Sailing Holiday opinions please

[pentane]

Hi
SWMBO has decided that this year we WILL be going abroad for a week or two and as a last stand for my half of the species am trying to insist that some form of water based activity be included.
Anybody had experience of Sunsail or Mark Warner in Greece, Turkey, Corsica (a current favourite) or Sardinia (2nd favourite) ? Early July prob.
This would be shore based Dinghy & Windsurfing, not flotilla / yacht, otherwise we might as be on our own in the baking Solent.
Thanks
Tim

 

[explores]

Had great fun at all the Sunsail clubs in all parts of the world.

 

[walker]

Have done several sunsail clubs in the past (last in 2001) - great fun and great sailing kit but with the very notable exception of the food at Marmaris, the accommodation and food ranged from basic to worse.

Haven't done Mark Warner summer but their ski chalethotels are again pretty basic and the food generally dire - again an honorabale exception on the food front being Courchevel last year. None of this stops us going back as we always have a great time, but just to be aware that if even a little bit of luxury is required, they may not fit the bill.

 

[MarkG]

Had a flotilla hol with Sailing Holidays ltd around the Ionian.
Really relaxing and friendly.

 

[AndrewB]

Done a Sunsail beach holiday twice, once Greece, once Turkey, and can absolutely recommend. Better than other companies I tried. Go OUT OF SCHOOL HOLS though (unless you are taking kids yourself) or it will be over-run, and you may have trouble getting a look-in on the best bits of kit.

 

[uklancs]

I've been on several Mark Warner holidays, including Corsica. Food is plentiful and varied but not haut cuisine. Staff are well-trained, helpful and professional - mostly young.
Childcare is excellent and all sports facilities are as described in the bumph.
Getting away from the actual site can sometimes be difficult with excursions being pricey and infrequent.
However, there is so much to do (or not as you choose) that you will probably not mind that.
I did my dinghy sailing parts 1 & 2 with them.

 

[homa]

Sunsail

Can recommend Sunsail clubs.
Lots of gear from boards to dinghies with free teaching clinics.
You can even take out a yacht for day sails if you fancy.

Best was Colonna and not too expensive if you can go out of school holidays.
Favourite Club in Europe that is still going was Vounaki.

We have done 5 or 6 clubs, over the years. Only stopped when the boys started school - as the prices double in the school holidays

Plenty to do for landlubbers - and a surprising number of guests appear never go out on the water.

 

[NBDS]

Sunsail Club in Greece was very good a couple of years ago and I understand that it is currently being upgraded for the coming season.

 

[pheonix]

i took part in the sailing holidays inaugurall "hope that spelling is correct" faraway islands floatilla last may and i confirm the relaxed comment. also after viewing the pics my swmbo has decided to come along in october this year to give it a go, does this mean that she will insist on crewing in the future, if this is the case 2008 may be the last season for a lad's weekend sailing and obligotary drinking session in ports visited.


/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Nico]

Neilson generally better than Sunsail.

 

[Bradders]

Try Odyseuss in Greece ( Ionian ) very nice boats well maintained, plenty of good harbours / bays, very good socially with the rest of the flottila, which is what my 2 kids wanted.

Cheers

 

[andymcp]

given that you don't want flotilla, I'd maybe think about somewhere in Vasilliki (sp?) - you can pick up windsurfers and dinghies from the beach and the winds are about as good as you could ask for - regular too - while the rest of the beach is about as sandy as the Ionian gets.

I think Sunsail have a beach-based place on the mainland side of the South Ionian but every time I've passed the wind has been pretty light....

 

[jordanbasset]

We've had some great holidays with Neilson, very friendly, good kit. Favourite base was Finikounda, although wind can be very light in the mornings - Neil

 

[Helina]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi
SWMBO
This would be shore based Dinghy & Windsurfing, not flotilla / yacht, otherwise we might as be on our own in the baking Solent.
Thanks
Tim

[/ QUOTE ]

Why don't you consider Lofoten in Norway ?

Crystal clear water for diving - seabed full of life.

Whale watching either in commercial boats or rent your own and check with the scientists where they are going.

Might be a different holiday ???

 

[benshearer]

Peligoni Club greece, like sunsail only much much better!
www.peligoni.com