What people take with the when they go sailing varies by the kind of sailing they are doing, where they are sailing, their experience and personal preferences, but here we try and give those uncertain what to bring some guidelines on useful items to have with you during a sailing holiday with Catamaran Charter Italy.

Clothes

Catamaran Charter Italy Clothes

If your holiday falls between mid-May and the end of September, you won’t need much in the way of clothes! A couple of swimsuits, towels, some T-shirts and shorts, and something casual for the evenings are all you need. It’s a good idea to include a windproof jacket in case of stronger winds. It is also good to have sailing gloves to protect your hands and office calluses.

Closed, non-slip shoes (deck shoes or sports shoes) are a must for safety on board, and don’t forget to bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen for protection from the sun. Reflection from the water means you soak up a lot of sun while sailing.

It is preferable to pack in soft bags rather than hard suitcases, as hard cases are more difficult to stow away in lockers onboard. It’s a good idea to choose soft bags with wheels or a collapsible trolley for ease of transport. What we guarantee you won’t need is a stepladder!

For early and late season sailing, before mid-May and after September, a fleece or sweater and some warm trousers may be necessary, and it’s wise to include wet weather gear too, just in case!

Toiletries and medication

Most brands of soap, shower gel, shampoo, sunscreen, etc. are sold in Italy, although they tend to be more expensive in the small harborside shops. If you take prescribed medicine, it is advisable to bring enough with you for the duration of your holiday. Although all our yachts have a basic first aid kit, it is a good idea to carry one of your own, which should include travel sickness pills, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, antihistamine cream or gel for insect bites, and anything else you personally may need.

Food

Although you will probably find everything you need in the supermarkets in Italy, if you have food allergies (milk, wheat gluten, etc.), it is advisable to bring the substitutes you use at home as they may not be readily available in the small shops you will be using in Italy.

Documents & currency

Documents Currency Catamaran Charter Italy

You will of course need your passport or ID card (EU member countries). If you are from a non-EU country, you should check with your Italian consulate as to whether you need to apply for a visa. You should also bring your sailing certificates, as they are sometimes requested by the Port Police. If you intend to hire a car, motorbike, or other vehicle whilst on holiday, you should also bring your driving license. Your personal holiday insurance documents and, if you are from a European Union member country, the EU medical card, should be included in your hand luggage.

We recommend that you bring a combination of cash and traveler’s checks along with your credit cards. Most of the time, it is better to buy your euros in Italy. You can use bank ATM cash machines in most places to obtain euros so long as your bank card operates while abroad; not all do.

You can use credit cards in shops and restaurants, as well as any larger ports you may visit.

Remember that the smaller and more remote ports may have no banks, no ATMs, and that in small tavernas credit cards may not be accepted. It’s therefore a good idea to carry enough cash to buy daily supplies and pay for dinner, especially if you are bareboat chartering and going further afield.

Useful Extras

You will need a continental 2 pin plug adapter for use on shore (charging cameras, phones, etc. in tavernas and cafes). As all our yachts have 12 volt sockets, it would be convenient to bring the appropriate 12 volt charger (car plug) for your laptop, mobile phone, digital camera, etc.