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!

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Ben Sutton

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.

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Alice Newnham

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.

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Ben Sutton

Where to stay before your Virgin Islands Yacht Charter

The Caribbean Virgin Islands are back in full swing following regeneration works required after Hurricane Irma. You will most likely start your charter from St Thomas in the US Virgin islands, which has fantastic flight connections to most of the US East Coast. It is therefore the perfect pitstop to get into the Caribbean zone ahead of your Virgin Islands crewed catamaran charter. But where should you stay?

The most exclusive hotel on the island of St Thomas was always The Ritz-Carlton, which overlooks Great Bay. After a thorough two year renovation, The Ritz-Calton is now accepting bookings from the 22nd November 2019, just in time for your BVI Christmas Catamaran charter.

Guests will experience a new era of refinement at the Ritz-Calton, which welcomes families, couples, and adventure-seekers to encounter the beauty of the Caribbean in a new light. Get ready for turquoise bays, spectacular scenic views, white sandy beaches and exhilarating water sports. Our Brokers love it and know you will too!

Get in touch with the Boatbookings Broker team to plan your BVI bareboat sailing vacation, crewed catamaran charter or luxury motor yacht vacation!

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Ben Sutton

Spend Spring Break 2020 in St Barths

Summer in the Mediterranean may be coming to a close but your winter getaway is just around the corner. With just over 100 days until Christmas, it’s time to start planning for your 2020 Caribbean adventure. Our crewed motor yacht destination of choice has to be St Barths!

If you love St Tropez, the Pampelonne Beach Club culture and chic nightlife, St Barths is the Caribbean island for you! Spend your days anchored of Nikki Beach St Barths, shop till you drop in Gustavia and enjoy dinner in Bagatelle or La Guérite. What more could you want for your 2020 Spring Break getaway? The only thing we can think of is a yacht to take you there. Welcome the Benetti 108 Supreme, LULU!

LULU may be a small package but she packs a punch! You will benefit from a superb tri-deck layout, offering lounging, dining and social spaces galore, as well as a jacuzzi! An experienced captain, a top chef, a service orientated crew take your Caribbean yacht charter experience to new heights. We are excited for you!

If you have already experienced St Barths, why not try the Bahamas for Spring Break 2020? Go swimming with the pigs, dive Thunderball Grotto or just kick back and relax in some of the clearest waters on the planet! We look forward to showing you the way in 2020.

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Ben Sutton