At a recent open house in Fort Lauderdale, Boatbookings was invited to tour 190’ Mi Sueño, launched last month from Trinity Yachts and available for charter in the Western Mediterranean. Mi Sueño incorporates all of the elements of style and design that continue to distinguish Trinity yachts as a very desirable charter brand.

Stewart Bridges of Patrick Knowles was pleased to show us around the spectacularly luxurious yacht. Classically sophisticated interiors integrate an abundance of exotic Honduras Mahogany, Wengé, Maple Burl and Lace Woods. The entry flooring is sumptuously laid out in Cosmos granite with Sahara Gold inlaid border. The entry way also features special storage for close to 500 bottles of wine.

Mi Sueño features accommodations in six generously proportioned ensuite staterooms with an optional smaller seventh cabin, regularly configured as the gym, that is equipped with four Pullmans suitable for staff, nanny or body guards. A two-person wheelchair accessible elevator conveniently services three interior decks.

The split level, full-beam master suite, located on the main deck, measures a voluminous 800 square feet.The king bed, positioned on the upper level, faces an arc of panoramic windows for spectacular 180 degree views. A lounge area with TV is just a couple of steps down and there’s a private office area off to the starboard side.

The yacht is designed with voluminous deck spaces and the flybridge is equipped for touch and go helicopter operations. On the upper level a large Jacuzzi, a small cold water pool and a bar entertainment area beckon outdoor fun. A maximum of 14 guests will enjoy being totally pampered by the expert crew of 16, dedicated to providing the perfect charter experience.

Length Overall: 189.99’

Beam: 33.33’

Draft: 8.01’

Max Speed:19 Cruise Speed: 17 Range: 4,000

Fuel Capacity: 22,002 Gal Water Capacity: 3,500 Gal

Engines: Twin Caterpillar 3516-CHD

Quantum XT Zero Speed Stabilizer

The main lecture at the MYBA Yacht Charter Show on Tuesday featured knowledgeable captains discussing some of their favorite destinations.  Their recommendations:

Corsica to Sardinia.

By capt James Pitman, HEAVENLY DAZE

These two amazing mediterranean islands offer great beaches, chic and glamorous restaurants and nightlife for where celebrities and the rich and famous hang out. They also offer incredible beauty and solitude.  And, because they are in close proximity to the French and Italian Coasts, they are easy to get to and offer a full array of luxury yachts.

See our Corsica Yacht Charter Guide and our Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide for further information and itinerary ideas.

Greece – Kalamaki to Kithira

Everyone has heard of Santorini, but for a different experience featuring ancient history and quiet beaches, try Kalamaki to Kithira. Simplicity is the key word says captain Berdos Evangelos, SUNCOCO, meaning relaxation, beauty, and calm.

We have an excellent itinerary for this area starting in Kalamaki.

Turkey

Turkey has vast shoreline and charter areas. Here’s an extended luxury yacht tour of the highlights.

Istanbul and the famous Bosporus is great for larger yachts. Atakoy marina is just 8km from airport.Make sure you have some time to spend exploring famous Istanbul.

Cesme offers white beaches nightlife.

Bodrum on the southwest tip of Turkey is hot spot for charterers, especially luxury Gulets for Blue Cruises. It offers nightlife, good restaurants and history. Bodrum features a classic wooden Gulet regatta 19 – 24 Oct 2010 – Bodrum cup – a sight to behold!

Delikada has mud baths and sea turtles only local tenders are allowed in the area.

Gocek quiet unspoilt 12 islands in the area. Simple local restaurants for essence of Turkish culture.

Fethiye. Rafting and river fishing as well as the Butterfly valley

Kalkan. Three ancient sites to visit.

Kas. Fishing village. Best diving in the region.

Kekova. Sunken city take a boat drop anchor. Glass bottom boats take you to see the sunken city. No diving or snorkeling without escort.

Finike. Home of St Nicholas. Santa claus.

Ending Antalya. Beautiful resorts. 40 mins from marina to city. Preserved antique theatre for 1500 people.

Boatbookings has experts on all of the above charter regions, and shares the captain’s love for them! We’d be happy to discuss a luxury charter in any of these regions.

1. Emerald Coast (Costa Esmeralda)

This strictly defined 10-kilometre strip of coastline in the Northeast is still the most famous address in Sardinia for elegance and luxury, and is the “The Hotspot” for the international jetset.

The architecture of Porto Cervo as its “capital” embodies the dream of an idyllic Mediterranean village without any irritations of real life… Porto Cervo exults in its exclusivity, with a glittering yachting marina as its centerpiece.

Don´t be suprised to meet Kate Moss, Flavio Briatore or Silvio Berlusconi when you sip a coffee in one of the gorgeous little bars in the grotto-like shopping arcade in Porto Cervo´s centre. And be sure to admire all of the Super Yachts anchored just offshore!

2. Tavolara

The Island of Tavolara belongs to a protected marine area in the Northeast of Sardinia which is rich in Mediterranean colours with a numerous series of inlets, sandy beaches, stunning bays and promontories.

The Tavolara is a true limestone edifice that is  600 meters  high, 4 km long and 1 km wide. Its plateau really looks like a big table. The high cliffs drop straight into a uniquely coloured sea creating a perfect marine sanctuary where sea species which are strictly protected.

The present King Tonino runs “Da Tonino,” one of the two quaint little restaurants on the island that offer extraordinary fresh seafood.

Don´t miss the unique opportunity to visit the “Cinema Tavolara” if you visit Sardinia around the 20th of July when the island hosts a famous event called „Una Notte In Italia“ (One Night In Italy). For three evenings a variety of independent Italien movies are presented underneath the stars in the beauty of a wild and romantic scenery.

3. Cagliari´s Old Town

Cagliari´s Castello quarter is the most atmospheric part of Sardinia´s capital in the South of the island, a dense warren of alleys girded by thick walls.

Walk the streets of this historical district and discover the cosmopolitan flair of this unique town where culture, folklore and cuisine are not clichés. You´ll find a great range of restaurants and lively places for ice creams and late-night drinks around the Via Sardegna, Via Roma and Piazza Yenne.

4. Alghero

Alghero on the Northwest coast of Sardinia is real treasure with a strong Catalonian influence. It underwent Spanish colonisation for a lengthy period of time which left its mark on the local language and in many vivid traditions.

The old town centre on the sea front with its architecture, the labyrinthine network of narrow, car-free lanes and quaint little shops is reminiscent of the Gothic quarter in Barcelona.

Numerous bars, cafes and restaurants preserve Alghero’s reputation for excellent wines and seafood like the famous „Aragosta alla Catalana“ (Catalonian–style Lobster).

5. Cala Gonone

Hugging the coastline at the base of the mountains, Cala Gonone was once only accessible by boat.

A tunnel carved through the mountains now connects this town to Dorgali, the centre of the renowened Cannonau wine-growing region in the East of Sardinia.

Cala Gonone’s profound beauty and hidden charm is all about its high mountains, archaeological wonders, a postcard-perfect harbor and secluded beaches – including the famed Cala Luna, where both versions of the film “Swept Away”, the 1975 original and 2001 Madonna remake, were filmed.

The Bue Marino Grotto near Cala Gonone is definitely worth a visit and can be accessed only by boat. ” La Grotta del Marino” is famous for being one of the last habitats of the monk seal and for the height of some of the caves. There are traces that show the presence of man since ancient times as early as the Neolithic Age, when it was probably used as a place of worship.

6. Chia

The area around Chia in the South combines a deserted cliff-hung coastline sheltering numerous idyllic small beaches in a perfect way and is definitely a “Must see”!

7. Carloforte

Carloforte is a picturesque fishing village located on Isola di San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Island), world renowned for it’s tuna fish, which is coveted by the best restaurants in Japan.

Located approximately 7 km from the South Western Coast of Sardinia, its pastel-coulored houses and cobbled streets, Carloforte maintains the charm and intrigue of an ancient village.

The “Girotonno” is the main event of the summer which crowns this tasty fish dish, prepared in thousands of ways, as king of the cuisine, in a huge feast of flavours and taste and everyone is invited to attend!

8. Castelsardo

The small town of Castelsardo in the North of Sardinia is set on a rock overlooking the sea and an extraordinary example of Medieval town that developed around the castle, with the old town walls still intact.

The historical town centre is no doubt the most interesting part. In the surrounding area the Elephant Rock, a prehistoric tomb that was shaped like an elephant by the atmospheric agents, is worth a visit as well as the old monastery and a few nuraghes nearby.

9. La Maddalena & Caprera

La Maddalena is the only inhabited island of the Northeastern archipelago which is made up of 7 large islands and around 20 islets in the Strait of Bonifacio. From here you can easily reach Caprera where Giuseppe Garibaldi spend the last years of his life. His house and tomb are national monuments and can be visited daily from 9:00am to 6:00 pm

The Maddalena Seapark is an irresistible attraction for those who love the sun, the sea and seek a one-of-a-kind connection to nature in its purest form.

10. Capo Testa & Santa Teresa Gallura

Capo Testa is the most Northern point of Sardinia. The rocky coast has been shaped by the winds of time, transforming the immense granite stone into sculptures that will peak your imagination. An old lighthouse, overlooking Cala di Luna, casts its guiding light to the white cliffs that mark the entrance to the port of Bonifacio, Corsica.

Neighbouring Santa Teresa Gallura with its unique natural harbour is a portrait of an enchanting costal village with excellent leisure facilities and the perfect base for a sailing trip to Corsica.

—————————————————-

This is our list from our Sardinina Charter Expert, Regina Laqua.  Please let us know your lists!  And be sure to read all about Chartering in Sardinia in our Sardinia Charter Guide.

We’ve just sent our Xmas and New Years Newsletter, with special offers in Thailand, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mauritius and elsewhere. Still availability left if you want to go for it, or we also have suggestions for Yachts you can put under the tree as a present for next summer!

If you’ve signed up for the newsletter, you’ve already received it, otherwise, you can just click here for all the offers and details.  Or you can click her to see our Xmas Specials.

Regina Laqua, one of the newer members to the Boatbookings team, is the local charter representative for Sardinia, Italy.  She has lived on this beautiful Mediterranean island for  5 years and is constantly discovering something new and wonderful to share with others about this not-so-secret hideaway of the rich and famous.  Here are some of her impressions about yacht charter on the Island of the Emerald Coast.

Q – Sardinia is best known as the holiday-hot-spot for celebrities and the rich.  What makes it so special for you?

In a word, beauty.  Unique untouched nature, incredible scenery, and pristine waters and beaches are a large part of what makes it a special place to call home. Even though it’s known as a celebrity hot spot, the vast majority of the island is virtually untouched and timeless.  I need also to mention the sincere friendliness of the inhabitants.

Q – How does it compare to other European island destinations?

Sardinia is truly unlike any other place in the Mediterranean – weather, water, wind all in the right places keep every type of yachting enthusiast happily coming back to Sardinia to discover more. The Emerald coast is legendary for exclusive experiences, on land or on board your yacht.

By cruising along the coastline under motor or sail, or by making an excursion inland, away from the glitz and glamour, you will discover that Sardinia remains surprisingly anonymous and you will find enchanting coves and deserted beaches as well as ancient villages forgotten by time.

Q – As you’ve described, Sardinia has been attracting the rich and famous for years. Has the economic crisis impacted the charter business?

Surprisingly no. Many charter seekers have kept their holiday plans intact. The wide variety of options through our partners give Boatbookings.com customers every advantage to enjoy their personal charter experience in this special place.

Also, the fact that the Italian government got rid of the luxury tax they had imposed on private yachts and jets (which was keeping people away), helped increase the numbers of the well-heeled who come here.

Q – What makes Sardinia such a perfect destination for any kind of yacht charter?

Sardinia’s coastline remains uncluttered from high rise hotels and is an extraordinary sailing destination with hundreds of secluded coves, picture-book beaches and dramatic rock formations as well as numerous beautiful natural anchorages.

The excellent infrastructure of Sardinia’s marinas, which have about 30 sea miles between each of them, provides for comfort at any time when cruising coast or exploring the islands.

It doesn’t matter if you are on board a mega yacht or at the helm of a modest sail boat, you will always find a point on the horizon that begs to be discovered.

See our Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide for more complete information.

Q – What are the weather conditions like during a typical season?

Sardinia enjoys long warm summers with predictable winds and ideal conditions for the intermediate to more experienced sailor. The more constant winds along the north-eastern coast means that most sailors favour  the Emerald coast.

Two winds ensure the perfect conditions for dynamic sailing: The Chirocco, coming from the  South (Sahara) and the Maestrale (Mistral), which blows down from the North. The Maestrale mostly blows along the west coast, and is a very powerful west to northwest wind, while the south to southeast wind prevails on the east coast.

If you take on any sailing foray in Sardinia’s waters you should either be a very competent sailor yourself or take an experienced skipper with you (which of course we can arrange!). It is also very important to familiarize yourself with the area’s nautical literature and navigational requirements.

Q – What kind of Charter Yachts do you have, and where do people normally charter from?

The variety of yachts for charter in Sardinia is amazing – you can get anything from a water ski boat to a Super Yacht, Monohulls, Catamarans, you name it.  If you give us enough lead time, we can generally find just about any boat you need (things get a bit more difficult in July and August!).

We have yachts available from 15 ports, all over the island. The ports with the most yachts are Porto Cervo, Portisco and Alghero, but if you have a destination in mind, let us know!  Here is our up-to-date list of charter yachts available in Sardinia.

Q – Do you have a favourite story from a charter?

Well it’s not a favourite story because my client wasn’t able to really go on his charter, but it does highlight the love of the sea and the special friendliness of the Sardinians:

A Danish couple – he is an advanced sailor – booked and paid for a weekly  bareboat charter at the last minute.  Everything was ready and prepared, and the water and wind conditions perfect.

On the day of embarking I received a phonecall: the charterer had broken his arm on his way to the airport to catch the flight to Sardinia.  He had cancellation insurance but after our phone call the couple decided to come anyway instead of canceling, just one day later. They felt they would be in “good hands” with us and wanted to sniff the sea breeze. In the end they spent a very happy week onboard their  sailboat…  at base!… without sailing (but of course enjoying being in a lovely Sardinian port).

One day before disembarking the charter company sent a skipper onboard who took them out for half a day – free of charge. This is Sardinia and how people tick even if it is high season. By the way, the clients want to charter this boat again next year, but hopefully with 2 unbroken arms…

A yacht rally is a sailing event where a group of similar yachts race multiple point-to-point races over the course of several days.  The purpose of a rally is not purely to race, but to enjoy sailing and immerse the participants in the culture and history of one of the world’s great sailing areas.

One nice aspect of a rally is that the logistics are set up for you so all you need to do is show up and enjoy.  Each race, with up to 10 identical yachts, are run by a committee boat who plots the course and manages the race.  There are normally plenty of “lay days” for relaxation or sightseeing, and even the entertainment and  awards ceremonies are planned for you!

Rallies are great way to meet other sailors, both novice and expert, learn more about sailing, and experience the culture and history of the area where the rally takes place. The competition is not extreme – just enough to get your adrenaline flowing.

We have rallies in many amazing regions of the world including Sydney Austrailia, Phuket/Langkawi, Tonga, the Caribbean (Antigua, St Kitts, etc), the Aegean Sea (Greece and Turkey), the Amalfi Coast, Croatia and Corsica/Sardinia.  Many are coming up this Fall and Winter. Click here read more about Rally Yacht Charter and find out dates and itineraries for the individual rallies.  We’re sure you’ll agree that rallies are great ways to sail!

Located on the Northeast side of Sardinia, the Gallurese coast is a charterer’s dream – offering beautiful beaches and private coves tucked away amidst the lush green Mediterranean flora.  The renowned resort harbours of Porto Ottiolo, Punt Aldia, Porto Rotondo, Cannigione or Portisco, each offering excellent facilities, are the ideal starting point for cruising the famous turquoise waters of the Tavolara Sea Park, one of the most fascinating sailing regions of Sardinia.

The main islands of this protected marine park are Tavolara, Molara and Molarotte.   Here you`ll find everything for a perfect day:  Anchor in the Tavolara bay, enjoy a beautiful beach and then have lunch on land, in the smallest registered Kingdom in the world.

For an authentic Sardinian beachside restaurant, try “Da Tonino” – which offers and extraordinary variety fresh seafood and pasta. You may actually be “royally served” by the family of the present King of Tavolara, His Majesty, Tonino Bertolioni!

The crystal clear waters of the park offer excellent snorkeling – make sure you set aside some time in your day to put the fins on!
If you visit in late July you can join the island’s unique film festival – Cinema Tavolara, where the latest Italian releases are shown on a giant outdoor screen under the stars. You can often mingle with as cast, crew and other film luminaries there for the event.

Pulling anchor from this remarkable scene, set your course for Porto Taverna, 10 minutes away under motor, back on the main island.  Porto Taverna was one of the original resort destinations for central Europeans in the early 60’s.  A beautiful, long stretch of pink beach reaches around the back of Capo Coda Cavalo.

Swim ashore or take your dinghy and discover “La Tavernetta” beach bar and restaurant, perched on a dune overlooking the Tavolara and beach below.  Ask for Pino or Fabio, who run the place and try their special tuna dish, or gorge on fresh mussels, clams and lobster.  The kitchen gained one “Gambero Rosso” star last year and the selection of local wines is excellent.  This retro-relaxed style restaurant with its fabulous view and easygoing atmosphere is really one of a kind!

Feel free to contact us for help planning an itinerary to this wonderful area of Sardinia, and be sure to read our Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide for information about chartering on this amazing Italian Island.

Good news for all charterers who wish to visit the emerald shores of Sardinia this summer – the  controversial tax that cost up to €15,000 for the privilege of coming ashore (and spending money) in Sardinia will be canceled by the new governor of the island. The private plane landing fee, which was also exorbitant, will be stopped as well.

The new governor of Sardinia, Ugo Cappellacci, just happens to be the son of Silvio Berlusconi’s tax advisor, who just happens to have a villa on the island, but hey, we won’t look into politics or motives as long as this egregious tax is repealed.

So plan to charter in Sardinia this summer – our updated Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide is a great place to start planning.

(The fourth in our series of charter destinations that offer good value)

To many in the yachting world, Sardinia is synonomous with Porto Cervo, which is in turn synonomous with high end/expensive. However, if you’re looking for a great value charter destination for 2009, Sardinia may just be your perfect place.

Sardinia is a large island, and if you get outside of Porto Cervo, the prices come down dramatically. There are hundreds of great charter yachts available in ports such as Alghero, Carloforte, etc, and there are excellent itineraries you can plan from each port.  And of course, if you want to stop off in Porto Cervo for a day or two along the way, its up to you!

Once on the charter, food is excellent and low cost – you can do very well on pizza, pasta and antipasto!!

Here are two itineraries that may help you make your decision: The Gallurese coast in the north, and a sailing itinerary from Carloforte to Cagliari. Enjoy!