RIVA and LAMBORGHINI – a match made in heaven!

RIVA is one of the oldest and best known names in yachting!

Carlo Riva’s most famous creation is without doubt the RIVA Aquarama. Famous for its speed, beautiful appearance and craftsmanship, the RIVA Aquarama quickly became known as the Ferrari of the boat world, a symbol of wealth on the fashionable French Riviera during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. However it was another giant of the Italian motor industry that first teamed up with RIVA in the 1960s when Ferruccio Lamborghini commissioned a custom Aquarama for himself. This amazing boat was fitted with twin 4.0 litre V 12 engines taken directly from a Lamborghini 350 GT, each producing 350hp giving a top speed of 48 knots! LAMBORGHINI was finally delivered to Ferrucio in 1968.

After Ferrucio’s death in 1993, the boat was left untouched for many years until recently when a Dutch collector tracked it down and asked the team at Riva World to restore her to the great working condition she had been in for decades previously. The results are truly astounding! As the video below shows, LAMBORGHINI is looking as good as she ever has. Three years of hard work and devotion from the highly skilled team at Riva World, led by Sandro Zani, has led to the resurrection of a masterpiece of engineering.

At Boatbookings.com, we have an appreciation of both the old and new. We take pride in matching our clients to the best yacht for them, whether that be an ultra modern super yacht such as M OCEAN or a classic sailing yacht like the BLUE PETER.

Enquire with our team of experts today for perfectly tailored charters to match your needs!

Posted on November 20, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

5 Top Places to Party on the French Riviera!

The summer sees millions of eager tourists descending on the French Riviera, all keen to experience the sun, cuisine, golden beaches, the warm waters of the Mediterranean and of course the nightlife! From St Tropez all the way to Monte Carlo there are buzzing coastal towns, each one just a stone’s throw from another. Here are our top 5 favourite spots to party!

1. Gotha in Cannes is one of the most prestigious nightclubs along the Riviera, having hosted a myriad of celebrities such as David Guetta, Justin Bieber and Paris Hilton. Open until 5am, Gotha is the place to be to dance the night away on the dance floor, or treat yourself to a VIP table with drinks flowing all night!

2. Buddha Bar in Monaco is the place to be, boasting exotic charm and Asian-influenced drinks and aperitifs. With high ceilings, intricate decor and not to mention the giant Buddha overlooking the lounge bar, this is sure to be one of the most unique spots in Monaco!

3. The most intimate club of our selection, Kiss Club in Juan Les Pins is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike during the summer months. Trendy and fresh with a youthful team behind the bar, Kiss Club has a magical atmosphere of hedonism and energy.

4. Cannes’ most exclusive premier nightclub, Baôli brings a taste of Miami to the French Riviera. Open air tables, comfortable sofas and a surrounding of palm trees create a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the mild summer’s evenings. Inside, you’ll find some of the world’s most famous DJs such as Avicii playing the hugest summer anthems! Baôli is in the hottest spot of Port Canto meaning you can disembark and receive VIP treatment as you head straight into the club.

5. Les Caves du Roy sit beneath famous Hotel Byblos, they contain what can only be described as a hub of luxury. Reputable as the most exclusive club on the Riviera, entry isn’t easy to come by, but once you are within the caves you’ll never want to leave. Dom Pérignon galore and supermodels wherever you turn this truly is a clubber’s paradise, based in the most mesmerising town in the south of France.
Renting a luxury yacht on the French Riviera is the ultimate way to experience the most incredible hot spots along the coast and truly live in style! Email us today at [email protected] today to get in touch – we have everything from day charters to week-long crewed yacht charters and would love to plan your trip!

Posted on November 19, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Make every charter an event on DEVOCEAN, be it the Cannes Film Festival or just a Family Vacation!

Recently, Tom and Cordy from the Boatbookings team had the pleasure of visiting DEVOCEAN, a majestic 37m Sunseeker!

We were given a most friendly and warm welcome on board by Captain Ivan whose enthusiasm was great to see on a wet Tuesday morning in the South of France (it doesn’t rain that often!). After discussing Ivan’s illustrious career in yachting in the spacious, tasteful and homely main saloon over one of the best Espressos we’d ever had, it was time to take a look round DEVOCEAN’s interior spaces.

The master cabin is situated forward of the main saloon. Classically appointed with oak panelling and including a comfortable private seating area, this master is truly a home away from home for any discerning charter guest. The full beam bathroom with his and her sinks and whirlpool bath tub ensures total comfort. Below decks are four further guest cabins, each beautifully finished with predictable Sunseeker attention to detail and style. The twin cabin is laid out for 3 guests with a pullman bunk bed berth. This cabin can be converted into a double making DEVOCEAN flexible, perfect for families or friends.

As amazing as the interior is, it is only half of the story! Step outside and be amazed by the amount of deck space at your disposal. Choose from any one of the 3 decks and you won’t be disappointed! Enjoy casual aft-deck dining for lunch or breakfast before heading up to the top sun deck to spend the morning relaxing and sunbathing or wallowing in the jacuzzi. At lunch time, head downstairs to the large dining table and enjoy a fantastic freshly and expertly prepared lunch, or stay on the sun-deck for an informal barbecue before settling down for another indulgent afternoon on the water. For active and younger charter guests, there is a great selection of water toys; jet skis, sea bobs, fishing and diving equipment are sure to keep everyone entertained.

DEVOCEAN has also recently become available for event charters and would be perfect for hosting large groups of up to 50 people at dock. Based in Juan Les Pins, she is perfect for MIPIM, CANNES LIONS and the CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. Her exceptional crew and huge deck spaces make her perfect for hosting larger groups. DEVOCEAN would certainly make any corporate or private charterer stand out on the glamorous French Riviera.

For any questions about DEVOCEAN or for Event Charters on the French Riviera, contact our team specialists!

Posted on November 15, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Italians introduce the Jet Capsule – a Pod of Luxury!

Fresh off the shelves of Italian design firm Lazzarini is the Jet Capsule, a unique vehicle that could only be described as a… pod. It would not look out of place in a 1950s sci fi movie, however it is remarkably comfortable and powerful, with a cruising speed of 25 knots and an interior as surprisingly spacious as Dr Who’s tardis.

The Jet Capsule has most of the amenities a luxury yacht can offer condensed into shell measuring 25ft by 11ft. With a rooftop platform for sun bathing, seating for eight, a diving platform, teak flooring, toilet, a bedroom conversion and the ability to add a kitchen into the main compartment, this is the perfect boat for a weekend`s adventure in the Mediterranean.

According to the designer, the Jet Capsule was created as “a boat small enough to be easily manoeuvred, yet spacious enough to take a handful of friends out for drinks, over to a port for an evening’s entertainment.” Whatever your thoughts on its aesthetic beauty, chartering the Jet Capsule will be guaranteed to turn a few heads.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but Boatbookings is sure she is to be considerably more expensive than your weekend fishing boat. And Lazzarini has plans to offer fleet customization services, including an emergency and rescue design, a water taxi, and even an armoured version for the military.

Check out a video of it here:

Posted on November 14, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Experience the most beautiful SUNRISE in Thailand

Thailand is one of the hottest charter destinations around (figuratively and literally!) and with more and more super yachts available to cruise its pristine waters, it is the perfect destination for a luxury boat vacation.

Following her very successful summer in the Mediterranean, SUNRISE is heading East to Thailand and Malaysia for the winter. One of our favourites here at Boatbookings, she is a 53 m Oceanco with accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 luxury staterooms and has been impeccably designed, crafted and furnished.

Her high levels of performance and comfort are complemented by the brilliant leisure facilities on board – ranging from an on deck Jacuzzi and fully equipped gym to two tenders and two jetskis. There is also a home cinema, bar and sun decks for your relaxation, while the lounge and study offer perfect spots for business affairs.

In such a beautiful boat you may be reluctant to set foot on dry land, but with destinations like the Phi Phi Islands, Phuket and and Pattaya at your beck and call, you would be crazy not to! Some of the best diving spots in the world are to be found here; guest can explore the exquisite turquoise waters where whale sharks, turtles and tonnes of tropical fish reside.

SUNRISE is available to charter from Phuket from the 20th December to the 5th of January, and from the 19th of January from Phuket or Langkawi.

For more information on available boats in the area, visit our Thailand Yacht Charter page

Posted on November 7, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓