What’s new in the French Riviera for Summer 2009?

The sun has returned, the Film Festival is in full swing, Monaco Grand Prix stands are assembled and ready for the race this weekend – which means that the French Riviera is fully up and running for the high season! We thought we’d devote this post to what is new for 2009, in anticipation of your visit to St Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or anywhere in between.

First of all perhaps the major difference vs 2008 is that we now have a buyer’s market, which is great news for all of you charterers out there!  While there have lately been signs that the business is returning back to normal levels, there is still the opportunity to get good deals if you book your yacht before the end of May.  After that, many of the best yachts will be full, and the deals will evaporate.  So if  you are seriously considering a yacht of any size this summer in the Riviera, please let us know in the next couple of weeks. We’ve listed some of our best French Riviera Yacht Charter Deals here.

Party Boats for up to 56 people in the French RivieraEvent and Celebration Boats.  In the past, we’ve had to turn away many groups that had more than 12 people because, due to Maritime Law and insurance reasons, there are very few yachts on the Riviera that are qualified to carry more then 12 people.  The good news this summer is that we have several fantastic Event Catamarans that carry up to 56 people!  They are reasonably priced, designed with groups in mind, and are happy to add catering, DJs, water sports, etc.  So if you have a business meeting, birthday, wedding reception, stag party, team building event or any other reason to put a large number of people on a boat, we now have several great alternatives for you (we of course also offer motor yachts that carry up to 150 people if that’s what you’re looking for!). Click here to see one of our Event Catamarans.

More information about great new yachts for charter in our next post!

Charter Hints and Hidden Gems in the Tavolara Sea Park – Sardinia

Located on the Northeast side of Sardinia, the Gallurese coast is a charterer’s dream – offering beautiful beaches and private coves tucked away amidst the lush green Mediterranean flora.  The renowned resort harbours of Porto Ottiolo, Punt Aldia, Porto Rotondo, Cannigione or Portisco, each offering excellent facilities, are the ideal starting point for cruising the famous turquoise waters of the Tavolara Sea Park, one of the most fascinating sailing regions of Sardinia.

Beach and Island of TavolaraThe main islands of this protected marine park are Tavolara, Molara and Molarotte.   Here you`ll find everything for a perfect day:  Anchor in the Tavolara bay, enjoy a beautiful beach and then have lunch on land, in the smallest registered Kingdom in the world.

For an authentic Sardinian beachside restaurant, try “Da Tonino” – which offers and extraordinary variety fresh seafood and pasta. You may actually be “royally served” by the family of the present King of Tavolara, His Majesty, Tonino Bertolioni!

The crystal clear waters of the park offer excellent snorkeling – make sure you set aside some time in your day to put the fins on!
If you visit in late July you can join the island’s unique film festival – Cinema Tavolara, where the latest Italian releases are shown on a giant outdoor screen under the stars. You can often mingle with as cast, crew and other film luminaries there for the event.

Pulling anchor from this remarkable scene, set your course for Porto Taverna, 10 minutes away under motor, back on the main island.  Porto Taverna was one of the original resort destinations for central Europeans in the early 60’s.  A beautiful, long stretch of pink beach reaches around the back of Capo Coda Cavalo.

Swim ashore or take your dinghy and discover “La Tavernetta” beach bar and restaurant, perched on a dune overlooking the Tavolara and beach below.  Ask for Pino or Fabio, who run the place and try their special tuna dish, or gorge on fresh mussels, clams and lobster.  The kitchen gained one “Gambero Rosso” star last year and the selection of local wines is excellent.  This retro-relaxed style restaurant with its fabulous view and easygoing atmosphere is really one of a kind!

Feel free to contact us for help planning an itinerary to this wonderful area of Sardinia, and be sure to read our Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide for information about chartering on this amazing Italian Island.

Rescue at Sea on ADVENTURER

We had perhaps our most unusual charter ever last week. Peter, who runs our Mauritius office, got a call on Friday night at 9pm from a marine insurance company saying that a super tanker had been disabled at sea near Reunion island and they needed urgently to send a boat with spare parts and technicians to fix her.

TrimaranGiving up his Friday night, Peter found an amazing yacht, got the contract signed, and arranged for all payments by 3 am!    The yacht left the next morning, and had delivered the technicians and parts by the following day.

Too bad it wasn’t a pleasure cruise, because this is one exciting yacht. ADVENTURER, a power trimaran, runs at 24 knots, carries up to 50 passengers, and has set world speed records.

If you would be interested in chartering her for a pleasure charter, or a rescue at sea, we’d be happy to help!

A chance to charter the new Norman Foster Super Yacht

Ocean Emerald - Norman Foster Super YachtYou may have heard about the recently launched Norman Foster designed 41 meter super yacht OCEAN EMERALD.  This futuristic yacht, one of four to be launched over the next two years, is a fractional ownership concept created by YachtPlus in London.  OCEAN EMERALD has five suites for up to 12 guests and a permanent crew of seven. All furnishings and fittings are provided by the Italian manufacturer Cassina and kitchen and galley equipment by Schiffini.

If you’re wondering why we’re writing about a fractional ownership yacht, it’s because there will be opportunities to charter her!  Each owner has an allotment of weeks during the year, and if they can’t make it, they are free to charter it out.  So if you’re interested in chartering the hottest new yacht launch of the year, just contact us and we will arrange the dates.

Here’s more about OCEAN EMERALD itself.

Cannes to St Tropez Day Charter – Part IV – Club 55

Club 55 flagAs mentioned in the first entry in the series, Club 55 is a classy beach club and restaurant that serves over 1000 meals a day in high season, although you’d hardly know it because the restaurant feels so intimate and relaxed. It is ground zero for celebrities in St Tropez, as well as well-heeled businessmen, politicians and models. If you’re planning on lunching at Club 55, you should know how it operates so that you know what to expect and are not disappointed.

Club 55 is run by Patrice de Colmont, son of the original owner, who knows everyone and watches everything that goes on in the restaurant.  He somehow keeps straight where everyone will be sitting, making sure all the celebrities get their special tables. He is one of the most well known (and well connected) men in St Tropez, but he hasn’t lost his passion for making sure his restaurant is serving great food and run with efficiency and class.

The laid back, simple decor of Club 55The restaurant is shaded by tamarisk trees, which keeps it cool during the hot summer.  The tables are simple white wood with chairs or benches for the larger parties.  Blue table cloths. All very simple and laidback elegant.  The menu follows suit – with many standard Provencal specialties such as baskets of fresh vegetables, plates of tiny shrimp, artichokes, steak tartar and an onion tart.  The main courses are predominantly fresh fish, normally grilled, served on large platters with excellent fried potatoes. The restaurant lets the ingredients speak for themselves.

There are two lunch servings – 1pm and 3pm.  Generally speaking, unless you “know someone” you will be eating in the second shift.  But this is not a problem, you have more time on the beach and the bar before dining, and then you leave on your boat happy and well fed for the trip back!  You should arrange for your lunch well in advance, and it’s best to have your captain or broker arrange it for you.

Thousands of people visit and lunch at Club 55 each summer, and few are disappointed.  The combination of a relaxed but impeccably maintained beach club, excellently prepared dishes from local, fresh ingredients, a beautiful beach facing many of the world’s most exclusive superyachts, and the celebrity buzz, makes it one of the primary destinations in the French Riviera.

We’ve captured a charter to Club 55 on this video, to provide a feel for the days experience.  Feel free to contact us for further details and a classy boat so that you can arrive at Club 55 in style!
The Bar at Club 55   The Beach at Club 55