Premium cruise destinations in the Atlantic Ocean right now: Go on a scenic snorkeling adventure in Caracas Bay—one of the best spots for snorkeling in Curaçao—where you’ll swim through spectacular coral reefs, marine wildlife, and an old sunken tugboat. Or if you’re both scuba certified, go on a diving trip around the Sea Aquarium and Mambo Beach, two top diving locations to spot turtles, eels, angel fish, and lobsters. From there, your cruise will continue on to Kralendijk, Bonaire, where you can sign up for a cycling excursion that will take you through all of the island’s natural and historic landmarks. Pedal alongside Bonaire’s coastline, then spend the rest of the day on Te Amo Beach, which fittingly translates as “I Love You” Beach. Before returning, you’ll make a final stop in George Town, Grand Cayman, where you can pull up a beach chair, open an umbrella, and lounge away with a rum punch on George Town’s famous Seven Mile Beach—the perfect end to a vacation to some of the best Caribbean islands for couples. Read more details at find a cruise.
Explore Alsace, France. Arranged by private charter only, the exclusive Belmond Lilas barge holds just eight guests. Book in advance to explore the inviting region of Alsace, which boasts extraordinary surroundings both on and off the ship. The six-night itinerary from St. Leger Sur Dheune to Pontallier, France, has everything to make your cruise a glamorous and memorable one. Sip Champagne on the deck while watching the French countryside pass by, enjoy gourmet dining and wine tastings in Chagny and take private tours of 12th-century medieval fortresses in the quaint village of Rully. Larger cruise lines like Holland America Line also offer sailings to dreamy French locales.
The Panama Canal is a must-see for many travelers. A number of lines offer the 40-mile journey linking the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Consider UnCruise Adventures’ Costa Rica and Panama itineraries, which typically run in the winter months. Tim Jacox, president and chief operating officer of the line, says this cruise includes a full Panama Canal crossing. “Panama is not just the canal by any means. We exclusively tie in adventurous exploration on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the canal with native culture. Kayaking, hiking, snorkeling and paddleboarding lead into uplifting visits with Embera native villagers in the Darien jungle and Guna Yala natives in the former San Blas Islands,” he adds. Larger cruise lines that traverse the Panama Canal include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and more.
Portugal is a brilliant country to visit for a number of reasons. If you are planning a sailing holiday, then Portugal becomes even more desirable. This country has a stunning coastline and some world-class islands. With a rich history, delicious food, and plenty of historic sites. Portugal is always a good idea. Some top cruising destinations in Portugal include Madeira (one of Europe’s best islands) and Lisbon (the capital city). Between these, there are many other worthy places to visit. The warm weather, stunning views, outstanding Mediterranean cuisine, and warm hospitality make Italy an excellent yacht charter cruise destination, so you are going to love it, whether you prefer cabin charters or private cruises. Here a few ideas on sailing trips in Italy: Explore south Sardinia’s dreamy beaches and sail past the colorful villages of the rocky Amalfi Coast. Nestled at the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is Europe’s holiday hotspot.
When the day is over, a broad offer of hotels and accommodations will be waiting for you, from internationally prestigious establishments to good boutique hotels, from beach resorts offering all-inclusive services to cosy rural villas for those looking for a relaxing stay away from tourist spots. Consistently rated as one of the world’s most attractive beaches, Ses Salines (also referred to as Las Salinas) is usually the first stop for sun-seekers visiting Ibiza. Part of a natural park bearing the same name, this idyllic stretch of fine sand offers beautiful views of the inland countryside as well as the typically relaxing Ibiza bathing experience (there are no waves here). A scattering of cool beach bars offers all the extras that you need for a perfect day at the beach: good food – including wonderfully fresh fish – cold beers, tasty cocktails and decent tunes. 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.
The Aeolian Islands are also commonly known as the Lipari Islands. They lie Northwest off the coast of Sicily and are of volcanic origin. Their geographical nature is extraordinary and sailing between the island visitors can take in the amazing rock formations, see black sand beaches and live volcanoes. Marina di Portorosa is ideally positioned for exploring the Aeolian Islands, and is easily accessible from both Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and Messina.
Island hopping around the Greek islands is at the top of many a traveller’s bucket list and the famously beautiful Ionian islands are a great place to begin. Start from Corfu or Lefkada and then meander through turquoise seas stopping off at each of the seven large islands and some of the smaller ones along the way (Paxoi and Antipaxoi make excellent sailing destinations). Expect all the usual cliched Greek images such as harbours filled with coloured fishing boats, white-washed villages, beautiful beaches, rugged mountains and traditional tavernas.
Carrefour operates several supermarkets near Sitimar Marina. Find every essential from Sicilian olive oil to chilled Moretti beer. Palermo’s trio of street markets – Ballaró, Vucciria and Capo – are alive with snails, octopus, rising bread and rapidly diminishing piles of tomatoes. It’s where locals do their weekly shop, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to join them. The Palermo-Montecarlo is an 804km (500mi) sprint from Sicily to Monaco, with breathtaking views over Sardinia and Corsica en route. The 50-plus sailboats that set sail from Mondello in Sicily in late August are big and beautiful. The offshore regatta also serves as a training ground for Olympians and America’s Cup sailors. See more details at https://www.cruisebooking.com/.
The sunny Mediterranean coasts of France and Italy boast some of Europe’s most glamorous ports. There’s Alghero in Sicily, with its historic city walls and cobblestoned centre, Cannes, with its iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, and dazzling St Tropez, where you can kick back in chic seafront bistros and bars. If you want to tick off several of the Mediterranean’s magnificent port towns in one trip, join a voyage on the Royal Clipper, a large, full-rigged sailing ship which mixes traditional elegance with modern comforts.
While cruise fares don’t vary too much from one booking agent to the next, you should still always compare prices on a few sites before you book. Just like with hotel rooms, some booking sites buy cruise cabins at a group rate and are able to sell them cheaper, while others may be able to get you a free upgrade or will foot the bill for bonuses like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities to nab your business. It always pays to compare before you book.