Sailing and yachting getaways in Greece and Turkey

If sailing by quiet coastal villages, exploring uninhabited small islands by yacht or snorkelling around quiet coves sound like perfect holiday experiences, then there are lots of options out there.

However, if you are having trouble finding them then help is at hand. Holiday website Specialtytravel.com has listings of sailing and yachting breaks from South American wildlife tours to sailing in the Med.

"Sailing away from day-to-day life is the ultimate escape," said Steen Hansen, co-publisher of the US website Specialty Travel Index.

"For some travellers, yachting and sailing vacations on more intimate vessels or charters offer advantages that the huge cruise liners just can't offer," he added.

Specialty Travel says sailing and yachting holidays offer travellers spontaneity, thanks to being able to anchor wherever the wind takes you and a chance to get away from the port crowds.

Among the website's top sailing and yachting holidays in the Aegean are yachting tours to secluded islands in the Greek Aegean.

Yacht and charter specialist Aegeotissa has "gunk holing" tours, which visit little-known and hidden-away anchorages, guided by a knowledgeable all-Greek captain and crew.

Options include scheduled cruises on wooden yachts, private charters, and for the more adventurous you can crew the yacht yourself with a bare boat charter.

"With no tides, sharks, shifting shallows, or hurricanes, and blessed with reliable breezes, over 2,500 islands, and glorious summer weather, 'gunk holing' . . . in the Aegean fulfils almost every sailing fantasy you might have," Specialty Travel advised.

More sailing and yachting holiday fun can be had in the waters around neighbouring Turkey.

Holidaymakers can explore turquoise waters, historical ruins, sleepy seaside villages and plenty of uninhabited and secluded anchorages on the Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

Some of the top places to visit are the Golf of Gokova, the islands around Bodrum and Bodrum itself (a tourist hotspot with a bustling market and lots of bars) and the Lycian ancient towns around Kekova.

"Nearly every bay or inlet on Turkey's coastline has something to surprise and delight explorers," noted Specialty Travel.

A full list of Yacht tour operators is available on gototurkey.co., the Turkish Tourist Board website.

Among the ATOL-protected specialist operators are Anatolian Sky, Daydreams Travel and Top Yacht.