Croatia: A coast made for sailing

Tamsin    sailingbreaks     Croatia, Sailing, Sailing Breaks, Sailing Holidays, Sailing in Croatia, sailing trip, Yacht Base, yacht charter, Yacht Charter Croatia

The Croatian coastline, dotted with over 12,000 islands and stretching for 1700 kilometers, is “where the Mediterranean is as it once was”. Consequently, it is becoming more and more popular with people seeking the perfect place for an unforgettable sailing holiday.

Croatia, an unforgettable sailing holiday. Image: Flickr/ Macskafaraok

Croatia has 98 marinas and nautical ports with a total of 11828 berths and over 4,000 charter boats. So you will never be far from a welcome stop at the end of a days sailing. All this is easily accessible, thanks to the wealth of international airports and highways that serve the coastal areas.

From April to November the weather conditions are perfect for heading out onto the water. With winds often blowing from morning till night, you can enjoy an entire day of sailing, which is a good thing, as you’ll need all of the time you can get to make sure that you see everything Croatia has to offer.

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Take in top-class onshore attractions while on a yacht charter in the BVI

Mark Pawlak    sailingbreaks     boat charter, hire a yacht, Sailing, sailing in the British Virgin Islands, yacht, yacht charter, yacht charter Caribbean

For a chic holiday at sea, there is nothing quite like sailing a yacht charter through the British Virgin Islands, or BVI as they are often referred to. While you’ll be able to navigate the seas in total luxury, make sure you spend part of your holiday onshore so you can enjoy many of the territory’s top-class attractions and amenities.

And you will certainly find there is a wealth of things to catch your interest while in Tortola – the BVI’s largest and most populated island.

Stop by the BVI Folk Museum as here you’ll be able to learn more about the area’s history and see exhibits – including items dating back to the slavery era – that document its past.

For an even closer insight into local culture during your yacht charter BVI break, go on a tour of some of Tortola’s ruins. These include buildings such as Fort Burt and the Mount Healthy Windmill, structures that are hundreds of years old.

Should you be in the mood for a little shopping then Road Town – the BVI’s capital – is likely to be the place for you. The city’s Main Street contains a range of retail outlets, with handmade jewellery, textiles and jams among the many items that are sold.

But if you want to do nothing but relax and soak up the island’s laidback atmosphere then head to the coast. You’ll find there are lots of beautiful beaches for you to visit, including Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove.

However, Tortola is by no means the only part of the BVI where you’ll find fantastic onshore attractions and you should certainly think about spending some time at Peter Island.

One of the region’s largest isles, there are a wealth of things to see and do at the resort here.

Moko jumbie dancers and steel bands give regular performances – offering you an insight into Caribbean culture – while there are a range of high-end restaurants for you to dine at.

You’ll also be able to relax on pristine white sand beaches before going snorkelling and exploring the world underneath the waves.

While sailing on a yacht charter Caribbean you might want to consider mooring your vessel up at Marina Cay.

Although the island measures just eight acres, there will still be plenty of things to catch your interest. Indeed, dining at the Pusser’s restaurant gives you the chance to sample award-winning cuisine – both freshly-caught seafood and traditional Caribbean fare will be on the menu – before washing it down with a rum cocktail.

Marina Cay is also a great place to go for a walk and by trekking up to Sunset Bar – the island’s highest point – you’ll be afforded fantastic views of the land below.

Likewise, Virgin Gorda will offer you the opportunity to take in breathtaking natural scenery should you decide to step onshore.

This island contains an array of beautiful national parks, home to a range of exotic wildlife and indigenous plants, while the presence of several ruins provide you a glimpse into its Spanish roots.

One Virgin Gorda attraction that certainly draws many people is the Baths. These immense boulders scattered across the island’s beaches have created a number of saltwater pools and grottoes that are just perfect to explore for an afternoon.

You may also want to make a special effort to spend a little time on the island of Anegada. This is the most northerly isle in the BVI and upon setting foot on dry land make sure you keep your eyes peeled for some of the exotic wildlife to be found here.

Rock iguanas, ospreys and blue herons are just a selection of the creatures you’ll be able to spot on the island, while you can learn more about the region’s past by visiting the Anegada Museum.

Here, you’ll be able to look at items recovered from nearby shipwrecks and hear tales about sunken treasures.

Of course, if you just want to do spend some time sunbathing then you will have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the favourable weather and beautiful scenery. Nestle up under a palm tree at one of Anegada’s many beaches – which include Bones Bight and Flash of Beauty – and you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the calm sea as you relax.

By going on a bareboat charter BVI holiday, you can take in an array of attractions on land while also enjoying the amenities of your luxurious boat as you sail.

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.

Summer opening for Rhodes marina

Ian K    ash, Sailing Holidays Talk, sailingbreaks, Tribe Sailing Blogs     Europe, greece, Marina, Rhodes, yacht charter, Yachting

Britons on yacht charters in Greece this summer will be able to enjoy the benefits of a new 100 million euro (£88 million) marina opening on the island of Rhodes.

It is hoped that the marina, which is based on the east side of the island, will become a tourist destination as well as provide relief to the congestion often builds up at the island’s only yacht harbour.

Photo from Flickr User: Bracketing Life

Scheduled to open by June, the marina is due to become fully operational by 2012, and will be able to accommodate the newest ‘mega-yachts’ as well as more than 400 vessels.

People on sailing holidays will be able to stock up on necessary goods using the onshore shops, as well as enjoy the restaurants, cafes and spa.

A ring road connecting the island’s international airport to the marina is also under construction, and is currently 70% complete. Plans to construct a five-star hotel and shopping centre in the area are under discussion.