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When booking a holiday, what’s the first thing you think of? Location, hotel, resorts?
That’s the norm I guess, but why stick to the norm when you can branch out and book a holiday that is completely different to anything you’ve ever done before!
A holiday where you can experience so much more as a couple or a family, where you can learn new skills, one where you can see your chosen holiday destination from a completely different angle.
All of this is possible with a sailing holiday and to help you to understand them further, I have seven reasons why you should book one and what you will get out of this experience.
Freedom
The number one reason for booking a sailing holiday has to be the freedom it can give you. Your holiday won’t revolve around all-inclusive meals or evening activities, it won’t tie you to a hotel and you most certainly won’t be stuck going with the crowds of all the other tourists.
Your chosen Flotilla will allow you to drift away from these norms and escape to a whole other world. You will be able to come and go from ports, see new areas, visit stunning beaches, watch the sunset from the deck and feel completely relaxed and invigorated by it all.
Discover Hidden Treasures
Sitting on a beach all holiday is most definitely a nice way to spend your time off but when you do this you are often missing out on hidden treasures that your chosen holiday destination has to offer. The usual spots on the mainland may be overrun with tourists but out on your boat, you will be in the prime location to discover a world some may never get to experience. One that is quiet, peaceful and just waiting and that, in some locations, could very quickly take your breath away. Some of these treasures may be fairly obvious, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, which most travellers would consider a must-see. But, the waters of other countries also offer hidden gems that you’ll only ever come across via boat, like the Philippines with its iconic Puerto Princesa River, the second layer of which was only discovered in 2010, and the depths of which remain largely unknown to even keen explorers. In a pre-booked sailing holiday, discovering wonders like these needn’t cost you the earth, either. Unlike a pricey day excursion that’ll see you researching ways to send money to the Philippines just to cover the whole family’s fees, a sailing holiday will already cover these key locations in your initial fee. You’ll simply be able to sit back and enjoy them.
A great way of discovering areas along the coast is by diving straight into the sea and using snorkels to explore caves and caverns. Here you will be able to venture into areas that you’d never usually get the chance to see. You will be able to access remote beaches, view the rocky coast up close and truly see what beauty your holiday location holds.
Up Close and Personal
Being out at sea for your entire holiday will bring you up close and personal to the wildlife and ocean life in the area. When you are on the shore you may manage to catch a glimpse of a sea bird or lizard but just imagine how much more the sea can provide!
If you are visiting somewhere such as the warm waters of the Mediterranean, you will have the perfect opportunity to see dolphins and Monk Seals which are very common in these waters. If you are really lucky you may even get to experience the sight of Sperm Whales, Fin Whales and perhaps even some varieties of sharks. If you do get the chance to get your swimwear on and snorkel or dive you will literally be delving into a completely different world.
Not only will there be plenty of colourful fish to swim with, you may also see breeds of Octopus, Star Fish, Lobsters, Shrimp and even Turtles. And because each and every day will be spent out at sea you will have more chances to spot any of these throughout the days and nights. Just imagine waking up at dawn to the sight of dolphins leaping out of the sea… Bliss!
Learning a New Skill
When you book a sailing holiday with https://www.oceanelements.com/sailing-holidays you will not only be experiencing a holiday on a stunning, modern boat but you will also have the opportunity to learn how to sail. Whether you are a novice or have a little experience, the yacht instructor will be able to build on this and allow you to develop skills you may have never had before. With 6 courses available to you and your ‘crew’ there is a level for everybody and you can even cater this over a few days or the whole two weeks. Whatever works for you. And even though you are learning, it is enjoyable and once you have the knowledge, you will feel far more confident in taking your boat a little further out which will allow you to experience so much more during your holiday.
Experience More Water Sports
Being out at sea will, of course, make you far more aware of the wide variety of water sports that are available in your chosen location. From surfing to paddleboarding, diving and snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing most coastal resorts will offer these experiences and as you are already taking in so much from being on board a yacht, why not expand on that and use some of these sports to not only enjoy yourself but to investigate the ocean even further?
For those of you who may be more of a daredevil, you could also look into cliff jumping, spinnaker flying, jet surfing or fly boarding.
Relaxation
Of course, if all of that is a little too much for your liking, a sailing holiday can also just be the most relaxing break you’ve ever had.
Being away from the hustle and bustle of the hotels is probably the first bonus but then add in the gentle sounds from the sea, the quiet in the air and the freedom to anchor up away from the loud bars and music, just adds to this whole experience. And that’s the thing, it isn’t just a holiday, it is a whole new experience that you will just adore.
You can spend your days swimming in the sea, sunbathing on the deck, cooking up beautifully healthy meals and your evenings can be spent watching the sunset with nothing to obscure your view, chilling with a glass of wine and enjoying happy times with your closest friends or family. The joy of it all is that you can do whatever you like, whenever you like and create a holiday that works for you.
Family-Friendly
I’ve mentioned a few times that this holiday can be enjoyed with the family and that really is any aged family. As long as you and your children are confident being around the water, this could be the holiday that they will remember for years to come.
Imagine them swimming with dolphins one day and then learning how to steer the boat the next. Teaching them to snorkel and pointing out the different sea life species. Showing them caves and secret beaches and just watching them taking in a different country and everything it has that the UK doesn’t. It will be the holiday of a lifetime.
A sailing holiday can bring so much more to your well-deserved time off and will leave you wanting to do it all the following year.
Have you ever been on a sailing holiday? What did you take away from it?