The 10 best boat breaks
IF YOU love the water but don’t fancy a full-blown cruise, why not hire your own boat? Take command yourself or book a crew who’ll let you take the wheel occasionally. If you are going it alone, check what qualifications, if any, you need before you set sail.
1START WITH YOUR OWN GREEK ODYSSEY
NEVER sailed before? Book Neilson’s Stay And Sail holiday in Greece and take the Introduction To Yachting course (£239pp) during your first week at the Retreat Beachclub in Sivota. You’ll spend the second week sailing a 32ft Dufour 325 yacht in a flotilla. Berths: 4. Two weeks costs from £999pp for two adults, or from £709pp for two adults and two children. neilson.co.uk, 0333 014 3351
2GO I N SEARCH OF NESSIE
CALEY Cruisers in Inverness provides private boats for use on the spectacular Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness – actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales used a Kintail vessel for their Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys. Berths: 4. From £1,745 for a week. caleycruisers.com, 01463 236328
3LIVE LIKE AN A- LISTER ON A SUPERYACHT
FANCY living the high life on Fleewinter’s 65ft new superyacht Lunous on a short break in the Greek islands? Based in Piraeus, the yacht comes with a speedboat for waterskiing, paddle- and windsurfing boards, and snorkelling gear, as well as skipper and cook. Berths: 10. From £545pp for three nights (flights are extra). fleewinter.com, 020 7112 0019
4THE HOT NEW THING… I T’S AN ON- BOARD SAUNA
EXPLORE Finland’s picturesque lakes from Jyvaskyla harbour in your own houseboat. Each comes with navigation system and maps, sauna, barbecue and terrace, and you will be given full instructions. Berths: 2-8. From £847pp for three nights (flights included). discoverthe-world.co.uk, 01737 886131
5SKYE’S THE LIMIT I N RUGGED SCOTLAND
HELP crew the Eda Frandsen, a restored 75ft gaff cutter built in 1938. Wilderness Scotland’s trip explores the waters around Knoydart, Skye and the Small Isles. An exclusive charter includes skipper, first-mate and a walking guide. Berths: 8. From £11,160 (£1,395pp) for six nights. wildernessscotland.com, 01479 420020
6THE KEY TO THE BROADS? NO LOCKS
SKIPPER your own cruiser on the Norfolk Broads, navigating lockfree waterways from Brundall to Oulton Broad and taking advantage of a variety of waterside pubs. The Broom Commodore cruiser comes with sundeck and galley. Berths: 6. From £1,085 for a week. hoseasons.co.uk, 0345 498 6130
7LIVING THE DREAM ON THE MEDITERRANEAN
PETER Sommer Travels offers tailor-made private gulet charters in Turkey, Croatia, Italy and Greece. Full board and wine with dinner, guides, entrance fees and harbour fees are i ncluded, and guests can ask the captain for a turn at the wheel. Berths: 8-12. From £2,775pp for a week (flights are extra). petersommer.com, 01600 888 220
8FLOAT ACROSS A WELSH WONDER
HEAD across the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in North Wales aboard Lily, a new 66ft luxury Heritage class narrowboat. Features include a solid fuel stove in the saloon and wi-fi. Berths: 4. From £1,060 for a week. drifters.co.uk, 0344 984 0322
9ENJOY A TASTE OF COGNAC COUNTRY...
LE BOAT offers an arts and history cruise on the Charente, an area famous for cognac. The journey from Jarnac takes in striking medieval French towns and churches. No previous experience is needed to sail the Horizon boat. Berths: 4. From £1,380 for a week. leboat.co.uk, 023 9280 1172
10... OR RAISE A GLASS I N BEAUTIFUL BURGUNDY
PUSH the boat out on this crewed gourmands’ private charter. Sail past the charming villages and vineyards of Burgundy aboard Finesse, a luxury double-decker barge. The price includes all meals, fine wines, local transfers and escorted excursions. Berths: 8. From £26,800 (£3,350pp) for six nights. europeanwaterways.com, 01753 598555