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.
SAMPLE Lobster at Le Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa – Corsica.
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.
RELAX on the Beach at Cala Marcella – Menorca.
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.
EXPLORE the Blue Marino Underwater Caves – Sardinia.
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.
REJUVENATE your Spirit at the Luminaria – Pisa
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!
QUENCH your Thirst and Go Wine Tasting with Monks – Cannes
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, with 8 hectares of vines cared for entirely by the monks of the Abbey of Lerins. The monks tend to every aspect of winemaking, from planting the vineyard, to harvesting the grapes, 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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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 Western Mediterranean, Epicurian - Culinary, culinary delights, gourmet food, foodies, Sardinia yacht charter, Corsica, Menorca, Sardinia, Pisa, Cannes, Yacht charter Cannes, wine tasting, Cala Marcella beach, Le Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa, Cappo Caccia, Grotto de Neptuno, Blue Marino Underwater Caves, Nereo Cave, Mallorca
Posted onSardinia has been on everyone’s radar for the past few weeks. First, we heard how Steven Spielberg, with Gwyneth Paltrow in tow, ran afoul of the local authorities as the tender to his superyacht, motoryacht SEVEN SEAS cruised too close to island beachgoers.
Then, we reported on the Perini Navi yacht charter fleet preparing for early September’s sailing regatta against the beautiful backdrop of Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
So exactly where is Sardinia and what is the allure that draws so many sailors and visitors?
Sardinia is Italy’s second largest island as well as the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is famed for its beautiful beaches and fascinating history. The nearest land masses are (clockwise from north) the French island of Corsica, the Spanish Balearic Islands, and the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, and Tunisia.
For Atlas lovers, the island of Sardinia is situated between 38° 51′ and 41° 15′ latitude north and 8° 8′ and 9° 50′ east longitude. To the west of Sardinia is the Balearic Sea; to Sardinia’s east is the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Over many centuries the island has survived countless invasions by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs. Local festivals on the island still reflect the long-lasting impact of those cultures.
Numerous castles, villages, temples and tombs cover the countryside, and with its perfect summer weather, tourists arrive in droves, some via Mediterranean yacht charter vessels, but many more via ferry service from the Italian mainland.
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Have you been to Sardinia? Please tell us about your experiences!
For a sample yachting itinerary of the Italian Riviera, including Sardinia, contact our destination specialists at https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/ .
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Caribbean Special Events Frequently Asked Questions and tagged Steven Spielberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Porto Cervo, Spain yacht charter, Italy yacht charter, Sardinia yacht charter, yacht charter Mediterranean, Seven Seas, Tyrrhenian Sea
Posted onHoping to fill the last remaining gap in her preseason calendar, Italian-built motor yacht GALAXY is offering a 9 night charter for the price of 7.
The 56m Benetti yacht GALAXY is offering the discount for any charter booked between 26 May and 15 June 2013, embarking from the South of France.
Captain Luke Humphries and his crew have a great reputation in the Mediterranean yacht charter market, and are keen to welcome clients on board.
KEY FEATURES
Owner’s suite with his and hers bath, office, and observation lounge with panoramic views
Sleep up to 12 guests in 6 cabins – each finished in a range of exotic woods including eucalyptus, European plane tree, and Burma teak
Guest elevator between all four decks
Indoor/outdoor dining area with sliding glass panels on the bridge deck
Sundeck featuring a large Jacuzzi, ample lounge and sunpad areas, and a gymasium with panoramic views
RYA Personal Water Craft training school and an impressive collection of water toys
Benetti yacht charter vessel GALAXY is priced at a weekly rate of Euro € 255,000, plus running expenses.
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This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Special Offers Yacht of the Week and tagged benetti yacht charter, motoryacht charter, special rate, specials, elevator, Sardinia yacht charter, Western Mediterranean yacht charter, Galaxy, RYA training school, sample itinerary, Italian yacht
Posted onDuring the recently concluded industry-only Mediterranean Yacht Charter show in Genoa, Italy, it was announced that the 3 year old Sardinia Luxury Tax has been abolished.
The repeal of the Sardinia Luxury Tax is especially good news to charter enthusiasts considering a Mediterranean yacht charter vacation this summer. The law stipulated that mega yacht and superyacht vessels berthed in any port in Sardinia had to pay up to €15,000 Euros for their sojourn.
Fulvio Luise, Managing Partner of Luise Group, made the announcement at the Genoa gathering of 65 megayacht charter vessels and dozens of yacht charter brokers and yachting journalists. Said Luise, “This is a very significant step forward for everyone who works in the yachting and luxury sector in Sardinia.”
On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, the local regional government of Sardinia approved
Article 2 of the Financial Regional Act. The approval of this act effectively cancels the law known as the “luxury tax” in Sardinia. This tax, in effect since 2006, was felt throughout the tourism industry and had a serious negative effect on the local tourism economy.
Il Consorzio Rete dei Porti Sardegna (The Consortium of Sardinian Touristic Ports) is pleased about the cancellation. In a released statement, the consortium said, “In the past three years, there has been a decline of approximately 50 per cent in the number of yachts present in Sardinian ports. This tax had a visibly negative result on Sardinia’s image as a premier vacation destination worldwide.”
As other regions in the Mediterranean were actively trying to promote their regions, in
particular with regards to high quality tourism, the tax in Sardinia had an opposite effect.
“Despite our best efforts in the past three years to help clients understand this tax, we faced enormous challenges and incurred a drop of approximately 20-25 per cent each year in superyacht vessels traveling to Sardinia,” stated Renato Azara, Managing Partner of Sardinia Yacht Services. “We have been working very closely with the local authorities for the past three years, first in trying to have modifications made to the law, and secondly in its cancellation. We were successful on both points.”
The megayacht industry, especially as it relates to luxury yacht charter, is an important
economic component of Sardinia’s tourism industry. Owners of mega yacht and superyacht vessels attending the Genoa show expressed pleasure. As one owner stated, “We now have a positive relationship with the local authorities, and they have a full understanding of the potential of this market for Sardinia.”
This entry was posted in News and tagged Mediterranean yacht charter, Sardinia yacht charter, Sardinia, tourism, luxury tax, abolished tax, Il Consorzio Rete dei Porti Sardegna, Genoa yacht show, taxes to charter yachts
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