Mexico, exotic and vivacious, is a unique destination where you can charter a yacht, cruise along the coastline and follow the carnival parties. The culture includes more than 5000 traditional festivals throughout the year so there always seems to be a reason to celebrate! These celebrations, known as Fiestas are particularly colourful and include large parades, fireworks, dancing, decorations, parties and any other frivolities that can come to mind. The bigger upcoming Fiestas include the DÃa de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Day, Patron Saint of Mexico) on the 12th December, Navidad (Christmas)on 25th December and Año Nuevo (New Years Day) on December 31st to January 1st. So don your sombrero, get on a yacht in Mexico and join them in a spot of tequila slamming and latino dancing on your charter party adventure. Viva Mexico!
Boats still available in Phuket for Christmas and New Years Charters
Nearly unheard of at this late date, there are still good sailboats available for bareboat and crewed charters in Phuket. So if you’ve been waiting to book your charter in Phuket, and want to see the glorious Andaman Sea and James Bond Rock, feast on Thai food, and enjoy the warm welcome always provided by the Thai people – now’s the time to book your Christmas Charter. The weather is normally superb during these holidays.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show News: Presenting the DSe Hybrid Yacht, a Green Motor Yacht
Last week's Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show offered the stage to a debate over whether motor yachts can be environmentally friendly. Presented and showcased was the DSe Hybrid 
Yacht by Island Pilot which combines a diesel engine with a 6kW array of solar panels. Capable of cruising at 6knots using only electricity (emission free and produced by the solar panels and generators) and 8knots with the diesel engine, the maximum speed she can achieve is 15knots with both systems operating simultaneously. There are plans to incorporate wind turbines into the design before it goes into commercial production further improving her green capabilities. Recently, many other highly regarded manufacturers in the marine industry have introduced their own hybrid vessels such as the Hinckley Company, Scout Boats and Frauscher Bootswerft and reports of other large production manufacturers investing in research into hybrid propulsion are making their way through the grapevine. Another advantage of the hybrid motor boat is the silent serenity you experience when the noisy diesel engines are turned off and don't forget, sailing yachts are the original hybrid vessels utilising wind first and foremost.
These are all considered steps in the right direction to making the industry eco-friendly, the insurance company Travelers has answered to pressure from the consumer market to encourage these developments by becoming the first insurance company to offer a hybrid auto insurance discount in the States, the opportunity to offset the carbon produced by burning fuel has also become a popular way to overcome the problem of enjoying yachts whilst not damaging the environment. However, many environmentalists would probably agree that there is still a long way to go before the green-stamp can be put on the yachting-industry.
Some information courtesy of Greenmuze and the Insurance Journal.
Classic Yachts make a comeback
These days, the yachting industry is heavily focused on the Super and Mega Yachts that exude wealth, extravagance and paparazzi appeal, but there are those out there that still want to experience yachting as it was originally intended and this has seen the comeback of interest in 
Classic Yachts. Many of these yachts are between 50 to 100 years old, with some even older, and can offer you an awe-inspiring insight to the elegance and glory that many of our forefathers enjoyed and that the owners of these graceful yachts get so passionate about.
Classic yachts are lovingly cared for and generally in near-perfect condition, gleaming with burnished fixtures, polished decks and highly crafted woodwork. Despite their age, the modern amenities expected on yachts are not forgotten about so your comfort is never compromised. But perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of these yachts is that you can really learn about them; how they work, how they have been built, where they have been and how they sail as the crew are so proud to show off the prowess of their yacht's classic beauty that they will be only too pleased to answer your questions and indulge your curiousity.
Chartering in the Maldives – it’s childsplay!
The idyllic Maldives has long been associated with honeymooners and romantic getaways for couples wanti
ng to enjoy each other’s company without the familiar sound of children screaming and jumping in the pool – so it may come as a surprise that one of the top resort hotels, Diva, is now pushing and promoting their kids’ clubs, and many other top resort hotels are following suit. Despite worries that young families on holiday might ruin the tranquility that so many holiday makers in the Maldives love, there is plenty of beach to go around.
The Maldives make an ideal destination for a family holiday; shallow waters, white sandy beaches, all the water sports in the world under a perfect blue, sun drenched sky, and now is the perfect time to book up and go! There is still time to charter a yacht in the Maldives to get some winter sun, and now you can take the whole family with you!
Information courtesy of the Times online.