Not everysummer guest aboard your yacht is an experienced world traveler. For some, thiscould be their first visit abroad; they may be surprised to find things are verydifferent from home. While your guests won’t necessarily be open-mouthed tourists standingin the middle of the street looking at a map or taking pictures, couldbe pretty gob-smacked. You – yes, you – play a large role in helping themfeel at home.
Justbecause a summer of yachting in the Med is the same old same old for you,doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be sensitive to your guests’ awe. Adding thattour-guide touch will make a big difference to your guests’ travelexperience.
Here area few Dos and Don’ts:
DON’Tremind your guests that they left home to experience a different part of theworld.
DO findout what most makes them feel at home and provide it whether it’s hazelnut-flavored,non-dairy creamer, poutine, streaming Fox news 24/7 or listening to NPR in themorning.
DON’Tpoint out how their fellow countrymen are viewed by the local culture, unless,of course, it’s utter adoration.
DOencourage your guests to explore adventures on shore. Havethe chef accompany the guests to the market then arrange a lunch of the localspecialties, like bread, olives and cheeses, that they purchases while out and about.
DON’Tinsist that the local way is superior to what guests know or have at home.
DO giveyour guests a taste of the local flavor; everything from flowers towine to music.
DON’T pushguests beyond their comfort zones. Just because the regional specialty isstinky, runny cheese doesn’t mean it should be the piècede résistance of dinner.
DO takethe time to find out how adventurous your guests are and how much they want toassimilate. If they have young children, they may not be keen on adopting the local dinnertime of 11 p.m.; however, they might enthusiastically wantto learn petanque or boccce.
DO invitethem to partake in local café culture, either by whiling away the afternoonwith a local beer or by sneaking offfirst thing in the morning for an espresso and croissant.
DO findsomething unique or interesting in every stop along the way and share it. Yourguests will be happy to hear of how manyarmies have unsuccessfully breached the old city walls or the route to a secret holein the wall café that serves the best socca along the Mediterranean coast.
DOfamiliarize yourself with regional artisans and handcrafts. Perhaps arrange aprivate tour of a studio or gallery.
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