The Real Tour
Sailing is in my blood. My grandfather was in the exclusive ‘Cape Horners Club’ to be a member you had to have sailed around Cape Horn in a commercial square rigger ‘before the mast’ i.e. not as a passenger or officer but as one of the crew. Apparently, the club has no members left – rather sad. My sailing started young and has led me all over the world from Brigantines across the South China Sea in Typhoons to Dhows ghosting across the Indian Ocean. In recent years I have sought out more ‘mellow’ voyages and we have put together a few of our favorites
Croatia
Just sooo many islands to sail around in any way you choose – you can sail 20 times between two ports and never go the same way twice.
We have sailed numerous times in Croatia and have done trips where we tie up in quaint little harbours and eat gorgeous meals in quayside restaurants and other trips where we have sought out a deserted cove every night and watched the sun go down without a soul in sight.
We can arrange a yacht for you and suggest some secret spots.
Tanzania
Rather different style here …no bareboat charters, all crewed … but don’t let that put you off! …the skippers are very cool and you can be as active or inactive as you want – pretty much sailing the boat, or just relaxing with a glass of chilled white wine! The cook is a boon as well – leaving you more time to snorkel and sail whilst he slaves away over a hot stove.
There are some great sails around the islands and so many special places that you can only access by boat. If you love snorkelling in remote spots then this is the trip for you
Turkey
We sailed here a few times and have always been so impressed with the friendly welcoming attitude of the Turks – fantastic sailing and some lovely little ports to put into. We LOVE the history – on some side trips ashore we have climbed hills and seen ancient ruins, visited amphitheatres and seen the evidence of thousands of years of habitation every time we turn a corner.
Dhow
So you think you can sail! ….. how about sailing a dhow!!! It takes a whole lot of getting used to (you cant tack – you have to gybe round each time!) and it pretty ahrd work physically to ‘roll’ the yard over each time. But if you love sailing and a re looking for a new challenge then this could be the trip for you – a 30ft open dhow …normally three people to sail it .. you can overnight on deck if you are feeling all roughy toughy – or perhaps day trips or hopping from beach lodge to beach lodge.
Ngalawa
If you are just looking for a few days of fun – perhaps as part of a longer trip – how about a few days trying to master an ngalawa ….. a dugout with outriggers and a dhow sail …. Plenty of new skills to learn – even the most experienced of sailors will be confounded and confused! … but an awful lot of fun to be had.
