Category Archives: St Tropez

Highlights of the Monaco Yacht Show 2012

ILLUSION Luxury Super Yacht

The Monaco Yacht Show 2012 showcased 100 of the world’s finest super and mega yachts. The show hosted the glitterati of the yachting world, as well as over 28,000 visitors, who enjoyed some magnificent offerings from San Lorenzo, Benetti and Couach, ranging from 25 to 100m in length. This year, the show definitely did not disappoint with some incredible yachts on show, such as Vladamir Putin’s NIRVANA. This 88.5m Oceanco luxury mega yacht features six decks, swimming pool, helipad, accommodating up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms. What we noticed was a key trend at this years show was the inclusion of the balcony on the newest super yachts. This feature, whether it was off a living area or stateroom, created a great open-plan layout, maximising space and light.

A major trend that was present yet again this year was the emphasis on wellness, with the addition of spas, saunas and workout areas. Luxury yachts are increasingly focused on the needs of their charterers, not solely by pampering but by also offering a holistic approach to the client’s health and relaxation. There is no better place to enjoy a fantastic massage than on the top deck of a super yacht on a luxury charter around the BVI or French Riviera.

Revolver 42 and Boatbookings.com broker Mimi Andain with Andrea.

One of our favourite luxury charter yachts on show was ILLUSION, a beautiful 46m Benetti super yacht.   She has 5 beautiful staterooms, accommodating up to 10 guests, making her a great choice for friends and family. One particular feature that we particularly liked was her attention to detail, with regards to her interior design and furnishings. She was immaculate, with the finest touches throughout. After we had taken a tour inside, we were amazed by her beautiful decks, which incorporated a plunge pool with the most amazing mosaic work. We would highly recommend a weekly crewed yacht charter onboard ILLUSION during the summer months along the French and Italian Riviera or over Christmas in the Caribbean.

As well as showcasing the world’s most luxurious super yachts, the Monaco Yacht Show 2012 presented some of the most modern and revolutionary boats that are available. We really liked the REVOLVER 42, a 42 ft Italian designed day charter yacht. She epitomizes speed, power and aero-dynamics. Yet, she possesses all the comforts to enjoy a leisurely day charter in Sardinia. She has a great sunbathing area to the rear and has a panoramic sunroof, optimizing light and space. She is definitely one to watch, boasting speeds of up to 70 knots, producing 1300H horsepower!

Having seen some SeaBobs on show at the Monaco Yacht Show 2012, it’s obvious that these fantastic water toys will continue to be popular for the foreseeable future. This is mostly down to the fact that they’re so safe and people of all ages, even young kids, are able to use them. SeaBobs can only be described as a hybrid of a body board, and a jet ski. The only difference being on SeaBobs you can travel underwater, and at quite some speed, some travelling up to 20km/h. Lots of people find them exciting, as it’s a new and innovative way to see sea life, weaving in and out of corals on the sea bed. With a battery life of up to an hour on some models, these water toys make for a great adventurous part of your charter. If you’re interested in chartering a luxury yacht that has these fantastic toys and much more, look no further than ILLUSION.

Watch this space for more industry show reviews and insight into new press releases and futuristic designs. If you would like any more information about any of the yachts included, please do enquire via our website or send an email of enquiry to [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you with booking the experience of a lifetime on one of our luxury yachts!

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Boatbookings.com Luxury Yacht Charter onboard REHAB, Sunseeker Predator 68

Luxury Yacht Charter VIBE, a Sunseeker Predator 68.

September is a great month in the South of France. It is much quieter than July and August, as well as offering the same great weather as the high season summer months, making it the perfect time to charter a luxury yacht. Here at Boatbloggings.com, we recently experienced our very own day charter onboard REHAB.

She is a stunning Sunseeker Predator 68 with 2 crew, Michael and Emma. This combination has proved a real success, having had 37 days of charter this summer. Michael is an experienced Irish captain, who is very professional and insightful on the local area. Emma is the chief stewardess and fantastic at her job, making guests feel comfortable onboard as well as being very attentive to the needs of the charterers.

We started the day from Port Vauban, Antibes and were greeted with a lovely selection of breakfast pastries from a local patisserie. Once everyone had embarked, Emma delivered a safety demonstration, highlighting that safety onboard is paramount. I was very impressed by the teamwork between Captain and Stewardess, shown by the implementation of a new itinerary by 9 am, due to bad weather in Saint-Tropez.

The natural beauty of the French Riviera

We departed Antibes and went for a swim between the Lerins Islands, where the water can only be comparable to that of the Caribbean. It was truly breathtaking, as there were very few yachts in the water and it felt as if we had the place to ourselves. Once everyone had been in the water, we headed towards Cannes and the view of the Croisette from the water is spectacular. Michael then turned the yacht around and we started to head towards Beaulieu sur Mer and St Jean Cap Ferrat, where we would be dining at Paloma Beach.  REHAB was the perfect companion for our day charter. She was sleek, spacious, elegant and most importantly comfortable. Once we had passed the airport, the views of the Riviera were picture postcard material.

We arrived in St Jean Cap Ferrat for our lunch reservation at Paloma Beach, a restaurant specialising in local seafood and Provencal cuisine.  Guests enjoyed appetisers; a Seafood Trio of prawn, crab and salmon, along with a delicious Fritto Misto. Main courses of Steak Tartare, Sole Meunière and Grilled Sea Bream were enjoyed by all, along with a very nice House Rosé. The seaside setting of Paloma Beach, with view s along the Cap and the Riviera were the secret ingredients for what was a great lunch.

Relaxing on the bow of REHAB

We all boarded REHAB and began our return to Antibes. She, in my opinion, is the perfect day charter yacht, due to her spacious bow and aft lounging areas. There were at least 6 of us who laid comfortably on her bow, soaking up the last rays of the day. Captain Michael took us to some of the most beautiful and secluded bays of Villefranche on our return and it was his knowledge, as well as Emma’s service, which provided us with a unique experience on the water. We returned to Antibes to see the sun set over Fort Carre, which was a fitting conclusion to what only can be described as the perfect day.

If you would like additional information on how to charter this yacht or any others on our website, please do enquire via the yachts page or send us an email at [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you with organising the experience of a lifetime.

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10 Simple Steps to Luxury Yacht Charter!

Chartering a luxury catamaran, motor or sailing yacht has never been so simple, thanks to our dedicated team of charter brokers who will help you plan the trip of a lifetime anywhere in the world. Here at Boatbookings, we pride ourselves on customer service and we will not stop until we find you the perfect yacht. There are 10 simple steps from turning a dream into a reality.

Step 1 – Most importantly, guests must decide where they would like to start their charter and what sort of yacht they would like. We offer charters from all around the world, including the United States, the Caribbean, French & Italian Riviera’s and the Far East. We have access to a vast amount of motorboats, sailboats and catamarans in each of these destinations.

The natural beauty of the BVI

Step 2 – Once you have decided where and how you want to travel, contact us. Please enquire via our website or send an email to [email protected]. Once we have received your enquiry, one of our brokers will assist you and start searching for suitable yachts.

Step 3 – We ask guests to provide the following information, so that we can gain a clearer idea of what you really want. Are you looking for a bareboat or a crewed charter? Are your dates flexible and how long would you like to charter for? Do you have a  particular budget in mind for your charter? If you are looking for a sailboat, please be aware that you must start on a Saturday for a weeks duration.

 

The stunning VanDutch 40, PURE DUTCH

Step 4 – Once we have received this information, our brokers will then start the search for possible yachts that meet your criteria. We will then find which yachts are available for your charter dates and propose at least three options which are suitable for you to review and compare.

Step 5 – Once you have reviewed and compared the yachts that you have been sent, our broker will then arrange the charter for you. For example, you have chosen to charter M/Y MOSKING, a stunning Mangusta 108 from Antibes, France for 4 days.

M/Y MOSKING, Mangusta 108 Luxury Motor Yacht

 

 

Step 6 – Our broker would then reserve this for you and start preparing the charter agreement and invoice. Once all the paperwork has been signed and the invoice has been paid by either bank transfer or credit card, we can start to make some final itinerary plans.

Step 7 – Our broker will arrange all the meeting details, can arrange restaurant reservations and help to organise an itinerary. For example, guests wills depart from Antibes and spend one day cruising slowly towards Monaco, enjoying a long lunch in St Jean Cap Ferrat. Then guests could head towards Portofino and along the Italian Riviera before heading back to Antibes.

The magnificent Italian Riviera town of Portofino

Step 8 – We will send a preference sheet to you to note down all the provisions you would like on the yacht. This can cover anything from champagne and wine, to food and flowers. All provisions will be bought before you step foot onboard and therefore ready for you to enjoy immediately.

Step 9 – The final meeting place and timings will be sent for your embarkation. You will be given the captains details for any last minute requests or discussions on itinerary.

The end to a perfect day onboard a Luxury Yacht

 

 

Step 10 – Guests will board and start their charter. The crew will do everything that they can to make sure that you have a successful charter. They will be able to arrange any emergency provisions and last minute restaurant reservations, leaving guests to relax fully and enjoy the natural beauty that is the French and Italian Riviera.

 

 

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Van Dutch 40, ROYAL I oozes elegance, performance and comfort on the French Riviera

 

The iconic Van Dutch 40 motor yacht is the product of the world famous Dutch design house, Vanguard. Van Dutch’s are striking avant garde creations, incorporating modern design and advanced technology. Vanguard’s aims were quite simple: to “create a lightweight yacht with longevity and economical practicality.” The V-Shaped engine configuration creates a sharpened aft to maximise balance and the Van Dutch’s centre of gravity, optimizing speed whilst reducing fuel consumption. We must pay tribute to Frank Mulder for the design of the Van Dutch, whose underwater design has made spray and slamming a thing of the past.

Reaching speeds of up to 40 knots, the Van Dutch 40 provides excellent performance and cornering. The Yanmar engine reduces engine noise and vibrations, which creates a smooth and silent ride.Screen-Shot-2012-08-24-at-15.26.08 She also incorporates an autopilot and navigation system, making her a very simple luxury yacht to skipper.

Below deck, the Van Dutch is once again unique. There is a hydraulic table for 8 which can transform into a bed. Guests will find the latest televisions, sound systems and kitchen equipment. There is also a  fully functional W/C with a hot and cold water supply. The deck is covered in a teak composite, which makes maintenance very simple. The Van Dutch 40’s cockpit is a modular solarium that extends into a great lounging area.

There are two other models in the Van Dutch portfolio: the 30ft and the 55ft. They both incorporate the exquisite design features of the 40, as well as performance and comfort. We can offer the Van Dutch 40 from a range of prestigious ports on the Riviera, including Monaco, Antibes, Golfe Juan, Cannes and St Tropez. One of our favourite Van Dutch motor yachts is ROYAL I, berthed in Monaco. She is a very popular luxury day charter motor yacht, which charters for €2,250 / Day. If you would like to charter her, please enquire online or send an email to: [email protected] where one of our brokers will assist you.

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Portofino, Capri, Sicily and Sardinia make Italy the perfect luxury yacht charter destination!

The Italian Riviera

Italy is a diverse yachting destination with charming old towns in the north and beautiful islands in the south. The Italian Riviera and the yacht charters amalfi coast encompasses the beauty of the French Riviera, yet is less developed and maintains a strong link to its heritage. Charterers will find towns with the traditional orange and red facades, historic churches and fishing ports presenting the very best in local cuisine. One of our most popular charter destinations is Portofino, the St Tropez of the Italian Riviera with its beautiful harbour and the presence of the worlds most luxurious super yachts. One of our favourite crewed week charter yachts is SNYERGY. She encapsulates luxury, space and comfort, making her perfect for multiple day charters exploring the gems of the Italian Riviera.

SYNERGY

The area around Naples has become a popular holiday destination, with great local cuisine and natural beauty. Positano is a stunning village on the Amalfi Coast, and one of the most popular destinations for sailing and motor charters in Italy thanks to its glorious coastal views and natural beauty. Attractions in this undisturbed fishing village include the Church of Santa Maria Assunta which is home to the 13th century Byzantine icon, the Madonna di Positano. A full day charter from Positano on a yacht such as this fantastic Raffaelli Mistral, would typically include visiting the island of Capri and its famous grottos, or cruising along the Sorrento Coast.

LULU

Sicily’s climate, cuisine, history and architecture attract tourists from mainland Italy and beyond every year. Sites such as the famous active volcano, Mount Etna, sandy beaches and the cities of Palermo and Catania provide popular tourist hotspots. A full day luxury yacht charter on LULU would allow guests to make the most of the sun, offering fantastic outdoor seating areas, with panoramic views of the coastline. She is also a great choice for longer charters, providing modern accommodation for up to 6 guests.

Sardinia is without a doubt the most popular yachting destination in Italy. This island of stunning white beaches and picturesque coastal towns has retained its authenticity, unspoiled by tourist development and boasting a rich cultural history. It is also a paradise for food lovers, with local produce ranging from fresh seafood to pecorino cheese to elaborate handmade pastas.

Aquariva

The most popular areas are Cagliari and the Costa Smerelda, but for those keen to discover the heart of Sardinia there is plenty more to explore away from these cosmopolitan spots. An Italian yacht charter on a classic motor yacht such as this Aquariva is the ideal way to visit the smaller coastal towns and to take full advantage of the island hopping on offer.

If you would like to enquire about any of the yachts listed above, please contact us via the relevant link. Alternatively, you can contact us on [email protected] and we would be delighted to assist you with your charter and itinerary.

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