Looking to throw a little wrinkle into the typical yachting holiday in the Western Mediterranean? Our charter department put their heads together and came up with 5 cool things to do to make your next yachting holiday a truly unique experience.
The French island of Corsica is often overlooked by charterers who spend most of their time exploring nearby Sardinia. Corsica is downright beautiful, with a colorful history and unique culture and atmosphere. You’ll find an eclectic mix of old world charm infused with modern French style.
For a truly gourmet French food experience, visit Le Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa. The elegant décor, stunning ocean views and private jetty make this a fantastic destination for a late afternoon lunch. The seasonal creations of chef Pascal Cayeux, rival the finest fare in mainland France. Pascla creates gourmet twists on traditional fare, with vegetables and herbs from the kitchen’s own garden.
The interest in a Balearic Island yacht charter experience continues to grow each summer, as more yachts secure the required Spanish charter licenses to explore Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca. While the nightclubs of Ibiza have their own appeal, the idea of a pristine beach sounds pretty food as well.
Take for example the beach at Cala Marcella. You’ll need your yacht’s tender to get there as this beach is only accessible by boat (lucky you). On most weekdays, you can almost be sure to find a quiet spot on the white sands of Cala Marcella [Tip: avoid the weekend, as crowds of local boaters invade this idyllic cove]. If you feel adventurous, bring a pair of walking shoes ashore, as there is a walking route that you can hike to the neighboring beach of Macaraletta. Here, you can walk to the top of the cliff and experience some of the best ocean views in all of the Balearic islands.
At the base of the 110 meter high cliffs of Cappo Caccia, along the northwest corner of Sardinia, lies the entrance to the Grotto de Neptuno – a stalactite-filled cavern and saltwater lake. Land-based visitors can enter by climbing down 654 steps from the top of the cliff to explore the underground grotto. You on the other hand, can simply have your captain nose your yacht into the entrance of the caves!
For snorkelers and divers, the adventure gets deeper at the nearby Nereo Cave, considered the biggest marine cave in the Western Mediterranean. With 10 entrances, arches and tunnels, novices can snorkel in waist high water while experienced/certified divers can dive down to depths of 35 meters.
You’ve missed this event for this year, but it’s never too early to plan your 2017 summer charter. Every June 16, on the eve of the feast day of Saint Ranieri, the city of Pisa is aglow with 70,000 “lumini” (candles in glass containers). The reflection along the Arno river is mesmerizing. It’s a peaceful, tranquil setting and the warmth of the Pisa residents will touch your heart. If this doesn’t remind you how the superyacht experience allows you to embrace diverse cultures, nothing will!
Just off the coast of Cannes, in the South of France, lies the small island of Saint Honorat. Here, visitors will find a very unusual vineyard. It has 8 hectares of vines cared for entirely by the monks of the Abbey of Lerins. The monks tend to every aspect of winemaking. For instance, from planting the vineyard, to harvesting the grapes. Additionally, to making and bottling the wine.
Truly unique vintages found nowhere else, we recommend the Saint Cyprien Viognier with a seasonal Mediterranean meal served by the monks in their own restaurant. After dinner, you can finish the day with a tasting of the fruit liqueurs as you enjoy the company of the monks and their staff, in this peaceful Monastic enclave.
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In conclusion, 1-800 Yacht Charters offers summer itineraries from the Côte d’Azur to the ancient islands of Greece. For a sampling of our luxury yachts, visit our interactive website at 1800yachtcharters.com.
This entry was posted in Destinations Educational and tagged foodies, Cappo Caccia, Sardinia yacht charter, Grotto de Neptuno, Corsica, Blue Marino Underwater Caves, Menorca, Nereo Cave, Sardinia, Mallorca, Pisa, Western Mediterranean, Cannes, Epicurian - Culinary, Yacht charter Cannes, wine tasting, culinary delights, Cala Marcella beach, gourmet food, Le Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa
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First, take an iconic former world-record holding yacht launched in the 80’s. Second, add the allure of James Bond Agent #007. Third, toss in wads of dough for refinements and upgrades. The result is the spectacular, all-new Heesen motor yacht OCTOPUSSY.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters took advantage of an invitation to privately preview the “NEW” vessel near the owner’s winter home in Palm Beach, Florida, before the yacht enters the Bahamas yacht charter market.
“We received an invitation to see the yacht at the conclusion of a 7 million dollar refit,” beams Sheeder. “To be the first in the charter industry to see this yacht in person as it returns to the market is so exciting – we can’t wait to share our report and photos with our clients!“
Boarding to starboard, amidships and entering the interior passageway, visitors immediately catch a glimpse of the spectacular new décor by Jeff Lincoln of New York. Looking aft, the salon and dining area boast sumptuous fabrics and textures. Sheeder notes how the designer stayed true to a classic yachting theme.
“The clean lines defined by white-on-navy color patterns add a great, crisp nautical flair, similar to the classic nautical clothing designs of Ralph Lauren. You know you’re in a yacht but you feel like you’re in a modern New York City apartment. I also love how the blue highlights allow the interior areas to melt into the exterior decks and the dark blue hull.”
As Sheeder continues her tour of the yacht, crew members point out the numerous highlights of the refit.
“You can tell every mechanical system and all interior surface areas – from the headliner to the flooring and wallcovering, and all of the furniture – have been renewed or replaced,” says Sheeder.
Heesen yacht OCTOPUSSY further benefits from a remodeled stateroom plan – with a combination of Queen and Twin berths as well as two Pullman berths for small children.
Additional refit highlights include a new sundeck and extension of the uppermost deck. The deck is complete with raised sunpads and Jacuzzi-style hot tub. “Adding the small sundeck with a hot tub highly appeals to charter clients,” says Sheeder.
“Clients love to spend a day swimming and exploring the James Bond Thunderball Grotto in the Exumas in the Bahamas. There’s nothing like soaking sore muscles in a Jacuzzi hot tub as the sun sets over the ocean…”
Octopussy’s 1988 builder is Dutch shipyard Heesen. This iconic yacht is true to the James Bond theme that underlines all of the famous films. Whether a plane, car, or boat, it goes AMAZINGLY FAST! When first launched, the 143 foot vessel set a world record as the fastest superyacht in the world, hitting a top speed of 53.17 knots. “The added renovations, and extensions have slowed her down a bit,” says Sheeder, “but not by much.” Currently, the yacht can cruise at 25 knots, with a top speed of 35 knots.
“The combination of speed in a setting of comfort and panache makes this an ideal yacht for exploring the Bahamas,” explains Sheeder. “Other yachts are stuck offering the traditional charter itinerary in the general area of Nassau, but this incredible yacht can get to remote islands far removed from the tourist areas. After all, the idea is to enjoy a private yacht charter vacation – and this yacht can certainly deliver on that promise.”
Take the “James Bond Yacht Challenge” and win a prize!
Tell us the names of three 007–inspired yachts currently available for charter. These are yachts named after actual James Bond movies.
Need a hint? The yacht “Octopussy” is named after the 1983 film of the same name starring Roger Moore as James Bond. Now you only need to name two more!
Need another hint? Go to www.1800yachtcharters.com and use the SEARCH box in the top right corner of the homepage to search on names of James Bond movies.
Email the names of three charter yachts named after Bond 007 flicks to info@1800yachtcharters.com, and we’ll mail you a special gift!
[Note: actual spies and secret agents are not eligible to play!]
This entry was posted in News Yacht of the Week and tagged Thunderball, Grotto de Neptuno, hot tub, yacht charter Bahamas, OCTOPUSSY, sundeck, Bahamas, grotto, James Bond, motoryacht charter, Destinations, fast superyacht, Heesen, Refit, Jana Sheeder
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