Last chance for a boat hire in the Med before winter comes

Winter is coming. Well, in some parts of Europe and North America it’s already here. But don’t worry if you didn’t brave the waves this summer. You have a last chance for a boat hire in the Med. Hoist the sails and sail for uncharted waters, captain!

Here are five boating destinations in Southern Europe where the sun still shines in autumn.

1. Ibiza, an Iberian gem

Ibiza is a crowded, noisy place in the summer, famous for its vibrant nightlife. It’s only in autumn that you get a whiff of its unique natural beauty. Especially if you opt for a boat hire, unperturbed by hordes of tourists flocking the island from all over. Its sandy coves and renowned calas (for example Cala Comte and Cala d’Hort) are peaceful and serene in November. The lush pine forests are perfect for a picnic. Or stop at Café del Mar for a sip of sangria, gazing at the endless blue of the Med.

2. Split, the City of the Throne

Croatia has captured the heart of many sailing fans over the last few years. Many start their trip with a boat hire in Split and then sail to Hvar or the Paklinski Islands. Late autumn is the perfect time of the year to visit the Roman Diocletian’s Palace. Some of the most haunting scenes of Game of Thrones were shot there. The local authorities are concerned about the numbers of tourists visiting the palace in the summer, as Split has become a major cruise destination. But a visit in November is an opportunity to have the palace’s rooms to yourselves!

3. Athens, an ancient sailing hub

Greece’s capital has a lot to offer to sailing enthusiasts in autumn. Temperatures vary between 20 and 30 °C up to late November. A boat trip to Sounio, where continental Greece meets the Aegean Sea, is a must if you opt for a boat hire in Athens. From there you can reach the nearby islands of Hydra (Leonard Cohen’s old haunt) and Poros. Spetses, a sailing hub where Greece’s most prestigious regatta is held, is close by.

4. Nice, the ideal port for a boat hire in Côte d’Azur

For an autumn boating trip in cosmopolitan Côte d’Azur, a boat hire in Nice is a no-brainer. With its modern marinas and some of the world’s most luxurious yachts, catamarans and sailboats, Nice is a top sailing destination. Your trip can take you to a series of Mediterranean gems, including Cannes, Monaco, Marseille or even Corsica and Sardinia.

5. Mallorca, an island of many faces and thousands of tastes

This other Iberian pearl is equally serene and beautiful at this time of the year, with perhaps a bit more charm than Ibiza. A boat hire in Mallorca in autumn is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s unique history and culture. Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, is home to the splendid Moorish Almudaina royal palace and the Santa María Cathedral, a fine sample of Catalan Gothic architecture. And what about the gems of Mallorca’s cuisine, including tasty Ensaimada. It’s a coiled sweet pastry filled with pork lard, ideal for breakfast by the sea. Or Sobrassada, a local sausage that includes pork, pepper and paprika. Spicy, perhaps harsh to the tongue, but also delicious, just like Mallorca itself!