Hôtel Metropole | French Riviera Yacht Charter

This week, we continue our series on where to stay before your summer yacht charter with our South of France edition. We could easily have selected the Hotel de Paris in Place du Casino or the Hotel Hermitage in Square Beaumarchais, but the Hôtel Metropole is another standout resort for you to enjoy before your French Riviera yacht charter.

You will fly into Nice International Airport and transfer to Monaco. Your Boatbookings Broker can organise a transfer with one of our Chauffeurs, a Van Dutch motor yacht or Helicopter. Enjoy lunch at 1 Michelin starred Yoshi, sampling some of the most authentic Japanese cuisine in Europe. After lunch, pamper yourself all afternoon in the Givenchy Spa, before dinner at the 2 Michelin starred Joël Robuchon. There is no better way to prepare before your French Riviera yacht charter.

Yoshi at Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo

Embarking at the Royal Yacht Club in Monaco is the perfect place to meet your superyacht before exploring St Jean Cap Ferrat, Cannes and St Tropez. There is no better time to book your Cannes yacht charter and work with your Boatbookings Broker to secure your port places, beach club reservations and design your bespoke itinerary.

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Ben Sutton

Dazzling Dufour

Overlooking the Bay of Biscay is home to one of the biggest shipbuilders in the world – Dufour. Dufour is unrivaled in its quality of yacht building, from hand lamination to their meticulous yacht assembly. Italian designed, but 100% French made, Dufour has the style and sophistication you would expect by these two style orientated countries. Dufour works closely with Umberto Felci, world-class naval architects, who together have created yachts that deliver elegance, performance, and comfort – a truly luxurious yacht.

Due to Dufour`s comfortable sail, and easy maneuverability, Dufour’s are very popular in the Mediterranean especially in Greece and Italy. Dufour`s are no stranger to winning awards and regattas. Amongst the many awards and nominations, the Dufour Grand Large 520 was awarded the 2018 Boat of the year by Cruising World. Besides the obvious beauty, the Dufour`s distinctive design sets them apart from other yacht designers.

A Dufour yacht is characterized by a well-balanced hull ensuring she`s stable even under sail. Dufour has reduced its wettage surface (area below the water line) to increase her performance but not compromising on her comfortable sail. It`s small design ideas like this that attracts sailing enthusiasts from all over the world to charter a Dufour.

We have some of the newest Dufour’s in the Mediterranean. With 2019 yachts based in the best sailing areas in the world such as Greece and Croatia be sure to get in touch! To secure a booking for your summer charter simply enquire here!

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Alice Newnham

Amalfi Crewed Yacht Charter Itinerary Inspiration

Food, glorious food. There is no better way to celebrate time with friends and family than sitting around the table, sharing good food and conversation. As a world of ‘foodies’, this once simple requirement has turned into an obsession. Don’t leave anything to chance and charter a yacht with your very own private chef this summer. If you’re looking for a destination, head to Italy. Where else will you find better Mediterranean gastronomy?

Naples, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is on everyone’s bucket list. Home to active volcanoes, quaint hilltop villages, underwater grottoes and no less than 17 Michelin starred restaurants, the area truly has something for everyone. Italy, however, offers more than just fine dining. Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the birthplace of Pizza. If you want great Neapolitan Pizza with a modern twist, head to 50 Kalò on Piazza Sannazaro. Our personal recommendation is the Kalò pizza, which combines perfectly prepared sourdough bases with the best local ingredients. The result is pure perfection.

Ischia, Gulf of Naples

C/0 Lo Scoglio, Ischia

Our Brokers always recommend visiting Ischia on your 7 day Amalfi Coast yacht charter itinerary. Ischia lies 15 nautical miles west of Naples, yet feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of our favourite anchorages is to the south of Castello Aragonese, the perfect place to enjoy lunch at anchor and an afternoon full of water sports. If you’re feeling like something lighter for dinner, take a terrace table at Lo Scoglio on Via Cava Ruffano. Using the very best ingredients grown on the island, you will savour authentic Italian cuisine.

Nerano, Amalfi Coast

C/O Conca del Sogno, Nerano

The Amalfi coast stretches 1,231 hectares between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, featuring 40 km of coastline. The result is some of the best fish and seafood in the Mediterranean, simply prepared and matched with produce from the land. Conca del Sogno on Via Amerigo Vespucci in Nerano is one of our top recommendations for lunch. Start with simple Spaghetti alle vongole before trying the umptious octopus. Prepare to be blown away!

Get in touch today

We love the Amalfi Coast and know you will too. Speak to the Boatbookings Team today to start planning your tailor made Italian adventure.

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Ben Sutton

Bags and electrical devices – how what where and when?!

What type of bag shall I bring?

Hold bag
This is probably one of the most important parts of packing especially on a sailing holiday. With exceptions to the super yachts, space is incredibly valuable on yachts. With space being utilized at every corner the last thing you want is a hardback case! Opt for soft, duffle bag style. Helly Hanson does a good range of sailing bags. Yachts like Dufour, and Bavaria have designed their cabins so you can store bags under their beds.

Hand luggage bag
If you can opt for a backpack instead of a shoulder bag. Just because you are on a sailing holiday does not mean that you will not walk anywhere! Your anchorages which you will visit will have areas where you can hike/investigate. By having a backpack you can pack lunch, bring clothes, cameras while keeping both hands free. Also, when provisioning and picking up yet another 600000 bottles of water you are able to carry it on your back which is far better for your body.

Waterproof bag
You can buy specialized waterproof bags that will keep the content 100% dry. They are fairly cheap, I brought one from Amazon for under £15. This might be deemed a little over the top, but when going ashore in the dingy I was so thankful! It’s also great for protecting a change of clothes and food.

What can I plug into a yacht?

How can I charge my IPhone on a boat?!
Most modern yachts now have USB chargers in cabins and on the nav table which you can plug your devices directly in to. Something to note is the charing rate. When not hooked up to shorepower your devices will charge at a much slower rate. A lot of the yachts available to charter will still have the 12V charger socket (old cigarette port) I would definitely recommend purchasing a 12V plug. They’re super cheap and available almost everywhere. Remember, just like a car, if your charging devices and your engine isn’t on, you are draining the battery!

Hairdryers / Straightening tongs
I would advise limiting the amount of heat you are adding to your hair. The elements are currently trying to destroy your locks of beautiful hair! A lethal combination of Salt, sun, and wind will damage your hair. However, for those that have frizzy unruly hair, this is sometimes not an option! Most marinas will have hairdryers, or somewhere where you can plug into. On yachts it’s slightly different. Yachts are all slightly different when it comes to the larger energy sockets. These plugs only tend to work when hooked up to shore power. They tend to drain a lot of battery power so avoid using these appliances when you are sailing/free swinging.

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Alice Newnham

Heesen Launches 50m MASA Superyacht

Heesen have just launched MASA, their eighth yacht from the 5000 Aluminium Class. Omega Architects, responsible for designing the exteriors, created a stunning sporty profile. MASA will undergo extensive sea trials before delivery to her owners in time for the Mediterranean summer season.

Heesen Superyacht Masa will accommodate 12 guests in 6 stunning cabins. Accommodation spaces will include the main deck master stateroom, as well as five suites below deck. MASA runs twin MTU 16V 4000 diesel engines, which propels her along at a top speed of 23 knots. Wherever the owners cruise this summer, Masa will turn heads in every Mediterranean hotspot; watch this space Cannes, Monaco and St Tropez!

Although MASA will not be available for charter, Heesen Motor Yachts are superb charter yachts. Offering excellent craftsmanship and build quality, charter guests will enjoy impressive leisure facilities, entertaining spaces and unparalleled comfort. We have a fantastic range available throughout the world and your Boatbookings Charter Broker will be happy to prepare a presentation for your review.

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Ben Sutton