Living on a sailboat for a year

Mark Moore    New Sailing Holiday Ideas, sailingbreaks     California, Sailboat, Sailing, Sailing Holidays, Sailing in the Caribbean, Sailing Tours, the Caribbean

Almost everyone has occasionally imagined what it would be like to be living on a sailboat: The allure of the easy-going lifestyle, the freedom and the adventure; what’s not to desire?

Live your own adventure on a sailboat. Image: Flickr/spantil

It’s smooth seas, mermaids, sunsets, sailing tours and booze cruises everyday, right? The boat is cheaper than rent, there is no traffic and the entire ocean is at your disposal. After living on a sailboat for the better part of a year, not all of the above are accurate.

All in all, it is pretty sweet, though…

I ended up in California after I broke up with a girl. She left me – figures. I’m not meant for relationships because when the wind is blowing or the surf is running, I have a hard time holding down a normal commitment.

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Sailing The Caribbean Islands: 10 Ports to Visit

Mark Moore    New Sailing Holiday Ideas, sailingbreaks, Top 10s     Caribbean, Caribbean ports, Sailing, sailing holiday, sailing in Caribbean, sailing trip

Try sailing in the Caribbean if you want to forget those grey, cold winter days. When you think of sailing the Caribbean islands, a flat tropical paradise with white sand and blue water probably comes to mind.

The Caribbean is the perfect place for vacations. Image: Flickr/ parramitta

That visualization, however, is far from the truth: Though some of the more northern Caribbean islands are relatively flat, much of the region is volcanic and mountainous. This makes for some stunning scenery – although yes, you’ll still find those idyllic carribean beach scenes.

The East-North/East trade winds are most reliable from November through April. Wind velocity is usually between 12 and 22 knots, with minimal storm squalls. Sailing the Caribbean Islands here is easy, thanks in apart to the relative proximity of the islands; most crossings are less than 20 nautical miles. Although coast guard service is lacking (at best) so always sail prepared.

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All roads ‘will lead to Rhodes’

Ian K    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, ash, New Sailing Holiday Ideas, Sailing Holidays Talk, sailingbreaks, Tribe Sailing Blogs     cruise, Europe, floatilla, greece, Rhodes, yacht charter

Officials in the Greek island of Rhodes have predicted that this year will see a huge rise in visitor numbers.

Tourists visiting Greece and the Greek islands have many options when it comes to entertainment, with a yacht charter in Greece among the many things to do.

With rising visitor numbers expected, there could be a rise in holidaymakers taking a yacht charter or flotilla in Greece while on the Island of Rhodes or from the mainland.

Photo from Flickr user: gavin rice

The prediction comes as bookings show that Rhodes will be visited by more than 600 cruise ships by the end of the year.

The 600-plus ships will bring more than 700,000 tourists to the island – almost 25% up on the figure for last year.

In 2010 539 cruise ships docked in Rhodes, seeing 561,000 visitors head onto the island.

Figures for last month show that visitor numbers were up 42% on those recorded 12 months earlier – from 11,802 to 19,256.

Policy changes introduced by the Greek government have had a positive effect on the Rhodes cruise industry.

Dominican Republic relatively cheap

Ian K    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, ash, New Sailing Holiday Ideas, Sailing Holidays Talk, sailingbreaks, Tribe Sailing Blogs     Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Sailing, tourism, Travel, Yachting

Good value for money can be gleaned from a Caribbean yacht charter holiday to the Dominican Republic, according to the country’s tourist board.

Travelling to the Caribbean island, which has Haiti as its next-door neighbour, is cheap compared with going to other destinations in the region, an official at the Dominican Republic Tourist Board insisted.

Gustavo Candelario said that, because of this, the number of people visiting the country has increased in the last five months, especially those who prefer their sailing Caribbean-flavoured.

Photo from Flickr user: whatleydude

“People are realising how good value for money the Dominican Republic is because you can spend a fraction of what you would spend going to another destination in the Caribbean and you will get even better quality for your money. It is a fantastic deal,” Mr Candalerio added.

The Dominican Republic offers “picture-perfect” beaches and excursions to rum distilleries and cigar factories, as well as the chance to learn to sail.

Rallying call for Biograd boat show

Ian K    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, New Sailing Holiday Ideas, Sailing Holidays Talk, sailingbreaks, Tribe Sailing Blogs     Biograd, Biograd Boat and Charter Show, Croatia, Croatia Boat Show, Europe, Sailing, Split, Yachting

Boat beginners and experts alike have been urged to book early for a sailing extravaganza being held in Croatia later this year.

Sailing in Croatia will be under the microscope at the Biograd Boat and Charter Show, which runs between October 20 and 23 at the Adriatic Sea resort.

A number of stage lectures are planned for during the day at the event, with experts imparting their knowledge on the nautical world to those eager to learn to sail more efficiently for leisure or competition purposes.

Photo from Flickr user: Tim*A

The city of Biograd will also host a number of activities, concerts and performances in the evenings to keep delegates entertained once the serious boating business has been concluded for the day.

The Biograd event is the second major boating show being hosted in the country this year after the Croatia Boat Show, which is taking place in Split and starts on April 12.

Marrakech tops BA must-visit list

Ian K    New Sailing Holiday Ideas, Sailing Holidays Talk, sailingbreaks     2011 destinations, British Airways, California, Caribbean, japan, las vegas, maldives, marrakech, mauritius, morocco, new york, north america, puerto rico, Sailing, sailing holiday, san diego, st kitts & nevis, st lucia, united states, usa

A major airline has placed the Moroccan resort of Marrakech at the top of its must-visit list. The destination has been named as the place to see in 2011 by British Airways, which will start flights to the city on March 28, 2011.

In second place on BA’s best travel tips was San Diego in southern California, followed by New York. The list was full with American tourist spots and Caribbean locations where sailing enthusiasts go to enjoy well earned sailing holidays.

Photo from Flickr user: uriolat

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