Top Sailing Destinations In Europe For Lovers Of Local History

This is branded content.

Sailing and history. At first glance, it might seem an unlikely pairing. Unless you happen to find yourself in Europe, particularly the Mediterranean, where the creations of yesterday blend seamlessly with the pursuits of today. If you're a fan of looking back at the marvels of ancestors, whilst looking forward from the bow with the salt air in your face, there's no better place to be than Europe.

But where to visit? Europe has history on every corner, and almost as many incredible sailing destinations to match. Don't worry. If you've recently found yourself a brilliant multihull catamaran for the adventure, you're more than equipped.

Just read on to find our top sailing destinations in Europe for lovers of local history.

Classics aren't given the title by accident. And if you're looking for the classic blend of engrossing history and exquisite sailing, you really must start here. Given that Ancient Greece was the birthplace of Western civilisation, much of the history in Europe can be traced back to this archipelago.

The difficult part is deciding where to explore first. If you're the type of history buff who leans toward architecture, try spending dusk at one of the Minoan palaces in Crete. If natural history-and a healthy dollop of pleasing aesthetics-is more your jam, visit Santorini, an island formed from a volcanic caldera (which supposedly brought an end to the Minoan civilisation). If you don't mind cats circling around your feet, head to Lesvos, a beautifully scenic island home to some impressive Greek cultural history, including as the birthplace of famous female poet Sappho in the 7th century - as well as where the aniseed flavoured liqueur Ouzo was invented.

Once you're done with history for the day, the Greek Islands know how to indulge you, with peerless beaches, intoxicating nightlife, and a boisterous zest for life... and good food.

When you've had your fix of the Greek Islands, sail a little further north to Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. Here, the history moves a little forward through time, with a particular Medieval shadow cast over many of the towns and villages along this coastline.

And much like Greece, Croatia strikes that satisfying balance between preserving yesterday and celebrating today. Dubrovnik is the perfect example. It's home to arguably Europe's most striking old town (if you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you'll know), encircled inside red stone walls atop its harbour cliffs, and definitely worth a visit on your sailing trip.

It's also home to brilliant restaurants, vibrant nature (Dubrovnik is a great destination for hiking), and beaches with crystal white sand and gorgeously blue beaches. There's not much more you could ask for really.

If you'd prefer to explore the Aegean instead of the Adriatic, then Turkey is the place for you. The beauty of Turkey - aside from its faultless coastline and very swimmable sea temperatures - is that it caters wonderfully to both ancient and modern history.

For history buffs of the modern persuasion, there's the Gallipoli Peninsula, the site of one of The First World War's most iconic campaigns of the same name (birthing the anniversary known as ANZAC Day here in Australia).

If you're keen to keep digging into ancient history, the Gulf of Gokova is well worth your time, particularly Sedir Island. Also known as Cleopatra Island, it was the place where the Egyptian queen met her lover Marc Anthony in secret. While there's little physical history here to enjoy this fact, the story paints the island in a seductive shade. What better place to sneak off to with your own lover, right?

Up until now, you've enjoyed your history lessons in idyllic conditions. It's time to replace the fedoras and linen shirts for warmer, more robust outfits. Sailing the Western Isles (known as the Outer Hebrides) is more akin to being a sailor of old-more salt in the eyebrows, squinting from the wind instead of the sunshine type vibes. If you're the kind of sailor who thrives in solitude and is up for a little challenge on the waves, the Western Isles will deliver.

Especially if you enjoy history. These isles are covered in historic influences from a blend of cultures, with Mesolithic, Celtic, Norse, and, of course, Scottish history combining to give this region its unique identity.

If you prefer your history with a tangible taste, the Western Isles is a delicious destination for whisky, with distilleries such as the Abhainn Dearg offering drams to warm your cockles, should you need it.

Painting the Western Isles as a winter destination does it a disservice however. Summer in Scotland gives way to calm winds, where the afternoons extend long and warm in every direction. When you're sailing, there's no other way you want it. Just don't be expecting to sunbathe on your yacht every day.

~

In the end, sailing and history are the perfect pairing, because they both kindle the same feelings of curiosity and wonder. Lovers of sailing are likely to hold some innate curiosity about the history of the places they're visiting, and planning a trip using local history as your inspiration is a great anchor for your travels.

What's also great about combining your love for both is you can do so on your time. Exploring the open ocean and exploring the past are both timeless activities. There's no real urgency to enjoying either, outside of adverse weather and the occasional museum closure. Just make a plan, keep it flexible, and prepare to soak up the best of both worlds.