Sunsail Italy 368
The Moorings charter company has added themed flotillas to its existing array of travel options for vacationing sailors. Tied to an event or a concept-a music festival or cultural tours, family vacationing or first-time chartering-the Rendezvous trips mark The Moorings’ entry into the adventure-chartering market.
Charterers choose the bareboat to suit their preferences and are accompanied by a lead Moorings boat carrying a professional captain, diesel technician, and host. The typical weeklong adventure includes a mix of organized and informal activities, including skipper briefings each morning. Each Rendezvous includes a host whose skills are appropriate to the theme of the charter. In some cases, tickets to a cultural event are also included.
Upcoming Rendezvous include ones focusing on first-time charterers taking place in the British Virgin Islands (April 20 to 26, 2008); the Cane Garden Bay Music Festival, also in the B.V.I. (May 18 to 24, 2008); family sailing vacations in the B.V.I. (July 13 to 19, 2008), in Greece (June 7 to 14, 2008, and October 18 to 25, 2008), and in Italy (May 3 to 10, 2008, and July 19 to 26, 2008); and one centered around the St. Lucia Jazz Festival (May 4 to 10, 2008). For details, contact The Moorings (888-703-3176, www.moorings.com).
Sunsail Opens Italy Bases
Sunsail Sailing Vacations has expanded into Italy with the opening of two bases featuring bareboat and skippered sailing vacations in prime cruising grounds.
The base locations-in Tropea, on the southwest coast of Italy, and Palermo, on the northwest coast of the island of Sicily-are in the waters of the Aeolian and Egadi islands.
Tropea is the ideal departure point for visiting the islands of the southern coast. The new Sunsail base is in the main marina, an hour from the international airport.
In northwest Sicily, the Palermo base offers the cruising grounds surrounding the Egadi islands and Malta and off Tunisia. Sicily is well-known for its beauty and the tallest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. The Sunsail base is 20 miles from Palermo International Airport, and it can also be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples, on the mainland.
Fleets include sailboats from 31 to 50 feet with double staterooms, complete electronics, and fully equipped galleys. One-way charters are also available. For details, contact the company (800-772-3500, www.sunsail.com).
Horizon Yacht Charters Celebrates a Decade
Horizon Yacht Charters is marking a decade of growth in the Caribbean with a variety of specials and deals to thank vacationing sailors for their loyalty.
The company, established in the British Virgin Islands in 1998 by Sylvia Driver and Andrew Thompson, opened additional bases in Grenada in 2000, in Antigua in 2003, and in St. Martin in 2006.
Special charter offers include itineraries featuring spa visits, rum-distillery tours, music festivals, and water sports. Through its brokerage, the company also offers a $10,000 equipment package with the purchase of new Bavaria or Fountaine Pajot catamarans. Visit the company website (877-494-8787, www.horizonyachtcharters.com and www.horizon-yacht-sales.com) for details.
Elaine Lembo
