ITALY, THIS IS FOR YOU.

We all know the effects of what staying indoors can do to our wellbeing. From a young age, I was always told that the fresh, sea air was a healer for not only the body but also for the soul. It’s safe to say that a large majority of our clients are ‘outdoorsy’ people, and love being at one with nature. With lockdowns, travel restrictions and our daily lives interrupted, it can be hard to think that life was once full of discovery and beauty.

We say, don’t worry; the seas will just be as blue as they were before, the south of France rosé wine will taste just as refreshing at golden hour and the sun will still rise after this pandemic runs its course.

For some gentle weekend or evening reading, you can explore these incredible places through our handwritten itineraries. Whether you are are doing some homework for your 2021 expedition, or just want to escape reality for 10 minutes: we have an itinerary that suits you. We recommend making a hot cup of tea (or coffee), snuggling up on the sofa and let your mind wander to a sailing destination of your choice.

It seems prudent to list the Italian Amalfi Coast itinerary below – with all the heartbreaking news coming from our most beloved sailing countries this itinerary is a tribute to the country we know and love.
ITALY, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU.

Day 1 – Naples

Lgbt sailing boat tour

Embark your Amalfi Coast catamaran charter in Castellamare di Stabia. Depending on your time of embarkation, you can either sail towards the city of Naples for a fun-filled night exploring the bustling Via Chaia. This is the perfect opportunity to discover the beautiful city of Naples, try some fantastic pizza and enjoy the stunning views of Vesuvius that loom over the city.

Day 2: Procida to Ischia

Today you will sail to the island of Ischia, known for its lush and varied landscapes and being the largest island in the Bay of Naples. You can visit the thermal springs at Negombo Bay or close to Ischia Sant’Angelo. These magical wellness centres have been used to promote health for millennia. One of our Brokers favourite anchorages is next to the Aragonese castle, the original protection of the island that rises out of the sea. 

There are also many beautiful beaches that you can anchor your Amalfi Coast crewed catamaran off for a day of snorkelling and playing with the water toys. In the evening, be sure to try the local wines Biancolella and the red Pere’e palumno along with a selection of wonderful fresh fish. Our favourite high-end restaurant on the island is Indaco in the village of Ischia Lacco Ameno. This Michelin starred restaurant is renowned for their modern take on Italian classics, and you will enjoy waterside dining with spectacular views. 

Day 3 and 4: Ischia and Capri

These are the days that you’ve always been dreaming about! Set sail from Ischia Sant’Angelo to Capri, which is around 20 nautical miles and will take approximately three hours. Your first stop will be anchoring off the north side of the island, where we would recommend a quick stop at the magical Blue Grotto. This is on everyone’s bucket list and you will soon realise why. The Blue Grotto is ideally located next to our most recommended lunch spot on the island, Il Riccio Capri. 

After lunch, explore the surrounding caves on the south-east coastline, before anchoring on the south side of the island next to the magical Faraglioni rock formation. This is the most iconic bay on the Amalfi Coast and the perfect place to spend the evening at anchor.

We’d really recommend a romantic dinner on board, taking in the spectacular sunset and endless ocean views. If you want to go ashore to explore the island, you cannot beat sitting in Capri’s Piazetta for your Aperol Spritz before having dinner in one of the many excellent gastronomic restaurants. Our Brokers recommend sitting on the terrace of Villa Verde and sampling their excellent Squid, fresh fish and the local Fallanghina white wine. If you’re in the mood to dance the night away, you have to try Anema e Core for a truly authentic and unforgettable night on Capri. 

Day 5: Capri to Nerano, Positano

Leaving the beautiful island of Capri, you will sail towards Nerano for your first glance of the magical Amalfi Coast. Marina del Cantone in Nerano is a popular holiday destination dating back to the time of the Ancient Romans. Emperor Caesar loved it and we know you will too!

After a fun morning enjoying the calm waters, snorkelling and paddleboarding, it must be time for lunch! Conca del Sogno is the most popular restaurant and for good reason – it’s delicious! There are some excellent restaurants to try in Nerano and if you’re looking for something extra special, Quattro Passi cannot be missed.

If you decide to take a mooring buoy overnight in Nerano, you have to treat yourself to dinner at Quattro Passi. If you decide to cruise down to Positano for the evening, we don’t blame you! Positano is the gem of the coastline and renowned for being a world heritage site with a buzzing atmosphere. Positano is the busiest and most popular town on the Amalfi Coast, so expect crowds in July and August, but it’s still well worth a visit. With a plethora of restaurants to try, Da Vincenzo is renowned for offering quality authentic Italian cuisine, whilst La Sponda at Le Sirenuse Hotel is extra special. Party the night away at Music on the Rocks for an unforgettable end to your time in Positano.

Day 6. Amalfi Coast

Good morning from Positano, and what a sight she is! Enjoy the tranquillity and calm of the morning as you sip your morning espresso and took into your favourite cornetti.  When you’re ready, set sail down the Amalfi Coast towards Conca dei Marini, one of the unsung heroes of the area. This is the perfect place to swim before enjoying lunch at anchor.

We recommend heading straight to Amalfi to make sure you arrive in time for a place in the small marina. Amalfi is one of the only ports on the Amalfi Coast and is by far the nicest, so don’t miss out. Spend the afternoon ambling down the quaint streets sampling the famous Gelato, or perhaps a Limoncello or two! The famous Italian liquor is made here using produce from the neighbouring hillside, so it would be rude not to sample! For the active charter guests, you can embark on the Hike of the Gods to take in the spectacular coastal views. Don’t forget your camera!

Head back to your crewed catamaran and get ready for dinner. If you would like to eat ashore, there is no better restaurant than Eolo Restaurant in Amalfi, which balances authenticity with a creative flair for a mouthwatering spectacle. Mooring in Amalfi also gives you the opportunity to head up to the mountain town of Ravello, where you could enjoy drinks on the terrace of the Belmond Hotel Caruso and a spectacular dinner. If you’re in the mood for dancing, you have to try the popular Africana club, which is one of the most iconic nightclubs in Italy. 

Day 7: Amalfi to Sorrento

Your final day onboard will give you the opportunity to sail along the length of the Amalfi Coast, so make sure you have your camera ready! You will sail past Positano to the beautiful Li Galli islands for your last lunch onboard. Whether you choose to have a Caprese Salad, Paccheri with Swordfish or a whole baked Sea Bream, we know you will have been blown away by the food onboard this week. In the afternoon, sail to the town of Sorrento with its stunning architecture, welcoming vibe and wonderful restaurants.

From Marina Piccola, walk to the smaller port of Marina Grande where you will discover some wonderful cafes and bars. Piazza Tasso is the place to spend your evening. With the street closed off to cars, Piazza Tasso is perfect for people watching and your favourite Aperitivo. Sorrento is home to some wonderful restaurants and there is nowhere better than Il Buco, which is a firm favourite amongst our clients. Terrazza Bosquet in Sorrento is another popular choice; wherever you decide to go, you will definitely have a fantastic final meal with your friends and family. 

Day 8: Disembark in Sorrento

Today, say goodbye to your wonderful crew and catamaran and head back to the airport. If you have time before your flight, we would recommend stopping in at Pompeii on the way to the airport to see the impressive ruins. Your Boatbookings Broker can organise a private tour with an English speaking guide, who will bring this ancient city back to life! We know that you will have loved your time on the Amalfi Coast and you will tell all your friends to book for next summer! 

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Sail closer to home this summer!

Avoid the busy airports and the crowds this summer and sail closer to home! Boatbookings have searched the English and American shorelines to find you the best yachts in some of the most underestimated areas!

Port Solent – Southampton, United Kingdom.

The needles lighthouse isle of wight sunrise

Submerge yourself in true British culture on the Southern Coast of England. Sail across the busy shipping area over to the stunning Isle of Wight, a quaint fishing island located a few miles off mainland England. Revel in the historic, cobbled paths to a nautical themed island! Finish your day in a good old fashioned British pub and order some fresh fish and chips – there’s nothing better!

The Solent is a busy, and sometimes challenging sailing area, we advise that skippers that want to embark on this charter have relevant experience and that have chartered before. For more area information please speak to one of our expert brokers which can assist you with the area.  

See our UK guides and yachts!

Annapolis, Maryland – United States!

Head to Annapolis to start your charter to explore the Chesapeake Bay and some of the most celebrated sailing grounds of the US! Be sure to allow some time before or after your charter to see Annapolis. There are many shops, restaurants, great lobster rolls, art galleries, a period market house, and the US Naval Academy to explore before your charter begins!

The Chesapeake Bay benefits from some of the best sailing grounds in the world and has a sailing itinerary that explores many cities. Whether you are looking for a 4-day itinerary over a weekend or for a 3-week exploration charter this location is an ideal place to charter a yacht.

See our Annapolis yachts and guides!

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RACE – the ins and outs of RIVAS 49.9m Superyacht.

Riva is world-renowned for creating luxurious yachts – how does M/Y RACE compare?

Interior

At just under 50 meters, RACE is RIVA’s largest ever built superyacht, and haven’t they have done a marvelous job about it too. From bow to stern, she is every bit luxurious. But wouldn’t you expect that with the Officina Italiana Design, collaborating with Rivas in-house design team?!

Corsica, Sardinia, French riviera crewed Itinerary

RACE’s Cockpit

Maximizing space

The 7-meter tender (yes, seven-meter!) tender sits below in the garage come gym come beach club. Once the tender is launched and at anchor, the area will then transform into a luxurious private beach club area where you can sip on cocktails, swim off the back of the yacht and be at total ease.

Luxury Motor Yachts

Colour scheme

A mixture of white, greys, marble and mahogany which feels quite masculine. Bold, strong, and angular lines are a common theme with the design of RACE.

Luxury Yacht Charter Guide

Upper deck design

The upper deck continues to be awash of greys and whites, with a natural-light-flooded deck. Imagine sitting on the aft deck around a table, with glorious food and a backdrop to match.

Want to find out more? Or want to charter on something similar to RACE? Get in touch with one of our expert brokers who can provide the most suitable yacht on the market for your bespoke charter!

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GREECE vs CROATIA

A quick guide to choosing between Greece or Croatia for your next sailing vacation. Having sailed in both, and living in one I will take you through the noticeable differences between Greece and Croatia.

Overview

Greece or Croatia? Seems to be the most popular question in the charter industry to date. But which one? Which suits me better? What are the differences? Find it all here!

Charter fees

Due to Greece having more yacht stock, Greece comes out top when you want ‘more for your money’. On average, yachts tend to be between 500-1,500 euros more expensive in Croatia than in Greece.

Mooring fees

Having lived, and sailed extensively throughout Greece, I was shocked at the expense of mooring fees even in the off season in Croatia. In fact, in Greece we sometimes went weeks without paying for port fees, we just ate at the restaurants! I’m sure there are places in Croatia, but we didn’t find any.

Food prices

Croatia’s food was extremely well priced, and on this occasion, I would say that Croatia’s food was better priced than Greece. Having said this, Wine tends to be very expensive in Hvar!

Currency exchange

The dollar and the euro are almost equal with 1 euro being the same as 91 cents (28th if February). 1 dollar is the same as 6.82 Kuna (Croatian currency). Something to note is that Croatia will also accept euros. 1 GBP is currently worth 1.17 euros, and 1 GBP is 8.76 kuna.

Weather

During the most popular months of sailing (July and August), Greece on the east side (Cyclades, Sporades, Dodecanese) are to be avoided due to the Meltemi winds – while Croatia is absolutely fine to charter in, although can be crowded.

Air and Sea temperature

Due to geographic location, being closer to the equator Greece is typically a few degrees hotter than Croatia. During high season (July and August) it is not that noticeable. However, for the offseason such as September and October, Croatia can be fairly cold in the evenings as the wind funnels from eastern Europe.

Natural beauty

For the pure fact that Croatia has 7 National parks, all diverse with culture, Croatia wins this round. Although Greece is stunning, with turquoise bays, Croatia is just that bit more untouched. Especially around the Kornati which has nearly 100 unhabituated islands.

Distances

Sailing distances are roughly the same in terms of yacht hopping. If you are starting in Dubrovnic, sailing distances are slightly longer and therefore are better for a group who are really into their sailing. In Greece, especially around the Saronic and Ionian islands, sailing distances are short and around 2 – 3 hours between each island.

Culture

The main differences between the culture are that Croatia has stemmed from a soviet background and only fairly recently became its own country. Whereas Greece has continued to develop since the dawn of day. The architecture, foods and arts are vastly different are really just down to personal taste.

Flights

There are no direct flights to Split from JFK, it involved a stopover in London and can cost up to 900 GBP. For the same time, the price for a return flight from JFK direct is 590 GBP. Flights from the UK to both Split and Athens are extremely regular.

Getting to the ports

Hands down Croatia wins this one. During high season Athens is extremely busy, and the ports being even busier. The mains roads going through Athens can be blocked with traffic (mostly by sailors). Most of the Split ports in Croatia’s are within 15 – 20 minutes.

Still undecided? Speak with one of our yachts brokers today, we know because we go!

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Spend 2020 on a Belize Crewed Catamaran

If you’re looking to sample a new crewed catamaran destination, then you have to try a Belize yacht charter this season. Combining the rainforests of Central America with the translucent waters of the Caribbean Sea, Belize is an adventurers dream. Belize is a mixing pot of cultures so get ready for the best Caribbean lobster as you sip cold beer to the sound of the Garifuna drum. You’ll be in heaven!

Belize sits on the Mesoamerican reef, the second largest in the world. You are guaranteed some of the best snorkelling and diving found anywhere on the planet. The tradewinds blow at a steady 15-22 knots so you can make the most of wind and kitesurfing off your Belize crewed catamaran. There really is something for everyone!

The Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 TRANQUILO is one of our favourite Belize catamarans. She’s perfect for family charters exploring Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Join Captain Jesse and Karla as they show you their Belize highlights which will leave you wanting more. We’ve been before and want to go back!

So skip your yearly British Virgin islands sailing tradition and try something new in 2020. Speak to Broker Ben for unrivalled local insights to get the most out of your trip to Central America.

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