Summer is not far away and no doubt you are planning your summer holiday. There is plenty of choice with all-inclusive deals, cruises and city breaks all competing for your attention. Although all these are good options, nothing quite beats a boat hire holiday. When you hire a boat you are very much in control of where you go and what you see. Let’s take a closer look.

1 You’re the navigator

With a yacht hire holiday, you don’t have to worry about how to get around. You’re the captain and the waterways of Europe are your high seas. This gives you the freedom to explore and learn a new skill at the same time. Check global Maine renewable top 10 picks of you’re looking for some inspiration.

2 The Perfect way to explore Europe

It is very easy to explore Europe on a boating holiday. Ibiza, Mallorca, Sicily, the French Riviera, Sardinia, Corsica, Croatia (particularly Split and Dubrovnik) and the Greek islands are all amazing destinations to visit by boat.

Waterways in Europe tend to be extensive and have great places to visit and stop. A whole industry has grown up around the waterways, so having lunch in an exquisite café before resuming your tour is fantastic.

Enjoying a cocktail on a boat with the sunset in the background is something you have to do at least once in your life.

3 Sailing in Greece

Taking a yacht around the Greek islands is the best way to see this famous part of the world. Being at the helm allows you to control where you go and where you dock. Nothing beats sailing in Greece in the summer when it comes to a holiday in the Med. From the Ionian Islands in Western Greece to the Cyclades Islands and Crete in the Aegean Sea, Greece is a fantastic place to explore in July or August.

4 With a yacht hire you set sail anytime you want

With a yacht hire you are the one who decides where and when you sail, which is quite important when you set sail for an island-hopping trip in Greece or Croatia. Many yacht hire platforms allow you to hire a skipper if you feel a little unsure about steering your boat or if you don’t have the relevant licence.

5 Split the cost

If you have a party of people you can split the cost. This can make a boating holiday far cheaper than an all-inclusive hotel option or villa.

6 Perfect for Couples, Friends, Families

Boating holidays are perfect no matter whether you are a group of friends, a couple or a family. As a group of friends, you can enjoy the delights of Europe, such as river-based parties and stopping off to explore towns and villages.

As a couple, you can watch sunsets enjoying romantic evenings at restaurants and bars or enjoy a crisp cool bottle of wine while savouring the rhythmic rocking of your boat or yacht.

Families love boating holidays too. The kids find living on a boat an adventure and secretly so do mum and dad. Letting your kids steer a boat under strict supervision is something they will never forget.

7 You can read Reviews to find the best boat

Once you’ve been on a boating or yachting tour you want to do it again and again. Happily, there is a great number of boat hire platforms where you can read a few reviews that will help you find the best deal for you.

8 Transport included

As you have a vehicle, you have transport too. For example, you don’t have to think about how you are going to get to the beach or the centre of a city, as this is already taken care of. You are also not at the mercy of bus or train timetables and of course you don’t have to pay out for taxi fees.

9 Plenty of choice when hiring a boat

There is plenty of choices when it comes to hiring a boat or yacht. Many holidaymakers simply select the number of passengers on the relevant boat hire platform – an algorithm then suggests the right vessel for them. You will discover that for each type of boat (eg motorboats, sailboats, catamarans) there is a wide range of choices, so you can choose the vessel that catches your eye.

10 Savour the culture

Travelling on a boat or a luxury yacht is a great way to get an idea of the culture of each place you visit. Stopping off along your tour you will encounter real people, not just those that serve tourists. You will have the opportunity to get immersed in the culture of the island or city you are visiting – definitely not something you would experience with an all-inclusive or villa holiday.

Book a boating holiday and enjoy Europe’s most stunning islands and beaches.