Български
By Emil Ivanov, friend, exceptional skipper, and owner of BulSailing, who kindly shared this wonderful text. Enjoy reading!
When planning their holidays, most people want to try something new – but not too… expensive, complicated, extreme, eccentric, distant… or even too unfamiliar.
Except for a small group of people who seek exactly that — and they’ve most likely already experienced sailing and the adventures that come with it. But that doesn’t mean yacht sailing necessarily fits the above descriptions.
If you’ve reached the realization, “I want something different!” but you’re not sure what that should be — keep reading.
When planning your yacht vacation, it’s important to create a concept for yourself (and your family) by selecting from some of the following:
- A holiday where I can fully unwind and sip cocktails under the blazing sun
- Sunbathing on deck and swimming in crystal-clear waters in a hidden bay
- Disconnecting from the hectic pace of everyday life
- Staying in isolated places, preferably without seeing other people
- Visiting new islands, villages, and small port towns, where I can explore local atmosphere, history, cuisine, and endemic drinks
- An active holiday to see and photograph as many new places as possible in a week or two
- Learning to sail and trying to steer a yacht during the trip
- Primarily focusing on learning how to operate a yacht
- Fishing or diving
- A romantic getaway or honeymoon on a yacht
- Escaping my partner for a week or two – whatever happens out there
- Escaping the kids with my partner
- Being all together and showing the kids new and exciting adventures
- A mix of all the above on a reasonable budget
- A luxury yacht charter — price is not an issue
- You tell me
Yachting experiences don’t break the rules of the general holiday criteria listed above — BUT they can offer much more and many different types of experiences that often combine into one trip, either by plan or by fate.
Yes, yachting can also offer more eccentric or extreme adventures, though those are not always suitable for a family vacation — but that’s a topic for another article.
Of course, you may have questions. Here are a few of the most important ones:
Who do I want to share this experience with? Friends, a friendly family, strangers?
This is crucial — many groups of friends realize on day two of a yacht trip that they have very different interests. Some want peace and quiet in bays and visits to towns with little sailing; others want the opposite. Fortunately, there are different types of yacht experiences and various boat sizes to suit all kinds of groups. Soon enough, you’ll find what fits you best.
Is it suitable for children? Parents often worry whether kids will adapt to the yacht environment. The truth is, kids adapt much faster than adults — they quickly find their place, games, and fun onboard.
Will I get seasick? If you’ve already decided you will — probably yes! But if you let go of your prejudices, relax, and enjoy yourself, you’ll soon realize your worries were unnecessary, and you’ll adapt much faster than expected.
What exactly will happen during the trip? You can plan the destination and timing according to your preferences. You can also choose an experienced skipper (captain) who will plan a fulfilling journey and advise you throughout. But EXACTLY what will happen — you won’t know in advance. The real boss is the weather forecast. You’ll just have to live it. A good captain will have a plan B, C, or even Z.
How much will it cost? The good news is that yacht rentals are increasingly affordable. For a more detailed answer, check: “How much does a yacht trip cost?”
How do I choose the right trip for myself or my family? Where do I start?
Start by defining the sailing area, the travel period, your companions, a starting budget, and your desired level of activity. Look around. You might even have a friend with a yacht.
In recent years, the market for yacht vacations has expanded. For Bulgarians, the most popular destinations are Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. There are various options available:
- Short (trial) trips in nearby areas, usually over a long weekend. These let you test the experience without a big financial risk. You might not cover many miles, but you’ll get a taste of yacht life — and probably start planning your next, longer trip right away.
- Week-long trips with family and friends. The most preferred type of yacht vacation. Note that during peak season in popular areas, your budget will need to stretch for more activity and demand.
- One-way charters — unlike typical round-trip itineraries, the start and end points are different, usually decided by the yacht owner. These often offer great deals, but you’ll need to handle some logistics.
- Flotillas — People sail in flotillas for many reasons: when there are too many people to fit on one boat, when you’re a small group who wants to meet others, or when you have a license but prefer the support of a more experienced leader. Flotillas are more complex to organize (especially in high season) but can save money. Just make sure to have a trusted flotilla leader.
- Specialized trips — including training voyages, sailing courses, regattas
- Fishing trips
- Combined trips involving kayaking, climbing, diving, etc.
- Luxury charters — a big topic deserving its own article.
Sounds great — but how do I make it happen?
You’ll need to trust someone — a friend’s recommendation, a skipper with good reviews, a travel agency, or just your inner drive to change something in your life. But be careful — because chances are, you’ll love it!
– Emil Ivanov