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Showing posts with label Mediterranean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mediterranean. Show all posts

Guide To A Yacht Charter In France

France is a highly diverse country. Think of its climate alone. A combination of stormy summers, lesser rain, and colder winters exists inland. Close to the Alpine mountains, the temperature can even fall below freezing point. Meanwhile, people who are living in the southeast region will experience a French climate perfect for a little sailing in Mediterranean.

Yacht charter in France in the famous Côte d'Azur is in many ways more fitted to those who prefer to find their pleasures ashore. Sailing into such glittering places as St Tropez, Cannes or Antibes is an experience that is difficult to find anywhere else and it is worth the long diversion just to spend some time among the most beautiful collection of yachts in the world. Excellent facilities are at Antibes, in the St Tropez-Cogolin area and in Toulon. Many harbours east of Toulon charge from noon to noon, not on the basis of a 24 hour period from arriving. Also, there is plenty of charter yachts available in this area but crew experience could be tricky.

Close to the French Riviera is Cannes, a little city and commune located in the southern part of France. Besides hosting one of the prestigious art festivals in the world, the Cannes Film Festival, many tourists flock Cannes to enjoy its yacht marina. Taking a stroll means feeding your eyes with the loveliest docked sailing yachts and motorboats owned by some of the richest Europeans. When the weather seems fitting for a Mediterranean cruise, you can watch a majority of them gliding through the crystal blue waters of French Riviera. For the average tourists, however, you can find perfect view of them in Quai St. Pierre.

The principality of Monaco depends on its tourism for a bigger portion of its income. Every year, numerous tourists arrive in its ports to while away time in their casinos or to simply relax in its pleasant climate. Sailing in Mediterranean is most convenient in Monaco as it continuously improves its piers and harbors. This is to accommodate the growing number of cruise ships hoping to dock in there. Monaco is also very near to the French Riviera, which is sought after because of its splendid beauty.

The island of Corsica, off the Mediterranean coast offers a wide selection of ports and incredibly beauty. As with any France destination, it is ideal to visit Corsica outside of the peak summer season, as you will struggle to get space, even at anchorages. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is a favorite holiday destination for sailors from nearby countries, as well as, of course, the French. West coast and East coast offer the best facilities and services, so if you require repairs head to either Ajaccio or Bastia.

Sailing through the famous Côte d'Azur means choosing either of the two fantastic Mooring locations: Nice or Hyères. The glamour of Nice could be attributed to how the people were able to keep their long-standing customs and traditions. Day in and night, there are numerous activities you can explore. Cours Saleya, a very colorful Nice market, is filled with vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Drop by -François Square for experience the lively fish market.

Hyeres, on the other hand, is a French coast lined with culture and fine cuisine. Its mountains meet the sandy and windy bays of the country. The place is also an invitation for a good look at the Golden Islands. It features unspoilt preserves of nature such as the Ile de Port-Cros and Ile de Porquerolles.

There is a system of winds that blow from the coast towards the centre of the sea. These winds have different names, depending on location: Scirroco, Ghibli, Khamsin, Meltemi, Etesian, Bora, and Mistral all blow from the land towards the sea. Prevailing winds are northerly and South Westerly, South Westerly (occasionally very strong to gale force) due to endless stream of low pressure cyclones arriving from the Atlantic Ocean. Winds along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica are more variable, but generally less severe.

Sailing in Mediterranean means bringing with you a lifetime of wonderful memories. It's more than just cruising along the river or the sea. It also implies meeting wonderful French locals and simply relaxing into France's beautiful midday sun.

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Luxury Yacht Charter In The Mediterranean - Corsica

The French island of Corsica, 110 miles south of the Riviera and just north of Sardinia is an exceptional choice for a luxury yacht charter vacation. With a mountainous, dramatic landscape featuring rivers, gorges, waterfalls, lush valleys, rocky cliffs, vineyards, picturesque towns, 16 ports, and 620 miles of coastline surrounded by clear water in all shades of blue, the surprisingly uncrowded Corsica has it all. The rugged coastline, with more than 200 beaches, is especially alluring to those of us traveling by boat - there are many areas you can't get to any other way and you may find a beach you can have all to yourself.

Because of its geography, rising from sea level to almost 9,000 feet, Corsica's climate is quite varied. The island is divided into three major ecological zones: the coastline and valleys enjoy a maritime Mediterranean climate (hot summers and mild winters); in the lower mountains, at 2,000 - 6,000 feet, you will find the cooler and wetter mountain Mediterranean climate; and at 6,000 feet and above, the climate is alpine, with snowcapped mountains and even small glaciers at the highest altitudes.

Corsica's average of 250-300 days of sunshine per year (April - October being the sunniest) is the highest in France, and as a general rule, the northern part of the island is warmer than the south. You can find all types of yachts to charter on Corsica - bareboat, skippered, crewed, catamaran, sailboat, motoryacht and luxury yachts. The island is easy to get to. There are 4 airports - the Campo dell Oro Airport in Ajaccio, Poretta Airport in Bastia, Calvi (in Calvi), and Figari (in Figari) - as well as ferry service from France (Marseille, Toulon and Nice) and Italy (Genoa and Livomo). Of course, if you charter a yacht in France or Italy, you'll be arriving on your own boat. Corsica is about a day's sail, or 3-4 hours by motor yacht, from the French Riviera.

Port towns on the island include Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and the capital of Corsica. It is located on the west coast and home to the both the largest airport and harbor on the island. Bastia, on the northeastern coast, is Corsica's largest. The old town was built around the harbor and it is the most picturesque port on the island. Bastia is also known for its wines. Porto Vecchio on the south coast is the most sophisticated resort on Corsica and sees many Italian tourists in the summer months. It is known for its quaint, Genoese walled old town and its many, beautiful beaches.

Calvi (rumored to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus) on the east coast is simply stunning with its beautiful port (lined with bars and restaurants), towering citadel and 4-mile sandy beach where jet skiing, windsurfing, waterskiing and paragliding are popular pastimes. There are also plenty of private little coves if you are looking for something a bit more intimate.

Bonifacio, just 7.4 miles north of Sardinia, sits high on a limestone peninsula at the southernmost tip of Corsica, and absolutely has to be approached from the sea in order to fully appreciate its jaw dropping setting. There are plenty of sandy beaches, grottoes and caves in this area, and don't miss the opportunity to explore the Lavezzi islands, which are part of the nature reserve "Bouches de Bonifacio". There are of course many, many more ports, towns and villages to explore all over the island, but these will give you a starting point, and hopefully inspiration to start planning your next chartered yacht trip to Corsica.

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