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Christmas Specials Newsletter is Out!
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.
Hot Yachts from the Monaco Yacht Show – SILVER ANGEL
SILVER ANGEL is a 64.5 Metre, 14 Passenger Benetti newly launched in 2009. She was designed by Argent Design of London together with Stefano Natucci. She is not subtle or sober, but neither is she ostentatious in the traditional way. She is totally deco in style, and every detail is a modern take on this theme. She is almost entirely grey, silver and black, with hints either side towards purple and auburn.
The most defining feature is the abundance of Lalique throughout, including table lamps radiating a soft magical light among the shiny silver silk and satin, the lacquered cabinets and fur throws. Lalique also features on the wall lights, the door handles and bathroom taps, as well as the bathroom accessories made to match. She is very luxurious indeed, with exquisite fabrics and furnishings and an abundance of plump cushions in every size and shade.
On the top deck there is a golf machine dispensing biodegradable golf balls used when the yacht is under way, and floating balls for when she is at anchor, so the Crew can gather them up for future use! There is a pool on the fore deck, depicting the Silver Angel herself, where guests can properly swim against a power jet. She has all the toys you would expect as well as fishing equipment and diving gear. She will not be for everyone, because of the sheer formality of her luxury. She is not a family yacht, but for corporate or private luxury, she is rather special!
Hot Yachts from the Monaco Yacht Show – SHERAKHAN – Verkerk 228 – 13 Cabins
SHERAKHAN is the most extraordinary Dutch owned charter yacht! She is 228 feet long (70 Metres) and offers 13 cabins so she can carry a much larger party than most charter yachts.
Do not be fooled by her sober exterior When you first enter, the main dining area is a vast open room surrounded by an oval balcony, and the overall volume feels immense. The table is also laid lengthways, and together with the elaborate and slightly funky décor, it calls to mind a fairytale or the mad-hatter’s banquet! She is wildly eclectic, a bizarre and fabulous mixture of 1970s kitsch, solid Dutch pragmatism, dark woods and heavy drapes, mixed with silvery balls of glass hanging from on high.
The master is vast with his and hers bathrooms with quaint Victoriana bath tubs and a separate shower room. To add to the experience, the entire length of the deck on every level is convex, as it was built, so you feel you’ve entered the Golden age and ended up in Wonderland! It is a most fantastic and unusual place, perfect for a party or a charter with more adventurous guests who would appreciate her bohemian nature!
Other strong points include a large lower level spa, with mosaic floors, with fluorescent lighting emanating from the bath tub and basins, and a mosaic mermaid on the rear wall. Another key point is that she can sleep up to 26 guests, making her ideal for special family occasions and corporate charters.
Boatbookings.com Expert Commentary “ The Unique Beauty of Sardinia
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…