> Article 000003 :
1273 Words to publish "as is"
Free and Re-Printable Content
under our Terms and conditions on: articlesindex
A MID-SUMMER'S GUIDE TO THE MED
by Tony King
Keeping up with the Onassis'
Being so close to Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it's easy for us Americans to forget about the incredible vacations that are possible in and around the Mediterranean.
No better way, of course, to do this than from the deck of your own private yacht. No I'm not
kidding - you can charter the perfect yacht from almost any Mediterranean location
and spend
a week or two simply sailing or motoring around the Greek Islands, Turkey's Aegean coast, Croatia's Dalmatian coast or the more classic destinations of the Spanish,
French or Italian Riviera.
Taking a vacation on a fully crewed luxury yacht has to be the ultimate vacation. Highly trained skippers, gourmet chefs, attentive stewards and mates, all on a luxury yacht that is
yours for the duration. No one else will be on the yacht except your family or pals; local foods or special menus will be prepared according to your taste, your favorite brands of
beverage will be on board and all hands will be ready to do your bidding at a moments notice. Yes, it can get a little
pricey, especially with a strong Euro currency but you can still get great bargains in Turkey and Croatia which are not yet part of the European Union. Here's a quick guided tour of what's out there to sample:
Greece and the Islands
The Greek Islands represent the ultimate charter yacht cruising vacation or holiday. No better way to visit this incredible archipelago of islands than from the deck of your own fully
crewed ocean sailing or motor yacht. The Mediterranean and especially the Greek islands have fascinated sailors, poets and scholars for thousands of years.
Today the islands offer an intriguing look at our cultural and political heritage and, without getting too thoughtful, give us what we are all looking for in a vacation: polite peaceful natives,
superb food, unbelievable scenery, clear waters, great diving, and a choice of quiet time or endless partying.
Your one or two week Mediterranean Greek Island cruise should be limited to one of the five major groups of islands, or perhaps two of the groups if you have the time. These
groups are: Athens and the Saronic Islands; the Cyclades Group of Islands that includes favorites such as Mykonos and Santorini; Skiathos and the Sporades group that is perhaps less
crowded; Corfu, Cephalonia (of Captain Corelli's Mandolin fame), Skorpios (of Aristotle Onassis fame) and the rest of the Ionian Islands; The Dodecanese group is close to Turkey and
that includes Rhodes, Kos and other favorites.
Turkey
Turkey is an ideal starting point and a Mediterranean classic for yachting and sailing through of the Aegean and the Mediterranean. The waters that once were the medium of trade for ancient
civilizations. The numerous boats, gulets and yachting services provide an opportunity to explore the silent and relaxing bays, hidden coves, and warm yourself under the Mediterranean sun.
Start your cruise in Bodrum or Marmaris and head towards the South East. This cruise will take you along the southwestern Turkish coastline, into solitary bays, crystal clear and virgin waters,
picturesque small villages and places of old. Wherever you come from and however old you are, after a week or two at sea, you'll fall in love with Turkey and the Turkish people.
Croatia
Mediterranean catamarans, small sailboats, motor yachts, and luxury mega yachts for holiday and corporate cruising vacations. Take an incredible
Croatian vacation on a luxury yacht and visit
Dubrovnik, Zadar, Kornati, the Dalmatian coast and the, literally, thousands of islands in the different archipelagos in the Adriatic sea. Visit Croatia's majestic coast dotted with coves, islands and
villages. The walled city of Dubrovnik is truly stunning. A famed fortress city that for centuries rivaled Venice as a major sea trading port, it remains the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the world
today. Explore the fountain-filled narrow cobbled streets with small courtyard cafés, splendid squares, markets and bazaars. Visit the monasteries, museums, palaces and churches to discover
Dubrovnik's fascinating history
The sailing area is perfect with short distances between islands. Completed in the 13th century, the city is said to be the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the world with the tall
ramparts and towering spires remaining virtually untouched. Lined with small courtyard cafés, the narrow cobblestone streets lead to splendid squares packed with colorful markets,
restaurants and bars. Historians have many fascinating museums and monasteries, palaces
and churches to help bring the past to life. From our ACI Marina base the sailing is superb with
many islands within easy reach.
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
7 Islands of History and Nature. We recommend an overnight visit the day before your cruise in Cefalu which is 75 Km. East of Palermo on the Island of
Sicily.
Cefalu is a scenic historic town with a port and a beautiful long beach. One of the great undiscovered jewels of the
Mediterranean. Enjoy an evening stroll through the historic old town, where you can start shopping for some nice Sicilian pottery, crafts and souvenirs, or enjoy a cool drink in one of
the Piazza's. You can choose a
waterfront restaurant or a cozy " Trattoria or Pizzeria" inside the alleys of the old town for your dinner ashore.
The Italian Riviera
If you ever wanted to feel like you are part of the International "Jet-Set" community, this is the trip for you. While the
French Riviera is commonly known and very popular,
Italy's Liguria Coast is the "other Riviera" where you will spend your days exploring the coastline and delightful towns frequented by the rich and famous. Your tour starts in Genoa,
birthplace of Christopher Columbus. From here you will explore the Ligurian seacoast with its landscape bristling with palm and olive trees, parasol pines, vineyards and home to pesto.
Visit Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante and Portofino, Italian Riviera's best-loved posh town, declared in 1935 to be a national monument so architecture has changed very little.
Finish this wonderful trip in Cinque Terre where travel here is by foot (or foot & train or foot & boat) linking the charming five villages that have been frozen in time.
Traveling to the Med
First, you will need a valid passport. Birth Certificates or even drivers licenses are no longer viable for travel, even to the extremely "user friendly" countries.
Things just ain't what they used to be..!! Especially after 9/11. Yes, Visa and MasterCard are commonly used in most countries especially in restaurants and clothing stores,
but not in the yachting industry where charter fees are commonly wire transferred to yacht owners or yacht clearing houses.
For The Italian Riviera fly into Milan and then on to Genoa or Palermo (for Sicily); for Croatia,
fly into Dubrovnik or Pula; for the Greek Islands, fly into Athens; for Turkey fly into Istanbul or Ankara and then on into Marmaris or Bodrum.
The best time of year for your yachting vacation will be from the end of June to the end of August. No hurricanes in the Med..!! At times during the summer, you will encounter the
"Meltemi" winds which blow from the North West but generally, these do not last long and
your captain and crew will be sure to arrange your itinerary so that their effect will be minimal.
This article was written by Tony King, courtesy of The American Yacht Company, Inc. whose website
www.luxuryachtvacation.com
contains a complete guide to chartering a private yacht in the Mediterranean. Please visit the website and fill out a charter inquiry form or contact them via email at
info@americanyachtcompany.com
Source: www.boatmiami.com
> End of article
