Sail away

A sailing holiday will take you to places you can't reach by land, giving you a different view of your destination. Even if you're a novice sailor you could crew your own yacht, or kick back and let someone else steer.

One option is to take a gullet along the Turkish coast, anchoring up in secluded bays, swimming in crystal clear waters and even fishing from the deck. You could eat in little tavernas in hidden coves or the crew will cook up a treat on deck.

Onboard accommodation ranges from very basic bunks to quite luxurious cabins with en-suite facilities, depending on the vessel.

Some companies will allow you to charter a whole gullet or you could simply book a room on a vessel and join another group. For package, try www.anatoliansky.co.uk.

More adventurous sailors could skipper their own yacht around the Whitsunday Islands in Australia, where they can also enjoy snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Sunsail (www.sunsail.co.uk) offers bareboat charters to sailors with a level 2 qualification in the Whitsundays. Those with no experience can learn to earn their sea legs with Sunsail on holidays to other destinations.

If that sounds too much like hard work, imagine sailing around the British Virgin Islands in a 72-foot crewed yacht with air-conditioned queen-size state rooms with en-suite facilities.

BVI Holidays offers seven-night sailing packages on Endless Summer (www.endlesssummer.com), which has two ocean kayaks on board for guests to explore the coastline. There's also a sport dinghy for water skiing and a ski-bob inflatable.

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