Where to Charter in 2009 – Sardinia

Charter a Yacht in Sardinia(The fourth in our series of charter destinations that offer good value)

To many in the yachting world, Sardinia is synonomous with Porto Cervo, which is in turn synonomous with high end/expensive. However, if you’re looking for a great value charter destination for 2009, Sardinia may just be your perfect place.

Sardinia is a large island, and if you get outside of Porto Cervo, the prices come down dramatically. There are hundreds of great charter yachts available in ports such as Alghero, Carloforte, etc, and there are excellent itineraries you can plan from each port.  And of course, if you want to stop off in Porto Cervo for a day or two along the way, its up to you!

Once on the charter, food is excellent and low cost – you can do very well on pizza, pasta and antipasto!!

Here are two itineraries that may help you make your decision: The Gallurese coast in the north, and a sailing itinerary from Carloforte to Cagliari. Enjoy!

Where to Charter in 2009 – Turkey

A gorgeous gulet in Gocek Turkey(The third in our articles about where to charter for value in 2009)

We have raved about the wonderful Blue Cruises in Turkey: charters in beautiful wooden gulets along the pristine southeastern Coast of Turkey.  Gulets offer exceptional charter value – large crewed yachts with nice staterooms, ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, ample social areas and dedicated crew. The cost of a gulet can be literally 1/10th of a similar sized motor yacht, and you get the added benefit of being able to sail these storied waters, just as in ancient times.

In 2009, when everyone is looking for value, look no further than Turkey (Bodrum, Marmaris, Gocek amongst other ports) for a fabulous charter holiday that is affordable as well!

Click here for more information on Chartering a Gulet in Turkey.

Wellness and Spa Treatments – Yacht Charter with Extra Relaxation

Spa and Wellness Yacht CharterOne of the trends we’re seeing recently is the combination of a yacht charter with a variety of wellness and spa treatments.  These can be basic, such as healthy food and massage, to an elaborate regime managed by wellness specialists.  We believe this trend makes a lot of sense – there is a natural “wellness” component to just relaxing on a yacht, so adding physical and spiritual treatments and exercises such as yoga, massage, shiatsu, healthy cuisine and relaxation regimes goes along perfectly with the charter.

Next time you look for a charter, you may want to add a wellness component. Click here to find out more about spa/wellness charter yachts, and a sample listing of boats available.  Enjoy!

Where to Charter in 2009 – Thailand

A Thai Wat(The second in our series of where to Charter in 2009 to find fabulous destinations and value for money)

For those who have been to Thailand, it’s always an unforgettable experience. The culture, cuisine, friendly people and beautiful scenery can be quite addictive.  Add a charter yacht to the experience, so you can easily reach deserted beaches, avoid the crowds, and see the amazing rock formations in Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea, and you have one of the world’s best possible holidays.

And in these tough times, the fact that the cost of living in Thailand is inexpensive compared to home, makes it one of our favorites for 2009.

The majority of charter yachts are based in Phuket, where we have a wide range of sailboats, catamarans and motor yachts for charter – that will quickly take you away from your day to day stress, into the magic of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

There also other up and coming Thai destinations such as Koh Chang and Koh Samui. There are fewer charter yachts there, but that means even more undiscovered and pristine sailing grounds!!

To top it off, many of our charter operators and owners are offering amazing specials, throwing in free transfers, gourmet meals, wine, beer and thai massage!  If you’re interested, please contact our SE Asia office for full details.

Editors note: All through the recent problems in Thailand, Phuket operated completely
normally. Flights were diverted via Singapore, the Kings Cup Regatta and
Phuket Boat Show went ahead as normal in early December, and not a single
charter was cancelled!

Boatbookings.com offsets 25 Tons of CO2 in December

Save this penguin!Boatbookings.com ran a first-of-its-kind promotion in December 2008, where we bought carbon credits for each of its charters booked from 15 December to 31 December.  Through this program, we offset 25 tons of CO2, and most importantly, our charterers could enjoy themselves on their yachts knowing that they were not contributing to global warming.

The promotion is likely to be rerun several times throughout the year – Boatbookings.com is committed to taking the lead against climate change.