choice for less experienced sailors and flotilla charters.

The Dodecanese

The Dodecanese are located off the Western coast of Turkey and include the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Leros, Kalymnos and Patmos among others.

Main charter bases are on Rhodes and Kos, with both islands having direct charters from Europe in the summer season. The sailing conditions in the Dodecanese can be challenging when the Meltemi winds are blowing, so an experienced crew is recommended. One way charters from Kos in the north to Rhodes in the south are also popular, avoiding the need to sail north into the winds.

So there you have it, a quick roundup of the most popular sailing areas in Greece.
For more information on suggested routes, feel free to visit Sail Greece Yachts and particularly our page on suggested sailing routes. Happy Sailing!

If you can picture yourself lazing on warm decking as fluffy white clouds float overhead and colorful fish swim underneath, then you’ve either got a very good imagination or you’re one of the lucky ones who’s experienced life afloat.

Of course, these days, you don’t have to own a yacht to appreciate the pleasure of sailing; in fact, you don’t even have to know how to sail to be able to make the most of life on the ocean wave. From bareboat charters to renting a boat complete with crew, there’s never been a better time to explore the world from this extremely unique and rewarding perspective.

But what happens once you’re on-board? What is there to do as you glide effortlessly across calm waters? Surely there’s more to life than sumptuous sundowners and catching a tan?

In the words of Brian Cohen: ‘There’s no pleasing some people.’

For everyone who’s thinking about heading out on a sailing vacation, below are five alternative reasons why a life on the ocean wave offers a lot more than good old-fashioned rest and recuperation.

Get creative

There’s just no way that you won’t be inspired by all those wonderful shades of blue and green, so remember to pack your camera, sketch pad and even your paint brush because once your creative juices start flowing there’ll be no turning back. Top tip: keep a note pad and pen with you at all times and jot down those little snippets of inspiration as the moment strikes.

Get active

From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean there’s always an excuse to jump off and dive into the surrounding warm waters. Swimming, snorkeling and SCUBA diving are all fabulous ways to keep fit while you’re on vacation and if you’re looking to shed a few pounds while on-board then hoisting the main sail and scrubbing the deck will get you working landlubber muscles that you never knew existed.

Life’s a beach

As you’ll be in the enviable position of discovering the hidden coves and sparkling shallows that normal castaways fail to reach, there’s every chance that you’re going to set foot on your very own desert island paradise. If you’ve ever wanted to play at Robinson Crusoe or just fancied a fish grill on a soft white sand beach, then now’s your chance.

Wildlife watching

Any sailing vacation is bound to encounter more than its fair share of wildlife and the moment you see that pod of dolphins are hear the splash of a whale’s tail, then you’ll know that your wildest sailing dreams have come true. From glass-bottomed boats to snorkeling or diving, chances to experience marine life in its natural habitat are as plentiful as technicolor sunsets. Top tip: do a little bit of research before you go to find out more about your chosen destination’s marine parks and seasonal migrations.

Land ahoy!

Yacht rental vacations aren’t just about time spent away from land and you’ll quickly discover that sailing gives you the freedom to pick and choose your destinations as effortlessly as putting a pin in a map. Sleepy fishing villages, sexy modern marinas and scenic anchorages all present the chance to down the gang plank and explore new shores before retiring to your berth ready to do it all again in the morning.

If you’re still looking for excuses to go on a bareboat charter or fully-crewed yacht vacation then just imagine yourself wearing one of those funky little captains’ hats set at a jaunty angle and I can guarantee that everything else will slide right into place.

Chris is longing to go on a yacht rental vacation and often claims to hear the call of the manatee whilst lying awake at night.