Turkey
As the meeting place of Asia and Europe, with a seemingly endless coastline and a history that dates back thousands of years Turkey has something for everyone. From the busy cities of Marmaris and Bodrum to hidden gems like Kas, Dalaman and Kekova Roads the southwest of Turkey is understandably the primary cruising ground for most sailors.
By boat it's easy to explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus from the nearby port of Kusadasi, buy an authentic carpet directly from the family who've woven it in Fethiye, or just swim in the warm, clear, turquoise waters. Food is good, language is no barrier and costs are still well below most European countries.
Turkey has few islands so most of the sailing is done along the coast. This means that as well as experiencing many small ports and harbours it's easy to take day-trips inland to see the world-famous attractions of Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
Winds are generally light around the Turkish coast which makes for lazy days and provides a perfect introduction to sailing for those new to life on the sea.