Evenings will be spent sipping cocktails on deck while you watch the sun set and the onboard chef prepares a delicious, locally-inspired, freshly-sourced meal for you to enjoy
The kids are back at university and all the bucket and spade stress of the summer holidays are over. Its time to take a relaxing, romantic break with just the two of you. Intrepids sailing holidays do not require you to pull any ropes, make life and death navigational decisions, or wrestle with wet sails at night. Instead, your evenings will be spent sipping cocktails on deck while you watch the sun set and the onboard chef prepares a delicious, locally-inspired, freshly-sourced meal for you to enjoy.
The crew will take care of the business of sailing so you can concentrate on relaxing. The hardest work youll have to do is deciding what you want to see at the next days port, while your yacht slips quietly through the crystal clear waters towards your next destination.
With Intrepid, you dont simply have to devote yourself to sun worship, although thats an option for those who intend to fully switch off from the pressures of work. Youll have the opportunity to snorkel among brightly coloured fish off coral reefs, kayak into hidden coves and lagoons, and discover lesser known beaches that frequently feature in the worlds top beaches lists, many of which are only accessible from the sea. Youll see natural coastline wonders, go in search of exciting marine life, and thats all before you even set foot on land and marvel at the attractions of each port.
Here are our 4 top Intrepid sailing holidays. With each of these trips, your flights, food, board, and activities are included in the price. Youll be taken care of fully by an experienced and professional sailing crew, who will meet you at the boat to go through your pre-boarding safety briefing.
4. Sardinia and Corsica Sailing Adventure View Holiday
If youre looking for a sailing tour that gives you the opportunity to see ancient sites, visit lively resorts and also be at one with nature, this could be the trip for you. Following in the steps of the Romans, this nautical adventure will take you on a diverse itinerary to introduce you to spectacular beaches, rugged wildlife havens and fascinating markets.
Your journey will begin in Sardinia, on the north coast of Olbia; a place that invoked such a sense of wellbeing in the Greeks, they named it happiness. Once fertile farmland, this is now a millionaires playground. Youll feel youve truly arrived into high society when you walk along the palm-lined waterfront, or lie back on the white sand beaches of the Costa Smeralda; where the glistening green-blue waters earned its name; the Emerald Coast.
Your first night on the water will give you a chance to be gently rocked to sleep by the lapping waves against the boats hull, before waking up to eat breakfast on deck, looking out towards the Isola Capera. This is an untamed nature reserve of exceptional beauty that is home to colonies of seabirds and wild goats, which roam in and around the green pine trees covering the island.
The next day, by contrast, youll be thrust in amongst the highly civilised surroundings of Corsicas Bonifacio. Youll explore the labyrinthine streets as you wander away from the natural harbour and lively marina. Walk a little further and youll have a stunning view of the beautiful mountains beyond, as well as your pick of unspoilt beaches. However, if relaxing on beaches with just a few others is still too busy for you, youll enjoy what the next day will bring. Youll be snorkelling the waters of the uninhabited islands of the Magdalena Archipelago. This voyage ends with a party night in the lively town of Maddalena.
3. Amalfi Coast Sailing Adventure View Holiday
Loved by many and revered by more, Italy’s Amalfi Coast is often heralded as one of the most picturesque coastlines in the world. Its the perfect antidote to British suburbia and the grey skies of the UK! Youll set sail from Ischia, the largest island on the Bay of Naples, after having fitted in a trip to the towns main attraction, Castello Aragonese. This is a 15th century fortress that soars high above the ocean, suspended on its volcanic rock foundations. If you have time while youre here, its also worth checking out the ultimate idyllic Italian beach; Spiaggia edi Pescatori.
From Ischia, youll sail to Sorrento, famous for its alcoholic lemon liqueur known as Limoncello, almost as much as its known for housing the frozen remnants of Pompeii. Visiting Pompeii should be on everyones bucket-list. Its a humbling lesson in mans continuing powerlessness in the face of huge volcanic eruptions. In the museum, youll see the people who were preserved in the lava that flowed over them during an historically epic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Its also possible to visit the volcano itself during a day trip and peer directly into its steaming crater.
The next destination will be Amalfi itself. Youll find peace and serenity among the quiet olive groves and vineyards before heading down to the busy marinas. The plunging cliffs are an iconic sight! After Amalfi, Intrepid up their game further, by taking you to enjoy the famous sights of Capri, another jet-set favourite port, where walking down the Phoenician steps is a rite of passage and exploring the Blue Grotto is a must-do activity. This sailing adventure ends quietly in the calm waters around
2. Cuba Sailing Adventure View Holiday
Sailing holidays arent restricted to Europe. For something more exotic, why not consider going longhaul and fly to Havana, where youll taste the exquisite Copellia ice cream before being ushered onto your boat in Cienfuegos. The bulk of your trip will be spent sailing around Cuba’s Canarreaos Archipelago, each island of which boasts its individual wildlife inhabitants.
The waters around Cayeria los Majaes are great for snorkelling, but when you walk onto the land, youll also have the chance to meet its colony of iguanas. Cayo Largo del Sur is considered to have the best beach in the area and swimming around it, you might meet loggerhead and green turtles. Cayo Alcatraz is home to manta rays and sting rays, while Cayo Rossario is the place to find reef sharks, moray eels and barracudas. This trip will be a real eye-opener.
1. Bahamas Sailing Adventure View Holiday
What would you expect of a Bahamian sailing adventure? White sand? Tick! Snorkelling with turtles. Tick! As you can probably imagine this would be a sunshine holiday of the first order. While your feet trail in the warm waters, youll sail to the coconut palm fringed Tahiti Beach, to visit the boutiques, markets and colonial architecture, as well as the stunning shoreline.
Treasure Cay has been named the best beach in the world, Green Turtle Cay is best explored by kayak, and the coral reefs of Great Guyana Cay are so inviting, that its impossible to resist the temptation to sink below the waves and make some significant underwater discoveries. As for marine life, youll see migrating birds, hawkbill turtles and even Noname Cays infamous feral swimming pigs!
If youre planning a sailing adventure, its worth bearing in mind that your itinerary may change according to weather conditions. A degree of flexibility should be required, as youll be in the capable hands of sailing professionals, who will know the best course to take according to the prevailing winds. Curious to find out more? Keen to feel the wind in your hearing and the salt spray on your cheeks? We can make that happen. We are respected and dedicated booking partners for Intrepid Travel.
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