6 reasons to spend your next holiday on a boat

I’ve just come back from spending a week sailing on a gorgeous traditional Turkish wooden gullet yacht on the Aegean Sea and I honestly felt weird being back on land!  It doesn’t take much getting used to, even for scaredy cats like me and I’ve already booked my next sailing trip to Croatia in a few weeks…I can’t get enough.  So what are the reasons to spend your next holiday on a boat?

1. Forget a 10 minute walk to the beach or even 600m to the pool, you’ve got the water right at your feet.  If I’ve worked up a sweat (sunbathing), or have a bit of a fuzzy head from the night before (Sailor Jerry’s) I won’t fancy anything more energetic that jumping (or rolling) into the crystal clear blue sea.  No need to scramble for flip flops as the soles of your feet get burnt making your way to the water or worry about bringing a towel, literally all you need is your bikini (or not, whatever) and you can go from bed, sun lounger or breakfast table to swimming in seconds.[dt_gap height=”10″ /]

Thanks for the pic Ali’s Adventures in Africa!

2. The beach bag becomes a thing of the past.  Packing up sun cream, water, towels, book, snacks, sun hat, camera, sarong and the rest of your hotel room every time you pop out can become a bit of a chore.  Lugging a load of sand back and carrying wet towels and swimwear is no fun either but you don’t have to do any of that when you’re based in a floating home…everything you need is within arms reach.

3. You’ll sleep like a baby.  While at first the motion may feel strange, you very quickly adjust to the gentle sway of a boat on water…I found it literally rocks you to sleep.  If you’re travelling to secluded bays the dark and quiet can be really peaceful, but bring an eye mask and ear plugs if you’re docked anywhere more lively.[dt_gap height=”10″ /]

4. Al fresco meals with a view.  Even with the best table in a restaurant, you’re not going to get a better, unobstructed, view at lunch than from the deck of your boat.  You’ll also avoid the tourist traps, dodgy English breakfasts and overpriced everything by stocking up with fresh local produce and er, cheap wine & beer![dt_gap height=”10″ /]

5. Ice cream boats are a thing. I actually couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the ice-cream-van-turned-floating-joy-giver whizz over on more than one occasion.  What ultimate luxury are ice cold Twisters and Cornettos delivered directly to your yacht?

6. Travel easy.  Excursions on buses and by taxi in hot countries are rarely sound. Same as moving location on multi-destination trips.  All that packing and unpacking, waiting for public transport and sticky seats in the back of a cab with a driver who doesn’t know where you’re going don’t much add to the chill vibe of your holiday. What is fun though, is having a quick dip before the anchor comes up and then setting yourself up on deck with some sounds coming through the speakers and watching the changing landscape as you set sail to the next stop, arriving chilled out and probably more bronzed having had the opportunity to take cheesy king-of-the-world pictures en route.  Winner winner.[dt_gap height=”10″ /]

Thanks for the pics Fractions of the World!