Chartering a yacht along the French Riviera is the best way to sample mouthwatering cuisine. The South of France is the birthplace of iconic dishes like bouillabaisse, ratatouille and salad niçoise. The region is abundant with fresh ingredients from the land and sea, so your chef will dazzle your tastebuds!
Following the hurricane IRMA and MARIA, it is a well-known fact that most of the BVI’s infrastructure, boats and marinas were completely destroyed. Most charter companies had entire fleets either damaged or destroyed. However, the BVI has taken this nightmare as an opportunity to renovate and re-establish itself as the best place to charter in the Caribbean. The resilience of a tight-knit community, devoted holidaymakers and a great tourist board has allowed the BVI to be completely rejuvenated for 2020.
Forbes magazine reported that 75% of the territory’s marine berths and 37% of land accommodation reopened this Spring. Airways and ferries have also opened back up to full capacity following the destruction with the hurricane.
Willy T’s comeback
The infamous William Thornton floating back is back on Norman Island for 2020. The new Willy T is rumored to be bigger than ever! As one of the most iconic floating bars in the world, the new Willy T was constructed in the US before returning to the BVI on May 10th. The New boat is very similar to the original vessel and is already making its comeback for being renowned for parties, food, shots, and tattoos! Be sure to visit the new Willy T when you can.
Scrub Island Resort and Marina
The resort has just reopened with ten new villas and 52 guest rooms. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind before or after your yacht charter.
Foxys – Jost Van Dyke
After all, having served food and drinks to sailors since 1968 this bar was not going to let a storm affect their service, There is still an infamous BBQ running on Friday and Saturday night and a great menu and party vibe throughout the week.
Have a read over the recommend Boatbookings post IRMA sailing itinerary to get an insight into your yacht charter with Boatbookings this winter!
The Seychelles are an archipelago of the Indian Ocean. There are over 100 islands, some volcanic, but most of them coralline. The largest island, where the capital rises, is Mahé.
In The Seychelles there are two sites declared a World Heritage from UNESCO: Aldabra, the largest coral atoll in the world and the Vallee de Mai on Praslin, a very ancient forest believed to be the Garden of Eden.
The Seychelles are famous all over the world for the amazing coral reef, the incomparable landscapes, the crystalline blue water, the white soft sand, and the incredible nature.
This paradise on earth is inhabited by rare and unique wildlife, that every year bring tourists from all over the world. The sea and land turtles are one of the biggest attractions.
The Aldabrachelys is a giant turtle that you will be able to see on The Aldabra Island. These incredible animals survived the evolutionary changes, thanks to the geographical isolation that protected them for millennia from modern predators.
Males can be up to 120 centimeters and weigh around 250 kg. Females can reach a little over 90 centimeters in length and weigh around 160 kilos. They are among the most long-lived animals on the planet.
Besides these incredible land creatures, you will also be able to see sea turtles if you go diving or snorkeling.
There are five different species of marine turtles living in the sea around the Seychelles islands. Alphonse Island, Astove Atoll, Cosmoledo Atoll, and Poivre Atoll are the main destinations where is possible to see these ancient animals in their natural habitat.
These unique animals are used to getting used to seeing humans, for this reason, if you are lucky you will not only be able to see them but also swim with them.
This is only one of the many incredible experiences that this place can offer. The people, the food and the magical atmosphere of this island will make you experience an incredible journey. Seychelle is definitely a place to visit once in a lifetime.
Broker Cordy gives an insight into her time working onboard Megayachts
One of my favorite places to cruise when I worked onboard mega yachts (Giga yachts weren’t around then!) was the stunning West coastline of Corsica. I was fortunate to work for a wonderful English family who adored this area, so it is where we spent the majority of the summer. On a displacement yacht cruising at around 12knots, the journey from Cannes to St Florent is around 10 hours which can normally be achieved overnight. So, if you are on the French Riviera and fancy something a little different, why not enjoy a wonderful dinner on board anchored at the Iles des Lerins, Cannes, and then start your journey after this. Be sure to ask the crew to wake you up at dawn to dolphin watch! One of the most amazing experiences at sea.
Arriving in St Florent is stunning, this pretty little fishing port has a host of local restaurants and bars huddled around the marina. Restaurant de l’Europe and Le Grill are perfect places to sit in the sun and watch the world go by!
Having relaxed in the sun, head one street back to the old town full of independent shops selling local charcuterie and souvenirs. Keep heading up and you will reach the citadel, steps from the citadel car park lead down to a small beach. The stunning cathedral de Nebbio is found on the other side of the town on the Chemin de la Cathedrale and is most definitely worth a visit.
For the more energetic persons amongst your group, Le Roya Beach can be found to the southeast of the town offering water sports including windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, jet skis and scuba diving! There really is something for everyone!
Heading west from St Florent is the beautiful town of Calvi. Coming into port you have an incredible view of the citadel, once docked, it is definitely worth climbing up the cobbled streets for breathtaking panoramic views of your surroundings. There are some great restaurants up here as well as the voguish Chez Tao bar!
Once you have soaked up the incredible views, wander around the shops through the old cobbled streets of the town. The marché de l’Orée des Pins is full of local charcuterie, grapes, cheeses, and amazing pastries!
Around the corner, further West from Calvi is possibly the most beautiful spot in the Med! Girolata is a fortified bay at the south of the Scandola Nature Reserve. The setting is spectacular, with the village perched on the peninsula and surrounded by the sea and the famous red rock mountains of this area. This bay is a wonderful place to anchor and swim ashore to the beautiful beach.
Further south in the Scandola National Park is the bay of Porto where you can find a pretty little village and see more of the stunning Calanques de Piana rock formations.
Having enjoyed the National Park, further south again you will find Ajaccio, famous for being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte! You can visit the Maison Bonaparte, now a national museum, the ancestral home of the Bonaparte family, to discover more about his life. Ajaccio’s charming old town is a great place to amble and enjoy the beautiful architectural features and stunning landmarks such as the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.
The pretty port of Ajaccio is adorned with bars and restaurants serving seafood and pizzas. The perfect place to soak up the atmosphere and admire the view!
Contact Cordy at Boatbookings to plan your Corsican adventure and please keep reading the blog for part 2 of the West Coast of Corsica!
Hanse was founded in 1993, when it launched its first boat, the Hanse 291, which caused a stir because of its racing prowess. It is now one of the top 5 worldwide manufactures of sailing yachts and is based in Griefswold, Germany.
Hanse Yachts are built with quality materials and furnished beautifully. No expense is spared when creating a Hanse. Their epoxy hulls are built with vacuum-composite technology which produces significantly greater stiffness with 20% less weight. Making her a durable, but light performance cruising yacht.
Hanse Sailing Yachts are known for their quality, comfort, speed, easy sailing, and family-friendly design. They feature self-tacking jibs, fully battened mainsails, and a single-line reefing system that help make sailing a stress-free experience.
Once you have experienced the quality of a Hanse Yacht, you will not want to sail anything else! Why not do a Hanse Yacht Charter in some of the most popular sailing destinations in the world? Check out the range of Hanse’s in Croatia or Greece!
One of Boatbookings most favourite Hanse Yachts has just became available in Croatia! The Hanse 575 is an innovative yacht which is not only aesthetically beautiful to look at but also easy to handle. Hanse has designed the Easy Sailing Concept, a thoughtful design dedicated to the importance of stress-free sailing.
