Most yachtsmen dream about cruising to an exotic destination; this is the book that will turn dreamers into planners. 24 classic cruises are fully mapped, measured and costed, showing how they are perfectly possible whatever your skill level. From weekend cruises around the British Isles to a voyage to Antarctica, and from Greek island cruises to an escape to the Virgin Islands, this book explores where to go, why, how to get there and what to expect en route.
The book breaks down each cruise into important considerations, such as what type of boat is needed, what level of skill or qualifications are required, whether it is a suitable journey to undertake with a young family, what possible dangers might influence any decision (from extreme weather to the threat of piracy), and most obviously, cost.
Covering popular, exotic cruising destinations such as Thailand and the Virgin Islands, as well as unexpected, almost secret routes along the US Intracoastal Waterway and French canals, as well as proper adventures (including both Atlantic and Pacific crossings), this inspirational may be the starting point for the voyage of a lifetime.

Vanessa Bird learned to sail at the age of 10, sailing dinghies in the Lake District and at Lancaster University, before joining Classic Boat magazine as staff. She has since worked for Yachting Monthly and the Discovery Channel, and as a freelance writer, editor and indexer. She is also an author of four books. Now based on the South Coast, she sails Ocean Pearl, a 1933 Scottish lugger, which was restored by her boatbuilder partner, Nick Gates, out of Chichester Harbour. Vanessa is also a keen kayaker and cyclist

Introduction

NORTHERN EUROPE
Voyage 1 Scotland, The Western Isles
Voyage 2 Norway, The Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands
Voyage 3 Sweden, The Stockholm Archipelago
Voyage 4 Finland, The Åland Archipelago and Helsinki
Voyage 5 England, The Scilly Isles

SOUTHERN EUROPE
Voyage 6 France, The Inland Waterways
Voyage 7 France, The Côte d'Azur
Voyage 8 Spain, The Northwest Coast
Voyage 9 Italy, Sicily and its Islands
Voyage 10 Croatia, The Dalmation Coast
Voyage 11 Greece. The Ionian Islands
Voyage 12 Turkey. The Aegean Coast

THE ATLANTIC
Voyage 13 The Atlantic Ocean, Transatlantic Crossing

NORTH AMERICA
Voyage 14 The Caribbean, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Voyage 15 The Caribbean, The British Virgin Islands
Voyage 16 Mexico, The Sea of Cortez
Voyage 17 United States, The San Juan Islands
Voyage 18 United States, The Intracoastal Waterway
Voyage 19 Canada, Lake Huron

SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Voyage 20 Thailand, Phuket and Phang Nga Bay

THE INDIAN OCEAN
Voyage 21 The Indian Ocean, The Seychelles

AUSTRALASIA
Voyage 22 New Zealand. Auckland and the Bay of Islands
Voyage 23 Australia, The Whitsunday Islands

THE PACIFIC
Voyage 24 The Pacific Ocean, The Cook Islands
IF YOU WANT A CHALLENGE

Resources
Further reading
Index
Acknowledgements