beach club sailing holiday

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Folks, I'd appreciate a bit of advice. I want to take my wife on a weeks sailing holiday. She's keen enough to try sailing but doesn't want to spend the whole week aboard!

I have been considering sunsail's beach clubs, specifically Vounaki but am a bit afraid that these are too geared toward families and kids (its just the two of us)

has anyone any advice on these clubs or on alternatives?
 
We went to Vounaki in 2004 and had a fantastic time. Granted, we were there as a family (kids were 3 and 1 at that time) but there were plenty of couples without kids too. We went for two weeks, and four friends, without kids, came out for the second week.

The fact that kids are so well catered for means that you don't tend to notice them - the creche takes care of them in the daytime then in the evening all the parents take advanatage of the baby listening to come out and let their hair down for a change!

Sailing wise, my wife had done very little sailing and by the end of the fortnight she was racing Lasers! The tuition was great and for me, with a little more experience, the chance to scream around in a Laser or Hobie cat was great. Plus the occasional reckless attempt at keeping a 29er upright. The staff were really good fun and very helpful.

We also took one of the yachts that they have as dayboats - there's about 12 of those and you can sign up and head off for lunch at nearby harbours. If you're less confident, there's always some other couple wanting to go and wanting crew. There's also some organised cruising in company in the yachts. And all this is included in the price.

Only real downside was that there's very little away from the resort. The local village is OK for a walk into town and dinner one or two evenings, but it seemed like that was about it. For us, it didn't matter, we were there for sailing in warm waters, not touring the local sights.

So, a strong recommendation from us, and I think lots of the childfree folks we met would say the same. If you can, go early or late season because I think the extra space and attention you get when they aren't full offsets the slightly less reliable weather. And we liked the unreliable weather because a Hobie cat in a force 5 is awsome!

cheers

Nick
 
Thanks Nick, thats a great recommendation!! Whats the food and accomodation like?

We are thinking of going in late may/early june which i think would be ideal for the med but a bit late for the caribbean. I have rarely been in a dingy (cruiser racing is my thing) but I'd easily enjoy the week figuring them out!! The structure of a two day RYA course that they offer would be what my wife would be interested in.

How did you pick Vounaki over the other resorts (I was looking at it because I have never been to greece before)?
 
Strongly recommend Sunsail clubs as a way of getting into sailing in a relaxed way.
They run a number of adults only weeks - give them a call for details.
 
Sunsail are great, as are Mark Warner - food excellent at both, great tuition.

Good last minute website specials.
 
Did Club Colonna Antigua in April 2000........fantastic, great dinghy sailing in constant 20kt wind, place very well run with fantastic equipment. I was late 40's then and made to feel very welcome as a couple. The highlight was the trips away to Prickly Pear island and the other place the name I forget for the snorkelling. The only down is the long haul to get there on a crumby cramped charter flight.

Paul.
 
But if you go now you get quite reasonable leg room - even in Econ. One of the benefits of SS being bought by First Choice! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
food was really good at the resort, especially the 'afternoon tea' which became a bit of a ritual! It's half board in an interesting way which is sometimes dinner included, sometimes lunch - and these meals are a good taste of the local grub in a relaxed atmosphere - the sailing staff often serve the tables in the evening.

We chose Vounaki because our friends had been there before on a last minute deal. They had a week booked off work to do some decorating and when the week arrived they thought 'sod it, let's go somewhere' and got a last minute cheap week at Vounaki. Loved it and recommended it to us, then came with us too.

BTW we spent our honeymoon on a two week charter from Antigua back in 2000 and sailed past Club Colonna, looked like a great place and people seemed to be having a really good time. The scenery there is fabulous.
 
I'd second Sunsail - the clubs are very good indeed.

Regards the family thing there is a Sunsail Club in Greece that doesn't cater for younger kids outside of the main school holidays. Unfortunately I cant remember which one it is but it'll be in the brochure.

Mark
 
I've done a week at Minorca Sailing, which was absolutely great. It's geared towards dinghy sailors, and racers in particular, so lots of instruction. This ranges from basic courses for complete beginners to intensive race training for more experienced sailors - spinnaker, trapeze etc.

The range of boats is unrivalled by any other beach club, which is the reason I went. There isn't a whole heap of non-sailing stuff to do, especially if you don't rent a car, but if you want to do lots of sailing it's an absolute blast.

Best to go either before or after school holidays, if you want to avoid families. http://www.minorcasailing.com/
 
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