Broker Ben’s Top 5 Insights for Your 2019 Charter

1. Book your 80-150’ motor yacht in Greece now, or you will miss out. Some of my top recommendations are JULIE M, BLADE 6, THEORIS, TACOS of the SEA and BARENTS SEA. Explore the secret anchorages of the Peloponnese, as well as the Cyclades hotspots (Paros, Mykonos, Milos) in 2019.

 
2. Everyone loves Italy, particularly the Amalfi Coast but have you considered Sicily? With fantastic island hopping throughout the Aeolians, chic hillside villages (Taormina) and volcanoes to explore (Etna), the area has something for everyone.
 
3. Give Ibiza a go. It has the best beach clubs and nightlife, but it also offers natural beauty and some of the finest sunsets in the Mediterranean. Check out Cotton Beach Club (Cala Tarida), Benirras Bay and Isla Tagomago for some of our top picks.
 
4. The Bahamas are the ultimate water sports playground. Easy island hopping, cerulean waters, hidden cayes to explore, it’s the perfect family retreat.
 
5. Explore somewhere off the beaten track and learn to sail in Sweden. Yacht: ICHIBAN (Swan 70) Captain Jan is the perfect teacher to guide you along your Scandinavian adventure, while Chef Kirsten will showcase the wonderful local cuisine. Bring on the Elk meatballs!

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.

Superyacht of The Week: CLOUDBREAK

Stunning explorer yacht CLOUDBREAK. Photo credit: Yachtfolio

CLOUDBREAK is a unique and astonishing 72.5m Abeking and Rasmussen motor yacht – an easy choice for our superyacht of the week! On CLOUDBREAK, you will adventure beyond, experience more, and relax completely.

Whilst many yachts can cruise in Southeast Asia or Scandinavia, CLOUDBREAK goes off the beaten track and paves her way in new waters. In 2018, she is exploring Madagascar, a bespoke experience where you can witness amazing wildlife and feel true freedom. In 2019 she ventures to Norway and Sweden, which will open your eyes to extraordinary views of fabulous fjords and breath-taking scenery.

The minute you step onto the passerelle, you will experience incomparable luxury from start to finish. This 72.5m motor yacht offers fantastic exterior amenities so you can relax as you admire the mountains, greenery and waterfalls drift past. The outdoor daybed offers a luxurious and comfortable spot for relaxing in the summer breeze.

Head down after a delicious breakfast prepared by your talented private onboard chef and grab a sunbed with an immense backdrop of the mountains of Sweden or aquamarine waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. CLOUDBREAK also ventures to the Mediterranean, so you can replace the mountains with colourful fishing towns, sparkling beach clubs and secluded beaches if you please!

As with any luxury motor yacht, the water toy selection is endless! From Seabobs to Kayaks, Kite Surfing to Fishing, whatever takes your fancy the crew will kit you out and give you a helping hand.

The most breathtaking views onboard CLOUDBREAK. Picture credit: Yachtfolio

After an exciting day on the water, retire to your cabin for a heavenly nights sleep! When you awake, your first sight will be the dazzling ocean and beautiful anchorage where you settled the night before. To add to the therapeutic environment on board, CLOUDBREAK offers a sauna and pool so you can unwind and feel pampered! Yacht charters are the ultimate wellbeing vessels, where the crew and amenities will work tirelessly to ensure you feel healthy and happy.

To charter CLOUDBREAK for your next adventure, contact one of our expert brokers and get a bespoke proposal today. Charter this stunning superyacht today in Scandinavia, followed by the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia including Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Charter rates start at €750,000 plus expenses.

The French Riviera: Taking ‘Al Fresco’ to the Extreme

The French Riviera is famous for its glistening turquoise water, golden beaches, Mediterranean culture and views that you just wouldn’t find elsewhere. The Cote d’Azur is the perfect composition of sun, sea and serenity, with the picturesque scenes of sailboats gently bobbing along; the rows of sunbeds nestled into the invitingly dazzling coastlines; high end shops and artisan districts that seem to clash yet complement each other so beautifully, resulting in a burst of colourful culture secreted within the bejewelled exterior of the French Riviera. You would think the Cote d’Azur was expertly tailored to suit those who seek a holiday for the luxuries, the materials, the sunbathing and the relaxation.

Monaco, in all its twinkling glory!

However, there is a side to the French Riviera that has only recently started to make an appearance; the Cote d’Azur has a surprisingly vast amount of adrenaline fuelled activities, such as wakeboarding, windsurfing, SCUBA as well as freediving. The serene imagery of the tranquil, bronzing vacations can be completely left behind in the foaming, turbulent wake of a water-skier being dragged along effortlessly by a high-speed RIB. The hustle and bustle of the thousands of holidaymakers, flocking to the allure of the sun-kissed shoreline can speed past in just the blink of an eye, the sounds and scenes of the Azure Coast drowned out by the tigress purr of a SeaDoo jet ski.

Glisse-Evasion, Nice: Wakeboarding

Whilst it may be easy to stumble into the belief that the Cote d’Azur is reserved for those seeking the sun and the sundries, the thrust and excitement of your first parachuting experience, with the wind in your hair and the land in your distant memories, is sure to rip those woollen sunglasses right off your eyes.

Blue Addiction: Freediving

Here are a couple of ideas, hand-plucked from the plethora of water sports that the French Riviera has to offer, ranging from toe dabbling along the coastline to jumping right in at the deep end like a true daredevil.

Glisse EvasionFor the Adrenaline Junkie in all of us.

Glisse-Evasion is a Nice-based water activities company with a wide range of experiences on offer, ranging from Banana Boats, Parachuting and Paddleboarding.

Located just along the Promenade des Anglais, by Blue Beach, Glisse-Evasion is not hard to find, so don’t be afraid to pop along and plan an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime!

Blue AddictionFor the more exotic Daredevil.

Blue Addiction provides a freediving experience- that is essentially SCUBA diving but without the air. Don’t worry, you are in safe, professional hands!

Blue Addiction is situated in La Londe-les-Maures, in between Marseille and St. Tropez. It is run by a team of professionals with some very impressive credentials behind them.

However, Freediving isn’t just an extreme activity; in Malaysia and Indonesia Bajau Fishermen freedive amongst the corals to make a living, with nothing but a lungful of air and a spear, they dive down to depths of 20 metres to seek out reef fish. Some may spend as long as 5 minutes underwater!

So, if you’re on the search for a holiday packed full of adventures, adrenaline and long lasting memories, look no further than the French Riviera. From luxury to energy; sun to salt spray; it’s safe to say that a French Riviera Yacht Charter with Boatbookings offers something for everyone!