Category Archives: Yachting news

Yachting Industry News

Spending the night in Split.

Before or after your yacht charter in Croatia, a visit to Split should most definitely be on your to-do list. Most of the surrounding ports in Split are only a 10-15 minute taxi from the beautiful city of Split.

Sailing into Split, catching sunsets and watching dolphins.

Restaurants and Bars

Hidden in underground chambers or on beautiful Venetian streets, there is a wide variety of restaurants for everyone in Split. Traditional Croatian food and contemporary fine dining is both available throughout the city. Be sure to visit the palace for some live music, Croatian wine and historical underground tours. Anthony Bourdain once stated that ‘Croatia is the next great thing. If you have not been there, you are… an idiot! I am an idiot’.

Bokeria

Grilled Octopus, traditional lamb shank, truffle pasta, and cuttlefish are some of the best options from this fabulous restaurant. This restaurant is most definitely worth a visit pre or post charter.

The History behind Europe’s Venetian Capital

The story behind Split is one of the most diverse in Europe. The story resonates from Greek settlement in the 3rd century followed by a Roman invasion and taken by Venetian rule in the late 14th century. Venetian architecture can still be seen all over the city. The infamous Venetian Palace was constructed and the city grew around the palace walls.

After the world war, Croatia was transformed into Yugoslavia and this city experienced industrial growth alongside a large shipbuilding industry and a very dynamic port. Despite the destruction caused to Croatia during the Yugoslavian war in the 1990’s however, soon lost its industrial hold during the years following the liberation. The main industry now in Split is tourism. The city is full of hidden gems, beautiful hikes, beach clubs and some of Europe’s most fascinating architecture.

Get in contact with one of the Boatbookings Broker’s to find out more about your net yacht charter in Split.

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Vegan Yacht Chefs

A rise of veganism worldwide has meant that there is more demand than ever for chefs that can cater to a vegan diet. A vegan diet involves cutting out animal products like meat, fish, dairy and eggs and in Great Britain in 2016, there are estimated to be around 540,000 vegans. Therefore, we have found our favourite yachts with chefs that can cater to vegan clients in the Bahamas, the Amalfi Coast, the French Riviera and Greece.

NITSA

NITSA is based in Fort Lauderdale and available to charter in the Bahamas. Chef Katie grew up baking long before she learned to cook. Over the years she’s been able to study a wide variety of cuisines, including time in Florence, Italy and has developed an appreciation for myriad styles and flavour palates. At the same time, she’s seen the effects (good and bad) of how food & nutrition relate to the quality of life—personally, professionally, and medically. It encouraged her to leave New York City after a decade in the book publishing industry to study with renowned vegan chef, Alexx Guevara, at his culinary center at The Ranch at Live Oak in Malibu, California.

From there, she worked with Chef Alexx at Sanctuary Treatment Center, where she co-directed the nutritional and culinary program at this boutique women’s residential rehabilitation, including teaching classes, where the focus was on restoring clients’ dietary and nutritional health alongside their own recovery. Currently, Katie directs the culinary program for GroundSea Fitness, a yoga & wellness retreat held several times each year in the Berkshire Mountains, where she creates and executes this ovo-vegetarian program, including the addition of tonics, house-made teas and elixirs, and locally-sourced bone broths.

SOLO

Based in Genoa in summer and Antigua in winter, SOLO Chef Gionata was born in Italy and has been a Chef for 25 years, working for many VIPs in some of the best restaurants in the world. He received a Michelin star and have been reviewed in the best gourmet guides. As a superyacht Chef, he believes that the cuisine served is not only a showpiece but nutrition as well.

His passion for food varies from creating the perfect roast dinner to a 7-courses degustation menu to show a whole range of different cooking techniques and products. He also specialises in vegan, vegetarian and low-calorie diets. He is also up to date with all the latest cooking techniques, methods & equipment so that he can keep up with the best and latest restaurants. Cooking demonstrations with the guests either at the table or in the kitchen are also a special touch he likes to offer the charter guests.

MINOU

Marco is a native of Sardinia and after graduating from the Italian Chef Academy, he began working on the Costa Smeralda. His passion and curiosity led him to enrol in masterclasses of vegan and vegetarian cooking, bakery and pastry-making and gather a growing following. Marco has also taught classes of Italian and Sardinian cooking. To this day he is often invited to cook private dinners abroad.

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Your Croatia Yacht Charter Gourmet Guide

Food is an integral part to the overall success of any holiday. We all have our favourite French dishes, both sweet and savoury, as well as our go-to Italian pasta dishes, Greek treats and Spanish sweets. But what do you know about Croatian cuisine?

Our Charter Broker team have just returned from 5 days sailing Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands to find the best tables for your 2020 summer sailing adventure. Get ready for mouthwatering cuisine, sensational seafood and luscious lamb dishes!

Konoba Vala, Bobovišca

The island of Brac is just 10 nautical miles away from the historical city of Split, but feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Croatia’s favourite yachting city. The main town of Milna provides the perfect first setting for your summer yacht charter, but if you’re looking for a smaller hamlet, try the quaint fishing village of Bobovišca. Konoba Vala is a rustic restaurant looking out onto lush vegetation and those magical Croatian cobbled boardwalks. You must try the locally Grilled Calamari, served with spiced Mangold (part of the Chard family) Delicious!

Konoba Bako, Vis

Just under 30 nautical miles further south of Bobovišca lies the popular island of Vis. Vis has to be one of your stops on your Croatia crewed motor yacht itinerary, well known for it’s military history and bunkers. You must also visit the ever popular Biševo Blue Cave, and the magical Green Grotto. Spend your days anchored in your own private bays, enjoying water sports and ultimate tranquility, When you’re ready to head into port, Komiza is the perfect town to spend the evening, sampling Croatia’s best fish dishes. Konoba Bako is the must-visit restaurant for dinner; request a table on the water and indulge in the best octopus you’ve ever had. We really recommend the braised octopus in red wine, as well as the house grilled lamb chops. Sample the house wine and take in those spectacular sea views.

BOKERIA, Split

Your itinerary will unfortunately have to come to and end at some point and there is no better place to disembark that the ancient city of Split. Home to the enchanting Diocletian’s Palace, built for Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the 4th Century, Split perfectly blends history with modernity. BOKERIA will blow you away with their service, selection of wines and gourmet treats. Some of our favourites include the Sous-Vide Octopus which is finished on the grill, as well as the Lemon and Cuttlefish Black pasta. This could be the best pasta dish you’ve ever had.

Croatia will deliver your every wish and surpass your expectations. From medieval cities to buzzing beach clubs, spectacular scenery by day to stargazing by night, we know you will have the best Mediterranean yacht charter to date. Contact the Boatbookings broker team today to make this reality!

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The St Martin Heineken Regatta 2020

The four day regatta on the French/ Dutch Caribbean island of St Martin kicks off on Thursday March 3rd 2020. This world renowned regatta incorporates windward and leeward races, a 40 mile Anniversary Course and some of the worlds best rum-infused parties. This regatta is both an international sporting event and a key part of St Martin’s island culture. March 2020 will be the 40th Anniversary for this extremely popular inshore regatta.

The History

40 years ago, fun between a few friends on the water led to a huge increase in Heineken beer sales. Since then, Heineken have sponsored this yacht event that has become one of the largest water events on the globe, taking place every March.

The Racing

Set in crystal- blue Caribbean waters, the northeast trade winds offer idyllic racing conditions for all sailors. The regatta is run by a highly experienced racing team that welcome sailors from more than 35 countries to St Martin every year. The races are tailor-made for the winds ever day and allow for many different boats to compete. The racing usually follows the program of training for all entries on Tuesday and Wednesday 4th March 2020. The first race day will take place on Thursday 5th March and will go on until Sunday the 8th March. Sunday 8th March is reserved for a prize-giving and beach party. The cocktail of races includes 8 races over 4 days with windward-leeward races and coastal races included to allow all boats to play to their strengths on the water.

The Parties

The reputation for the parties is indicated by the name of the regatta, the beer sponsorship allows for heavy Heineken consumption throughout the 4 days. The regatta also has a reputation for hosting famous artists at the prize giving. Artists such as UB40, the Black Eyed Peas and Akon have been known to make an appearance during the regatta.

Available Boats

You can chose between a bareboat racing charter, a charter with a skipper or a fully crewed boat to enter the regatta. Please be sure to contact one of the Boatbookings brokers to get the most out of your 2020 Heineken Regatta yacht charter. Whether you’re a seasoned yacht racer or want to try something new, this regatta has something for everyone. If you are relaxing on a beach in St Martin this March be sure to watch some of the action unfold before your eyes. If St Martin is not the charter for you, also consider Antigua Sailing Week 2020 for your regatta charter.

Future dates

2021: March 4th – March 7th

2022: March 3rd – March 6th

2023: March 2nd- March 5th

Contact broker Alice [email protected] for further information on how you can get involved with a regatta charter.

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Sailing Watches that look good on Land or Sea

In general, sailing watches share the sporty, hefty, water-resistant traits with diver watch, but are further stacked with features useful to the yachtsman. Whether on the French Riviera or Amalfi Coast, in Greece or St Barths, here are Boatbookings’ favourites.

Panerai Luminor Regatta Chrono Flyback

At 47mm, the Panerai Luminor Regatta is certainly one of the largest classic diving watches around. With a retro shape and design borrowed from its mid-century ancestors, the Panerai Luminor Regatta is only water resistant to 100 meters. However, it certainly makes up for this in style. The large dial means room for oversized numerals with impressive luminosity as well as small seconds and chronograph hour counter sub dials. A tachymeter scale enables sailors to measure average speed in knots by the chronograph minute hand. Try this out on LITTLE ONE‘s 48 knot top speed!

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

In 2007, when Rolex created the original Yacht-Master II, the rotating Ring Command bezel proved to be its most compelling function. Designed specifically for professional sailors, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is an icon of regatta racing. Using it, the skipper can access the countdown programming and synchronise it with the official race countdown on the fly; the mechanism memories the programming and, at reset, returns to its previous setting. Moreover, a marine-themed Ring Command bezel which works in conjunction with the internal mechanism makes this is the quintessential nautical timepiece.

Garmin Quantix 3

The original Quatix was Garmin’s first GPS watch designed specifically for mariners and the new model is packed with features! In addition to all the basic watch functions, it features tidal information, Course Over Ground, Speed Over Ground and useful alerts for anchor drag. The altimeter, barometer and compass provide real-time navigation and MET data and it also has an integrated MOB function, which triggers an alarm on your boat’s Garmin chartplotter if you fall in. If your boat is appropriately equipped, you can even use your watch to wirelessly steer your boat via autopilot control. With sail racing data, a fish catch counter and a competition timer, plus much more than we can list here, the new Quatix is the keen sailor’s most helpful watch on their Greece Sailing Charter.

Contact one of our Brokers today to organise your Global Yacht Charter.

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