Thailand remains one of our top charter destinations. Find out why from our regional expert Kevin

Boatbookings.com expert in South East Asia, Kevin has given us an update on the situation in Thailand, read on to find out why Thailand is still a safe and breathtaking charter destination.

Kevin has lived in South East Asia for 12 years now, and has visited Thailand countless times over the years. Thailand is the country that he never tires of visiting. In particular the great scenery and food, happy, smiling people, nice beaches, good water sports are what makes it a special place. It really does have everything as a holiday destination, both sailing and non-sailing according to Kevin.

In light of recent events Kevin has spoken to many personal friends and Boatbookings suppliers and yacht owners over the last couple of weeks, to try to get a sense of what might happen going forward. Many of those people have lived in Thailand for many years, and have lived there through previous periods of instability.

Kevin points out that a coup or martial law in Thailand, is not the same as it would be in many other countries. It is more like a change of government, and most prople just get on with their daily lives. He notes that you can see a few soldiers on the streets of Bangkok, but in the tourist destinations you would not know anything out of the ordinary was going on.

From a tourist’s perspective, here are a few comments Kevin has received:

Tourism is rarely affected by these types of events. The exception to that was the airport closure in 2010, and no-one believes that will be allowed to happen again.

Government advisory announcements are always excessive. They have to be. Most government advisory notices over the last 6 months have said “don’t go to the protest sites”, rather than, “don’t go to Thailand”.

Airports, taxis, hotels, shopping malls, and tourism related services are all operating as normal.

The overnight curfew that was announced 2 weeks ago has been lifted in all sailing destinations, including Phuket, Koh Chang and Pattaya.

Yacht charter guests arriving as normal and sailing as normal.

In short, come and enjoy Thailand and enquire today!

For further reading:

You can see regular updates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand on their website:

https://www.tatnews.org

An open letter written by highly respected US born entrepreneur in Thailand:

https://phuketwan.com/tourism/open-letter-coup-nobody-wanted-thailand-needed-20444/

Posted on June 11, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Three Reasons to choose Ibiza for your next Yacht Charter!

Ben and Charles from the Boatbookings.com team have just returned from Ibiza after an unforgettable trip checking out the hottest boats and hottest places to be for this summer. They were bowled over not only by how much it lives up its reputation, but also by the unique offering Ibiza has in comparison with other charter destinations around the world. They’ve put together their top 3 reasons to head to the world capital of hedonism!

1. Incredible nightlife. The reason Ibiza has been and still is the top destination for party-goers worldwide. Famed nightclubs include Space, Amnesia, Privilege, Pacha, Sankeys and Es Paradis. Each club has a world-famous mega DJ as a resident on a nightly basis giving you massive goody bag of global superstars to choose from every evening! Whether you’re in the beautiful San Antonio bay or striking Ibiza town there’s a mix of charming old Spanish bars, chilled beach clubs and booming nightlife on every corner.

2. It will surprise you! Whilst Ibiza is famous for its booming towns and attracting the young, rich and famous to let their hair down, a vast area of the island is in fact protected National Parkland. This means in between enjoying the most hedonistic holiday of your lifetime you can really enjoy that ‘getting away from it all’ feeling. Ibiza boats many beautiful, secluded and almost deserted bays in which you can anchor and relax on an empty beach or if you’re lucky find a rare beach club and enjoy lunch with your feet in the water.

As well as this, just a short cruise along the coast you’ll find Formentera, also known as the “Pine Islands.” Beautiful white sandy beaches with turquoise, shallow and crystal clear waters await you in this quiet and tranquil paradise. Isolated anchorages provide the perfect place to enjoy the stunning backdrop of the golden sandy islands.

3. The coolest boats! With the stylish lifestyle comes the most stylish yachts. The VIP section of Marina Ibiza is a feast for the eyes, with the high specifications everywhere you look. Two of our favourites are SHALIMAR and ALVIUM! Perfect for day ,weekend or week-long charters they’re in prime positions near to the famous Lio’s restaurant and club and just a stone’s throw from Pacha. They’re gorgeously styled, super-quick and fit perfectly with the Ibiza lifestyle.

We loved Ibiza, and we think you will too! Contact us for more information on chartering in this incredible part of the Mediterranean.

Posted on June 9, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

SuperYacht PRIDE ready to charter in July and August on the French Riviera at a discounted rate!

At Boatbookings.com we’re very excited about PRIDE, a stunning new luxury crewed motor yacht and finalist from the SuperYacht Awards 2014, it’s easy to understand why she has won such acclaim from industry experts. PRIDE is a 45m design from Viudes Yachts and features 6 exquisite cabins accommodating up to 12 guests in unparalleled luxury. Her usual high season rate of €210,ooo per week has been slashed to €180,000 – virtually unheard of for new yachts in high season on the French Riviera!

All 3 decks and the swim platform on show!

The exterior of PRIDE features 3 huge decks and a large swim platform. These spacious decks make her perfect for entertaining friends and family and gives great flexibility to charter guests.

The fantastic exterior is complimented perfectly by an immaculate and elegant interior design combining classic decoration with the finest materials, and marbles. The master cabin is a show stopper and would be a true home from home for even the most discerning of charter guests.

PRIDE has an incredible selection of water toys that includes jet skis, water skis, sea bobs and wake boards, enough to keep even the most active charter guests happy! After a hard day of fun on the water PRIDE has a sauna for the ultimate relaxation of guests.

Not only is PRIDE offering a fantastic reduced rate for charters this summer, she also consumes just 250 litres an hour whilst cruising at 12 knots, very impressive for a yacht of her size. Who new chartering a Super Yacht could be so economical!

Get in touch with our expert team today and secure your luxury yacht charter vacation on the French Riviera.

Posted on June 6, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

QUATTROELLE – The Latest Example of the Finest German Engineering

All over the Mediterranean things are starting to hot up for summer and what better way to enjoy the sun than on a brand new super yacht. German shipbuilder Lurssen have decided to kick the fun off early this year with the release of their new 88m yacht Quattroelle. The Germans don’t have the greatest reputation when it comes to having fun but, if this stunning new release is anything to go by, they’re certainly good at giving others the opportunity to have the time of their lives.

From all angles QUATTROELLE is a beautiful boat. The helicopter pad on the front perfectly sums up the level of indulgent wealth that you can expect to find onboard and, the beautifully laid out stern will ensure that she turns the heads of envious onlookers at port.

The outdoor spaces are superb. 3 upper decks at the the stern all have spacious seating areas in both sun and shade. Whether you are sitting back with a cocktail, dining al fresco or cooling off in the stunning pool, you will not fail to be impressed.

The luxuries continue inside in the salons. Plush carpeting and quintessentially elegant furniture which wouldn’t look out of place in a country estate is all lit beautifully by large windows which offer stunning panoramic views in turn.

The cabins are similarly well appointed and refined. Large, inviting beds stand in light and airy staterooms which are spacious and refined with a contemporary feel.

QUATROELLE is just one example of the outstanding luxury available on the charter market. To find out about what else is available or for information about chartering a yacht please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Boatbookings team.

Posted on May 28, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

NEW BEGINNINGS at the Monaco Grand Prix

It’s all go on the French Riviera. The Cannes Film Festival is still going strong but, as the festivities come to a close, the stars, the rich and famous and the paparazzi make a short trip down the coast. Yes, the highlight of the Formula 1 calendar is upon us. The Monaco Grand Prix is a race like no other. This weekend Lewis Hamilton will continue his duel with Nico Rosberg as Mercedes aim to continue their dominance over the rest of the pack. With narrow straights, fast corners and unforgiving barriers, surprises and drama are never far away at the most coveted Grand Prix.

If you thought it was too late to get involved, you would be wrong. You won’t even have to turn up days in advance and stand on tip toes to catch a glimpse, rather enjoy all the action in luxurious comfort aboard NEW BEGINNINGS OF LONDON. This beautiful 75 foot Sunseeker is still available to charter for the Grand Prix weekend.

With masses of outdoor space, NEW BEGINNINGS OF LONDON is a great yacht for those looking to enjoy the South of France sun. The flybridge is stunning with room in both sun and shade to lie back and work on your tan or sit back with a cocktail. A further sun pad on the forward deck will keep all of your sun-seeking guests happy and, when the shade beckons, cool off on the aft deck as you eat al fresco.

The interior is no less impressive. 4 spacious and inviting cabins are complimented by a large salon. With enough space for a dining table as well as a large lounging area, this is the perfect space to enjoy an evening meal of to curl up and watch a film. All of this is magnificently lit by large windows on all sides light which, in turn, offer stunning panoramic views.

If you are interested in chartering NEW BEGINNINGS OF LONDON for the Grand Prix weekend or for your summer holiday in the South of France, don’t hesitate to contact Charles, Cordy, Tom or the rest of the Boatbookings team.

Posted on May 21, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓