SAIL AWAY

You can book yourself a sailing holiday onboard a world-famous Challenger vessel with Tall Ships Youth Trust.

Their winter-sun programme to Portugal and the Canary Islands is almost sold out, but there is one trip still available at the time of writing and you are also able to join the waiting list for other get-aways including a Canary Islands New Year Celebration Voyage.

James Hudson, TSYT director of fundraising and marketing, said: “All of our adult voyages directly support our programme of youth development voyages for young people aged 12-25 from across the UK. The great thing about our winter-sun adventures is that you get to enjoy a little sun, sea and sand, while supporting young people to benefi t from our voyages.” •Canary Islands - Wintertime escape, 11 - 21 December, age range: 18-80, £979 / www.tallships.org

Don’t assume winter sun means long haul travel as there are great destinations for winter sun closer to home than you might think.

Morocco’s largest seaside resort, Agadir, enjoys a mild year-round climate, with the temperature in December and January typically being in the low twenties - much more pleasurable than the UK’s temperatures during the winter months. Agadir Beach is the main attraction; you can hire jet skis and surf. You do not have to be an expert either as beginners can take a surf class with trained instructors.

Alternatively, you could head to Cape Verde. This group of islands is located off the westernmost tip of continental Africa in the central Atlantic Ocean and, due to being a former Portuguese colony, is home to a rich culture characterised by a mix of African and European elements.

You can fi sh for your supper straight from the source on the Santa Maria pier or try your hand at kitesurfi ng on the island of Boa Vista. Despite being one of Cape Verde’s coolest seasons, you can expect balmy temperatures between 21-26°C during the winter months.

James Foot, on-the-water expert at Borrow A Boat, said: “When it comes to my winter holiday, being on or close to the water is a non-negotiable. There is nothing quite like the calm of being at sea to truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The switch from land to sea on a sailing holiday gives you the opportunity to really switch off and get some well-deserved rest and relaxation – something we all could use more of these days!” www.borrowaboat.com

Image: Jamen Percy/Shutterstock.com

Image: Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock

Windstar Cruises, sailing to luxurious and off-the-beatenpath ports around the world, has added Arabia to its 2023/2024 sailing schedule.

One of the cruises, the nine-day Arabian Nights & Egyptian Days, will sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, Jordan – and the reverse. Highlights include an overnight in Sharm el-Sheikh and in Safaga with the opportunity to visit Luxor, and the chance to soak in the turquoise waters of the resort ports of Ain Sokhna and Hurghada.

“With impressive UNESCO sights, beautiful beaches and wildlife, top-rated golf courses, amazing snorkeling and diving and, of course, great shopping, Windstar is excited to introduce our guests to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf with new itineraries in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar,” said Windstar Cruises president Christopher Prelog. Cruises begin in November 2023, on the all-suite, 312-guest Star Legend. www.windstarcruises.com

Spend Christmas and the New Year learning to sail from St. Lucia to Grenada in the Caribbean with Rubicon 3 Adventure.

The Windward Islands are a throwback to days gone by, with deep turquoise waters, hidden anchorages and tropical islands lined with white sandy beaches and soaring green mountains. Joining the 60ft clipper yacht in St Lucia, in the shadow of its world-famous Pitons, the holiday weaves its way amongst islands such as Bequia, known as the Nantucket of the Caribbean, and Mayreau, the smallest inhabited island in the Grenadines, and ‘the place that time forgot’.

Stopping in Mustique there is time to sip cocktails and people watch in Basil’s Bar set on stilts over the Caribbean Sea. On the islands of Tobago Cay, the jewel in the crown of the southern Caribbean, swim with turtles or take one of the hiking trails that criss-cross Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau, two of its fi ve uninhabited beach-ringed islands. Throughout the voyage there is a real emphasis both on training as well as exploring ashore.

Participants come together as a maximum ‘crew’ of nine people with many joining as solos in an incredibly social environment. No previous sailing experience is necessary on this trip and under the expert guidance of a professional skipper and mate, participants learn and develop a range of skills from navigating, helming and sail trimming, right through to how to pick the perfect anchorage. •Departing 23 December 2022, spend 12 days over Christmas and New Year in this part of the Caribbean from £2,299pp. •Alternatively, departing 9 - 20 January 2023 save £500pp on a new Year voyage from £1,799pp. www.rubicon3adventure.com

Nautilus Yachting has added a Northern Route to its Corfu Flotilla.

If you like slightly stronger sailing conditions along with beaches and big, beautiful anchorages then in 2023 you could set sail from Corfu to Greece’s most northern islands.

Offering long and mostly deserted beaches with several free anchorages and a new full-service marina, the island of Erikousa (pictured) has everything you need. The fl otilla also stops in Kassiopi, an old fi shing village on the northeast coast of Corfu. A bustling small town set around a scenic harbour, the waterfront is lined with traditional tavernas, overlooked by the remains of a Byzantine castle.

Travellers can also enjoy a night in Corfu town, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre known for its rich history. With beautiful Venetian architecture and the Old Fortress, it is a charming place. •Departure Dates: 6, 20 May; 3, 17 June; 1, 15, 29 July; 12, 26 August; 9, 23 September; 7 October Prices from £2,128 (per yacht) www.nautilusyachting.com

Image: Giannis Dimitras/Shutterstock

ScicSailing has announced an extension of its fl eet of luxury yachts for charter.

Available for charter on an exclusive basis, the yachts include an eight person Deluxe LX2, 10 person Deluxe LX1, 10/12 person Breeze1 and 12 person yacht Breeze2.

In the words of ScicSailing: “Think of it as a vessel for special occasions, memorable family holidays or for an upscale getaway with friends – all with that little extra level of comfort and style.”

Alternative chartering options are also available with Comfort Yachts. They can be enjoyed on a cabin charter basis, including solo travellers, or chartered exclusively for sailing holidays with friends and family. www.scicsailing.eu

■ Nautilus Yachting: www.nautilusyachting.com ■ Seafarer: www.seafarersailing.co.uk ■ BVI Charters: www.bviyachtcharters.com ■ Ocean Elements: www.ocean-elements.co.uk ■ The Moorings: www.moorings.co.uk ■ Dream Yacht Charter: www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk ■ Mallorca Yacht Charter: www.mallorcayachtcharter.eu ■ Sunsail: sunsail.co.uk ■ Tall Ships Youth Trust: tallships.org