Hi Reader,

For those of you who may be new here, my name is Emilia — you’ve probably seen me in previous newsletters alongside Matt. But this week, I want to take you somewhere we haven’t talked about nearly enough: the Mediterranean.

Beyond the Caribbean: Why the Mediterranean Hits Different

Most of our clients know us for the Caribbean: the British Virgin Islands, the Exumas, the USVI, and those warm, easy-going island-hopping trips we love so much. But the Mediterranean is a completely different kind of yacht charter experience.

It’s not just about turquoise water and beautiful coastlines — although you’ll get plenty of that. It’s about history, food, villages, old harbors, long summer evenings, and waking up somewhere that feels completely different from where you had dinner the night before.

And two of the destinations that come up again and again are Greece and Croatia.

This question is especially top of mind for me right now because in Greece for two major yacht charter shows: MEDYS in Nafplion and EMMYS in Poros. I’ll be seeing a wide selection of crewed yachts, power catamarans, sailing catamarans, and motor yachts — and sharing as much as I can from the docks.

But before we get into specific yachts, I wanted to start with the question many people ask first:

Should you charter in Greece or Croatia?

The short answer? You really can’t go wrong with either.

The better answer? It comes down to the kind of experience you want—they each offer something completely different.

The Big Difference

If I had to simplify it, I’d say this:

• Croatia is the smoother, easier, more structured Mediterranean charter.
• Greece is the more varied, more atmospheric, more region-dependent charter.

Croatia works beautifully if you want a balanced week: short cruising distances, historic towns, clear water, restaurants, beach clubs, and a very natural island-hopping rhythm.

Greece is a little more complex — in a good way. It gives you more variety, but the region matters a lot. A charter in the Ionian will feel very different from a charter in the Cyclades. The Saronic Gulf, Dodecanese, Sporades, and Ionian all have their own personality, pace, and sailing conditions.

So when someone says, “I want to do Greece,” my first question is usually:

What kind of Greece?

Weather & Best Time to Go

Both destinations are strongest from late spring through early fall, with July and August being the busiest and warmest months.

For many groups, I love June or September.

You still get beautiful weather, warm water, and a true summer feeling — but with fewer crowds than peak season. It can also make restaurants, ports, anchorages, and overall pacing feel much more relaxed.

In Greece, the biggest weather factor to understand is the Meltemi, a seasonal summer wind that affects parts of the Aegean, especially the Cyclades. It can create amazing sailing for experienced guests, but it can also make certain routes more challenging.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid Greece in summer. It just means you need to choose the right region and yacht for your group.

Cruising Conditions

Croatia is often the easier choice for first-time Mediterranean charterers.

The Dalmatian Coast is made for island hopping. Routes from Split, Trogir, or Dubrovnik can include places like Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Brač, Mljet, and the Elafiti Islands without requiring extremely long cruising days.

You can swim in the morning, cruise to a new island, explore a town in the afternoon, and go out for dinner at night. The week flows very naturally.

👉 Read our 7-day crewed yacht sailing itinerary in Croatia here​

Greece is more varied.

The Ionian is calmer, greener, and very friendly for families or relaxed cruising. The Saronic Gulf is convenient from Athens and usually more protected than the Cyclades. The Cyclades are iconic — think Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos — but they can be windier and better suited for guests who are comfortable with a more flexible itinerary.

👉 Read our 7-day crewed yacht sailing itinerary in Greece here​

Pricing: VAT & APA

Mediterranean yacht charters are usually structured differently from many Caribbean charters.

Instead of one all-inclusive price, you’ll often see:

Base charter fee + VAT + APA

The VAT depends on the country, yacht, and itinerary, so it should always be confirmed yacht by yacht.

The APA, or Advance Provisioning Allowance, is a separate fund used for the variable costs of your trip: fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, port fees, special requests, and similar expenses.

Your captain manages the APA during the charter and provides an accounting at the end. If there’s money left over, it’s returned. If the trip costs more than expected, you may need to top it up.

It’s not meant to be confusing — but it does need to be explained clearly before you book.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Croatia if you want an easier first Mediterranean charter, shorter distances, strong infrastructure, beautiful towns, and a week that feels polished and well-paced.

Choose Greece if you want more variety, more atmosphere, and a destination that can be shaped around your travel style — as long as you’re open to choosing the right region, not just the most famous island names.

Because that’s the most important thing:

This decision is not about which country is “better.”

It’s about which destination fits the kind of trip you actually want.

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Later this week, I’ll break this down even more by group type — families, couples, groups of friends, first-time charterers, and guests looking for nightlife, culture, food, or adventure.

And if you want a real-time look at what’s happening on the ground, follow me on Instagram: emiibythesea— I’ll be sharing live updates, yacht tours, and broker insights directly from the MEDYS Yacht Show.

And of course, if Greece or Croatia is already on your list, reply to this email and tell us what kind of trip you’re imagining.

We’ll help you figure out which destination — and which yacht — makes the most sense.

More from the Mediterranean soon,

- Emilia Valicenti