Why a boat holiday is the new villa holiday…

Take the concept of a villa holiday one step further and on to the water: set afloat that irresistible sense of exclusivity, space and seclusion, and add in the excitement of ever-changing scenery. No two days are the same when you are in charge – not only of your schedule, but also of your itinerary.

What is it that has long made a villa holiday so appealing? The privacy, perhaps: no noisy neighbours, or 5am sunbed-baggers.  That feeling that your holiday is as individual as you are, rather than having to adopt a herd mentality during your precious time off. It could be a simple as having communal spaces to enjoy together as a family or a group, rather than suffocating in your hotel bedroom before breakfast or retiring to your bedroom as soon as dinner is over. Maybe it’s that home-from-home ease; feeling free to do and dress exactly as you please. Being able to be self-sufficient, too – bringing your own snacks if you wish, and not being fleeced for every fizzy drink and salty peanut – is a big draw for independent travellers.

Why not book a floating villa for your new-style villa-on-water holiday?

SamBoat, a world leader in peer-to-peer boat rentals and yacht charters, offers the choice of 40,000 rental boats worldwide. The range of vessels available for hire is very broad – including motorboats, sailboats, catamarans, houseboats and yachts. The platform caters for everyone, from families or groups of friends, to experienced sailors exploring remote islands. Customers can choose to be skippered professionally or to be their own captain (subject to the correct licence and experience). There’s a wide choice of optional add-ons such as food and drink, crew, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and more.

UK Country Manager, Alfredo Bernal, comments: ‘With the changing landscape of travel in the current climate, we predict that travellers choosing to holiday on a fully-crewed boat or yacht, as an alternative to a luxury villa, will become a significant holiday trend.

“Affluent guests who habitually holiday in five-star villas can, instead, choose to hire a luxurious, crewed boat where their every whim is catered to and where they enjoy all of the benefits of a villa holiday – space, flexibility and privacy – but also the freedom to plot their own path, to do as little or as much as they like, and to be entertained by a constantly evolving land and seascape. People will realise that having time out from reality with those closest to them can be even more meaningful when the adventure is both bespoke and unique. Plus, in the aftermath of Covid restrictions, people are tired of being within four walls; the water has never been more appealing than in the wake of the pandemic.”

Here are some of the very many options available across the world through SamBoat.com:

GREEK ISLANDS: Doral 33S based in Corfu – a week’s hire with crew from £1,198 pp
Make The Difference (sleeps four) tot up your Greek island count, speeding along the glorious coastline not only of Corfu but also the Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Antipaxos, Sivota and other Ionian gems. This sophisticated, crewed private motor yacht is ideal and very comfortable for a family. The boat has stand up paddleboards and snorkelling equipment – plus fruit, wine, Champagne, snacks and coffee are included in the price.

BALEARIC ISLANDS: Bavaria 40 Cruiser based in Mallorca – 4-night hire with crew from £268 pp
Mamba Negra (sleeps eight) is located on the paradise that is the island of Palma de Mallorca, famous for its turquoise waters and white sand coves. The boat has a well-equipped kitchen, two bathrooms (each with shower), a sundeck, a swimming ladder, and all sorts of snorkelling and paddle surfing equipment. Mealtimes are a treat, with an exquisite Mediterranean menu on board, making the most of fresh local produce.

SOUTH OF FRANCE: Hanse 385 based in Cannes – 4-night hire with crew from £421 pp
Cannes’ shimmering blue bay is the Côte d’Azur at its most iconic. The glamour here is as one expects – dazzling – and there are few city promenades more splendid than La Croisette. Set sail from here on Mako (sleeps six), a magnificent 12-metre sailboat complete with deck shower, TV, stand up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment and fishing gear.

PORTUGAL: Lagoon 400 S2 based in Faro – 4-night hire with crew from £1,060 pp
An elegant catamaran, Isea One (sleeps eight) is contemporary and comfortable – and, unusually, its cockpit and salon (both very spacious) are on the same level, with the galley positioned between them. The boat’s powerful sailing performance make her an exceptional cruiser for exploring the beaches of the beautiful Faro region, which are some of the least crowded in the Algarve.

ITALY: Mizar III based on Lake Como – 4-night hire with crew from £713 pp
Picchiotti Giglio (sleeps six), the first and only of its kind on fashionable Lake Como, is a fascinating 10-metre vintage motor yacht made entirely of wood. An extremely comfortable cabin cruiser with a large cockpit, guests can sprawl on sun mattresses and cushions on the sundeck while absorbing the splendour of Lake Como, from its buzzy lakeside towns to its opulent neoclassical villas.

CARIBBEAN: Bénéteau Moorings 453 based on Saint Lucia – a week’s hire from £638 pp
The 14-metre Bénéteau Moorings 453 sailboat (sleeps eight) is a sleek and exceptionally comfortable yacht with three spacious en-suite cabins and beautiful ocean views through two panoramic windows. Rented bareboat – without a skipper – you will be the captain of your own boat (sailing experience required) Sett off from lively Rodney Bay Marina, on the north of the island, and sail around St Lucia, the warm trade winds and sparkling seas combining to create an unforgettable holiday.

To book, or to find out more, visit www.samboat.com.