106m Superyacht AMADEA Delivered By Lurssen 106m/348ft

Leaving the German shipyard for Norway yesterday afternoon, the 106m/348ft motor yacht AMADEA has been delivered from Lurssen.Following the announcement that the 96m/315ft motor yacht VERTIGO was delivered from Feadship, the news that AMADEA has also been delivered marks a truly spectacular week in the superyacht world.

Cutting a distinctive figure in the water thanks to her Espen Oeino styled exterior, AMADEA has been shrouded in secrecy from the very beginning of her build, with very few details being made official.

What is known, however, is that her 2m elaborate bowsprit positions her in the leagues of the largest superyachts in the world. Specifically, she comes in at 33rd, meaning that Espen Oeino has styled 11 of the largest 100 superyachts whilst Lurssen have built 26 of them.

Images captured during her sea trials revealed that AMADEA includes a generously proportioned swimming pool on her aft deck as well as a full-size helipad on her bow.

Making it even easier for guests to access the water, a broad swim platform extends off the aft whilst the wrap around deck design allows guests to make their way around the exterior with similar ease.

As new information regarding AMADEA becomes available, YachtCharterFleetwill be sure to keep readers fully up to date.

Spanning five extensive decks and governed by remarkable design, Lurssen superyacht AMADEA is nothing short of iconic

Whilst AMADEA is not expected to be made available for charter, be sure to take a look at all of the Lurssen superyachts which are available for charter.

http://blog.yachtcharterfleet.com/post/106m-superyacht-amadea-delivered-by-lurssen-7318.htm

Florida Luxury Yacht Charter - Yacht Charters Florida Trawler Charters

Whatever option you decide on, rest assured that you will explore Florida to its fullest potential. Yacht charter has never been easier. With Yacht.travel you can check all of the available booking schedules for yachts in Florida in real time and choose the time-slot which is most convenient for you.Yacht charter made simple... Yachts.travel makes it easy to rent a yacht in Florida. We have a range of options for yacht charter, bareboat and crewed, ranging from affordable to luxurious.

Florida yacht charters provide access to an excellent year round climate. The best time of year for yacht charter in Florida is from November to April, although though the off-season also provides for a very pleasant experience. The southernmost part of the continental United States is a sportfisherman’s playground and an easy jumping-off point for charterers headed to the Bahamas.

Boasting mostly sub-tropical weather and the powerful Gulf Stream current flowing just off the east coast of the state, South Florida features the remarkable Florida Keys, a string of islands with the southernmost being the notable Key West. One can cruise the various Keys inside the reef in shoal-draft vessels off the eastern “ocean” side of the Keys, or make a straight shot from Miami to Key West running farther offshore.

The “back country” side of the Keys, off the western side, has calm waters, quiet natural scenes, and tremendous island sunsets. The west coast of Florida also features quiet, calm-sea cruising, and no shortage of fishing opportunities.

The west coast of Florida also features quiet, calm-sea cruising, and no shortage of fishing opportunities. Encompassing a great sailing infrastructure throughout most of the popular areas of sailing, Florida Keys and Fort Lauderdale, the sunshine state is likely to be a dream boating vacation for everyone aboard.

Proclaimed to be some of the finest sailing waters on the East Coast of the United States, the Florida Keys are home to the only coral reef in continental United States. Key West’s City Marina and Oceanside Marina are the two major hubs for yacht charters in the Keys.

The marinas can hold almost 400 slips in combined capacity and it is essential to book prior to arrival in the high sailing seasons between November and April. Experience the beautiful weather in the south of Florida and journey through the small islands of the Key including Marquesa, Garden Key and the Dry Tortugas.

Extended sailing holidays can also see you sailing to the Bahamas for a taste of the Caribbean life. Explore the land of the picturesque Boca Chita Key, relax upon the beaches and know the reasons why the Keys islands are often proclaimed to be paradise. Charter though the Hawk Channels and Largo Sound where bird lovers will delight in the large variety of marine bird life as well as Bald eagles and other large birds, as they pass through the narrow rivers of the mangroves.

The Florida Keys are full of endless wonders and also offer the keen sailors who visit the towns and cities of the islands great fresh seafood for dinners and lunches. You may even like to catch your own!

Fort Lauderdale is another great charter area known for being one of the few areas in the world where salt water and fresh water fishing are within 20 minutes distance. Sailing through the greater Fort Lauderdale region, those aboard are likely to catch and enjoy great fresh seafood dinners whilst relaxing on their boats under the Florida sun.

To the south of Fort Lauderdale, sailors will enjoy many sights, relax on beautiful beaches and discover the joys of snorkelling. Anchor in the beach at the North end of Bimini and delight in a beautiful picnic lunch. Snorkel around the 1940’s concrete hull sunken freighter off the coast of Sappona and see the beautiful marine life that have taken up residence.

The lighthouses and beaches along Gun Cay, Tuna alley and Cat Cay are also renown attractions for sailors in the area to enjoy a break from their sailing trip ashore. The marinas and basins in Fort Lauderdale provide swift easy access to other locations throughout Florida, including Miami right down to the Bahamas and even Key West.

Italy Yacht Charter Mediterranean Luxury Yacht Charter Boats

Whatever option you decide on, rest assured that you will explore Italy to its fullest potential. Yacht charter has never been easier. With Yacht.travelyou can check all of the available booking schedules for yachts in Italy in real time and choose the time-slot which is most convenient for you...Yacht charter made simple Yachts.travel makes it easy to rent a yacht in Italy. We have a range of options for yacht charter, bareboat and crewed, ranging from affordable to luxurious.

Italian coast boasts with many splendid tourist resorts which offer pleasure vacation, entertainment and various sport activities; all in constant tendency of improvement in order to match the demands of visitors still with the main objective to preserve nature and to prevent any damage to the marine ecosystem.

Some of the Italian archipelagos and small islands have turned into protected marine areas. However, there is a tendency to allow pleasure boaters to use the system of protected marine areas by installing buoys they can tie up to or by providing other services.

Still, there are numerous interesting places one can choose as his starting base to discover many natural resources of this country, splendid beaches, old towns along the coast, lavishly equipped marinas…Whatever place you choose, you will be amazed by its beauty and variety of choices; providing all the facilities to the visitors.

Yachting facilities in Italy are of a very high standard due to a large resident boating population and considerable boat-building industry.

THE MOST INTERESTING STARTING BASES IN ITALY:

Sicily and Aeolian islands
Sicily is well known for its unique natural beauty, Etna’s volcano, its splendid coast, islands and islets. One can start his journey in Palermo in the north of the island, a city with numerous monuments and dense orchards. The city has preserved some of Arabic and Norman atmosphere. Another base to start your journey could be Marsala, an astonishing town founded by the Cartaginians. It’s a pleasant picturesque place, famous for its wine. Sant’Agata di Militello is located somewhere in between Palermo and Messina. It’s an ideal starting point for cruising the Aeolian islands.

Sardinia
The landscape of Sardinia offers a lifetime vacation of its rich environment. Portisco is located between Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. The place is ideal for sailing tourism and it offers various services for tourists. Besides, it is only 10 minutes away from the airport. Carloforte is another starting base, as interesting as well. It is the only populated area on the island of San Pietro.

Tuscan islands
The west coast of Italy is well known for its splendid islands and bases which offer all the facilities to the visitors. Etrusca Marina in Scarlino is an excellent location in the south of Piombino. The island of Elba is another great location for your sailing vacation, offering numerous ports and anchorages. It is one of the most attractive and colorful islands in Italy with following starting bases: Portoferraio, Rio Marina and Marina Marciana.

Gulf of Naples
Naples is an astonishing city which offers numerous monuments and museums of historical interest. It is the great starting base to a journey towards the nearby islands. Agropoli is located between Capo Campanella (Sorrento) and Capo Palinuro. The ruins of its castle reminds us of its Byzantine origin, then some examples of the Greek architecture ( Porta Rosa ) etc. It is an ideal starting base towards the islands of the gulf ( Capri, Ischia and Procida ), along the coast of Cilento or even further to explore the Pontine islands.

Vibo Valentia Marina, which is only a few km away from the airport, could be a great choice for those who would like to visit the islands of Lipari.

Monte Argentario 
Among the most interesting spots in Tuscan Riviera with attractive tourist centers, beautiful nature and extraordinary sea depths for diving activities. There are three ports to start your journey from; Santo Stefano, Ercole and Marina di Cala Galera.

Castellamare di Stabia 
Located between Naples and Sorrento. Besides being an excellent starting base towards the nearby islands ( Ischia, Procida and Capri ), there are 28 mineral springs, so one can enjoy in a mineral-water cure both in the Antique thermae and the new one as well.

Formia
A picturesque town with mild climate which makes it a great base for those who intend to explore the beauty of the Pontine islands.

Genoa 
A city of contrasts, both in culture and architecture, a real modern metropolis. However, it is the only place with colorful and exotic atmosphere of the old port. From there, you can explore the coast towards the tourist center of Ventimiglia, or in another direction, towards Cinque Terre.

Marsala 
An excellent position which makes it an ideal starting base towards the Egadi islands (Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo).

Nettuno
Another suggestion as a starting point. Just like Formia, it is ideal for sailing towards the Pontine islands.

Palau 
An important tourist center with magnificent panorama to the archipelago of Maddalena. It stands out with its granite cliff (Il Capo d’Orso) and provides a sailing route through the archipelago.

Procida 
A volcanic island with only 4 km of length, steep coast, green orchards and vineyards. A nice starting base to explore the Gulf of Naples and its surroundings.

Punta Ala 
Once a name of a rocky promontory, is now a synonym of a tourist center and luxury residence with a vivacious tourist port from where you can start your journey towards nearby islands.

Salerno
An antique town sloping down from the hill towards the sea. It’s an excellent choice for those who would like to stay around the Gulf of Naples or even for those who would like to set towards the Aeolian islands.

San Felice Circeo 
Another famous starting base with an extraordinary panorama of the Pontine islands. Along with Formia and Nettuno, it offers a great vacation cruising the islands.

San Remo 
An important tourist center. The first hotel in this town was called London, due to wealthy British tourists who were attracted by its mild climate and its romantic landscape. It was the beginning of its great development, construction of hotels, villas, parks and gardens. The city was transformed to the most important flower market in Italy.

Syracuse 
Once the most powerful city of Sicily. Today, it offers splendid landscape, crystal sea and Mediterranean vegetation. An excellent starting base indeed.

Trapani 
A great choice to start your cruising vacation towards the Egadi islands.

Viareggio 
Once a marine shelter. There are various small ports in the area, gardens of palms, oleander and tamarisk, sandy beach, elegant hotels, various cultural events etc.

Vieste
Located on the east side of the Gargano peninsula. It’s a picturesque place with its old part of a medieval atmosphere on a rocky promontory isolated between two long sandy beaches.

Italy Yacht Charter 2017 - Lavagna Yacht Charter

Lavagna is an interesting town built in the hills which offers lofty mansions, narrow, colour streets and several quaint cafes. It is a great mooring destination for anyone enjoying a yacht rental holiday along the Italian Riviera.Lavagna is a port located along the Italian Mediterranean coast line not far from Monaco and France and is home to a marina with superyachts and visiting luxury charter yachts, both motor yachts and sailing yachts. If your boat stops in on a Lavagna yacht charter there are good sea food restaurants, good beaches and a medieval, charming town centre. Discover Many Hidden Treasures Stopping in Lavagna means discovering a wealth of hidden treasures in the form of paintings and sculptures by Genoese school artists. The town centre is filled with workshops and studios that make beautiful traditional handicraft items. Lavagna also was the first to spread Slate as a form of art and is often referred to as black gold of Liguria. Most roofs of the colourful homes in Liguria are covered with this characteristic slate and had been discovered centuries ago. Picture Perfect Beautiful Views Lavagna is a beautiful seaside town with a fun filled range of activities. Its many discos, pubs and restaurants ensure that you will be able to enjoy a lively night. Located on the left of Entella torrent, this coastal town has a long sandy coastline with the breath-taking backdrop of hills covered with olive groves. Because of its laid back lifestyle, it offers a perfect relaxing spot for yacht charter vacationers. Originally Lavagna had been agriculture, maritime and slate production centred economy which has now changed to tourism centric economy as the popularity of the town has increased over the years. Lavagna also has a very rich culture and history dating back to pre-Roman origins. Over the years, the history of Lavagna has been intertwined with its counts that originated from the well-known Fieschi family. Even today, the residential areas of Lavagna have maintained a very medieval air because it still retains the original medieval settlement organized along two of the central axis. Via Dante, the older one runs parallel to the coast while the other one is Via Rome. What makes a Lavagna luxury yacht charter even more special is its rich gastronomy and its fine quality beaches which is what most people look for their yacht charter vacations. Lavagna is a feast for all the senses with its spectacular views, its rich history and culture, its many authentic restaurants and beautiful beaches. A yachting vacation to the Italian Riviera can definitely be made much more enjoyable and a lot of fun with a stop at Lavagna. Superyachts, both sailing and motor yachts, can berth in port Lavagne in Italy and it can be a stopping place on your Italian Riviera luxury yacht charter.

The 15-year-old who sailed round the world alone

In 2011, Dutch teenager Laura Dekker became the youngest person to sail alone round the world. Her account, of which this is an extract, bubbles with a youthful verve and passion.

In 2009, the English sailing community was galvanised by the arrival on the East Coast of a 14-year-old single-hander from Holland, writes Tom Cunliffe. This was Laura Dekker, skippering a small yacht she had bought with borrowed money.

She was placed in care and refused leave to return home in her boat until her father, party to the whole event, came over. He declared his confidence in his daughter and she completed her voyage alone.

Later that year, Laura announced her intention to sail round the world single-handed in a 38-footer she would finance though her own efforts. Now it was the Dutch authorities who tried to ban the project, but after a good deal of manoeuvring they too relented and she finally set out from Portugal in 2010.

One year and five months later, Laura became the youngest solo circumnavigator at the age of 16.

This extract from her book, One Girl One Dream, (Harper Collins, New Zealand) describes part of her 6,000-mile passage from Australia to South Africa. It bubbles with youth, and anybody feeling jaded with their life should read it right now.Better than that, go out and buy the book. I did. I couldn’t put it down.

Finally, some wind, but it’s so dark and grey outside that it looks as though the clouds will envelop Guppy at any moment. There’s a 4m swell and I’ve been having squall after squall breaking over me for the past two weeks. The wind isn’t constant for more than an hour at a time, which entails adjusting the sails and the course regularly.

I dive into a book so that I can forget everything around me, but every time I get up there are dark clouds, drizzle and little wind. During my crossing from the Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands, I’d covered 2,600 miles in the same time it’s taken to cover only 1,500 now. This ocean hasn’t done me any favours, and I’ll be glad to leave it behind me.

Guppy is running at three knots and bobbing along like a useless rubber duck on the high swell. At the top of the waves, I have an infinite view of endless grey sea that changes to drizzle on the horizon. I have to accept it because I can’t change it anyway, and things are bound to get better.

When day breaks, a few squalls pass by, causing the wind to come first from behind and then head-on, just to give me a hard time, before falling away altogether.

This isn’t much fun with the high swell and the cross-seas . . . Guppy is rolling very heavily and the sails are flapping in all directions, but once the squalls have disappeared on the horizon I feel it – WIND! Wonderful wind. Guppy flies forward and is making real speed for the first time since Darwin. It’s going well and she’s jumping over the waves at seven knots like a young foal, and looks as though she’s enjoying it as much as her skipper.

A glance at the solar panels shows me that there is work to do. I can start cleaning them all over again as it seems to have become a regular shithouse for all my feathered friends. Not good, and I’m pissed off about all the lost current that I need so much.

Seeing that I’ve hardly had any sun, Guppy’s batteries have not been charging optimally, which means that I can make only limited use of my radar and beloved SSB radio, which both need a lot of electricity. A pity because my SSB offers me something else to do other than staring over the grey sea and skies.

http://www.yachtingworld.com/voyages/crossing-the-indian-ocean-single-handed-dutch-solo-sailor-laura-dekker-in-her-own-words-109746

Thailand 'most Popular' for gap Years

Thousands of students opened their A-Level results yesterday, and Abta, the travel association, estimates that around 24,000 of them will spend much or all of the next 12 months overseas.
It reported that Thailand was proving to be the most popular choice among school leavers, followed by Australia, the US and South Africa.
Other favourites were Peru, popular with those hoping to tackle the Inca Trail; Vietnam, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Mỹ Son; and Brazil, famous for beaches, jungle treks, and sprawling cities. India, New Zealand, and Fiji completed the top ten.
Abta suggested that rising tuition fees had encouraged more young Britons to take a gap year, adding that several of its members had reported a rise in bookings compared to last year.
Victoria Bacon, head of communications at Abta, said: “Gap years have become even more popular among British teenagers since the rise in tuition fees in 2012 and increased competition for graduate jobs, with many students now looking to travel experiences to help make their gap year stand out on the CV.
“There is now an incredible choice of activities and destinations to support young travellers in developing and learning new skills,” she added. “It’s very important that if you’re planning a gap year, you research your options thoroughly: talk to a travel professional, who will be able to offer you advice about destinations and experiences; check travel advice with Abta and the Foreign Office and always book with a reputable company.”
To help those students considering a year out, Telegraph Travel has compiled its annual Gap 100, featuring our pick of the most trustworthy gap year travel companies and websites.
We’ve also published a list of ten essential questions to ask when organising your trip, and several case studies from recently returned gap year travellers (see below).
Telegraph Travel’s gap year coverage
The gap year 100
Browse our annual directory of the best gap year travel companies, whether you're looking to learn a skill or language, volunteer, work, or simply embark on a great adventure.
Essential questions
What questions should someone planning a gap year ask before committing to a project?
How voluntourism changed my life
Wycliffe Sande, born into poverty in Uganda and orphaned at 13, explains how a volunteering project transformed his fortunes.
Gap year case study: learning a language
Felix Legge relives his experiences of learning Russian in Moscow.
Gap year case study: on the anti-poaching patrol
William Oborne describes working with rangers in Zimbabwe as part of a programme to protect rhinos from poachers.
Gap year case study: a sponsored career break
Alex Ball talks about taking a sponsored career break that saw him visiting various companies while travelling around America.
Gap year case study: training to be a ski instructor
Jenny Beard discusses her time training to be a ski instructor in the French Alps, and teaching skiing in Japan.
Gap year case study: volunteering in Uganda
Oli Denton describes his time volunteering and playing rugby in Uganda for the Lessons for Life Foundation.

Emirates Palace celebrates Eid at Ramadan Pavilion

The month long celebration of Ramadan has come to a close in the Middle East, with Emirates Palace welcoming guests to an Eid ceremony at a specially constructed pavilion to mark the occasion.The custom built pavilion sits on hundreds of square metres of ground, overlooking the beach on one side and stunning façade of the hotel on the other, and incorporated the existing 12- metre-high palm trees and grand fountain of the palace terrace.Thousands of guests visited during the holy month, with hundreds more enjoying the spectacle during Eid.Emirates Palace, the icon of Emirati hospitality in the UAE, this year partnered with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Wahat Al Zawiya to create a special Ramadan experience for residents and guests.

Alexander Schneider, Emirates Palace hotel manager said: “After providing a limited Ramadan experience in 2012, Emirates Palace decided this year to create an out-of-this-world venue for residents and guests that truly reflects the legendary Emirati hospitality.”The elegant design of the Ramadan pavilion incorporated the signature gold and traditional Mashribiya details of Emirates Palace in a light and airy space.Comfortable seating spread throughout the pavilion created cosy enclaves to enjoy time with friends and family throughout the holy month.

Built as an iconic landmark showcasing Arabian culture and hospitality at its finest, Emirates Palace, managed by Kempinski, has created an enviable niche in luxury hospitality, welcoming world leaders, celebrities, global business travellers and leisure guests with a truly memorable and unique experience, luxurious contemporary facilities and amenities in comfortable and traditional Arabian surroundings with personalized world class service.

Situated on a 1.3 km stretch of private white pristine beach and on 100 hectares of manicured lawns and lush landscaped gardens, Emirates Palace comprises 394 luxury rooms and suites and a variety of award winning dining options.The resort’s leisure facilities include two intricately landscaped swimming pools one to refresh and relax and one perfectly designed for adventure and family fun, an Anantara spa, tennis courts, and a state of the art fitness centre.