Dropping anchor in idyllic coves. Diving into azure waters for a refreshing swim. A warm breeze filling the sails on the way to the next enchanting spot. Drinks and dinner on board under the stars. A gentle rocking that lulls you to sleep.
And repeat. One blissful day after another.
A sailing holiday is your passport to a different world, a watery one, where the cares of dry land are blown away on the wind.
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Those with the right qualifications can charter their own boat. Some prefer the help of a skipper and crew, others love to take the helm themselves, joining a flotilla for shared adventures.
However you choose to do it, life on the water is not to be missed.
First, though, you need to decide which corner of the planet to sail to. Here are some of the best destinations around the world for a sailing holiday:
Greece
A land washed by shimmering seas and seemingly blessed with more islands than there are stars in the sky.
With sun-drenched beaches, turquoise waters, olive groves, deserted coves and rustic harbours dotted with whitewashed houses and blooming bougainvillea, Greece offers the perfect canvas for a sailing odyssey.
The Ionian Sea, with Captain Corelli's Kefalonia to the south and Gerald Durrell's Corfu to the north, offers gentle breezes and easy sailing within sight of Greece's west coast. Charming villages such as Kioni on Ithaca or Fiskardo on Kefalonia are among the main draws.
The stronger summer meltemi (winds) of the Cyclades chain, east of the mainland and home to islands such as Mykonos, Ios and the sunken crater of Santorini, present a challenge for more experienced sailors.
Further east, the Dodecanese islands off the Turkish coast offer a happy medium: not as windy, but still wild and authentic. From Rhodes northward through Kos, Kalymnos, Lipsi and Patmos, the islands give you an instant snapshot of traditional Greece and as much life or seclusion as you can handle.
Another popular area is the Sporades, north of Athens, with islands such as Skiathos and the picturesque, sprawling town of Skopelos, the filming location for "Mamma Mia".
Or there's the Saronic Gulf, south of Athens, an area of easy sailing and short hops, with highlights such as historic Aegina, romantic Hydra and cosmopolitan Poros.
Getting there: Flights to Preveza for the Ionian; Athens for the Saronic Gulf; Volos for the Sporades; Kos and Rhodes for the Dodecanese; Santorini, Mykonos and many local airports for the Cyclades.
Turkey
From secluded, pine-fringed coves to glamorous marinas and high-society nightlife, Turkey's coast has something for every kind of sailor. For those who want to truly unwind, a traditional wooden gulet with a professional crew may be the answer.
The epicentre of Turkish sailing is Bodrum, an international resort on the northern shore of the Gulf of Gokova. From there, easy passages will take you to picturesque harbours such as Gumusluk, small coves with wooden jetties fronted by local restaurants such as Cokertme, or remote bays such as Amazon Creek with its idyllic sense of solitude.
Hisaronu Bay boasts charming coastal towns such as Datca, Selimiye and Bozburun, along with plenty of quiet anchorages. Sailing east past bustling Marmaris will bring you to the calm waters and gentle sailing of Fethiye Bay, with its scattered secluded coves, some with a lone, rustic taverna.
At the head of the bay lie the lively towns of Gocek and Fethiye, with more restaurants and markets where you can haggle over carpets and local produce.
Getting there: International flights to Bodrum or Dalaman.
Croatia
This pearl of the Adriatic packs historic towns, picturesque harbours and stylish marinas, secluded anchorages and deserted islands into one neat bundle in the northern Mediterranean.
Stretching from Pula to medieval Dubrovnik, Croatia's coast offers a wealth of sailing opportunities with reliable daytime winds and more than 1,100 islands to explore.
The remote Kornati National Park is an unspoilt oasis, so striking that it moved the writer George Bernard Shaw to write that God created the islands "from tears, stars and breath".
The Dalmatian coast south of Split takes in the islands of Brac, Hvar, Vis and Korcula, birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. It has everything, from quiet coves and sleepy towns to the buzz of cosmopolitan Hvar and Dubrovnik-like Korcula.
Beyond the wooded island of Mljet lies the jewel in Croatia's crown: romantic Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site with its enchanting Old Town. It's also a must-visit for fans of sailing and "Game of Thrones", much of which was filmed here.
Getting there: International flights to Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Zadar.
Sicily, Italy
Lying off the northeastern coast of Sicily, like a jewel-encrusted pendant, are the stunning Aeolian Islands.
This rugged volcanic chain, named after the Greek god of wind, Aeolus, comprises seven spectacular islands.
Rising from emerald seas, each has its own personality, from the active cone and black sands of Stromboli and the hot springs of Vulcano, to vibrant Lipari and chic Panarea, to green Salina and the car-free Alicudi and Filicudi. Filicudi earned the nickname "Bone Island" thanks to pirates who died there after long sieges.
From historic Tropea on the Italian mainland, sailors can reach beautiful beaches and swimming spots, quiet anchorages and sleepy coastal towns where you can enjoy authentic Sicilian cuisine.
For those with more time, or who fly into the capital, Palermo, the charming Egadi Islands off Sicily's northwestern coast offer an equally secluded getaway. Beautiful Favignana is known as the tuna capital of the Mediterranean, while remote Marettimo provides seclusion in a spectacular setting.
Getting there: Flights to Lamezia Terme airport or Palermo.
British Virgin Islands (BVI), Caribbean
A sailor's paradise with warm winds, deep blue seas, blissful beaches and beach shacks for food, drinks and soaking up the island vibe. Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage across the region, but yachting and tourism are already bouncing back, and the sailing is as good as ever.
Tortola is the main island and the starting point for exploring the many surrounding islands and cays, with striking scenery, sheltered anchorages and excellent snorkelling.
There's Virgin Gorda with its dramatic rock formations at The Baths; Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the four main islands, home to famous spots such as Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar bar; the coral atoll of Anegada with its shipwrecks and stunning marine life; and Norman Island, thought to be the inspiration for the novel "Treasure Island".
Soggy Dollar Bar, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands; +1 284 495 9888
Foxy's, Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, BVI; +1 284 442 3074
Getting there: Flights to Beef Island airport, Tortola, or to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and a ferry to Road Town.
Antigua, Caribbean
Antigua is said to have 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, so what better way to explore them all than by boat? Warm, gentle trade winds, turquoise waters and oh-so-picturesque anchorages make it a sailor's idyll in the heart of the Leeward Islands.
Ashore, historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour is the beating heart, but further afield you'll find waterfront restaurants for every budget and lively rum bars, perfect for a famous "jump up", a dance session to the beat of steel drums.
The sister island of Barbuda, 40 miles to the north, has more birds than people and offers a gentler pace with pink sands and coral reefs ideal for snorkelling.
The famous Antigua Sailing Week regatta is a melting pot for sailors seeking competitive racing and exhausting parties.
Getting there: Flights to VC Bird International Airport, Antigua.
The Windward Islands, Caribbean
Take a deep breath and inhale the exotic aroma of spices drifting on the wind. With reliable winds and blue channels, white sandy beaches and dazzling reefs, colourful towns and green hillsides, the Windward Islands reward sailors seeking a true Caribbean adventure.
From pretty St George's on lush Grenada, known as the "Spice Island", at the southern end of the chain, you can easily island-hop to Carriacou, Petit Martinique and Petit St Vincent.
The prevailing winds during the sailing season blow from the northeast, so many opt for a one-way passage south from St Lucia, starting at the bustling Rodney Bay before selectively taking in the beaches and the striking Pitons on the verdant island.
Travelling further south, there's St Vincent, the popular Admiralty Bay on S-shaped Bequia (pronounced "beck-way"), upmarket Canouan, tiny Mayreau lapped by aquamarine waters, and the stunning reefs of the Tobago Cays marine park.
Tobago Cays Marine Park, Clifton Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines; +784 485 8191
Getting there: Flights to St Lucia or Grenada.
The Bahamas
More than 700 coral cays stretch like a necklace across the azure seas from the southeastern coast of Florida. Gentle trade winds, sheltered waters and abundant marine life make the Bahamas an ideal destination for families and the less experienced.
The Abacos are the epicentre of Bahamian sailing, with the lively Marsh Harbour as a base from which to explore the 120-mile chain of islands.
One day you might drop anchor off a pristine beach with crystal-clear water, such as Treasure Cay; the next, moor in one of the small colonial-era towns such as Hope Town on Elbow Cay and New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay.
Beyond that, the pink sandy beaches of Eleuthera or the 365 cays of the Exuma group offer endless opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
Big-game fishing and diving at sites such as Dean's Blue Hole, the Abacos train wreck and the USS Adirondack are also impressive.
Getting there: Flights to Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay or Nassau.
Thailand
White sandy beaches fringed by swaying palms and jungle, sheer limestone towers rising from jade-coloured seas, and exotic flora and fauna are just some of the delights on offer during a sailing trip to Thailand.
From buzzing Phuket, yachts head east into Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea to explore this largely undeveloped region, studded with multicoloured coral reefs, remote fishing villages and world-famous beaches and attractions such as Maya Bay, the filming location for "The Beach", James Bond Island and the world-renowned Phi Phi Islands.
Add friendly locals, Thailand is the "Land of Smiles", after all, and fragrant cuisine, and you have the ingredients for a spicy Asian adventure.
Getting there: International flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok or to Phuket.
Seychelles
The perfect place for Instagram bragging rights, the Seychelles is a sailor's paradise in the Indian Ocean.
Set 1,000 miles off the East African coast, the archipelago offers the full desert-island experience among 115 secluded islands scattered across aquamarine seas. The main yacht-charter zone is concentrated on the inner islands around wooded Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.
Decent winds, warm water, snow-white beaches, kaleidoscopic corals and exotic wildlife such as giant tortoises, coconut crabs and whale sharks make the Seychelles a Shangri-La for sailors.
From the main island of Mahe, yachtsmen can hop from one idyllic bay to another, mooring off beaches worthy of a brochure, such as Anse Source d'Argent, Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, before a peaceful night at anchor under the stars.
Getting there: Flights to Seychelles International Airport on Mahe.
Tahiti, French Polynesia
The very words "French Polynesia" are enough to conjure images of swaying palms, crystal-clear lagoons, blissful beaches and fringing reefs teeming with marine life.
The islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Tahaa and the fabled Bora Bora are just the highlights of this exotic 118-island chain in the South Pacific.
With favourable trade winds, a steady climate and a mix of sheltered waters behind the reefs and more thrilling open-water passages between the islands, French Polynesia is a watery world like no other.
Everyone, from the painter Paul Gauguin to sailors, divers, snorkellers, sunbathers and honeymooners, has been captivated by the contrasts of the Tahiti region's turquoise seas, emerald mountains and cobalt skies.
Getting there: International flights to Papeete-Tahiti, then on to Raiatea.
Tonga, South Pacific
This Polynesian kingdom, with more than 170 palm-covered islands, is a sailing gem in the South Pacific.
Fewer than half the islands are inhabited, which means a voyage into the blue yonder offers a genuine get-away-from-it-all experience.
Picturesque Vava'u, with its wealth of islets, lagoons and coral reefs, is the starting point, either for quick hops or for longer open-water journeys to deserted tropical beaches and idyllic anchorages.
Routes might take in the beautiful Hunga Lagoon, a sunken volcanic crater, the pristine Port Maurelle bay on Kapa, or friendly Lape, where the locals are apt to lay on a traditional Tongan feast.
It's the quintessence of South Pacific dreams, with world-class diving and snorkelling, sport fishing and humpback-whale watching as standard.
Getting there: International flights to Fua'amotu Airport on Tongatapu, then a domestic flight 150 miles north to Lupepau'u Airport on Vava'u. Or via Nadi in Fiji.
The Whitsundays, Australia
Between the Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef nestles Australia's very own chain of 74 tropical islands.
There's the famous Whitehaven Beach, a breathtaking curve of powder-white sand, world-class resorts on Hamilton and Hayman islands, and reefs teeming with life.
Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia; +61 29007 0009
Hayman Island, +61 7 4940 1234
From Shute Harbour near the buzzing beach town of Airlie, you can disappear into a blissful bubble of thrilling sailing, remote beaches, sublime snorkelling and snug anchorages in jungle-fringed bays, perfect for sunset drinks on deck.
For those who just want a quick taste of paradise, a host of former America's Cup yachts and ex-racing yachts take tourists and backpackers on short day cruises to sample the silica sands of Whitehaven, take in the majestic views from Hill Inlet and, perhaps, spot some of the whales migrating along Australia's east coast.
Getting there: International flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and domestic flights to Proserpine or Hamilton Island.
