Calahonda beach in Costa Del Sol, Spain
Costa Del Sol, Spain, along the southern coast of Spain, is a wonderful destination for a private luxury yacht cruise. This area of Spain is filled with rich history, traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation, and a natural scenic beauty that will fill you with awe.
Eleuthera Beach
Though Eleuthera is just one stop on your private luxury yacht cruise through the Bahamas, it’s worth spending some time to explore. This scenic paradise island has something for everyone, whether relaxing on one of its 160-plus beaches or renting a 4×4 vehicle for an adventurous trip to see some of the island’s sinkholes, caves, or bathing ponds.
Though it’s impossible to cover all of Eleuthera’s majestic beauty and exciting attractions in one article, the following recommendations will help with how to enjoy this one-of-a-kind place.
There are so many shores to choose from up and down the 100-mile island’s length that finding the perfect spot to come ashore and pour a cocktail is a tall order. Stick to the island’s west side if you prefer calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The east side is ideal for surfing and playing in the rough waves rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean.
As you may guess from the name, check out Surfer’s Beach if surfing is your game. Two of the better locations include Gaulding Beach and Ten Bay Beach. If you have access to a 4×4 vehicle and are up for an adventure, drive out to Lighthouse Beach and see why this area is renowned as a hidden gem.
White sand beach bay on Eleuthera island
In addition to its numerous beaches, Eleuthera also features plenty of caves, sinkholes, and ponds. Some of these are well-known to tourists, but others you may stumble upon while you’re out and about.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Queen’s Baths on the east side of the island. These tidal pools continually refresh as waves from the Atlantic Ocean splash into eroded sections of rock and then become warmed by the sun.
If you are the adventurous type, jump right into the large blue sinkhole known as the Sapphire Blue Hole in the northern section of Eleuthera. It’s a perfect spot for scenic photos, too, so bring the whole group along to make some lasting memories.
Or, plan a pleasant afternoon at Preacher’s Cave. This cave became both a home and a place of worship for English Puritans who, in the 1600’s, shipwrecked on the Devil’s Backbone Reef and found safety in the cave’s shelter. Today, it’s an interesting historical site with a nearby beach and picnic tables.
Glass window bridge on Eleuthera island
There are only a few places in the world regarded as truly one-of-a-kind. Eleuthera happens to be home to at least two of them.
Cathedral Cave is marvelous and a fascinating place to explore—unless you have arachnophobia. Gnarled roots from the trees above and enormous, thick spiderwebs cover the cave’s ceiling, making visitors feel as if they’re on a movie set.
The other truly unique experience on Eleuthera comes from visiting the Glass Window, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Bight of Eleuthera are separated by just 30 feet of narrow road.
Have your captain drop anchor and come ashore to hike to maximize the experience of the spectacular view of deep blue waters on one side and bright, shimmering turquoise on the other, while visiting Eleuthera on a crewed yacht charter.
Nice, France
NJ Charters has different French private luxury yacht itineraries that include Nice, so there is always an opportunity to explore this beautiful Mediterranean city.
One of the main attractions is, of course, the beach. There are several private beaches to pay to access, such as the one by the Plage Beau Rivage restaurant. After soaking up the rays on the pebbly coastline (or from the deck of your luxury yacht anchored off the beach), try one of the activities on this list.
Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
Mountains, beaches, and fascinating history are just a few of the reasons why a vacation to the Balkans is a wonderful idea. If you’ve been daydreaming about the ultimate luxury vacation and searching for private luxury yacht charters in Croatia or the surrounding areas, you’re just a few clicks or a phone call away from a spectacular travel experience.
We highly recommend Montenegro, a tiny Balkan country that borders Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. You may not know much about Montenegro, so all the more reason to go, as there are many amazing and memorable things to do while you’re there.
Kotor
Most Montenegro private luxury yacht charters visit the port town of Kotor. You may decide to begin your journey in this historic coastal city where there are largely intact defensive fortresses and walls from medieval days surrounding “Old Town.”
If you enjoy exploring the cobbled mazes of old medieval cities, make sure to include Budva and Perast on your customized yacht charter itinerary after Kotor. Both cities also feature quaint and authentic charm. Perast is part of the Kotor UNESCO World Heritage Site and has two small islets just in front of town, one with a monastery and the other with a small church. It is said if you circle the monastery three times on your charter yacht the monks will ring the bells and bless your journey. Budva is on the Adriatic and has a small Old Town to visit.
If you’re up for a trip a little further inland, stop by one of the numerous monasteries in Montenegro. Skadar Lake has several monasteries along its shore, or you could visit Moraca Monastery if you’re traveling from Kotor to Durmitor National Park. If you plan to visit the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of Ostrog, you’ll need to adhere to their conservative dress code (shoulders, arms, and knees covered and women must wear head scarves).
Blaue Grotte, Montenegro
Include Blaue Grotte on your itinerary. This cave is renowned for the shimmering blue reflections from the sun that bounce off its walls during the day. Blaue Grotte also offers the opportunity to snorkel and explore the local marine life.
Relax on any of Montenegro’s beautiful beaches that can be found all along the coastline. Almara Beach is a popular destination after stopping at Blaue Grotte. Head ashore to enjoy this beach and sample local cuisine while watching a beautiful sunset over the sand and water.
Grmozur Fortress, Skadar Lake
Black Lake in Durmitor National Park and Skadar Lake are the best places to see hundreds of unique bird species, wolves, brown bears, and wild cats.
These national parks are protected, so plan on relaxing and being awed by nature’s beauty. Use your private yacht’s tender to explore the famous Tara River Canyon, or perhaps try whitewater rafting or just hike the canyon and enjoy the striking turquoise color of the river; whatever you choose, you will have a memorable day.
It is for these and so many other reasons that a Balkan yacht vacation is on so many travelers’ bucket lists. Call us to book your Montenegro yacht charter, or contact us anytime with questions.
Spetses, Greece
A stop at Spetses Island, Greece in the Saronic Islands during an Athens-to-Athens luxury yacht charter offers so much to see and do. The fascinating history and sheer beauty of the place are an alluring attraction, while the many cafes and markets provide a fun change of pace.
Beautiful sunset scene on the island of Virgin Gorda in BVI
Legend has it that Christopher Columbus named Virgin Gorda (translated as “fat virgin”) for its resemblance to a curvaceous woman lying on her side. The third-largest island in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) does indeed feature lush, rolling hills and dramatic, curving coastlines. Regardless of your opinion on the name, Virgin Gorda is known for its stunning, scenic beauty. We offer plenty of reasons to stop by this voluptuous landmass on your private luxury yacht charter vacation.
Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia
The main highlight of the area, Sydney, Australia has something for everyone. Visit the most well-known sites such as the Opera House and the Bondi Icebergs Pool or spend an afternoon taking in the beauty of Sydney by kayak. No matter what you choose to do on land or in the harbor, we know you’ll want to spend as much time as possible enjoying your private luxury yacht charter. After all, exploring Sydney Harbor and Botany Bay by yacht is undeniably one of the best ways to experience this iconic city.
Be sure to hit these high points while you’re cruising around and soaking in the gorgeous sights.
Traditional Indonesian Fishing -Banda Islands
If you’re planning a luxury yacht charter to Indonesia, consider the beautiful Banda Islands. Located on the remote eastern side of Indonesia, these islands are both historically famous and today relatively untouched. This creates a fascinating location of historical remnants surrounded by wild jungles and volcanoes.
Without a private luxury charter yacht, the Banda Islands can be difficult to access, but on board your crewed charter yacht, cruise right to the islands, through clear sparkling waters while watching dolphins play and then explore from island to island on your own itinerary at your leisure.
It’s difficult for most travelers to visit the Banda archipelago because of the tiny and inconvenient air strip and the lack of regular ferries. But, on a private charter yacht, there are no worries. Sail from island to island in your own time, on your own schedule. Your yacht captain can take you from the port of Banda Neirato to any of the other majestic and jaw-dropping volcanic islands in the area,all filled with a historic past.
The Banda Islands earned the nickname, “The Spice Islands,” because it was the only known location in the world where traders could find the spices nutmeg and mace until the mid-19th century. It was then that European and British traders smuggled nutmeg trees out of the Banda Islands to various other worldwide locations, and the spice wars were brought to an end.
Banda Island Nutmeg
Nutmeg and mace are both used in cooking, and sometimes in the preservation of meat, making them valuable spices just for this use. It was their medicinal properties, however, that created an even higher interest. Nutmeg is still used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal ills, from vomiting to diarrhea. In the Middle Ages, it was also rumored to be a cure for the deadly bubonic plague that ravaged the world several times over. It’s no wonder every sailor wanted to get his hands on the spice; he could easily retire after just one shipment.
Because of the rarity and the extreme value of nutmeg and mace, European merchants quickly set their sights on the Banda Islands after the first Portuguese ship arrived back in Europe in 1512. Naval forces and secure, defensible forts sprouted up in the islands as the Portuguese, Dutch, and other European powers tried to stake their claim on the Banda Islands. The location drew Christopher Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Francis Drake, Ferdinand Magellan, James Lancaster, and Henry the Navigator, among many other sailors (sometimes ill-fated, sometimes successful) attempting to reach the East Indies to secure fame and fortune from the spice trade. The area, at this time, had some of the most expensive real estate in the world.
In 1602, the island of Banda Neira became home to an outpost of the Dutch East India Company. The company started trading nutmeg and other spices from Indonesian islands just north, with China and Japan for silk, blue and white pottery, silver and copper.
The blue and white pottery that China brought to the Banda Islands to trade for nutmeg soon ended up, via the Dutch East India Company, in Holland. In Delft, Holland, residents quickly learned the technique of blue and white china and Delft pottery was born. Today, while snorkeling in certain harbors in the Banda Islands, one can find piles of broken shards of centuries old Chinese blue and white pottery from pottery thrown in the harbors in the 1500’s and 1600’s by the Chinese due to being broken on the way to the Banda Islands, or when in use by Banda Island locals.
The presence of the Dutch East India company intensified the conflict between the Dutch and the English powers still vying for control. Interestingly, the British forces briefly withdrew in 1667, in exchange for a piece of land that would one day become Manhattan Island in New York City. Warfare continued into the 1800s when the British gained brief control of the Dutch-run island chain. It was at this time that the British (along with other nationalities) took hundreds of nutmeg trees to their own territories, and finally ended the monopoly the Dutch had on nutmeg. The nutmeg tree was taken to Grenade during this time period, establishing this island as the Caribbean Spice Island.
Today, what to do in the Banda Islands centers more around enjoying the local scenery and wildlife, but you can still walk among the groves of nutmeg trees that sparked so much conflict over the centuries. Local islanders still make money growing and exporting nutmeg as their ancestors did.
Culturally, The Spice Wars wars left their mark on the archipelago as well. Many of the local inhabitants have European ancestry dating back to the days of the booming spice trade. The blend of Dutch and other European backgrounds with native Indonesian family lines gives islanders a unique identity, look, and dialect from the rest of the country.
The Banda Islands, and Banda Neira in particular, feature several remnants ashore that are worth seeing, including at least six defense fortresses, several Dutch cannons, the ruins of nutmeg warehouses, and a museum dedicated to the history of the area.
Some of these remnants are bits of ruins, while others such as massive stone fortresses are still largely intact. They offer an impressive glimpse into how these islands must have appeared approaching from sea during the days of the Dutch East India Company. Visit Fort Concordia, for example, to see the cannons still sitting atop its intimidating stone walls.
White Sandy Beach in The Banda Islands
What do you get when you put rocky, volcanic mountains together with thick jungle growth and a sparkling ocean? An incomparable backdrop for a relaxing afternoon in the sun on a strip of fine white sand.
Pour a cocktail and relax on your yacht, come ashore to spread out a towel, or head to a local shoreside eatery to sample some local cuisine by the sea. Either way, don’t forget to look around and soak in the unique atmosphere of the place. This isn’t your standard beach vacation, and you’ll have the photos (and that warm, pleasant, and enchanting memory) as proof.
Ask your captain to steer towards Namalatu Beach, Pantai Liang Beach, or Natsepa Beach for a taste of the most popular (yet still isolated and peaceful) beaches. Or, if sailing along, you spot the perfect place to stop and have a relaxing lunch among the numerous rocky coves and volcanic beaches, simply ask the captain to drop anchor and make the spot your own for an afternoon.
Coral Reef in the Banda Islands
Don’t hesitate to climb into the sunlit sea, but keep your eyes peeled for marine life. The Banda Islands are known for being one of the top diving spots in the world, for good reason.
Dolphins, hammerhead sharks, whales, barracudas, and a species of rare, stingless jellyfish all frequent the waters around these dormant volcano islands. Hop off the yacht and paddle through deeper waters or wade into the shallows from the beach. Either way, marine life abounds. In fact, some charter guests are lucky enough to witness hundreds of dolphins at a time, mirthfully cavorting in the waves.
Even just relaxing on deck, pods of dolphins can be seen playing in the surrounding waters or, perhaps, the occasional whale might breach above the water’s surface.
Gunung Api Volcano, Banda Islands
Although the sea might constantly beckon, hiking ashore up the sides of dormant volcanoes and through rainforests is also an excellent activity in the Banda Islands. Given the low native population, these are virtually untouched rainforests able to be experienced in a way that most people never will.
Visiting the Banda Islands is truly a custom private yacht charter vacation, although there are many other very unique yacht charter locations in Indonesia, a country over 2000 miles wide. We can help with various charter destinations in Indonesia and worldwide. Give us a call or take a look at our website.
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, is a popular vacation destination. Located on New Providence Island, one of 700 islands in the whole chain of the Bahamas, this shining and fast-paced city adds a unique and high-class feel to an already gorgeous destination. If you are taking a private luxury yacht cruise that starts and or ends in Nassau, you can’t go wrong exploring the following beaches and attractions.
Skopelos Island, Greece
Skopelos Island, Greece offers incomparable beauty, many outdoor activities, and endless opportunities to catch a romantic sunset as you enjoy local cuisine cooked and served by your own private chef and crew aboard your luxury private yacht or at one of the island’s restaurants or many Tavernas.Whether you’re exploring private yacht charters in Greece because you want to relax on the beach, or hike through the spectacular scenery made famous by the movie Mamma Mia, Skopelos Island is the vacation destination of your dreams.
Use the following tips as a guide for customizing your itinerary when you’re visiting Skopelos during your luxury private yacht charter through the Greek Sporades Islands.