The Yachts To Sail Around Europe This Summer

The super sleek Alcor has some impressive style credentials – she was designed by the famous Italian naval architect Aldo Cichero with not one, not two, but three decks, so there are multiple spots to relax, both inside and out – from a huge sunbathing area to six spacious staterooms that can sleep up to 12. Bold nautical stripes and glossy cedar wood feature prominently in the décor and you’ll also find Bamford products in the bathrooms. Captain Alberto and his charming crew have taken the yacht all over the world, but this summer, they’ll be sailing around the Balearics from a berth in Palma.

Alcor is managed for charter by Ocean Independence, from £54,000 a week

If you’re searching for a majestic sailing yacht with the perfect layout for family charters, look no further than the Alessandro I. Built with no expense spared, she comes with an expansive decked dining area, a hydraulic swimming platform and an integrated jacuzzi. After dropping anchor in a quiet bay, the crew will unpack a selection of grown-up toys that include a canoe, a jet-ski, and inflatables to tow you around the water. Inside, five luxuriously appointed staterooms are all on the same deck, so you can keep an eye on your children, while the large master bedroom rivals many a luxury hotel suite with its own seating area and en-suite bathroom. 

Alessandro I is managed for charter by Ocean Independence, from £31,900 a week

Accommodating eight guests across four cabins, Alegria II is a brand-new Ferretti motor yacht that oozes elegance. Her curved exterior lines are paired with contemporary interiors finished in calming hues of crisp white, soft green and light brown, while plenty of glass offers dreamy ocean views. Out on deck, the occasional turquoise cushion or lemon-yellow footstool adds a pop of colour, and the sundeck comes complete with a bar and grill for rosé-fuelled barbecues under cloudless skies. The fun continues with an excellent selection of water toys (think Seabobs, snorkelling equipment and inflatables) that are easily accessible from the swim platform.

Alegria II is managed for charter by Edmiston, from €65,000 a week

Sleeping ten guests in five staterooms, Gala marries bright, minimalist interiors with colourful cushions and light fittings for a playful aesthetic. The yacht is home to a wide range of facilities, including a swim platform, and an on-board jacuzzi where you can watch the sun set each night, while sipping on chilled champagne. A well-stocked toybox also carries a jet-ski, paddle boards, water-skis, Seabobs, snorkelling gear and a wakeboard. But the pièce de resistance has to be the outdoor cinema for watching films underneath the stars.

Gala managed for charter by Fraser, from €69,000 a week

Winner of the best ‘Interior Design under 40m’ at the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2021, Haze boasts a striking penthouse layout conceived by the Neapolitan naval engineer Francesco Guida – one of the go-to names in the industry – with panoramic windows that bathe the main salon in natural light. Aside from the eye-catching design, the yacht is well-equipped for its eight guests with a 50sq m beach club including a hydraulic swim platform for zero-effort entry and exit to the water, an al fresco dining area and cloudlike sunpads ideal for stretching out on with a good book and an Aperol Spritz. 

Haze is managed for charter by Fraser, from €55,000 a week

The aptly named Balance is lightweight, stable and the perfect size for eight guest to hop around Croatia’s land of a thousand islands. And you could be one of the first on board, as she’s brand new to the charter market, having been only privately used by its owner since being delivered in 2018. The sophisticated interior design comes courtesy of Mauro Micheli from the renowned Italian studio Officina Italiana Design, with oversized glass windows that brighten up the living spaces on board. As well as ample sunbathing areas, there’s also a shaded chill-out area for afternoon siestas if the heat gets too much, making it a wonderful choice for both couples’ getaways and family charters.

Balance managed for charter by IYC, from €46,000 a week

Experience the joy of powering thought the waves under a sail on board the immaculate Norfolk Star, which is cruising through the Western Mediterranean this summer after a full refit in 2020. She can welcome six to seven guests in three cherry wood panelled cabins, including a Pullman child’s berth and a spectacular full-width master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, a marble-topped bath and a separate study. Outside, all the guest spaces are line-free, making her entirely family friendly and safe for little ones, while sun worshippers are well catered for thanks to a large, raised sunpad area on the main deck. 

Norfolk Star is managed for charter by Burgess, from €60,000 a week

A newcomer to the charter market and fresh off a full refurb, Kudos is the savvy choice for families wishing to explore the French Riviera in style. Based in the seaside resort of Golfe-Juan, she comfortably sleeps eight guests in four en-suite staterooms, all designed in a chic palette of white, cream and ecru. Well suited for cruising in the South of France, Kudos also features a jacuzzi deck, where adults can relax in the hot tub or pull up a stool at the cocktail bar, while kids (of all ages) explore the coastline with snorkelling gear, paddle boards and an inflatable pull along sofa. 

Kudos is managed for charter by Ocean Independence, from £41,300 a week

A great option for your first charter, Vespucci is a classic yacht with plenty of original features still intact, that has been kept in top condition over the years through a series of refits, the last of which earnt a nomination for the 2019 World Superyacht Awards ‘Refit/rebuild’ category. Ten of you can sleep peacefully in four staterooms that exude old-school glamour, and enjoy evenings in the main salon, with its sumptuous sofa, striking artworks and state-of-the-art entertainment system. Vespucci is also equipped with an ultra-modern stabilisation system that reduces the roll of the boat to ensure ultimate comfort on board, and a 17’ Williams Jet tender for heading ashore to dine at hidden trattorias along the Italian coastline. 

Vespucci managed for charter by Northrop & Johnson, from €42,000 a week

Classic yacht Odyssey III was first launched in 1967 but has been beautifully maintained to charter this summer from Palma de Mallorca, with room for up to eight friends or family members. The yacht’s design harks back to a golden age of travel, with alluring 1960s detailing and a bohemian flybridge and a large, circular seating area that’s great for an afternoon game of cards or pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Below deck, you’ll find an opulent master suite adorned in dark wood and marble to serve as your own private and calm sanctuary, while thrill seekers will benefit from the brand-new selection of water toys that were purchased just last year.

Odyssey III managed for charter by SNS Yacht Charter, from €54,000 a week