It’s now almost two centuries since the first package holiday was sold in Europe. For some, booking flights and 14 hotel nights in the same resort is still the most common way to travel.
All-Inclusive packages, popularised in the latter half of the 20th Century, standardised this method of travel even further. Eating and sleeping on the same acre of European coastline might be convenient but, for many, it lacks adventure.
Every year, more and more people are looking for something different from their valuable holiday time. With help from convenient, secure, and trusted charter booking sites like BorrowaBoat, the opportunities for adventure are almost endless.
Yacht and catamaran charter is one of the most exciting travel styles to grow in popularity over recent years. Online charter companies have made boat chartering more widely accessible and affordable where, previously, it has been complex and costly.
The freedom, flexibility, and adventure that come from sailing a sun-drenched coastline is hugely attractive to many modern travellers. With options from simple two-berth yachts to luxury six-cabin catamarans, boat charter can suit almost any group.
In 2019, after growing steadily over the last decade, yacht charter was a global industry worth almost $11 billion. Current projections suggest this will continue to grow and could increase by as much as 25% by 2028.
Several European destinations have become popular with yacht charter travellers, including Croatia, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Spain. One of the most popular up-and-coming destinations for European travellers, both on sea and land, is Malta.
Why Malta?
● Climate
Year-round good weather and almost guaranteed summer sun have made Malta attractive, particularly to those from cooler Northern Europe. Light coastal breezes fill sails but leave the seas calm, making it an ideal destination for boaters.
● Island nation
The main island of Malta offers a diverse range of cities, historic old towns, and coastal resorts to explore. Gozo, the second largest island, is more rural, while tiny Comino is almost uninhabited with just one hotel welcoming guests.
For those travelling on their own yacht or catamaran, the range of attractions in Malta is even greater. Smaller outliers, such as the St Paul Islands and Filfla, also offer more private experience and sightseeing options.
● Diving
Explorers off the coast of Malta don’t even need to set foot on land to appreciate the country’s incredible experiences. Clear calm waters and plentiful marine life make for unforgettable snorkelling and diving at many sites around the Maltese islands.
Internet charter company Borrow A Boat have been making yacht and catamaran hire accessible for many worldwide destinations since 2017. In 2022, Borrow A Boat launched in Malta, making yacht and catamaran charters in the area easier than ever before.
No longer do potential sailors need to find a broker, make local contacts, or source their own crew. Finding a yacht charter online is now as easy as booking a hotel, ordering a takeaway, or buying clothes.
Full details of every boat, crew, and location are listed, and even reviews from previous customers can be accessed. No expert knowledge is needed, and the prices, with no hidden costs, are displayed clearly at the time of booking.
The costs might be a little higher than a basic hotel room but are often still surprisingly affordable. Multi-cabin vessels allow costs to be split between several members of a travelling group, increasing value even further.
For experienced sailors, boats can be hired without crews (bareboat), or skippers can be included for novices and leisure travellers. For a more luxury experience, private chefs and increased crew numbers can also be added to many hires.
There are loads of different types of boats to choose from, all suitable for different needs.
What boats?
● Sailing yachts
Sailboats are the simplest form of hire available, offering clean energy and a classic wind-driven sailing experience. Those travelling in small groups, or looking for a “hands-on” adventure, will love these majestic looking small boats.
● Catamarans
Catamarans, with their double hull structure, offer increased stability and space for added luxury and larger groups. Wind-driven or powered, these vessels often include ensuite bathrooms, on-deck entertaining spaces, and room to carry additional water toys.
● Motorboats
Motorboats come in all styles from simple two-berth monohulls to large catamarans for 12 or more. These offer more simple movement without the need for sailing knowledge or reliance on occasionally unpredictable winds.
● Superyachts
For ultimate luxury, huge superyachts can be booked to provide travel experiences previously reserved for the most rich and famous. Charter one of these incredible vessels and spend afternoons sipping champagne while your private chef prepares a sunset barbecue.
Malta has many marinas from which to begin your charter, but one of the most popular starting points is Msida. On the outskirts of the capital city of Valletta, Msida offers easy access to the World Heritage Site’s many attractions.
Sailing along the east coast of Malta gives access to beautiful sandy beaches and wide bays. Northwest of the main island, past the rocky northern cliffs, sit the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino.
A must-see attraction on the south coast is a series of seven caves and inlets known as the Blue Grotto. Accessible only by small boat, this is a hugely popular Maltese attraction for hotel staying guests and yacht charters alike.
An increasing thirst for experience travel and new kinds of adventure mean the appetite for yacht charter is constantly growing. Easy and trustworthy booking sites, like Borrow A Boat, are helping to make yacht charter accessible to whole new markets.
So, when planning your next European holiday, why restrict yourself to the old ways of travelling? Yacht charter is more affordable and accessible than ever, and a new way to discover beautiful coastal destinations like Malta.
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