Charters

[j.hunter9999]

Next March is our 20th wedding anniversary. As such, we are
considering chartering for 7 to 10 days, somewhere we've never been.
We've chartered in the BVI/USVI and Grenadines on more than one
occasion. We mostly like places that are more remote. Smaller,
quaint villages, remote anchorages or moorings, etc.

We are actually considering Greece. Sunsail offers a charter out of
Vounaki that seems reasonable and diverse. In this case, we might go
in September 2008 or May 2009. (Although our preference is Feb/March
2009, we are open to alternatives.) We'd like something that won't
necessarily break the budget in combined air plus charter. But
considering it is our 20th anniversary, we expect to spend between
$4000 - $7000 without provisions.

Does anyone have suggestions on some locations to charter for about a
week? If you could do it all over again, where would you go? Which
places seem to have the best bargains in February/March? Which
charter companies come recommended? Which ones should definitely be
avoided? Is anyone planning to fly home for awhile and feel like
renting out their boat next March? Or do you know of someone in that
situation? (I know the last two are a long shot, but you don't know
if you don't ask.)

Our only real requirement is that we like warm weather. That means
where ever we end up will need to be 75F plus.

Thanks,

Jack
V2620
Bella

 

[j.hunter9999]

For clarification, we are looking for a bareboat.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[sailshiva]

What about a chartering a boat on the Canal Midi in S. France? Lovely, leisurely, beautiful.

Sheila

 

[archikumm]

Hi All,
Grece is fine, but be avare that water temperature in spring may be
low. Much better in September. You may eventually also consider
Croatia, but here it is the same: good temperatures of water you find
from end of mai til end of october.
Regards
Th. Kummer - architecte EPFL/SIA - rte d\'Entre-Roches 8 - 1372 Bavois
tel: 021 866 74 23 - fax: 021 866 74 26
archikum@...





Le 2 mars 09 à 00:52, j.hunter9999 a écrit :

 

[j.hunter9999]

Hey,
Thanks for the charter suggestions. I'll check out the south of
France and Croatia. Both sound like great spots!

Jack
V2620
Bella

 

[imbissfrank]

Jack,
A real favorite among European sailors is Turkey, also cheaper than France, Greece or Croatia.Frank Gallardo Jr
sv Cin Cin V-2184
"May the warm wind at your back not be your own"

 

[rogerefairest]

That is a very tough question about were to charter:

Turkey is slightly more expensive (food wise) that Greece (in particular if you drink alcohol) but restaurants are more entrepreneurial, putting up jetties or places to tie up for free as long as you eat at their restaurants, the food is very healthy the only problem is that harbours are not close by so you will have to anchor of bays which is not a bad thing (in particular since there are so many) unless the wind changes direction.

Greece has harbours in every island which could be as close as 20 nm, with quite commonly more than one harbour per island, some of them are very undeveloped from the turistic perspective (eg Lesvos) but the harbours are in the middle of towns and they (Greeks) do like their music loud and till late, however archeological sites are plentiful and the food is well priced (40 Eur should cover a decent meal for two including drinks in a middle priced restaurant at the waterfront).

Both places suffer from the Meltemi a wind that blows from the north sometime for days at a time in early spring (more common) which from what I understand the further east you go the less its impacts.

Croatia I don’t know much about the weather but the Adriatic gets warmer faster than the med and the towns are very European and fairy tail looking from what I have read with some of them only being accessible by sea which make them more appealing, I would be surprised if they are more expensive than Greece, a Serbian gentleman I knew told me "Croatia has the most beautiful coast of the Adriatic" do remember to don’t go to far north and don’t travel at night, they are close to Albania who is quite active in night traffic to Italy.

However I guess the attraction of France for an anniversary must almost be overwhelming!

Good luck choosing.

 

[j.hunter9999]

Great advice! We started looking at charters in Greece and will take a look at Turkey. We've always wanted to visit both. We've been to France, Italy and Spain, so we might try something different. Especially since je ne parle pas francais very well any longer.

We haven't done charters outside of the Virgin Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. So, it would be different either way. We usually stay at B&Bs that allow us to cook. So meal expenses are generally comparitively low. One of the reason's we like sailing.

Thanks for all the good advice so far!

Jack