The best way to travel throughout Italy: Private sailing — and it’s easier and more affordable than you think

Vacationing in Italy is still as popular as ever. With peak season for Italy travel just around the corner, should you happen to be working on anything related to the best ways to enjoy one of 2024’s most popular destinations, please keep sailing in mind (how else can you catch a volcano eruption from the water or visit a car-free island?). Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leading sea-based vacation company with a global footprint of over 40+ bases offers one of the best ways to enjoy Italy – by sailing throughout it

Here’s why: 

It’s more affordable than you think.

Chartering a yacht is more affordable and accessible than most travelers think — no sailing experience required. Rates for an Italy charter for 8 people with a skipper in Naples begin at $443 per person in the shoulder season (spring/fall) and start at $756 per person during popular travel seasons between May and October.

Not a sailor? No problem.

Dream Yacht offers a variety of different sailing options in Italy – cabin cruises where travelers reserve their own private cabin on a yacht with up to 12 total passengers with crew service and all meals included; a bareboat option for experienced sailors to take the helm of their Italy sailing vacation; and the company also offers fully crewed charters or options to sail with a skipper so travelers can sit back and let someone else take care of navigating the sea.

Beat the crowds, even during a crowded season.

Traveling via a private yacht allows the opportunity to not only access smaller ports and off-the-beaten path destinations, but also the unique chance to come and go as you please. Too many tourists on land? Move on to the next vacation spot or escape the summer crowds and relax, dine, and enjoy the Italy coastline while watching the sunset on your own yacht

An intimate & unique personalized experience

Smaller yachts allow for more intimate, less crowded travel experiences. Yachts have access to amazing beaches and ports that other larger boats can’t visit, allowing travelers to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and smaller cities. This access offers travelers the opportunity to explore and enjoy additional and authentic cultural experiences in less tourism-focused areas. DYW’s popular smaller ports in Italy include Cefalu, Sicily, and Corricella Bay, within reach from the base in Naples.

Offering dozens of unique itineraries and experiences, sailing in Italy allows once-in-a-lifetime opportunities only available by small boat sea vacations. Examples of these special experiences include the chance to possibly catch a volcano on Stromboli erupt at night. DYW travelers can explore Stromboli’s black lava beaches and watch for eruptions from the boat during an Aeolian islands boat charter. Another option is to explore the 7 islands in the Aeolian Islands chain where you can sail to from DYW’s base in Portorosa. One of the islands is Alicudi, one of the few car-free islands in the world.

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Italy beaches that can only be reached by boat include: 

Cala Granara, Sardinia; Golfo della Mezzaluna, island of San Pietro in Carloforte (Sardinia); Cala Luna, Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia); and La Tabaccara, Lampedusa (Sicily)

Several destinations in one trip

Whether it’s Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily’s archipelagos, sailing Italy with Dream Yacht allows travelers to unpack their bags once and explore several sailing ground destinations in one trip.

Sailing is the perfect intro to sea travel.

A more intimate, personalized experience, private sailing is a great introduction to sea travel for those who have never done so before or anyone who might get overwhelmed with a large cruise ship or bigger boat. Want to hear the scoop? We are happy to connect you with one of DYW’s customers to hear about their first-time sailing experience first hand.

A Sailboat Adventure in the Spanish Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a popular destination for spring break and summer travel — St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix are among the most popular destinations for travel and sailing in that region.

However, there is an increasingly popular, different option to set sail to, beat the crowds and explore some of earth’s most beautiful beaches: The Spanish Virgin Islands. Primarily consisting of the islands of Culebra and Vieques, part of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, The Spanish Virgin Islands are located east of the main island of Puerto Rico and west of St. Thomas, making them accessible hidden gems.

Vieques. J.Kiva Matousek/Wikimedia

Among those hidden gems is a sailing itinerary with Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW) that leaves from St. Thomas and explores The Spanish Virgin Islands.

This special itinerary offers travelers the opportunity to discover Culebra and Vieques and enjoy these tropical islands featuring long, less-crowded beaches, near-empty anchorages, rare flora and fauna, and world-class snorkeling.

Vieques at Night. Photo: JHill/Wikimedia Commons

An alternative to the traditional U.S. Virgin Islands or British Virgin Islands sailing trip, the Spanish Virgin Islands itinerary also includes stops at must-see destinations including the award-winning Flamenco Beach and Punta Arenas aka “Green Beach” – park of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, offering scenic views of the main island of Puerto Rico and El Yunque, the only rain forest in the US Parks system.

You can view DYW’s Spanish Virgin Islands itinerary here. And with Dream Yacht, no sailing experience is necessary with the option to have a skipper for non-experienced sailors and bareboat for those who prefer to sail themselves. This special Spanish Virgin Island itinerary offers both options, as do most of DYW’s vacations.

Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW) is a leading sea-vacation company, experts in sailing vacations and for good reason: DYW offers almost double the number of bases worldwide compared to its leading competitors in the space. More bases and more itineraries to explore the most popular sailing destinations as well as the less-traveled, hidden gems. 

‘Tis the Season for Sailing: Especially for non-sailors, give the gift of a sailing vacation

Windward, leeward, jib, and jibe. This may all sound like gibberish to non-sailors, but that doesn’t mean a sailing vacation is off the table. Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW), a leading sea-based vacation and global yacht charter company, is on a mission to make sailing trips accessible and as easy as possible for all. And what better way to jump right in to a sailing vacation than with a winter escape or sharing the gift of a sailing trip?

In addition to the opportunity of chartering a private boat with family and friends, sailing and yacht vacations allow travelers the opportunity to have several experiences in one trip, plus the ability to access smaller ports that larger cruise lines and planes cannot always enter.

Dream Yacht vacations also offer the opportunity for local, immersive experiences; off-shore excursions and new discoveries; watersports and group tours and activities; plus, plenty of days relaxing on the water. 

Travelers have the freedom to plan itineraries based on personal preferences and interests. The best part? You only have to unpack your bags once.

For the person who has it all, consider giving the gift of a Dream Yacht Worldwide sailing experience this holiday season. Here are some of the many DYW global sailing options for the traveler who already has it all.

Enjoy the start of 2024 in the Caribbean: Always a popular choice for a winter escape, Dream Yacht is offering several options in the beautiful Caribbean for a truly magical experience. The island-planned celebrations often feature beach parties, lively music, and spectacular fireworks displays that illuminate the night sky over the crystal-clear waters.

With the backdrop of palm-fringed beaches and the soothing sound of the ocean, celebrating New Year’s in the Caribbean is a unique and unforgettable way to welcome the year ahead. While Dream Yacht offers several warm-weather vacation options in the Caribbean, here are 3 of the company’s recommended cruising experiences to ring in the new year: British Virgin Islands ; U.S. Virgin Islands; and St. Martin.

Take advantage of an “Easy Crewed” option: For travelers who have always wanted to try a sailing vacation but lack sailing experience, or even the time to plan, Dream Yacht Worldwide’s Easy Crewed Charter is the ideal option and a great way to celebrate holidays with family and friends. Step on board a private yacht with up to ten family members or friends and experience a fantastic week of sailing from DYW’s bases in Greece, Croatia, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti, or the Seychelles. On board, travelers find comfortable private cabins with ensuite baths, plus spacious areas for dining and lounging.

Travelers have everything they need for the ready-made escape, including an experienced skipper and an optional host/ess with full or half board meals. Skippers whisk guests away to the best hidden coves, islands and seaside villages, while on land travelers can to hire a car or scooter to explore even more.

Chasing the Sun: Three Places to Go Where Summer Never Ends

For those who aren’t ready to give up warm weather, blue skies, and beaches, Dream Yacht Worldwide is sharing its top destination recommendations for an endless summer by sea – some of which may be less obvious and under-the-radar for American travelers. 

Here’s a round-up of three destinations great for exploring by sail boat this fall. Think: access to small ports and coast lines, opportunities to discover local culture, and a sense of freedom, accessibility, and adventure that no other vacation can provide to chase the summer sun.  

1.) Endless Summer in Seychelles –

The Seychelles offers one of the world’s finest sailing grounds, with picture-perfect tropical islands, sandy beaches and imposing granite rocks polished by the relentless waves of the Indian Ocean. Average temperatures in the Seychelles are warm all year-round at between 79ºF and 82ºF. The best time to visit for sailing the Seychelles is during the season transition in April/May and October/November when the water visibility is optimal at 98ft – perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Dream Yacht Worldwide began its first yacht charters in the Seychelles. And for good reason, as it’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet, comprising 41 of the earth’s oldest granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands which embody the phrase ‘tropical paradise’.

On a Seychelles yacht charter, travelers can snorkel among the treelike corals on Coco Island, or at stunning St. Pierre islet, where rugged granite rocks merge with lush tropical vegetation.

An unmissable highlight on any yacht charter in the Seychelles is a visit to the scented vanilla plantations at Union Estate on La Digue, one of the most beautiful islands in the region. While for nature lovers, there’s bird watching at Aride Island and the rare Aldabra tortoises at Curieuse, a protected island where you can observe these gentle giants.  

2.) Blue Skies in Belize –

Sail Belize and enjoy its calm waters, favorable trade winds and a network of 450 isolated cayes sitting in the tropical Caribbean Sea. The best time to visit Belize is from late November to mid-April, during the dry season. Warm temperatures, sunny skies and access to top attractions can be experienced at this time of year. 

Travelers definitely want to take time out to see the Mayan ruins and explore the world’s second longest unbroken barrier reef which, with its diverse underwater ecosystem, is a renowned snorkeling and scuba destination.    

Sailing in Belize can include a stop at the Blue Hole Natural Monument or a trip to Glover’s Reef, Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe – three atolls offering the chance to swim among 500 species of fish and 100 types of coral, as well as rays and dolphins. Sailing in these open waters during your Belize yacht charter will require a local skipper.

3.) Take it all in in Tahiti –

The South Pacific island of Tahiti and the neighboring islands of French Polynesia may be the closest you will ever come to paradise on earth. Part of the Society Islands, Tahiti is bursting with exciting marine life, emerald volcanic peaks and vivid exotic flowers, making it the perfect destination for a yacht charter.

The best time to visit Tahiti is between April/May and September/October.

Tahiti boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, all of which you can explore on your Tahiti yacht charter – from green-topped mountains and perfect white sand beaches to calm aquamarine seas and protected turquoise lagoons.

Dream Yacht travelers can begin their Tahiti sailing vacation on the island of Raiatea to explore its archaeological remains and impressive lagoon, then head to Motu To’opua under the familiar peaks of Bora Bora. It’s the perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling. 

Take a trip to Huahine while sailing Tahiti’s islands and visit the small village of Fare, where you will find a warm Polynesian welcome. Browse the boutiques and get a bite to eat in the small restaurants.

Dream Yacht Worldwide expands easy crewed sailing concept around the globe

Sailing vacation packages that make charters easy and accessible for non-sailors are now available in the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and the Seychelles.

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Dream Yacht Worldwide, the world’s leading yacht charter company, is bringing its successful crewed yacht product “Easy Crewed” to 4 new destinations this summer. The concept that was specifically designed for those new to chartering launched last year in Greece and Croatia and is offering easy-to-book, flexible, and price-competitive sailing vacation packages.

The “Easy Crewed” charter program builds upon the company’s highly successful “Cabin Cruise” vacations for singles and couples, currently offered in more than 15 idyllic destinations worldwide.

The Cabin Cruise concept was pioneered and developed by Dream Yacht Worldwide in the effort to make sailing vacations accessible to travelers unfamiliar with yacht charters. The Easy Crewed offering is a natural evolution in this endeavor, extending the concept to feature private yachts for groups of family and friends up to ten.

The addition of the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti, and the Seychelles as Easy Crewed charter destinations offers guests even more flexibility regarding their preferred vacation destination and together with Greece and Croatia creates a unique blend of Mediterranean, Caribbean and exotic locations available to choose from.

A one-week charter trip will let guests explore breathtaking coastlines, ancient ruins, crystalline waters, amazing local cuisine with fresh ingredients, and countless dazzling islands that can only be reached by boat.

Those planning their yacht charter vacation need only choose a destination and boat type based on their preferences and number of people in their travel group. Monohulls and sailing catamarans from 38’ to 54’ are among the yacht choices, all with comfortable private guest cabins with ensuite or shared baths. Easy Crewed Charters come complete with an experienced local skipper and watersports equipment including a standup paddle board and snorkeling gear. The skipper works with the guests to plan a custom itinerary that accommodates desired activities, day stops and night anchorages.

For additional comfort guests can choose to add a hostess/cook, air conditioning, and meal packages to include all breakfasts and lunches or even all meals in more remote cruising grounds. These meal plans cater to the guest’s specific preferences.

Easy Crewed Charters are currently available to book for Summer 2023 and beyond. As an example, the one-week package prices start as low as $630 per person for 10 guests aboard a 47- to 56-foot monohull in Croatia and $1023 per person for 10 guests aboard a 43- to 47-foot monohull in the British Virgin Islands.

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About Dream Yacht Worldwide – The World’s Leading Ocean Tourism Company

Part of the Dream Yacht Group, we were founded by Loic Bonnet in 2000. We set out from the start to revolutionize the industry by making sailing accessible to all. Originally launched in the Seychelles with just six boats, Dream Yacht Worldwide now has one of the largest charter fleets, and more than 50 exciting destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Asia, Americas and Europe.