Virgin Islands

Discovered in 1493 on his second voyage to the new world, Christopher Columbus named these islands the Virgin Islands after St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgins. Over history several different European countries laid claim to the territory which is now comprised of the United States Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Islands. Five centuries later many of the islands exist as they were first charted - an uninhabited natural paradise. An island symphony yacht vacation is your passage to experience the beauty that Columbus fell in love with and so much more.

The Virgin Islands lie at Latitude 18 where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. This archipelago of over 100 islands and cays looks like a string of emerald jewels glistening in the sun and vibrant turquoise water found only in the Caribbean.

The surrounding water is considered by many to be the finest cruising ground in the world. Professional and amateur sailors from all over the world converge on the Virgins because of their constant trade winds and extraordinarily calm seas.

Because there are so many accessible islands each with a different flavor, a private yacht charter is the best way to experience the Virgin Islands. Your attentive crew holds the key to unlocking each island’s best kept secrets. The variety of terrain within the Virgin Islands includes mountains to hike, rainforest to discover and historic shipwrecks to dive. The awards for world’s best beaches are too numerous to list as each island has a stake in the title. Some favorites are the idyllic hammocks and beach bars that dot the white sand beaches of Jost Van Dyke where you can meet interesting people from all over the world or Sandy Spit an uninhabited acre of paradise perfection, where you can spend the afternoon pretending to be a castaway albeit with a champagne picnic.

Virgin Islands National Park in St. John covers two thirds of the island and a vast majority of the surrounding water. A visit to Leinster Bay reveals a starfish colony with a larger population than most of the islands. The British Virgin Islands are nicknamed, “Nature’s Little Secrets”. After experiencing an afternoon marveling at the house sized boulders and hidden beaches and pools that make up Virgin Gorda’s Baths you will see one the secrets that is both kept and shared.

The Spanish Virgin’s of Vieques, Culebra, Culebrita, and the surrounding cays are the latest miracle to be opened to the charter industry. Coupled with stops on the Puerto Rican mainland you can have your cake and eat it too – a vacation filled with exploration, adventure, luxury, and GOLF on some of the Caribbean’s most acclaimed courses.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in St. Thomas where a driver will take you to the dock to meet your Captain and crew. After a tour of the yacht and briefing on your preferences you’ll cast off the lines and set sail for St. John and Virgin Islands National Park. Stop at Honeymoon Beach for your first taste of lunch aboard your floating paradise. Take a hike into the national park, relax on the crystal white sand or enjoy a spa treatment at nearby Caneel Bay Resort before sailing to Maho or Leinster Bay for your overnight mooring. The national park is a hiker’s paradise, enjoy waterfalls and petroglyphs or historical sugar cane mills. After dinner you’ll want to take a drink on deck to get your first glimpse of the Caribbean Night Sky.

Day 2. Awake in pure tranquility of Leinster Bay. Home to a starfish colony. Next, you’ll set sail for British waters and clear customs in Tortola. Take in some shopping set sail for the famous Sir Francis Drake Channel named for an infamous British Pirate.  Stop at  rock outcropping called The Indians for some of the best snorkeling in the islands with an abundant fish population. Even kayak to ‘The Caves’ which inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Treasure Island. The Willy T floating schooner flying the skull and crossbones will bring out the pirate in you. Be sure to ask Zeus the bartender about walking the plank.

Day 3. After breakfast a quick sail over to Peter Island where you can relax at Deadman’s bay, try your hand at windsurfing at Great Harbor or dine at the exclusive Peter Island Yacht Club. Next, sail or motor to the channel between Salt and Cooper Island to dive the magnificently preserved wreck of the RMS Rhone, a British Mail Steamer that sank during a hurricane in 1867. Even non divers can snorkel above the site where they filmed the dive sequences for the Nick Nolte thriller “The Deep.” If you want to film a movie of your own, we can arrange to have an underwater photographer shoot a video of your adventure. Overnight at Cooper Island.

Day 4. A morning sail to Virgin Gorda to ensure that you can explore the Baths without the mid day crowd. The Baths are easily one of the natural wonders of the Caribbean. This large colony of house sized granite boulders reveals secret beaches, pools and grottos. After pushing your camera to its limits at the Baths it’s time to sail up the coast of Virgin Gorda to Gorda Sound. Like a natural lake surrounded on all sides by islands and peninsula Gorda Sound is the perfect spot to get in some water skiing. At night most of the yachts converge on Saba Rock or the Bitter End Yacht club for cocktails and a few tall tales about the day at sea.

Day 5. Sail by Richard Branson’s Necker Island on the way to Anegada awaits. Situated  14 miles north of Virgin Gorda surrounded by the third largest barrier reef in the world, this a snorkeling utopia. The island is home to more flamingoes than people. The beach at Loblolly bay is rumored to be a superb location spot the ‘green flash’ as the sun sets. Lobster feast under the stars.

Day 6. The brisk sail from Anegada is a great time to spot humpback whales in season. Trellis Bay bound for some nightlife at The Last Resort or Marina Cay which both have live entertainers, one of them is a singing donkey.

Day 7. A morning sail to Sandy Cay, the deserted island featured on many postcards. Then sail over to Jost Van Dyke and Great Harbor, home to Foxy’s Tamarind Bar to catch Foxy for his lunchtime set of comedy infused calypso. Nearby White Bay lined with hammock s and home to the Soggy Dollar Bar birthplace of the cocktail called the Painkiller. After an afternoon of complete bliss and relaxation, sail to Cane Garden Bay, dance barefoot in the sand to live reggae or visit Bomba’s surfside shack famous for its full moon parties.

Day 8. A morning sail to Cruz Bay in St. John for some world class shopping and customs clearance into the United States. Next, we sail to Christmas Cove on Great St. James for one last dip in the Caribbean Sea before heading pack to port on St. Thomas. On your way to the airport don’t forget to stop in downtown Charlotte Amalie perhaps the most famous shopping district in the Caribbean.

Leeward Islands

St Barts, St. Martin, Anguilla, Saba, and surrounding Cays

Day 1. The flavor and fashion of France combine with the Caribbean lifestyle to make St. Barts a fabulous place to begin your five-star vacation. You will understand why many celebrities retreat to this tiny, eight-square-mile island when you see the port of Gustavia.

Day 2. View rustic fishing boats and red-roofed bungalows while breakfast is served on deck. Head ashore to shop for the latest apparel then hit the secluded beach at Anse du Gouveneur that faces St. Kitts, Saba and St. Eustatius. That evening, dine at famous Carl Gustaf's while enjoying views of the harbor where your yacht completes the picture.

Day 3. The southwestern side of mountainous St. Kitts, the first English settlement in the Leeward Islands, offers spectacular dive sites. Sandy Point Reef has been designated a National Marine Park with 90-foot, swim-through canyons. On land, explore a lush rainforest complete with waterfalls.

Day 4. Cruise to Nevis for a round of golf at the Four Seasons, which offers "R-and-R" for the non-golfer as well. Your chef prepares a picnic lunch for your party to enjoy ashore as you view tropical and subtropical species at the Botanical Garden. Enjoy a candlelight dinner on the veranda at historic Montpelier Plantation Inn.

Day 5. It's no longer a secret that Shoal Bay on Anguilla's southeast coast is one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean. For windsurfing, try Barnes Bay. After an exhilarating day of fun in the sun, enjoy an alfresco dinner while anchored off Sandy Ground watching a glorious sunset.

Day 6. Grand Case on the French side of Dutch-French St. Martin may be the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Often compared to the Cote d'Azur, many restaurants, boutiques and art galleries make time ashore delightful. Kontiki's serves a dichotomy of excellent prime rib and fresh sushi on the beach at Orient Bay.

Day 7. Get a car for the day and explore the scenic road circling the island. Enjoy some shopping in the Dutch capital of Phillpsburg. Followed up by tropical nightlife at the beachside clubs.

Windward Islands

St. Vincent, and the Grenadines

Like their name suggests, the Windward Islands border the Caribbean Sea to the east and run between latitude 15 and latitude 12. The major islands in this region include breathtaking St. Lucia with its famous Piton Mountains, French Creole Martinique, heavily forested St. Vincent and the spice island of Grenada. In addition, popular yachting destinations include Bequia (known to sailors far and wide), Mustique, Petit St. Vincent, Union Island and Canouan, (chic hotspots for celebrities and the rich and famous), the Tobago Cays (diver’s paradise) and enchanting Carriacou (a part of the country of Grenada).

This island chain more closely represents the islands of the South Pacific with lush tropical rainforests and sandy specks of islands with one or two palm trees being the only inhabitants. The sailing here is a bit more exhilarating due to the passages of open water between some of the many key islands. Because of this, most captains will recommend chartering 10 or more nights. Of course, a traditional seven night charter will be memorable. You’ll just have to return again to experience all of the islands.

So if you love nature, hiking and exploring rainforests and lush countryside, warm friendly people and some adventurous sailing, the Windward Islands await.

Sample itinerary - Martinique to Grenada

Day 1. Join your yacht in Fort de France on Martinique's west coast, the largest and liveliest city in the Windward Islands. Enjoy a welcome drink aboard before setting sail southwards to the delightful anchorage Trois Islets.

Day 2. Sail further down the coast to St. Anne, a pretty seaside town.

Day 3. An opportunity to practice your sailing skills on the passage to St. Lucia. Your destination is Rodney bay where you will have the opportunity to visit the old naval base on Pigeon island, preserved by the St. Lucia National Trust.

Day 4. A short sail to Anse Cochon, for swimming and snorkeling, then on to Marigot Bay, a spectacularly beautiful anchorage affording a perfect backdrop to that sunset rum punch.

Day 5. Heading further south to Soufrière. a small town dominated by the towering twin Pitons and a base to explore the sulfur springs, and perhaps a walk in the rain forest.

Day 6. Leave St. Lucia and head for St. Vincent, an island of towering mountains, craggy peaks and a dense green forest. Arrive in Cumberland Bay and tie up to a palm tree.

Day 7. A short sail to your lunch time stop at Petit Byahut, for some delightful snorkeling. In the afternoon move for a final night aboard on Young Island. This cruise can be linked to the Grenadines cruise for a two week holiday.

Or St. Vincent to Grenada

Day 1. Join your yacht at Young Island, St. Vincent and enjoy a tropical drink and a refreshing dip before lunch, spent watching the birds on the Island. After lunch, find your sea legs on the short passage to Bequia.

Day 2. Once an active whaling station boat-building can still be seen on Bequia. An afternoon's sail takes you to the beautiful and exclusive island of Mustique.

Day 3. An opportunity to see where the rich and famous live and swim on one of the island's beautiful beaches. After a late lunch sail to Canouan and relax in peaceful anchorage off Charlestown Bay.

Day 4. A short hop brings you to Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau, with wonderful snorkeling; the energetic can experience the spectacular views from the top of the island.

Day 5. Just around the corner are Tobago Cays, considered to have the best snorkeling and diving in The Grenadines.

Day 6. An exhilarating sail to the idyllic Sandy Island for lunch and a swim before arriving at Carriacou, with its choice of water sports.

Day 7. Sail via Petit Martinique to Petit St. Vincent for lunch and a swim before arriving at beautiful Palm Island for your final gourmet dinner aboard your yacht.

Day 8. After breakfast and a morning dip, sail across to Union Island for your connecting flight home.

Greek Isles I – Cyclades

SOUNION -KEA, TINOS-MYKONOS, MYKONOS, DELOS-PAROS, KOUFONISIA, DESPOTIKO-SIFNOS, SERIFOS-ATHENS

One of the birthplaces of civilization, Greece exhibits over 4,000 years of culture and history. It's up to you to look a little further, but you don't have to look too far as in most cases history will find you.

Imagine a place that never sleeps. In the Greek Islands you will find that rush hour starts when the sun goes down. Young, young at heart, singles or families, you will find your perfect spot. Attracting the most famous DJs from all over the world, the night clubs of the Greek Islands offer an atmosphere that you will never forget. Cute little bars looking out into the sea, flood the islands and offer just the spot for a quiet, romantic or family time. Traditional Greek night spots with ethnic music, are almost everywhere. The breaking of plates is an experience that you'll have to see for yourselves.

Sample itinerary

Day 1. In the morning, your captain will brief you on the weather conditions and your trip schedule.You will sail from the Marina to Kea, the first island you will visit on your cruise.

After motoring one and a half hours (25NM), you have the option of anchoring in the Bay of Sounion and visiting the Temple of Poseidon . Cape Sounion signals the entrance to the Aegean Sea. You can swim, relax, and have lunch.
Later, on the same day, you will reach the island of Kea, 17 miles from Sounion. A quiet island, mostly barren with patches of cultivated and wooded land. Kea is characterized by little valleys with vineyards and orchards between mountainous masses leading to idyllic coves. The village of Vourkari, where you will be moored, is the most popular spot on the island. The beautiful "Chora," principal town, located on the hill is worth a visit. Here, you will experience the tranquility of a traditional Cycladic town.
Do not miss the colossal ancient lion (29ft.6 in. high) carved out of the rock, attributed to an Ionian sculptor, around 600 B.C. In the evening, enjoy Greek cuisine at one of the fish restaurants in the small Bay of Vourkari.

Day 2. Sailing to Mykonos, you can stop and enjoy a pleasurable lunch on Tinos. Tinos is famous for its miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary. Twice a year, especially on August l5, the island is a place of pilgrimage for orthodox Christians from all over the world.The dovecotes of Tinos, made of white-washed, native stone, are works of art.The island's twenty exquisite villages are unique examples of folk architecture.

After sailing for 10 miles, you will reach Mykonos, the place with the best bars in all of Greece. Depending on weather conditions, you may anchor in the main harbor, which, although crowded, busy, windy and noisy, is one of the most spectacular in the world. Mykonos, of course, is world famous, and we choose not to repeat everything that has been written about it in the tourist guides. What we will say is that it is the one place in Greece where time stands still and the night is always young. Just enjoy it! One day is not enough to discover all of its charm.

Day 3. Like all visitors to Mykonos, your night ends at sunrise. Whenever you wake up, you will swim and relax on the golden beach of Agia Anna on the island's south coast.

Spend the afternoon exploring the narrow streets of the town where charming chapels and picturesque tavernas are nestled between folk art, jewellery and fur shops.

Day 4. The next morning you will visit the magnificent ruins of Delos. This was the most important political and religious center of ancient Greece, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The oracle of Delos was second in fame only to Delphi, and consulted before making major decisions. The ruins and the museum are a must. The magnitude of the remnants offers such a complete picture of ancient life that historians have compared the site to Pompeii. Lunch, relaxation and swimming can be enjoyed in the emerald-coloured bay of Rhinia, a nearby island. In the evening, you will anchor in the Bay of Naoussa on the north side of Paros, with its beautiful sandy beaches. Naoussa is a quiet fishing village by day, with good restaurants and one of Greece's best red wines. Night life in Naoussa lasts until dawn with a flood of music from its many outdoor bars and clubs. Parian marble has been renowned for its quality from ancient times until today.

Day 5. Koufonissia is the next stop on your Aegean cruise, two small islands in the heart of the Cyclades. Off the beaten path, away from the tourists spots, you will discover emerald waters, sandy beaches, smiling, hospitable people, small, white houses, picturesque, narrow streets, spectacular coves for swimming in privacy, and plenty of fish.

The ferryboat from Piraeus arrives only three times a week so the landscape is not yet spoiled by crowds of tourists. You can relax and enjoy the lobster, red mullet and fresh octopus, the beautiful beaches and tranquility of these islands. Don't miss Venetsanos's tavern on Kato Koufonisi where you can taste local specialities from the wild goats of Keros island. And, of course, all the delights of the sea.

The anchorage for lunch, swimming and relaxation on the fifth day of your tour will be a quiet spot between the islands of Antiparos and Despotico.
You will reach the island of Sifnos in the evening, anchoring in Kamares, the main port, or staying overnight in a bay such as Vathy or Plati Gialos.

Day 6. Sifnos is one of Greece's most remarkable islands. A wealthy island in antiquity, Herodotus records that gold and silver mines made the islanders the wealthiest in Greece by the sixth century B.C. By the first century B.C. Sifniot pottery had become the community's most successful export. Even today,its heat-resistant quality is particularly prized. There is a number of unique chimneys found on the island, and many homes incorporate tiles with local motif on their walls. The island is also famous for its chefs. Here, you can enjoy pork cooked in wine, mushrooms and herbs; rabbit stew; freshly-cooked beetroot, or spicy vegetarian spaghettis. You can drink local wine in copper jugs and experience an unforgettable breakfast under shady trees on the waterfront. On Sifnos, green alternates with dazzling white. The Kastro, a medieval village, offers a spectacular, panoramic view.

Day 7. After a one hour cruise from Sifnos, you will arrive at Serifos. A cluster of barren mountains dotted by small, fertile valleys provides an enchanting atmosphere where tiny houses,narrow stoned-paved streets, magical shores and a castle surrounded by windmills await you. The view from the Chora (main village) down to the bay and across the sea to neighbouring islands is worth the trip. Leaving Serifos in the afternoon, you will arrive in Athens after a three hour cruise, already imagining the timeless beauty of the many Aegean islands you didn't have time to see on this journey ...

Greek Isles II – Saronic Gulf

EPIDAVROS, HYDRA, SPETSES, MONEMVASIA, NAFPLION, PORTO HELI, DOKOS-POROS-AEGINA-ATHENS

There is nowhere else in the world that offers so many spectacular settings. Whether your desire is to swim, snorkel, fish, do water-sports, or just relax, the diversity of Greek beaches and waters offer an opportunity for everyone. Here East meets West. Greek cuisine encompasses an extensive variety of tastes. You'll enjoy the freshest seafood, delicious traditional plates and a commendable selection of foreign cuisine. A healthy and stress free life. The combination of cuisine and liqueurs, such as Ouzo and Tsipouro, are responsible for the high longevity of Greeks. Experience it!

Sample itinerary

Day 1. You will leave the harbor early after having a leisurely breakfast. After cruising 17 miles in the Saronic Gulf you will anchor in the south bay of Angistry, a small, tranquil island. Here, you can swim, snorkle and enjoy a relaxing lunch. After one and half-hours, you will reach Epidavros harbor, a small, charming village. From here, you can visit the ancient theatre at Epidavros (about 30 minutes by taxi). During summer, ancient Greek plays are performed regularly during the Epidavros Festival, and, even if you don't understand the language, you will appreciate the perfect acoustics in this ancient Greek theatre. We can arrange for your tickets to see a famous ancient Greek drama. You can also visit the museum and the sanctuary of Asclepious, which was a religious center for curing the sick and infirm.

Day 2. The next morning you will arrive at Poros, anchoring on the northern coast of the island. Relax, swim, and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will sail to Hydra. This is the place with some of the best yachts in the Mediterranean. Hydra is a picturesque and beautiful island renowned for its maritime tradition and its contribution to the War of Independence. Hydra's architecture is splendid and strict zoning restrictions ensure that it looks now, as it did almost a hundred years ago. During the 1960's Hydra was a fashionable artists colony and, today, many art galleries dot the main town. There you will discover fine art, ceramics and an amazing exhibition of doorknockers. Cars are not allowed on the island so donkeys prevail.

Day 3. You can spend the next morning at Ermioni, swimming or relaxing. It is only 10 miles motoring from Hydra. If you wish, there is enough time to visit the town and the small, wooded peninsula. In the afternoon, after sailing 10 miles, you will reach Spetses, a beautifully green island covered with pine trees.
Bright-colored bougainvilleas decorate white-washed garden walls which enclose the pebbled yards of the island's mansions. Charming horse-drawn carriages provide taxi service around the island, as cars are not allowed on the cobbled streets.

Day 4. On your way to Monemvasia you will anchor for lunch at Kiparissi Bay. Here, a dramatic landscape leading to a beautiful village demonstrates the great extent of isolation experienced by many communities in the eastern Pelonponnese until recent years. The village has a narrow foothold between the mountains and the sea. It was reachable only by sea, foot or mule, but can now be approached by descending a breathtaking, mountain track. In the afternoon you will arrive at Monemvassia, one of the marvels of Greece. Being one of the last strongholds to fall to invaders, it features an imposing fortress. The climb from the lower town to the fortress at the top of the rock is not particularly taxing. It should, however, be avoided in summer under mid-day sun. At the peak, you will be rewarded by the utterly unforgettable church of Aghia Sophia, as well as by spectacular views of the sea.

Day 5. On your way to Nafplion you may anchor for lunch in Fokiakis bay in the eastern Peloponnese, or off the beautiful sandy beaches of Tolo, a small fishing village.
Nafplion was the first capital of independent Greece. It is dominated by the Venetian citadel, Palamidi, a perfectly perserved example of Venetian military architecture. Shops and tavernas are nestled in the narrow streets.

Day 6. You may anchor in Porto Heli for lunch. There is a natural, landlocked bay with crystal waters and ideal conditions for water sports.
Later, drop anchor in the bay surrounding Dokos island for swimming or relaxing.
In the afternoon, you will sail to Poros harbor. This island is very green with woods, and the town is built on a volcanic penisula which separates it from the Peloponnese by a narrow, shallow channel. Arriving in Poros in the late afternnon via the east entrance of the bay is an impressive experience. The picturesque Zoodohos Pigi (source of life) monastery is worth a visit.

Day 7. On the last day of your cruise you will stop for a morning swim and relaxation in Perdika, a port of Aegina island. You can hire a taxi and visit the temple of Aphaia (6th century BC). The temple is an example of one the most perfectly designed classical temples in Greece. Aegina is also famous for its pottery and pistachio nuts.

In the afternoon, after an hour of motoring, you will return to Athens. Your cruise will have ended, but you will disembark with wonderful memories of an extraordinary journey between sea, sun and history.