The Yacht

There are plenty of companies out there that Yacht yachts to hire. So set sail and explore the wonders of the Greek islands. The number of people in your party will determine the size of the boat you will need to hire. Sailing isn’t a solo activity, unless you really want to, of course. You normally see groups of 2 or more people in the yachts when you pull up into a harbour/ marina. The boat sizes are measured in feet and typically the smallest rentals are 25ft and the largest being around 60 feet. A 50ft or larger boat tend to be able to sleep 6-10 people on board.

Yacht, Greece / Photo by Oliver

Greece

What can be said about the Greek islands that hasn’t been said before! You have the beautiful islands and the amazing history. Well, have you ever sailed into the islands harbours? Seen the dolphins lapping up the boats waves, or smelt the sulphuric acid around some of the Greece’s active volcanoes from a few miles away (honestly it’s not pretty smell, imagine the smell of rotten eggs.) But it’s unique and a talking point for years to come, I first experienced it at the age of 8 and I can still remember it today. It is also a great way of finding some of the Greeks hidden beaches and bays that you wouldn’t see if you just stayed in the islands towns.

Yacht, Greece / Photo by Oliver

Nightlife

As you will be mooring your yacht in the marina or docks of the island you are fantastically located in the heart of the town. You are spitting distance from some of the most amazing restaurants with fresh fish caught in the neighbouring waters. Always a good choice in the restaurants is the catch of the day on the menu. Then after dinner you can retire back to your boat if you want or go to one of the local bars and have a couple of Ouzo’s. For family’s it is very easy to keep your children entertain, if they are like me when I was a child then they will be fascinated by all the fish in the marina. So get them a fishing rod/crab line/ or net and let them go crazy. Make sure they don’t go in the water as it is often very dirty in the docks. Also you can always prepare and cook your own meals on the boat to make it a cheaper holiday.

Greece / Photo by Oliver

Social Side

It is very easy to make friends with other people while sailing around the islands. Other sailors tend to be very friendly and more than willing to lend a helping hand if you need advice on what islands to visit next. Additionally you can always join up with a flotilla at the start of the holiday. A flotilla is a fleet of sailing yachts that sail from one island to another together, you can go by any route you want to get there by as long as you end up at the same port. Flotillas are great fun and you have a great time eating with the other members of the flotilla. Flotilla are great for children and adults, there tends to be children of all ages in a flotilla so it is easy for them to become friends, and for adults it’s a great way to lessen the burden of trying to keep the children occupied and enjoy some social life as well.

About Author: Oliver Smith lives in Beijing, China and is an active travel advisor writing for Cover-More, a Sydney, Australia headquartered travel insurance company operating in Australasia and the UK. Oliver is a keen sailor that has sailed extensively around the world.

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The Hot Spring at Bath, UK by Alun Salt

Here are seven of the top reasons why a holiday in Bath may be right for you.

1) Two millennia of spa history

Bath contains the only natural hot springs in the UK and that has made it one of the world’s most famous spa destinations for over 2000 years. What’s more, the spa tradition is still going strong today. You can still bathe in the hot springs, a plethora of other spas and spa hotels offer options to suit every taste and budget.

2) Indulge your inner Elizabeth Bennett or Mr Darcy

Jane Austen lived in Bath for five years and set two of her best known novels there: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. If regency elegance appeals to you, then there is no better time to visit Bath than September, when it hosts an annual Jane Austen festival. There are Austen-related entertainments all year round too: you can go on an audio tour, visit the Jane Austen Centre or simply walk round and enjoy the Regency buildings, which have been the setting for many a television adaptation of Miss Austen’s works.

3) Shop ’til you drop!

Bath is well known for its wide range of independent shops and boutiques, so you will be sure to find treasures that are unavailable elsewhere.

4) Taking refreshment

Visit the famous Pump Rooms to take afternoon tea in true regency style while enjoying the music of the excellent Pump Room Trio and the architecture of the neo-classical salon. Alternatively, try the Jane Austen Tea Rooms, Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House (where you can sample one of the famous Sally Lunn buns) or one of the other cafes and tearooms in the city centre. Many hotels in Bath also do excellent afternoon teas.

5) Boat trip

There is a delightful one hour boat trip that will take you round some of the best sights in Bath. For special occasions, you can even charter your own boat and party on the river.

Boat trip in Bath, UK by Andrea DG

6) Museums and art galleries

There are twenty or more museums and art galleries in and around Bath, so there should be something to suit everyone from fashion addicts (the Bath Fashion Museum) to high art aficionadi (the Victoria Art Gallery) to steam fanatics (the Somerset and Dorset Railway). Bath itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you can even think of the whole city as one big museum or art attraction.

7) Theatre

Visiting the theatre was one of Jane Austen’s favourite pastimes and it’s a tradition that still continues to this day. For families, there is the delightful Egg Theatre, and the prestigious Theatre Royal offers something for everyone. Alternatively, the Ustinov Theatre offers a more modern, cutting-edge range of works.

For more seasonal events, visiting Bath in August & September brings its own delights in the form of the many festivals, such as the Ilford Art Festival and the Bath Folk Festival. Stay at one of the numerous Hotels in Bath & take your time enjoying the city’s beautiful and diverse attractions.

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