DESTINATIONS EUROPE | ITALY
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Lazy days aboard the catamaran; sunset over Corricella and Terra Murata on the island of
Procida; Amalfi Dream; Amalfi Cathedral PICTURES: Shutterstock/Giovanni Rinaldi, Sarah Smith 55
exper expert ASK THE
“Our focus in the UK market is on introducing keen adventurers and explorers to the unique freedom and flexibility of
sailing holidays. This distinctive style of authentic travel is a superb fit for clients seeking immersive experiences. To ensure the trade can
confidently present this option, we collaborate closely with our travel agent partners. We are dedicated to providing them with the necessary tools and understanding to increase awareness.” Loic Bonnet, founder, Dream Yacht Charter
a night on the rugged side of the island, surrounded by
cliffs, grottos and sea stacks, while Aldo sang along to Te Amo and prepared squid ink pasta for our dinner.
PRETTY POSITANO Having left the blinds open, I woke to the sunrise over the water and the smell of freshly baked walnut cake from Aldo’s galley. At breakfast, Captain Marco gave us an update. “There are incoming winds so we could dock in a harbour tonight. It’s up to you where,” he said. Despite the pre-planned itinerary, it’s common for
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Dream Yacht Charter offers a seven-night Dream Capri Premium Cruise from £1,144 per person, based on double occupancy of a private en suite cabin on a full-board basis, departing from Naples on May 1, 2027. Flights not included.
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32 13 AUGUST 2026
yachting routes to change with the weather. Captain Marco recommended a night in Amalfi, so we set off, pausing at Capri’s beauty spots before swinging by Positano – known for its lemon groves, dazzling ceramics and ocean-view seafood restaurants. Rocking up there in what Captain Marco called our “floating villa”, I felt like an A-lister – our yacht was easily the most impressive in the bay. While the deck and open- plan kitchen-diner were spacious and modern, cabins were compact and minimalist, with a double bed and a dinky en-suite shower room. But for me, the true luxury came from feeling the closest I’ll ever get to owning a huge, multimillion-pound yacht with a private chef and a captain. There’s a unique sense of peace and connection to the sea compared with a bigger vessel, since the Amalfi Dream has capacity for only 12 guests, and the fact clients can rent on a per-cabin basis means they can enjoy the yachting experience without breaking the bank. This half-crewed trip offered plenty of freedom to do as I pleased, but clients looking for extra flexibility can
consider fully crewed charters that allow them to hire an entire yacht and set their own itinerary, or an independent charter for fully qualified sailors to go it alone.
AUTHENTIC AMALFI “Pastries!” one of my fellow guests announced as she returned with Aldo from Pasticceria Pansa, one of the region's oldest confectionery producers, founded in
1830. Opening the giant white parcel, she revealed cornetti – the Italian relative of croissants – in lemon, chocolate, pistachio and traditional custard, sugar- dusted varieties. After our bougie breakfast treats, I left the dock for a wander around town alone while the other guests kicked back on the foredeck. As the other towns on the Amalfi Coast are so delicately elegant, arriving at Piazza Duomo, I was taken aback by the grand, black-and-white striped Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Perched on top, shining in the Mediterranean sun, was a round bell tower with yellow and green Moorish arches, hand-painted multi-coloured tiles and Romanesque columns. After exploring the cathedral and its complex I followed its hidden alleyways past historic paper-making shops and indulgent gelaterias. Only by stopping off at six towns along Italy’s Campania Coast, able to compare them day by day, could I appreciate the distinct charm and character of each. So although I felt like a fish out of water being back on dry land again, I left the Amalfi Coast Unesco World Heritage Site with dreams of returning for another island-hopping trip – to see more of what only small vessels like the Amalfi Dream can reach.
TW
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