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Beach-holidays-in-Malta

There are few things more exciting than travelling the world, exploring all of mother nature’s highlights and soaking up new cultures that you wouldn’t otherwise encounter. And while it can be all too easy to fall back on a standard holiday spot once you find somewhere you like, life is so much more exciting when you try something new. That’s why, for those looking to break free of their summer holiday routine, we are putting a new option on the table – exploring the most beautiful parts of the Med by yacht share. Browse our enticing Malta, Sicily and Southern Italy itineraries below, and get ready for a whole summer of possibilities.

Malta, Sicily & Southern Italy Itineraries To Inspire Your Summer

Beach-holidays-in-Italy

Malta

Why go?

This small archipelago will charm you from the get-go. Its crystal clear sea draws in international divers and those looking for relaxing beach holidays in Malta are never disappointed, while an action-packed history means that prehistoric temples and fossil-studded cliffs are commonplace in this rugged landscape. A hodgepodge of cultures makes for some seriously delicious cuisine, mixing Sicilian and Middle Eastern flavours and making use of local ingredients. And while there are plenty of modern luxuries to be found, there are also places where you will feel like you have stepped back in time to another world.

What to do whilst there?

For family beach holidays in Malta head to Mellieha Bay, the island’s longest sandy beach, offering an array of adrenaline-fulled water sports. Meanwhile, romantic beach holidays in Malta are to be found at Ghajn Tuffieha, a secret, secluded cove perfect for watching the sunset.

Stroll along Valletta Harbor, beautifully preserved and bustling with a range of exquisite waterfront restaurants, and soak up the local culture. To get a greater idea of the island’s historical significance, take a guided tour of Port Elmo – the focal point of the Siege of Malta in 1565, or visit Casa Rocca Piccola, an aristocratic home dating back to the 1680s. Quaint fishing village Marsaxlokk hosts a vibrant daily market, offering some of the freshest seafood around.

Hop on your yacht to explore some of the islands and incredible dive spots nearby. Gozo’s stunning prehistoric sites and secluded sandy beaches are only a 20-minute cruise away, while you can anchor near the wreck of HMS Maori – a WW2 destroyer sunk by the Germans – to find the perfect learning spot for beginner divers. Enjoy the freedom of doing everything completely at your leisure.

Sicily

Summer-holidays-in-sicily

Why go?

Seductive Sicily owes its diversity of cultures to its enticing location, slap-bang in the middle of the Med and with a proud tradition of welcoming travellers from near and far. This makes for some exquisite architecture – a wander through Palermo will take you past Arab domes and arches, Byzantine mosaics and Norman palace walls, to name just a few highlights. Its landscape is also wildly differing, from smoking volcanic hulks to lush, flower-filled fields and secluded black-sand beaches. One thing that you can depend upon on your yacht charter in Sicily? The delicious local fare, centred around island-grown ingredients and prepared with passion.

What to do whilst there?

The imposing Mount Etna is a must-visit, whether you are hiking in the woodlands or enjoying the 3000m-up views from a cable car. Following on this volcanic route, the Gole dell’Alcantara canyons – created by waves of lava centuries ago – are an incredible natural phenomenon that the whole family will love exploring.

Be sure to sample some of the Sicilian sweet treats, such as the Cassata Siciliana, a sponge cake with rum, ricotta cheese and candied fruits, or Cannoli, a hard pastry shell filled with flavoured ricotta. Learn about Sicily’s emancipation from German occupation in World War II at the Museo Storico dello Sbarco. A yacht charter around Sicily also allows you to explore the over-a-dozen tiny islands that lie offshore, each one holding a new secret for you to uncover.

Southern Italy

Beach-holidays-south-italy

Why go?

There is nowhere quite like Southern Italy. Its warm, friendly people will embrace you as one of their own from the moment you arrive. With so many civilisations layered in its history, you’ll find striking reminders of Greek, Roman, Saracen, Norman and Spanish culture interlaced through the architecture and in the faded frescoes. And with each different region on your Southern Italy itinerary offering its own culinary masterpieces, you will be blown away with every mouthful – from Napolese wood-fired pizzas to simple but delicious Pugliese pasta dishes.

What to do whilst there?

Southern Italy itineraries face just one problem – what to recommend to travellers first when there are so many tempting options! Adrenaline junkies will love scaling Mount Stromboli, Europe’s most active volcano, or diving into prehistoric sea caves on Puglia’s Promontorio del Gargano. History buffs can choose between an incredible 13 UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites to explore. Those looking to treat themselves while connecting with the Italian wild can bask in the healing geothermal mud in Vulcano, quite literally letting all their troubles melt away.

A yacht is the perfect way to explore Southern Italy, allowing you to see all the must-visit towns and secluded-coves without the typical travel frustrations. Hop along the Amalfi Coast and marvel at the colourful homes that adorn the cliff faces, soaking up the sun en route. Sail to Capri to explore the Blue Grotto caves or simply enjoy the beauty of the island, grabbing a bite at a local trattoria. Cruise to Lecce to see its historical structures and fascinating architecture, made using the famous Lecce stone. You’ll never want to drag yourself away…

Colette Flowerdew-Kincaid
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