Spending the night in Split.

Before or after your yacht charter in Croatia, a visit to Split should most definitely be on your to-do list. Most of the surrounding ports in Split are only a 10-15 minute taxi from the beautiful city of Split.

Sailing into Split, catching sunsets and watching dolphins.

Restaurants and Bars

Hidden in underground chambers or on beautiful Venetian streets, there is a wide variety of restaurants for everyone in Split. Traditional Croatian food and contemporary fine dining is both available throughout the city. Be sure to visit the palace for some live music, Croatian wine and historical underground tours. Anthony Bourdain once stated that ‘Croatia is the next great thing. If you have not been there, you are… an idiot! I am an idiot’.

Bokeria

Grilled Octopus, traditional lamb shank, truffle pasta, and cuttlefish are some of the best options from this fabulous restaurant. This restaurant is most definitely worth a visit pre or post charter.

The History behind Europe’s Venetian Capital

The story behind Split is one of the most diverse in Europe. The story resonates from Greek settlement in the 3rd century followed by a Roman invasion and taken by Venetian rule in the late 14th century. Venetian architecture can still be seen all over the city. The infamous Venetian Palace was constructed and the city grew around the palace walls.

After the world war, Croatia was transformed into Yugoslavia and this city experienced industrial growth alongside a large shipbuilding industry and a very dynamic port. Despite the destruction caused to Croatia during the Yugoslavian war in the 1990’s however, soon lost its industrial hold during the years following the liberation. The main industry now in Split is tourism. The city is full of hidden gems, beautiful hikes, beach clubs and some of Europe’s most fascinating architecture.

Get in contact with one of the Boatbookings Broker’s to find out more about your net yacht charter in Split.

Broker Alice’s Top 5 Insights for Your 2019 Charter

1. Book your sailing boat to beat the winter blues and head to the Bahamas before its too late! Some of my top recommendations for the Bahamas are the Lagoon 42 and 450 catamarans and Pegasus, a 40 foot Jeanneau. Either charter in Nassau, island hop around the Exumas and visit pig beach or in Marsh Harbour to anchor upon amongst the idyllic Abaco Islands.
Catamaran – Lagoon 42
Catamaran – Lagoon 450
2. Get your friends together to book the ultimate vacation sailing around Croatia this summer. Starting from Split or Trogir a two-hour sail a day in crystal blue waters can take you from quaint fishing villages to the party islands of Hvar. I would suggest the Lagoon 52 for a skippered experience, the Saona 47 or a Sun Odyssey 449 for the ultimate sailing experience.
3. Guadeloupe- find France within the Caribbean. Navigate around the archipelago of islands and immerse yourself amongst the green landscapes of this fascinating mixture of the Caribbean and French influences.
Be sure to visit the waterfalls of Grande Terre, eat Creole dishes with the friendly locals and visit Jaques Cousteau’s dive site at Bouillante which offers some of the best diving in the world, the instructors will even pick you up from your yacht to take you diving!
Sailing around this island is rugged, inspiring and sophisticated at the same time. I would suggest the Sun Odyssey 509 for exploring and sailing performance or the spacious Catana 47 catamaran for the ultimate Guadeloupe sailing trip with friends and family.
Visit my Guadeloupe blog to see why this Caribbean island needs to be on your 2019 sailing to do list!
4. August on the French Riviera – Sail from Cannes to Monaco and spend the nights at anchor overlooking some of the most glamorous locations in Europe or in the slightly smaller ports of Golfe Juan or Villefranche to avoid the busy ports of Cannes or Nice. Boats to charter are the monohulls such as the Sun Odyssey 349  or the Oceanis 48 for a romantic break or a family holiday or add a hostess on a catamaran such as the Lagoon 450 to receive the five-star treatment of the French Riviera.
5. Summer island hopping the Cyclades from Athens. Start your bareboat charter in the ancient city of Athens and spend a week exploring the iconic Cyclades islands. Spend each night on a different island and explore some of the finest Mediterranean beach clubs, ancient ruins and the traditional white rooftops of Santorini and Mykonos. Catamarans are the best way to explore these islands with friends and family but if you want to profit from some of the most idyllic winds in the world take the Oceanis 62 and profit from its sailing capabilities.

The Very Best of Greek Gastronomy

Greek cuisine offers an incredibly rich and diverse array of foods and beverages that are the result of thousands of years of living, cooking, and eating. Greek gastronomy is known for its simple and elegant flavors, quality ingredients and nutritious and healthy content. It is a journey through Greece‘s history and the culinary influences that were left by numerous invasions, be them Roman, Venetian, Balkan, Turk…even English.

One of the many joys to be found in chartering a yacht in Greece is not just relaxing in such a tranquil area on your luxury yacht, but also being able to discover, taste, and experience the unique local Greek cuisine. On your yacht you might choose to charter in any number of fantastic areas, be it around Corfu and the Ionian Islands, Mykonos and the Cyclades Islands, Skiathos in the Sporades Islands or Kos in the Dodecanese Islands, but each of these areas and indeed each island in Greece has its own unique cultural heritage and cuisine.

Greece food

The Sporades islands for example are well known for their use of dairy products and produce the most delectable spoon sweets and thyme honey. The local cheese pie and lobster and spaghetti are highly recommended!

The Cyclades islands are known for their charcuterie tradition while the Ionian islands retain more of a western European influence in its cuisine as it was the only area not be be conquered by the Ottomans in the 15th century. It  is known for its braised veal sofrito, an exquisite dish flavored with garlic, parsley, and vinegar, its Semolina pie with almonds or perhaps its delicious spiced fig cakes.

The Dodecanese islands boasts a host of dishes based on bread and grains with bulgur and cracked wheat claiming a prominent place. Look out for delicious local dish of home-made pasta with caramelized onions that the islanders make throughout most of the Dodecanese! However, regardless of where you are on your yacht charter, you will come across some of the more famous Greek dishes such as the stuffed Paschal lamb and sun-dried octopus.

Our expert broker, Lambros Tsolakis, knows everything there is to know about the best greek delicacies. Varoulko Seaside, Funky Gourmet and Bill & Coo are his top 3 recommendations! At Boatbookings, we have years of charter experience in Greece and intimate knowledge of the yachts and the best places to go. Enquire today for a bespoke proposal.

Miami Biscayne National Park: The Underwater Treasure Chest of History, Colour and Buried Secrets

Biscayne National Park holds a myriad of mysteries, secrets and natural wonders; ranging from jaw-dropping scenery to vast coral reefs, alive and bustling with a full spectrum of tropical fish and other aquatic wildlife- there is a lot more to see than meets the eye!

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=2D26C3A2-1DD8-B71C-075BADACCBAB5346
Biscayne Bay

Biscayne National Park is one of the largest marine parks in the National Park system. Comprised of 95% water as well as a portion of the third largest coral reef in the world, this National Park is almost exclusively accessible by boat. If you really want to see why Biscayne is so widely renowned, you’ll need to get below the surface to really experience this treasure chest of history, nature and an unforgettable display of colour.

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=1B47EAB8-1DD8-B71C-07741C526309197A
The Secrets Beneath the Surface

The human history of this immense body of water and scattering of islands dates back almost 10,000 years, to the very first Native American settlements and Caribbean societies. Buried amongst the bejeweled coral reefs many meters under the water, or nestled safely within the timeless, emerald forests and twisting maze of mangroves, the history of humanity is embedded into the nature of Biscayne Bay, swallowed up, but not forgotten. Biscayne Bay holds the key to a myriad of secrets, and it’s up to us to find the clues and piece together the puzzle of life.

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=2D26C3A2-1DD8-B71C-075BADACCBAB5346
Boca Chita Key

During the 17th and 18th Century, Biscayne Bay was the centre of operations for a notoriously revered pirate: Black Caesar. The name of Black Caesar resonates throughout history; being the subject of many myths and tales, it is said that Black Caesar had used Elliott Key and Old Rhodes Key as bases for buried treasure that had been seized from North American ships and trade ships of other nationalities. The evidence of major conflicts is laid-bare on the bottom of the ocean in the form of shipwrecks, cannonballs and various other relics, preserved over time, that have been gracefully absorbed into the natural world and transformed into beautifully established, perfectly functioning vibrant coral reefs, alive with a myriad of flashing colours.

https://www.nps.gov/bisc/learn/historyculture/maritime-heritage-trail.htm
The Sunken Wreck of Erl King, 1891

Biscayne National Park has something to offer for everyone; from lovers of history, to those who become captivated by the wonders of the natural world, to those who become captivated by the warmth of the sun and the sparkling, golden sand. The Maritime Heritage Trail, preserved carefully by the park rangers, paints an illustration of human history through various nautical skeletons and ancient infrastructure, such as the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, which was built in 1878. This trail is only accessible via boat, so if you want to travel through history then get in touch with us about Miami Day Charters!

What some may see as the biggest attraction of Biscayne National Park can be found absolutely everywhere; under every rock, hidden in every nook and cranny; on land, in the sea and even in the sky… This is referring to the vast range of wildlife that inhabits Biscayne Bay, from the smallest insect to possibly the largest crocodile you will ever see, Biscayne Bay is home to a surprisingly wide variety of animals.

American Flamingo

For SCUBA divers, there is an endless list of sealife to be found beneath the surface; ranging from Turtles, Seahorses, Angelfish and Scorpionfish to a myriad of Shark species (including Great White) and the more friendly Dolphins– if you’re lucky you may even bump into a peaceful Manatee, which is a protected species in this National Park, but everywhere you look there’ll be something waiting to catch your eye!

For twitchers (bird watchers to the layman), Biscayne National Park offers an enchanting assortment of bird species; from your Common Loon, to the American Flamingo, to the rather self-descriptive Greater Yellowlegs, to name a few. On land, there is a spectrum of reptiles, butterflies and insects for you to search for, as well as native rodents such as the Key Largo cotton mouse.

Kayaking through the Mangroves

Biscayne National Park is perfect for fishermen, photographers, artists, explorers, sunbathers – you can see where this list is going, but most importantly, this secluded island surrounded by a plethora of buried secrets is only accessible by boat. Imagine yourself waking up in the morning on board your own private yacht, stepping out onto the sundeck and enjoying your morning coffee with this tropical paradise as your back garden for the day- it can’t get much better than that!

If, after reading this blog, you’re itching to go on an excursion to see for yourself the breathtaking sights and menagerie of wildlife, we can help you, just drop us a message and we will sort you out with a personalised itinerary.