I have just booked our first Activity holiday to Club Perili in Turkey (learning to sail) and hope to be able try a flotilla next year. I compared it with Neilson and Mark Warner and Sunsail seem to tick all the right boxes.

I hope i enjoy it as much as you did.

I have'nt seen or read any adverse comments about Sunsail but would very much like to hear from anyone who has used this company.

We have only been to Greece but I would imagine Turkey is much the same, the base is very basic but once you get to take the yachts out it is much better, we would definitely go bareboat or flotilla again with Sunsail, they are so professional.

We would like to try different countries but as we have a good knowledge of Greece it helps with the sailing.

Happy sailing.

thanks for that - we're going on our first Sunsail Club holiday in Levkas next mth and its our first time going somewhere like this (looked at Mark Warner, Simply Travel and Neilson) so we're a bit nervous about whether we're going to like it.

Good to hear other positive stories though.

I have tried to find out as much info on Sunsail as possible and todate have only read a few adverse reports which was all on safety matters - so i am going to be extra cautious and suggest you do the same.

Like you it is my first time on this kind of holiday and understand from the Reps and brouchure that you can do as little or as much as you like. Take advantage of their free training clinics and enjoy the experience - Thats my attitude and hope to make the most of it.

With regards to Sunsail and the resort Perili in Turkey i believe it to be in a lovely remote location, beautiful scenery and belive it is marked as 8/10 and 4* .

If you hear different i would appreciate findings as im going out on the 14th May.

Have fun and enjoy your holiday
XXX

Look forward to hearing about Perili after you've been. We're going to Galini (Levkas, Greece) on 15 May, for 2 wks.

I read the posts about 'safety concerns' too, although we probably won't do much of the sailing etc we're going for the childcare as we have a 2.5 yr old and will be keeping a sharp eye on their ability to deliver that. They have changed things a bit this yr to address safety issues about the 'baby listening' service that they used to offer which involved people walking around and listening at doors they've changed that to provide proper monitors that are connected to your mobile apparently. Anyway we're going partly on recommendation from a colleague whose done MW and SS and been twice to this location with 3 kids and thinks its better so we're hoping it'll be ok.

Hope you have a great holiday,

Cheers!

Hi,

Why not check the Maldives islands, they have great sailing packages. I could suggest the travel agent with whome I have arranged my last two holidays in Maldives. Check them http://www.corporatetravelsandtours.com you can chat with them online. I believe they offer 4 or 5 cruises. Definitely one is somewhere in the south where their are no resorts, so practically their's not much touristic activity.

My husband and I did a flotilla holiday with Sunsail holidays in the Ionian for 2 weeks in July this year and had the most fantastic time. I have never come back from a holiday with so many stories to tell!
We were beginners to yacht sailing although my husband has dinghy sailed before.We completed the Sunsail 2 day flotilla training course in April which was necessary and invaluable and also a lot of fun. We were the only couple on the flotilla but didn't feel left out in any way. It did make the yacht handling a bit more tiring, and also gave less time to relax at sea. However everybody was on hand at the quay to help out with ropes and anchoring etc. Next time we do a flotilla however I would still be happy to do it as couple.
It is a very social holiday and it is fun meeting up with people at the end of a sail to chat about your adventures you had along the way! The flotilla crew on the lead boat were fantastic and are there to help you as much or as little as you want or need.
All in all it was one of the best holidays we have had and would definately do another flotilla and would again do it with Sunsail. They have the most presence in the area and you feel that you not very far away from another Sunsail yacht wherever you go.

I hope when anybody does their first flotilla they have as good a time as we did.

If you want to sail but don't want/cannot manage flotilla sailing...try the Gulet Cruises from S/W Turkey.
All traditional meals provided.
Lots or R/R
Explore the small islands and villages.
Meet the Real Turkish People.
Swim in deserted coves and inlets.
Party on board the Gulet.
Wonderful Experience
Yours Aye jopa.

Sunsail - Club Perili

WOW - an absolute lovely place, excellant food, sailing facilities and very helpful staff.

I would definately try this kind of holiday again.

Excellant opportunity to learn all kinds of sailing, from dinghy to yachting. We had the chance to go out with other people who had loads of experience and we tried our best to learn.

Well done Susail - You have definately set a standard for my future sailing holidays.

Testimonial from Kevin Hardy

I went to Colona Antigua on Sept 2nd 2005 for two weeks. It was the best sailing holiday ever with superb facilities.

Ski & Rock provide dance lessons and freestyle with their dance instructors and DJ, which made the evenings as much fun as the day.

The quality of dance lessons was even better than the sailing lessons. What a sociable friendly bunch of live wires. I booked with over 100 others, but as soon as I arrived at Gatwick I felt welcomed and included.

Ski & Rock added day tours and additional culture tours as well as ensuring everyone had someone to sail & dance with. They even gave me a free trip on a sailing Yacht.

Definately recomend going with this group even if you cant dance..! but I guess that is the point..!

i have never done any flotilla holidays, only bareboat . I have heard some good reports on sunsail activity holidays .
However , id think twice before going on any practical RYA courses with them ......like their bareboats they are over priced and not very good tuition compared with other companies .

Ann

Hi Ann

When you say bareboat is expensive do you mean the sunsail holidays, I am a bit confused as flotilla and bareboat are the same price in Greece. Is there a cheaper way of organising a bareboat holiday.

Hi Jackie ,
Soprry to confuse you .....
if you want to go on a bareboat holiday , I have always found it alot cheaper to book up the boat directly with the Greek company, and then book flight seperatly rather than use a large company like sunsail .
whe I have used companies ( for the security of it ) I have used smaller ones, like Tenrag As they are much cheaper thn sunsail but offer the same service as them .
Hope this makes sense .
Ann

Hi Ann

Thank you for replying. Can I ask where you pick the boat up from. Do they sail in the Ionian? Where do you fly to. Sorry for all the questions but we have been looking at Sunsail and the prices do seem to have increased quite a bit. For 2 adults and one 11 year old for 2 weeks in the Ionian on a 39" boat with another family would cost us £3,800 per family.
I will see if this company you suggest has a website.

Thanks again.

http://www.tenrag.com another is setsail http://www.setsail.co.uk
We flew into Corfu and anoher time Preveza for the southern islands of the ionian .
let us know how you get on
Ann

Hi Ann

I just saw your message about Setsail. We are thinking of booking with them for our honeymoon (flotilla in Turkey). But we have never heard of them. I have seen a report somewhere with a bad review, saying that they are not the actual owners and are just acting as an agent.
We have booked with Sunsail before and found them very good, but very overpriced and thought Setsail would be a good alternative. Do you have any experience with them? Thanks

Have you considered Sailing Holidays? We have now enjoyed two flotillas with them in the South Ionian and although we haven't been with Sunsail, many of the people we met had and would never go back. The Sailing Holidays lead crews are marvellous; you don't need any qualifications; the yachts are great and the whole experience is fun and relaxed without many rules and regulations. We have already booked this year's flotilla and would not want any other holiday. The combination of freedom, sightseeing, activity, food, skinny-dipping in secluded bays, snorkelling, challenge when the wind picks up in late morning, and friendship is perfect.