Where next?

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Deleted User YDKXO

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We've had 5 seasons in Majorca now and 6 seasons in Spain in total and we're thinking about a change of scenery. We'd like to go back to the South of France but the difficulty in getting a berth there probably makes that a non-starter. Ideally what I'm looking for in a location is this

Regular scheduled flights from a London airport (pref not Ryanair)
Full service marina with good security and maintenance facilities
Good cruising area with choice of nearby anchorages for dayboating
Climate with mild winters and not known for regular high winds

I'm thinking Sardinia, possibly the Costa Smerelda, or Ligurian coastline, possibly Genoa or Verazze. Anybody got any other suggestions?
 
Have you considered Marina di Nettuno. 45 mins south of Rome so plentiful flights to either Ciampino or Fiumicino (main Rome airport) beautiful part of Italy, not far from the pontine islands of Ponza etc and down the coast to Ischia,Capri etc. I know the area very well as we have a house there in the mountains
 
I am assuming you want to stay in the Med?. Otherwise here in Portugal I think your other requirements can be met. Faro airport with scheduled services to Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Heathrow (Easyjet, BA, TAP, Aer Lingus etc.), plus regional airports. Good marinas (five) all within sixty miles of the airport. Mild winters and plenty of sunshine, nice coast for dropping the hook off a number of quiet beaches. It is of course the Atlantic coast but there are probably no more heavy weather days than anwhere else.
 
Gibraltar?

Explore the Spanish CDS, Morocan Coast and Portugal. Low priced berthing, tax free fuel and parts. Fly BA from Heathrow, Easyjet from Gatwick or Monarch from Luton. Walk to boat from Airport, Good local maintenance at Shephards and always choice of three directions depending on weather.

Also can fly to Malaga if you want!

Paul
 
At SIBS there was a guy selling berths in Corfu and it looked great but I'm not sure it fits the bill for easy year round flights and mild winters.

I was only put off by the lack of regular year round flights from the North of England
 
I think Sardinia is quite windy a lot of the time isn't it? Certainly Corsica is, though both are very beautiful. We're also thinking where next, though not for a couple of years, but maybe Greek Ionian islands. Croatia is obviously an option as well.

I know someone who seems to be able to find rental berths in SoF when nobody else can. She's quite mercenary, and always tries to maximise her commission on the deal, but you're shrewd enough to know if it's worth paying or not. Let me know if you wan't her contact details. There's talk of the leases being extended in Antibes and some other ports, so if you're a gambling man you could take a punt and buy one at credit crunch prices, as they'd surely go up in value if the leases are extended.
 
We are in Corfu and winter is not too clever. But then much of the med is not as clement outside the summer as many would imagine. Mild here yes but it does know how to rain.
as regards flights, easyjet fly direct from London and Northern airports May to October but in winter you need to route via Athens. Cruising however is wonderful.
 
Deleted User said:
I'm thinking Sardinia, possibly the Costa Smerelda, or Ligurian coastline, possibly Genoa or Verazze. Anybody got any other suggestions?
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Is Sicily worth a look? Pix in Aug's MBY looked stunning and suggested a growing marina infrastructure. Plenty of flights to Palermo.
 
I quite liked the article by the Crosslands (in the July issue of MBY - the one with the Squaddie 65 on the cover) on the Greek Islands - particularly Corfu. Seems idilic - you just have to find a safe haven.

Did you manage to get away without paying the Mat Tax then?
 
Hurricane said:
I quite liked the article by the Crosslands (in the July issue of MBY - the one with the Squaddie 65 on the cover) on the Greek Islands - particularly Corfu. Seems idilic - you just have to find a safe haven.
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How kind!! Since I wrote that we have found some even better places to go around the island and STILL have not found a tacky resort. Just got back from a trip round the north west side of the island and it was great - stayed for 3 days anchored in a huge bay called Agios Georgios - crystal clear water, good shelter from the usual north westerly, good holding and space for hundreds of boats. Over the 3 days the max number of other boats reached 3. Mostly just us - in mid July! As regards a safe haven - Gouvia Marina is the only one worth considering as a base. happily provide any other info.

Dave Crossland.
 
Hurricane said:
I quite liked the article by the Crosslands (in the July issue of MBY - the one with the Squaddie 65 on the cover) on the Greek Islands - particularly Corfu. Seems idilic - you just have to find a safe haven.

Did you manage to get away without paying the Mat Tax then?
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No, I've had to lodge a bond with the local Customs to the value of the computed Mat Tax in order to get my boat released. I've currently got a local lawyor working on my case. However, there's still the issue of the fine which is a minimum of 50% of the tax due. If it looks like I'm on a loser and I'm going to get hit with the fine as well, then I'm off sharpish
 
Deleted User said:
No, I've had to lodge a bond with the local Customs to the value of the computed Mat Tax in order to get my boat released. I've currently got a local lawyor working on my case. However, there's still the issue of the fine which is a minimum of 50% of the tax due. If it looks like I'm on a loser and I'm going to get hit with the fine as well, then I'm off sharpish
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Pragmatically, this is illogical, Mike. If you do have to satisify them with their taxes, you would then be in the clear and could settle down to enjoy the local cruising without any fears of it happening again.

However, emotionally, I agree it would leave a feeling of "?astards" in your mind and you may want to leave and take your money elsewhere.
 
Hurricane said:
South West Sardinia
Not sure what the local cruising is like
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Well that's also a matter of personal tastes of course.
But this is my 4th season in that area, and I'm still far from getting bored.
Of course, anyone who's also looking for night life might prefer Costa Smeralda or other places - each to their own, as always.

PS: glad to hear that you appreciated. Did you stay at Marine Sifredi or Marinatour?
 
Nick_H said:
I think Sardinia is quite windy a lot of the time isn't it?
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Yes it is generally speaking, but depending on where you are located you might find that it's very rarely bad enough to ruin a boating day.
Actually, in SW Sardinia for instance, the climate is rather hot in Jul/Aug, and you really appreciate some Mistral to cool a bit, particularly if moored in a marina.
And you can still find sheltered places to anchor, enjoying beautiful and calm nights, with no need to turn on the genny and A/C, which is a big plus imho.
 
benjenbav said:
Is Sicily worth a look? Pix in Aug's MBY looked stunning and suggested a growing marina infrastructure. Plenty of flights to Palermo.
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Im on the north coast of Sicily and I love it.
We speak sicilian though and have friends and family who know the right people in the port.
I spoke to an English chap last week who left Lymington in 2005 and was slowly working his way round the med and he said he found Sicily expensive.
I got a quote to moor my 43 ft boat[currently in the solent] for the year in a small port we know very well and it was £2800, no real facilities though.
On the North coast I know that St Agatha militello have spaces. Bit basic but on a new pontoon.
I love Sicily but You dont get the service you would from a decent Marina in the UK.

For Secure mooring with facilities, Porto Rosa near Patti/Milazzo which has a new Hotel now, although I find the rest a bit out dated and you have to contend with Ryan air to Palermo or BA to Catania.

This area is 1 hr from the nearest Aeolian Islands, 2 hrs from Messina and the Mainland,and 4 hours from Toamina and the East coast.

I have been out there all seasons and there have been some flat calm weeks in all seasons where I have kicked myself for not getting the boat in !
 
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MJF,

I understand your frustration ref MAt. tax. but if you have sorted it then you have an excellent cruising ground without hassle.

The Balearics are fab, I know they are not cheap but you get what you pay for.

The CDS is great for the weather all year but cruising is limited, give Morroco a BIG swerve, there this week (oops ramadam only place to eat is the hotel).

Portugal is great but alway a big swell running along the Atlantic coast....

I thought Sardinia was great, you can hide from wind which is nice, I met a very nice chap this year whilst on delivery he keeps his boat in Carloforte for the summer and has it lifted out of season, I know his daughters name but not his PM me if you want details.

Sicily forget ignorant thieving doo dahs............... wherever you are.

Croatia beautiful and cheap, except internet, €200 to book a flight but that could be telefonica. Split is gorge, 7k per year mooring for a 58'....

good luck in your search. wife moaning must go
 
Deleted User said:
We've had 5 seasons in Majorca now and 6 seasons in Spain in total and we're thinking about a change of scenery. We'd like to go back to the South of France but the difficulty in getting a berth there probably makes that a non-starter. Ideally what I'm looking for in a location is this

Regular scheduled flights from a London airport (pref not Ryanair)
Full service marina with good security and maintenance facilities
Good cruising area with choice of nearby anchorages for dayboating
Climate with mild winters and not known for regular high winds

I'm thinking Sardinia, possibly the Costa Smerelda, or Ligurian coastline, possibly Genoa or Verazze. Anybody got any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

How about the coast of Tuscany - Piombino for example?
Lovely cruising from there to Elba, Corsica and Sardinia.
Flights to Pisa.
 
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