Article by Matthew Johnston

‘The Mediterranean’ is oft-repeated located in the books of a traveller. Whether it is the Mediterranean food, the climate or the region, something about this phrase conjures up images of blue waters, sandy beaches and century-old coastal towns and ports; essentially, something of a tourists’ paradise. A tour of the Mediterranean coastline is a rich experience spanning the history and geography of many different civilizations and the best way to do it is a Mediterranean yacht charter.

A charter yacht is one of the best ways of experiencing both the natural beauty and the culture of the Mediterranean region. Depending on the places that interest you, you could chart out a route and follow it leisurely, surrounded by all the comforts money can buy, including an expert professional crew. Most yacht charters offer a wide range of vessels of different sizes, operations, and replete with different amenities. You could opt for a sailing yacht, an electric/diesel motor powered yacht one that’s a combination; a bareboat or skippered and also look at technical specifications like number of hulls, sails and interiors.

The Mediterranean Sea is comprised of many different seas, the larger ones being the Ionian Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea and your sails could be customised to allow you to experience any of these. If the history and culture of the quiet Balkans allures you, you could start with the romantic town of Venice, Italy and move on to the smaller towns of Croatia, known for their lush natural beauty and as-yet un-commercialised towns. A popular cruise route should take in to the archipelagos of Brijuni and Kornati, known for their exceptional natural features as well as towns like Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir and Split, which are known for their architectural marvels, especially the St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO heritage site and the Krka National Park.

Greece has long been heralded as the cornerstone of the cultural history of the Mediterranean region and a yacht cruise along its long coastline can be quite rewarding. The many islands that dot the Aegean and the Ionic Sea are captivating for their beaches and ancient architecture as well as their resorts, hotels and nightlife. After setting sail from the city of Athens, you could choose to move on to islands of Kea, Tinos, Mykonos, Delos and Paros, Ios and Apollo. Each of these islands has a distinct cultural history as evidenced by their striking chapels, monasteries and churches and is rich in natural beauty, particularly the island of Apollo with its breathtaking mountain ranges and valleys. Each island also offers various tourists attractions like bars, clubs, restaurants, as well as water-sports.

After the quiet towns and villages of Greece and Croatia, you could set off for the more glamorous coasts of Italy and France. The Cote d’Azur in France is world-famous as “the” destination for the rich and the famous, while its counterpart, “The Italian Riviera” is home to some picturesque fishing towns of Portofino, Camogli, Cinque Terre, Tuscan and Capraia. Cinque Terre is particularly known for its national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Isles de Lerins off the French coast is a popular island for water-sports and the Tuscan Archipelago offers very safe anchorage, delightful beaches, as well as, some great historic sight-seeing opportunities.

All in all, the Mediterranean, with its many seas and coasts, offers an endless list of places to visit, scenes to take in and activities to indulge in. A yacht cruise along the Mediterranean gives you a taste of the many diverse cultures that abound the region, as well as the variety in the natural beauty of the region. With a chartered yacht, the only problem you might have is ending the holiday.

About the Author

Mediterranean Yacht Charter – Fraser Yachts specialize in luxury yacht charter in the Mediterranean and provide the most luxurious Mediterranean Charter Yachts.

Preview of the Historical Atlas of the Mediterranean www.explorethemed.com Interactive maps of Mediterranean history. In this preview: The Assyrians The Rise of Sparta The Rise of Rome The Rise of Christianity The Rise of Islam The Spanish Reconquista For more interactive maps, be sure to visit www.explorethemed.com The Song is LTJ Bukem – Horizons
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