Category Archives: Destination Information

Post about great (or not so great) places to charter and see

Turkey’s Çesme Marina: New Alluring Destination for Luxury Yachts

Located just eight miles from the Greek Island of Chios at the western tip of Turkey’s Izmir Peninsula on the shores of the Aegean, Çesme Marina is fast becoming a priority destination for international yachtsmen. A yacht charter bound for destinations on the Aegean Sea offers an experience of spectacular beauty as well as inspiring cultural and historical significance. Plus, onsite customs and immigration offices at Çesme Marina facilitate smooth sailing between Turkey and the Greek Islands.

Çesme Marina, located in a naturally protected harbor, can moor 350 yachts with a 200’ LOA. Marine facilities include a full-service boatyard with 80-ton travel lift and ships store. The marina also features a boutique hotel and yacht club, and an enticing selection of restaurants and retail outlets. Incorporating architectural elements that reflect Turkish civilization within an upscale context gives the marina an overall ambiance of exotic luxury that is aesthetically delightful.

Highlights of the area include some very beautiful, white sand beaches and nearby Çesme Hot Springs. The calm shallow waters of the beaches are ideal for families and the hot springs are said to cure just about anything that ails you.

For more information on chartering in Turkey – please see our Turkey yacht charter guide.

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Sunreef Yachts 114′ CHE: The Biggest Sloop Catamaran to Prowl the Seas

Sunreef Yachts announces the launch of their largest custom-built superyacht catamaran, the Sunreef 114 CHE, the third largest catamaran in the world. Although details have not yet been made public the sloop-rigged catamaran promises to be an extremely popular option for chartering in the Caribbean this winter. An open architecture floor plan allows for unobstructed central social areas plus three staterooms and two crew cabins nestled comfortably within the hulls. CHE benefits from expansive and beautifully appointed exterior space ideal for sun worship, dining al fresco, or having fun on one of two trampolines. CHE will be completed at the Sunreef docks in Gdansk, Poland, within the next couple of months.

Sunreef 102' Double Deck IPHARRA, the second largest build launched from the yard last April, has successfully completed sea trials, achieved systems certification by Bureau Veritas and has set sail. Most notably, her double deck flybridge brings this yacht to a whole new level, comfortably furnished for dining, relaxation, or taking a turn at the helm. IPHARRA can currently be spotted in the Eastern Mediterranean prior to making her way to the Caribbean for the winter charter season.

Click here for more about Sunreef Luxury Catamaran Charters.

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Virgin Gorda Tip: Free WIFI Connections at BEYC

Should you need Internet access while on your Boatbookings Yacht Charter vacation, the Bitter End Yacht Club provides free WIFI at the Almond Walk Terrace, the Clubhouse Restaurant, and the Pub.

The Bitter End also has two Internet connected computers available for guest use, which includes mooring and dockage guests, available at the front desk. Children are welcome to connect their games and iPads as well. BEYC would like everyone to know that strong Cellular/GSM phone coverage on the island provides excellent connectivity to the States and Europe.

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Dunya Yachts 236’ Red Square: Largest Turkish Build to Date

Although a relative newcomer in the shipbuilding business, Dunya Yachts is certain to command significant attention at their Monaco Yacht Show display this year. Cutting-edge designs from the yard include a 213’ eco yacht, designed to incorporate the latest trends in green technology, two 236’ yachts under construction and a 289-footer in the works.

236' Red Square has a voluminous six-deck floor plan with notable features that include a health and beauty spa, a sea-level gymnasium, a sizeable swimming pool, sweeping 50-foot balconies and a dedicated owner’s deck. Interiors by celebrated designer Alberto Pinto juxtapose modernism with Old World elegance to achieve a plush yet vibrant style. Also under construction at the yard is 236’ Warrior, described with even greater interior volume. Both yachts are scheduled for launch next year.

Visually even more radical is 289' Blade, an appropriate monicker given her dramatic axe-bow. The design represents a collaboration between Dunya Yachts and renowned Ken Freivokh Design. The use of unprecedented amounts of glass results in a daring profile and stunning, ultramodern interiors. A triple-height glass atrium, all-glass swimming pool, seamless panoramic windows and seven guest suites that can be converted to create additional cabins are a few of Blade's innovative features.

Dunya Yachts is located in Istanbul Turkey, a country that has witnessed tremendous growth in the past decade in yacht design, build and repair. The well-equipped shipyard sprawls over 330,000 square feet including sheds, construction halls and boasts the only climate-controlled dry dock in the country. The shipyard exhibit at the Monaco Yacht Show will be situated at stand QC13 on the Quai Chicane. Please contact Esra Tarlan PR & Marketing of Dunya Yachts for additional information.

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Insider tips to the French Riviera (from those who live there)

Several members of the Boatbookings.com staff live on the French Riviera.  We've been compiling some of their insider tips to get the most out of your time on the Riviera!

– If you want a great place to sit outside in the evening, have a nice meal, listen to some music and feel the buzz – go to Juan Les Pins (near Antibes)

– There is a big difference between the town of St Tropez and Pampelonne Beach, where the St Tropez beach clubs are.  You can't walk between the two. Go to St Tropez town in the morning, shop, see the yachts and have a coffee by the water, then have your skipper take you to Pampelonne Beach for sunning and a long, late afternoon lunch at the Club of your choice.

– You can literally walk right up to many of the world's largest superyachts on the IYCA (International Yacht Club of Antibes) Pier in Antibes.  Same in Cannes by the Palais des Festivals and in Monaco.

– If you're near Cannes, anchor between the two Iles Lerins.  It feels a million miles away from the busy town, is great for swimming, and has a gorgeous view of the sunset behind the striking Esterel Rock Formation. That's what the locals do!

– Don't even think of driving to St Tropez in July or August between 10 am and 1pm.  You'll just roast in your car and arrive in a bad mood. That's why we're here – take a boat and do it properly!

– There are great places to kayak and swim beneath the beautiful red rocks of the Esterel.  Don't just power by on the way to St Tropez – take time to enjoy this beautiful area!

Please add more suggestions here on the blog, or on our Facebook page – we'll be publishing the best on Boatbookings in our French Riviera Section.  Enjoy!

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