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Destinations in the Caribbean
New Winter Sailing Destinations
in the Caribbean
by Christopher Longmore
Although the sailing season in the South Eastern Mediterranean
runs from mid-May to the end of October, there is still significant
demand from European sailors for charters in waters warm during
the long, cold Northern winter.
Traditionally the Caribbean has been the main beneficiary of
this. The British have tended to go to the ex-colonies - the Virgin
Islands, Antigua, and Grenada. This always has two problems. Travel
costs are high and/or inflexible, and the area is equally popular
with North Americans to the point that it gets very crowded. Getting
there from the USA is seriously cheap and easy, and there is little
or no time difference.
The charming French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe have
long been an attractive alternative to the traditional winter
destinations for frost-bitten Brits, but one that they seem determined
to ignore. A quick connecting hop to Paris and a direct flight
from there to either French island is an altogether more attractive
option; when you get there the Gallic charm (and excellent food)
is much in evidence; and there are plenty of yachts to charter
from companies every bit as well equipped and more flexible than
their neighbours in the English speaking Caribbean! The cruising
opportunities are almost the same.
The other interesting alternative is Cuba. The country does not
always enjoy the best of press coverage, and is in many ways a
good advertisement for the failure of socialism. Despite that
there is a rapidly emerging yacht charter industry on the northern
coast. Transfer times from Havana airport are a little long at
2 1/2 hours, but you do get to see some of the islands magnificent
scenery. The sailing itself is fabulous. Getting there is also
relatively easy via either Madrid or Barcelona. The latter in
particular has plenty of low-cost flights from all over the UK,
so it isvery easy to combine a couple of days there with a Caribbean
holiday sailing in Cuba (see http://www.allafloat.com).
Last but by no means least is Belize. OK OK, so you don't know
where it is. Neither did we until we got interested in the yacht
charters (see http://www.global-yacht.com)
business. You may know it as British Honduras though. Anyway it's
in the middle of the Central American mainland. Yes it is very
very difficult to reach, and should only even be on your agenda
if you have at least two weeks to spare, with three an advantage!
It's definitely near the top of our personal wish list. There
are three reasons for this. Belize is home to the world's second
biggest coral reef, and you are sailing inside it in a catamaran;
on shore there are some of the world's greatest Mayan monuments,
and some amazing luxury boutique hotels.
About The Author
Christopher LONGMORE - Owner of Top Notch, a GibSea402 based in
Turkey and of the Global Yacht sailing holiday group (http://www.global-yacht-holidays.com).
cbl@global-yacht.com
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