If you’re considering sailing holidays, then you need to plan carefully and make sure you choose the right experience for your skills and family group. There’s no point becoming too adventurous and the holiday turning into a disaster. If you’re all new to sailing then why not look at combining a few days on board with a traditional beach holiday.

Port in Baska, Krk, Croatia / Photo by admin

Settle down with a crewed yacht

Family holidays abroad are the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to the world of boating. If you’ve never sailed before, or you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, then consider a crewed yacht. On this type of holiday you have the opportunity of simply sitting back and enjoying some quality family time as you cruise from place to place. Alternatively, if you want to try your hand at steering or rigging, then there are experienced hands on board to show you the ropes. The Greek Islands, including the Ionian and Saronic, offer excellent conditions for inexperienced sailors, with light winds and short distances between them. Once you’ve moored up there are plenty of quaint villages and towns to visit, offering excellent local cuisines.

Meet new friends on a flotilla holiday

Flotilla holidays are great for all levels of sailing experience. If you’re relatively new to the sport then there are enough people around to help you get to grips with it. However, even if you know exactly what you’re doing having other families around will provide both you and your children with an instant social circle. At the start of the holiday you set off at a leisurely pace, allowing everyone the opportunity to become familiar with their surroundings. You might find that you want to explore further and there will be chances for you to separate from the rest of the flotilla if you’re happy to do so. Sailing around the coast of Turkey is perfect for more confident sailors, with excellent locations to stop and swim or snorkel, or simply moor up at a secluded beach and enjoy the peace.

Go it alone with a chartered yacht

If you want to set your own itinerary and travel at your own pace, then chartering a yacht is an excellent family holiday. The whole family can become involved and if you fancy a rest day to visit the local town, pick up some souvenirs or take advantage of a great snorkelling spot then you can. Why not take in the cosmopolitan marinas, traditional ports and great food, with a cruise around the Italian islands of Sardinia, Elba or Sicily. Or head for the family friendly island of Mallorca, with excellent beaches, clear blue seas and great restaurants.

Whatever type of sailing holiday you choose and wherever you decide to visit, it really will be an experience to remember for the whole family. Make sure you pick a trip that suits your sailing experience and the needs of your children. Once you’ve set sail there’ll be no turning back.

AUTHOR BIO

Andrew Long writes regularly on holidays for a range of lifestyle and family websites and blogs. He regularly enjoys taking family holidays abroad and has a particular interest in sailing holidays.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alquiler de Coches

Sand and Sea

Albufeira features over 25 of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe.  The gorgeous sands and sea are set against a backdrop of beautiful, dramatic cliffs.  In addition to sunbathing and swimming, there is parasailing, kayaking, plenty of jet ski and boat rentals, boat tours to go out and enjoy the scenery and maybe even watch dolphins play, and several wonderful diving schools.  If you fancy, you can even book a trip on the “pirate ship” Leaozhino and enjoy a sailing experience like no other.

Cycling and Hiking

With challenging courses and trails, Albufeira is a great place for cyclists and hikers alike.  Nowhere else on Earth will you find trails like these combine with such beautiful scenery as your backdrop.  Enjoy mountain biking through the rocky terrain of the cliffs surrounding Albufeira, or take one of the guided bike tours throughout the old town for a unique sightseeing experience.

Golfing

Albufeira features six world class golf courses to choose from, making it an excellent destination for a golf getaway.  Perfect your shot with the blue sea and old town villages as your backdrop.  If you are a less experienced golfer, lessons are offered by skilled and friendly pros.

Nightlife and Dining

Whether you are a young adult or just young at heart, Albufeira has an active and vibrant night life.  The strip is the main party street in Albufeira.  Lined with a multitude of bars, dance clubs, and restaurants, it is where you should seek out if you are looking for a lively and entertaining night out on the town.  It can actually be quite economical if you are looking to have drinks on a budget, as the proximity of one bar to the other allows you to bounce from happy hour to happy hour.

Whether on the strip or in Old Town, the dining in Albufeira is both delicious and affordable.  Don’t make the mistake of shying away from the street grills.  You will them to have delicious chicken and absolutely fabulous fresh fish.  If that just isn’t your cup of tea, there are a multitude of restaurants featuring everything from Chinese to Indian food, as well as some higher scale steak houses and some “posh” dining experiences as well.

Historic Sightseeing

Visit the winding cobblestone streets of Old Town and admire the Arabic style buildings and friendly people of the original town center, which still retains the essence of the village it has always been.  Visit museums, galleries, and castles as well.    One of Albufeira’s landmarks is the castle wall, the remains of one of the towers of the castle that crumbled to dust in the 1755 earthquake.  Another beautiful landmark to behold is the famous Clock Tower of Albufeira.  Adorned with an iron crown, the tower was built in the 19th century and rings out the hours dutifully.  It’s a must see for sightseers.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Albufeira regardless of your age and interests.  I strongly encourage you to give it a visit the next time you go on holiday.

Albufeira is an amazing holiday destination and what better place to stay than in Albufeira apartments?  Visit the Owner’s Direct website and take a look at some of the best the region has to offer.

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