SAIL AWAY

Travel Club Elite offers a number of cruising and sailing holidays, with all kinds of tempting offers for this year, and next. In fact, if you are already planning for 2023 they point out the benefi ts of spring travel.

Manager Zoe Franklin, said: “Spring is the perfect time to travel, many resorts have had a winter makeover, local staff are delighted to see visitors returning and are even more friendly and hospitable. There are less crowds, hustle and bustle and temperatures have not yet reached the peaks of summer.”

So, what better way to save money and have next year’s holiday sorted than fi nd a great offer for your 2023 holiday. www.travelclubelite.com

As fl ight cancellations were hitting the headlines, demand for cruises from Southampton reached a fi ve year high, beating pre-pandemic levels.

Planet Cruise reported that 65 per cent of all cruise bookings at the end of May were no-fl y cruises from the UK, primarily from Southampton. In total 95 cruises are departing from Southampton in June, July and August.

Dave Mills, VP Global Supply at Planet Cruise, said: “Cruising from a UK port has always been a very civilised way to start your holiday. Embarkation times are usually late morning or early afternoon and once you arrive at the port you can be on board your ship enjoying your holiday in no time. This summer we are spoiled by the range and quality of cruises available from UK ports including departures from Southampton, Dover, Tilbury, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth. We have seen a trend for late bookings as demand for travel goes from strength to strength as the world re-opens.” We are lucky to never be more the 70 miles from a stretch of coastline in the UK, and Brits are spoilt for choice when it comes to a day spent by the sea. But with so many beaches to visit, Borrow A Boat’s James Foot shares some of those special spots that may get overlooked.

Wales: Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire Barafundle Bay is only accessible after a half mile walk along the Pembrokeshire coastline and up (and down) some particularly steep steps. But once there, expect golden sands and crystal-clear waters and you will often get the beach to yourself. South West: Porth Joke Beach, Cornwall - Porth Joke is nestled in a deep cove between headlands and despite being just fi ve miles from Newquay, this unspoilt sandy beach can be an oasis of calm even in the summer months. Unusually for UK beaches, dogs are welcomed all year round too. South East: Botany Bay, Kent - Backed by stunning white cliffs and beautiful chalk stalks dotted across the beach, Botany Bay is a great location for fossil hunting and exploring rock pools with little ones when the tide is out, making it an ideal coastal destination for the whole family. Scotland: Luskentyre Sands, Isle of Harris - The crystal-clear waters of Luskentyre Sands can be found in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. So, while the turquoise waters might look inviting, a dip is certainly not for the faint hearted. Expect chilly water but spectacular views. North East: Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland - When it comes to breath-taking backdrops, it is hard to beat the impressive twelfth century Bamburgh castle, looming at the end of the three-mile long Bamburgh beach. The pristine white sands make for the perfect spot to take a sunset walk. North West: Formby Beach - Formby beach is backed by dramatic sand dunes and surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewoods. The vast sands mean that even on the most beautiful of summer days, visitors can still feel like they have got the beach to themselves. Yorkshire & The Humber: Sandsend Beach - The tiny, picturesque village of Sandsend is home to a gorgeous sandy beach. Walk for an hour from the famed Whitby beach and you will fi nd yourself in this much quieter – but equally as pretty – slice of British seaside paradise. East Midlands: Moggs Eye Beach - If a quiet stroll along a secluded beach is what you are after, then look no further than Moggs Eye Beach on the Lincolnshire coastline. The large, yet peaceful, sandy beach is great for dog-walkers, bird watchers, sea anglers and even surfers. East of England: West Mersea Beach - With pastel coloured beach-huts lining the promenade, Mersea Island is picture perfect. Even better, with the island being home to the Colchester native oyster, a trip to one of the many seafood restaurants after a sunset stroll along the beach is not to be missed. Northern Ireland: Waterfoot Beach - Located on the Causeway Coastal Route on the east coast of Northern Island, Waterfoot Beach is nestled at the foot of Glenariff Glen. Walk along the nearby coastline and you will fi nd yourself amongst some wildfl ower meadows, as you take in some spectacular views out to sea.

James said: “Time spent near or on the water is scientifi cally proven to make us happier and healthier, so whether you are planning a cold water swim, paddleboarding, a family beach day, a surfi ng trip or a boating holiday, why not venture off the beaten path to discover a new seaside adventure this summer?” BorrowABoat.com

Want to wake up to a new beach view every day, where you spend your afternoons kayaking across blue lagoons, snorkelling around turquoise coral reefs and end your day sampling the best local cuisine at a different restaurant every night?

A perfect choice for families, couples and friends, skippered holidays allow you to be as carefree as you want. A holiday where you set the pace and plan your own itinerary; from a relaxed islandhopping cruise to an exhilarating blue water adventure where you can be as hands on as you like coasting in Croatia’s gentle morning breeze.

Or, let your skipper take the helm, leaving you to relax and enjoy Greece’s fresh, local cuisine in its historic landmarks. It is completely up to you. www.sunsail.co.uk FURTHER INFORMATION ■ 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

• 50+ Stunning sailing grounds to explore • World’s largest, most diverse sailing fleet • Latest models from the leading brands • Bareboat, skippered, crewed or by the cabin • Excellent customer service

BOOK A CHARTER 02380 455527 sales@dreamyachtcharter.co.uk dreamyachtcharter.co.uk