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Sailboat charters: Balearic Islands - Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, Menorca
Balearic Islands - Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, Menorca Yacht
charters
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Baleari ISLANDS Large sailing vessels, in their annual mutation across
the Atlantic, call at three main destinations: the Canary Islands in
November before crossing the Atlantic westbound, Antigua in May on
their way back East an finally the Balearic Islands where their
Mediterranean home port is located. Indeed, these islands located as
they are at less than 100 miles from the Spanish coast, represent the
real entrance to the old Mare Nostrum and as far as the climate is
concerned, they offer as much sun as one can take. Rainy days are no
more than ninety in a year, mostly between February and April, and
consist of rather strong squall immediately followed by sun breaks. It
is therefore logical that many yachtsmen have elected these island,
whit their mild sub-tropical climate, as the place were to spent the
winter. The biggest and the most important island is Majorca, whose
capitol Palma is the real yachting center. The exclusive Royal
Nautical Club is located at the center of the harbor which also
features many other Marinas scattered along the bay. The Royal club,
capable of 1000 berths, is the place where you can run into King Juan
Carlos of the Spanish Crown Prince or his sister all of them
consummated sailors. The Copa del Rey, the Royal Cup, one of the most
spectacular regattas in the Mediterranean is organized here in August
together with many other sailing events which sail worshipers cannot
miss. Chartering is usually organized on the Palma-Ibiza route
including Formentera the south most major island. Majorca, dubbed as
the calm island, shaped as an open shell, presents a constantly
changing landscape: to the north a mountain range, the Sierra
Tramuntana or Northern Mountains shields it from the cold northerly
winds the shady valleys where orange and olive trees grow in abundance.
The coast line, over 400 kilometers long, is wild with impressive
cliffs to the west intermingled with small coves with crystal pure
waters; elsewhere the landscape gradually reaches the waters through a
slightly accidented coastline. Ports, no less than 28 major facilities
all served with water and electricity at the berths, are aplenty
around Majorca. The most important, besides Palma, is the Portals
marina where "il Moro di Venezia" started her preparations before
moving to San Diego, California, for her famous America Cup challenge.
Night life at Palma lasts till late morning although the real holiday
realm belongs to Ibiza. This is the southernmost of all the islands,
named with the nearby Formentera Pitiuse by the Greeks for the thick
pine vegetation growing there. During the Romans era these island
where renowned for their ports and their impressive walls. White
island, another nickname given to these islands, comes the typically
white washed houses and churches. Today's Ibiza is a modern town
serving a large and well managed port with many yachting facilities.
Modernism has not however eradicated the old cultural traditions well
highlighted by the summer festivals culminating with the Fiestas del
Carmen on the 16 of August when a characteristic marine parade is
displayed. Anchoring possibilities are plentiful in an endless row of
bays and coves between Ibiza and Formentera. Safe ports are on the
other hand, only four at Ibiza: two in the capital's gulf and one at
the nearby Botafoch and one, St. Anthony on the northwest coast.
Sabina cove on the northern coast of Formentera can be reached easily;
this location is however very crowded and a serene night anchorage can
be found at the Playa Isletas open road. Those looking forward to a
typical sailing vacation, should go to Minorca instead. Sufficiently
small to be circumnavigated in a reasonable sailing time, the island
can offer tree well positioned ports with plenty of additional
anchorage. Most importantly, Minorca is outside the main tourist
stream an jet it can offer more beaches than all the other islands
together, it has retained an unspoiled natural beauty together with a
remarkable historic and artistic patrimony. Mahon is the largest
natural port in the Mediterranean, the second in the world after Pearl
Harbor, with a fjord six kilometers long and one wide with tree islets
and, at the bottom of the town with its sailing club. Admiral Nelson
used to winterize here while flirting with lady Hamilton; here also
curiously mayonnaise was invented although it was Cardinal Richelieu
chef who brought it to worldwide fame after steeling the recipe! To
the island's north one can find the port of Fornelis with more than
sixty berths all supplying water and electricity while the landing at
Ciudadela on the western side completes the availability of organized
island's port facilities. The entire coast however offer an endless
number of bays and coves which can be used as night anchorage in good
weather conditions. Minorca's characteristic trait, and this indeed
apply to the entire Balearic archipelago, is the natural disposition
to the nautical tourism coupled to inland tours where explorations can
satisfy a wide range of interests: from archeology while visiting the
"Taule" ( megalithic monuments 3000 years old ), to naturalism with
all the bays and cliffs, to culinary of which fish and shell fish (
mayonnaise was not born here by accident ) wines and cheeses represent
the most interesting part. This is a true paradise for sailing
vacationers who can reach these islands through easy navigation or
locally find an ample variety of chartering alternatives after either
landing here by air or ferry. |
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