Malta / Sicily

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Stevie_T

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Our boat is currently in Preveza. Unfortunately we are restricted by my wife being a teacher to school holidays until I can persuade her to give it up.
So, we are therefore limited to a 6 week cruise from the last week in July to the beginning of September.
I am considering a trip to Malta / Pantelleria / Sicily and back to Preveza or if conditions are right, a one way trip to Gibralter / Portugal. If the dominant winds at this time are NW then I would have thought the return trip is a reasonable possibility in both directions.
I am wondering if anybody with experience in this area could give me an opinion on the trip and whether like everywhere else the overcrowded Med will make it an unpleasant experience at this time of year?

Thanks
 
Hello David

Yes I was going to go up the Adriatic, but stories of too many Italians and Cruising permits did put me off. If I do the return trip and stay in Preveza then I shall look at that next year, hopefully when we can cruise outside of the July / August hotspots.
 
Spain is crowded too and there aren't a huge number of anchorages.
I flew to Alicante last month and the harbour is completely full with two huge marinas,
and the coast north is appallingly overdeveloped. I like the Algarve but it's a very small area and I was also underwhelmed by Gibraltar.
Sicily is interesting but not necessarily the most yacht friendly place.
I always think that the purpose of a boat is to visit islands, and there are an awful lot of islands in Croatia. The worst crowding is up in Istria rather than further south in the Adriatic.
Italians are no worse than Brits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I would go for the first option. As you head west, things become more challenging. If you go to Malta there are sufficient pleasant anchorages to keep you occupied. You may also like to consider a side trip to Tunisia (Bizerte) if you make it as far as Pantelleria.
 
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Italians are no worse than Brits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[/ QUOTE ]
I appreciate your comments David, though nothing personal meant against the Italians. In a similar vein, if I was an Italian visiting Northern France I wouldn't want it to be overcrowded with brits
 
You'll find anywhere crowded in summer.

I did Sicily thoroughly last year, in terms of facilities, anchorages and marinas it's pretty poor. At that time of year it's very hot (as in malta where it's been up to 38C in the last few days). The "best" were Siracusa and Mars'Allah. Mind the history is fascinating.

For fun Croatia is a vastly superior cruising ground, very much better presented and for that you have to pay.
The vignette is painless except to the pocket (mine cost L199 and I was allowed 28 crew change), done in Gruz and I'm promised 20% off next year.
there are 1000s of anchorages (tho' the Imray pilot is pretty naff), and providing you keep away from the marina neighbourhoods you'll not be to far wrong.

Most of the charterers appear to be german, a few Italians come over on their own boats (they're the ones sailed competently), and you'll come across the odd Brit charterer.
 
Currently in the middle of the N. Sicilian coast - absolutely delightful and no problem with anchorages (provided the weather is settled as it is at the moment). I understand that it will all be very different next week when the main season kicks in - and indeed tonight with the Italian win in the world cup - the whole town seems to be celebrating very enthusiasticallly!!
There is, however, a long stretch between good anchorages and the only marina we have used so far provided only adequate shelter, few facilites and was vastly overpriced (Castellomarre del Golfo).
 
By the way, Hannabella, we've just come back from Cleopatra this sunday, and we are pleased to announce that the family of sparrows that had set up residence inside your boom has now fledged safe and sound, leaving you their little reminders all over you bimini and sprayhood...!
Apart from that, all is well!
 
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the family of sparrows that had set up residence inside your boom has now fledged safe and sound, leaving you their little reminders all over you bimini and sprayhood...!

[/ QUOTE ]
Glad to be of service, hate to think of the boat lying empty while there are local chicks going homeless.
Forgot to block the damned thing still, could be worse, could be a hornets nest!
 
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