So... when we are flushed out of the Rhone

[pcatterall]

Where do we go after Port St Louis?!
We are planning our cruise through the French Canals, moving on from Paris in June.
The 2013 destination is Greece ( assuming that they are still open)
We are still uncertain as to when we may reach the French South coast as we are in no great rush.
We are thinking now about places to overwinter. France itself or Corsica/Sardinia Sicilly or Malta are all possibles I guess.
We don't need to be in Greece until late 2013 and think it would be nice to spend time cruising the Islands above.
We would appreciate soem broad brush ideas/advice concerning overwintering spots and cruising that general area next year before heading East.

 

[Billjratt]

I bet you meet people en-route who will form your opinions (good and bad) more than anyone here, even though there is undoubtedly more experience in your computer than on your neighbours boat.
Enjoy and go with the flow. Things are changing fast and some of us will be out of date and irrelevant.
Just do it, then join the advice-givers and keep us us informed!
but mainly - have fun.

 

[multihullsailor6]

If you are planning to be liveaboards - go as far south as you can so that the daily temperatures are bearable. I hear good things about Tripani and Marina di Ragusa both in Sicily with Ragusa being very windy.

I know it is not on your way, but today here in Cartagena we had our usual midweek BBQ in balmy 18°C and virtually not a cloud to be seen - life's tough but someone has to be here!

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Depends what time of year you reach Port St Louis, if it is near the end of September I would say just look around and see how many boats are coming out of the water.
The locals are not silly, almost all the boats are ashore from October onward for a reason, ie. The weather sucks after then.
Also be aware that travelling down the Spanish coast after September is massively expensive, average for one night in a marina in 2008 was around£45. Bit of a shock to the system after free or very cheap berthing in the canals of France.
Best bet IMO is to stop at Marseille for the winter and push East in April at the beginning of the summer. Failing that stay in the Canals at somewhere like St Jean de Losne till March and make your way South through April. That means cheap berthing and a pleasant stay before the excitement of reaching the Med.
Whatever you do will be brilliant and you will have a great time. May see you out there in 2014 if we can make it back.
Good luck and safe sailing

 

[LadyInBed]

Where do we go after Port St Louis?!

Turn left - Ile Ratonneau off Marseille (I didn't rate Marseille, marina staff very sniffy)
then onto the calanques off Cassis (Cassis is also nice)
then meander round to the Porquerolles off the Giens peninsula.

That should chill you out properly for the med after the canals.

 

[Mrnotming]

Where do we go after Port St Louis?!
We are planning our cruise through the French Canals, moving on from Paris in June.
The 2013 destination is Greece ( assuming that they are still open)
We are still uncertain as to when we may reach the French South coast as we are in no great rush.
We are thinking now about places to overwinter. France itself or Corsica/Sardinia Sicilly or Malta are all possibles I guess.
We don't need to be in Greece until late 2013 and think it would be nice to spend time cruising the Islands above.
We would appreciate soem broad brush ideas/advice concerning overwintering spots and cruising that general area next year before heading East.

Thinking back on what we did,leaving the Rhone, we went left as far as Italy,and then came west as far as Estartit, then back to Empuriabrava in the Bay of Rosas, where we wintered.
Girona Airport was about 1 1/2 hours drive away and flights were plentiful.
Other places we wintered were Portomaso in Malta,Porto Turistico di Roma at Ostia, Up the Fiumicino Canal at Constellation Nautica, just past the 2nd Bridge(Bascule). Places that come to mind as having been enjoyable were Tropea in Italy, Syracuse in Sicily, and most of the Ligurian coast.Elba was delightful, many anchorages, the Costa Smeralda was not really inviting, due to prices and overcrowding.Olbia offered a few days public quay for €13, no facilties.There is a new marina now in Olbia.Also Santo Stephano was found to be a good friendly honest sort of a place, doubtless changed now, as base for the salvage of the wreck of the Costa Concordia.Early season best for cruising, by mid season you need to have scrounged a semi-permanent berth, or suffer lots of hassle.Good luck with plans!