Bareboat - Greece, Turkey, Croatia?

[Ducati]

Next September we would like to bareboat in Europe.

Would like some suggestions from those who have been there before.

Our criteria:
Easy to fly into from NYC/USA.
Airport close to charter base.
Good currency value based on our US dollar.
Something interesting to do on shore (landmarks/history/tours etc).
Looking to eat some great local food.
Interesting sailing areas with some challenging navigation/winds.
No Somalia pirates...just kidding.

Looking forward to some great replies.

Duc

 

[George H260]

Several years ago we did two weeks in the Greek Islands. Picked up the boat in Rhodes and visited a number of the Greek Islands. Short days sails to each island. Mild weather easy sailing. Some of the spots were pretty crowded by early afternoon and there was a lot of rafting needed.

We had to get back to work, but the couple we sailed with were teachers on summer break and they spend another month in Turkey which turned out to be uncrowded.

Corotia is now the hot spot. I'd go with Moorings or one of the other familar names that have set up shop in that area. Split & Dubrovnik are still among my favorite memories. Things have settled down there now and the US $$$ is very welcome.

 

[Benny]

Sail Croatia, excellent value ($$$) and everyone speaks english.

 

[Louis]

My first sailing experience was a two week bareboat trip in Greece with my brother & sister-in-law. We flew into the city/town of Prevsa and the boat harbor was a short taxi ride away. We sailed around islands in the Ionian Sea (Cephalonia, Lefkas, Ithica and many others) It was fantasic! This is the ancient land of Ulysses, and you can feel the historic character of it. That trip eventually led to my learning to saill and finally buying a boat this year. We went in early September so the rates were quite reasonable compared to summer rates. There were not many other boats at that time of the year, so most of the time we would have a lovely secluded anchorage all to ourselves. Lanquage was not a problem as many people speak English. Food was great! Not many fancy restaurants, but loads of tavernas that serve incrediblly fresh fish, vegetables and meat. Sandy, the skipper, had been to the area before, but used a Pilot Guide to the area which he consulted very often and found useful. If you decide to go to that area, get in touch with me as I have the name and publisher of the book. I have been to Greece several times and I have always found Greeks to be very warm and accomodating to visitors. The four of us are in the planning stages for a trip next year and choice is whether to return to Greece or try Croaita. Let us know what you choose and tell us about your adventures when you do go.

 

[nightowle]

We took a 2 wk bareboat charter through Sunsail out of Kremik early June. It was a great arrangement bc we sailed only 1 way to Dubrovnik. Reasons to go:
1. easy navigation
2. wonderful sights - both the smaller places and larger towns
3. nice people
4. clean and mostly unspoiled
5. best dollar value (they're not on the Euro like greece). Prices are comparable to the US. No great bargain, but no tragic currency loss.

Reasons not to go:
1. High cost to dock or moor up (also have to pay nightly in natl parks).
2. Food is uneventful and same menu everywhere (little creativity). Food is fresh and decent, but not too exciting. Wine is passable. Beer is good.
3. Not easy to get to.....need to most likely pass through a gateway city in western europe before flying to Split or Dubrovnik. Watch out with flight schedules.....some flights are through Belgrade and don't always show that as a stopover or change plane situation.
4. Summer season can be very crowded, so plan accordingly - late May and early June is good. I imagine Sept. will be too.

Summing up.....it was a great trip and worth the effort. the sights were truly remarkable, and sailing weather just fine. Good luck