While Procida is less well-known than its glamorous neighboring islands of Ischia and Capri, its mainland location makes it the ideal starting point for a bareboat charter to the Pontine Islands or along the Amalfi Coast.

Located in the Tyrrhenian sea within 50 miles of Italy’s west coast and just a one-hour cruise from
Naples, the Pontine Islands are only accessible by sea.  They remain relatively unknown, thus
making this archipelago ideal for an authentic Italian holiday on a monohull or catamaran bareboat.

The Pontine Islands include Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone, Ventotene, Santo Stefano, the small island of Gavi, and the solitary rock of la Botte, offering a variety of coastal conditions, with rock outcroppings, dockside villages, and small Mediterranean yacht charter ports.

Sail charter enthusiasts will enjoy mild climates, flourishing gardens, and fragrant citrus groves.  The waters are clear and perfect for summer snorkeling, especially in Palmarola. There are numerous coves and inlets – enough to fill a week or more with exploration possibilities. Walking shoes are a must – as there are many historical ruins and nature trails for hiking.

The marina at Corricella is a perfect overnight anchorage, at the edge of a postcard, picture-perfect fishing town, surrounded by nets and fishing boats. Only attainable by sea, there are no vehicles here. The village faces due southeast and is sheltered from all other sides by the cliff behind. A long ridge of rocks protects the marina from the occasional southeasterly wind (Scirocco).

Marina Corricella - Procida Italy near Naples - bareboat charter destination

What could be better than a monohull or catamaran sail yacht rental along the Amalfi coast, with its magnificent stretch of mountainous coastline and small fishing villages?  The charter base in Procida is sure to grow in popularity.  It is hard to imagine a more authentic slice of Italian coastal life.

An excellent sail monohull yacht for consderation is the Sun Odyssey 39i, featuring 3 cabins and 2 heads. Twin steering positions with winches placed near the helms provide easy sail handling. For safety, with a dedicated life raft locker integrated into the stern skirt, the Sun Odyssey 39i truly represents the next generation of yachts.

For more information, contact your charter specialists at www.bareboat.com through our website at
http://bareboat.com/contact_us.html
by email via info@bareboat.com 
by phone via 1-800-BAREBOAT (227-3262) or 305-720-7245
or via twitter http://www.twitter.com/bareboatdotcom

Sailors beware - Unrest in French Caribbean

Sailors considering a bareboat charter in the French Caribbean need to be aware of the increasing unrest on the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.  Of particular concern to those planning a Caribbean bareboat charter yacht vacation is the escalation of unrest.  What began as a month-long strike for lower prices and higher salaries has grown into a violent uprising.

Numerous bareboat charter yacht fleets are based in or near Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe and Fort-de-France, Martinique – both hotbeds for the social unrest in the French Caribbean.

On Tuesday, February 17, 2009, a man was shot and killed in Pointe-a-Pitre as he drove during the night during riots and protests over the high cost of living – the first fatality in a nearly month-old strike that has hammered this French Caribbean island’s tourist industry and paralyzed daily life.  Three police officers were also injured in the overnight violence, one with a gunshot wound to the eye.

Authorities said that rioters overnight looted 15 businesses, set fire to another seven, and burned 21 cars. Thirteen people were detained. On Wednesday morning, dozens of residents cleared streets and businesses of debris.

Guadeloupe, a verdant hilly island with white-sand beaches has been a favorite barefoot sail charter destination for years.  Because of the unrest, thousands of tourists have fled or canceled holidays on the normally tranquil island, prompting many hotels to close and cruise ships to head elsewhere.  News coverage in the United States has been minimal, and sailors need to be aware of the potential dangers that they may encounter ashore, during a French Caribbean yacht charter.

The Caribbean yacht charter specialists at 1-800-BAREBOAT bareboat.com are advising all clients to revise their sailing itineraries and modify their reservations to pick up and drop-off their rental sailboats and yachts in other destinations.  Alternate Caribbean sailing destinations that offer exciting blue-water legs include Antigua, St. Martin, and the spectacular Grenadines in the Windward island chain.  For first-time barefoot sailors, the steady trade winds of the Virgin Islands offer a great destination for a Caribbean yacht charter vacation.

Yacht charter customers are also encouraged to consider the purchase of trip cancellation insurance as some policies (but not all) offer protection in the event of political uprisings and social unrest.