A Guide to Belize: Charming Caye Caulker on your Luxury Catamaran Charter

Following on from our recent guide to Placencia, we are working our way through the other gorgeous islands and cays of Belize! We had a great time exploring Placencia and this is a wonderful area to visit on your luxury catamaran charter yacht. Before you get to Placencia, you should definitely stop off at Caye Caulker on your way from either Belize City or San Pedro. Occupying a fantastic spot on the reef, Caye Caulker offers incredible diving, snorkeling and swimming opportunities.

One of the most interesting features about Caye Caulker is that there are no major roads on the island. There are therefore no cars, with locals and tourists choosing to go around by either golf buggy or bicycle, making the island feel extremely charming, quiet and relaxing. There are a host of fantastic restaurants covering the island, with the majority specialising in freshly grilled or barbecued seafood and meat. The lobster in Belize is a very affordable and popular option, which is either served simply grilled or with spices, lime and ginger. As Belize sits next to Mexico, you are able to get some of the best Mexican dishes outside of the country. Breakfast favourite Huevos Rancheros, as well as Burritos, Enchiladas and Tacos can be found on the menu’s of restaurants all around the island.

So how should you spend your days on Caye Caulker? Both diving and snorkeling are the most popular activities to occupy tourists on their visit. The crystal clear waters are the best in the Western Hemisphere and are full of hundreds of different types of

fish. Two very popular snorkeling and swimming spots are at Shark Ray Alley and the Hol Chan marine reserve. You will be blown away by the warm and tranquil waters, as well as the opportunity to swim with nurse sharks and rays, which are completely harmless. The world beneath the water is truly stunning! We would also recommend an evening sailing trip to watch the sunset. If you fancy coming on land, Caye Caulker has a lot of interesting shops and street vendors, selling anything from artwork to jewellery. Make sure you head down to The Split, where you will find a great beach bar and stunning waters. If all this sounds like your perfect vacation, make sure you try Belize before everyone else hears about its beauty. Which yacht should you choose for your charter around Belize? Charter any of our Lagoon catamarans from Belize City or San Pedro for great performance, luxury and comfort.

At www.boatbookings.com, we welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Watch this space for the latest industry show releases, news and gossip in the yachting world. If you liked the content on this page and our previous posts, please become a fan and like our Facebook page to receive up to date information on our publications. Follow us on Twitter and Google Plus too.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Possible Changes to Taxation on Your Luxury Yacht Charter

The French VAT application to charters is about to change – this is due to the Bacino decree, which now specifies that any ‘pleasure’ charter has to be taxed. In France, the VAT to be applied to charters is 19.6% of the charter fee; however this can be reduced, depending on the amount of time the yacht spends in French waters. There can be a 50% VAT reduction based on how long the yacht spends in international waters. So, a charter which starts in France, but spends a certain amount of time in international waters, will only have a taxation of 9.8%.

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The application of VAT to charters is currently under discussion, and depends on the boat’s ‘International Waters’ qualification. To define this qualification, the following criteria have been proposed in order to define the yachts:

– More than 15 metres in length
– Registered as a commercial vessel
– Permanent crew on board
– Spend more than 70% of its charters in international waters – this is classed as more than 12 nautical miles from the coast.

A vessel qualified as a ‘High Sea Vessel’, one that travels in to international waters, will have 0% VAT, whereas a vessel without this qualification will have a payment and recovery system for VAT.

These proposals are only proposals; they still have to be agreed by French authorities and the European Commission. If accepted, they shall be applied in June 2013. It has been requested that any charter contract signed before this date will not be affected by the new tax regulation.

So, are you looking to book your summer charter on the French Riviera? At www.boatbookings.com, we welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Charter a Luxury Yacht in Singapore!

Singapore is a fantastic yacht charter destination with all that you could wish for on offer! As a capital of global finance, Singapore is an ideal place to charter a luxury yacht for that all important corporate event or even team building exercises! It can also have a far greater impact than just hiring another hotel meeting room.

Singapore is an ideal starting or ending point for sailing trips to Phuket, Bali or perhaps Tioman and Pulau Aur. Short day trips around the southern islands and the city skyline are also fantastic for taking a break from this multicultural metropolis. Singapore is also number 11 on New York Times’ 46 places to go in 2013 thanks to a fantastic array of colonial history, world-class shopping, beaches and cultural diversity. Guests are sure to have a fantastic charter here on your luxury yacht!

Why not charter a Broward 108 for that high quality corporate event providing 5 star quality for up to 45 VIP guests. This Singapore luxury yacht was totally refitted in 2010 and has a capacity ranging from 25 guests for a gourmet sit-down dinner, 35 guests for a seated, family-style buffet meal, or up to 45 guests for a canapes and cocktails buffet. She would be perfect for that high profile business meeting!

For more information on corporate events in Singapore click here! We welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Discovering the Brilliance of Bodrum!

Bodrum is not well known as a chartering destination, but it can easily compete with the best there is to offer through out the rest of the Mediterranean! It is a district and a port city in Mugla Province, in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey and has a truly fascinating melange of history, beauty and culture.

It would serve as a magnificent starting point from which to set out and explore the many delights that the Turkish coast offers; be it Marmaris and Knidos or Gocek and Antalya for example. Bodrum itself is famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (though it was unfortunately destroyed by the Crusaders to build Bodrum Castle). Some of the other spectacular sights you can see are the Myndos Gate and City ruins and the Cevat Sakir and Zeki Muren museums to name but a few. Bodrum is a beautiful cosmopolitan and sophisticated city where something is always going on.

The peninsular itself, and the coast around Bodum also houses a wealth of beaches, coves, and islets and there are a huge number of festivals happening through out the year; from ballet to camel wrestling. Why not look to charter PAPA JOE, a traditional Turkish GULET that provides guests with plenty of space as well as luxury. If you are looking for a week or two to transport yourself away from the cares of home or even to celebrate a marriage then look no further. Let PAPA JOE take you on an idyllic tour of Turkey and wash your worries away!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Fun Never Stops! Your Luxury Yacht Charter on WILD THYME.

Are you interested in exploring the French and Italian Riviera? The best way to explore the highlights of these beautiful coasts is by boat – no longer held up by traffic jams, when you’re out at sea you can just cruise on by. If you are looking to charter a yacht, a popular choice among the Boatbookings team is WILD THYME, an impressive Benetti Classic 120.

Accommodating up to 10 guests in 5 cabins, WILD THYME is available to charter at 105,000 € per week. With 3 double cabins and two twin cabins which are all en suite, the interior offers the utmost in luxury and glamour. With marble bathrooms and gorgeous furnishings, where better to get a good night’s sleep? With a crew of 7, who are lead by the experienced Captain Peter van Houweninge, they will ensure that your every need is met, and their service goes beyond expectations.

If you think the interiors are luxurious, the deck space is just as impressive! Offering opportunities for al fresco dining on multiple deck levels, and a bar on the fly bridge you will be spoilt for choice as to where you want to enjoy a meal or drink with your friends. With ample sun loungers and a jacuzzi, relax and enjoy the sun while enjoying the beautiful views that the Riviera has to offer.

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓