The Lure Guide Center

Sailing vacations provide great getaways for families in the open seas with nothing except the blue sky and the shimmering water. These vacations are conducted on boats, yachts, catamarans or trimarans and may last up to a week. People can go sailing either with their families or friends or with a whole group of other similar sailing vacationers.

Planning for a sailing vacation involves the selection of a suitable destination. Ideal destinations are those which have scenic beaches which can provide a grand view from the sea. Destinations should be selected with care because different destinations have different climates and ocean currents according to seasons.

Then the mode of water transport must be hired. It could either be a small boat, yacht or a catamaran. For a small number of people, perhaps less than four, a boat up to 25 feet long is enough. For a larger group it is ideal to have a yacht with three or four cabins for the couples or families. For a yet larger group, like a school or an office cruise, it is better to have a catamaran. Things of personal need like water, fruits, mariner’s compass, maps, etc. must be taken aboard the transport.

Small groups can rent a bareboat, i.e. a boat without any crew. If a bareboat is rented, then the vacationers have to do their rowing and navigation themselves. In case a group lacks the confidence to navigate their own boats, they can either hire a skipper. A skipper is an expert who knows the intricacies of the place along with navigational tactics. Sometimes a bareboat with a skipper is a good, money-saving idea rather than hiring an entire crew. Water transport renters also provide sailing instructions.

There are many flotillas which can prove beneficial to sailing vacationers. Flotillas are like sea caravans - they are groups of sail boats or yachts that follow a leading boat, which is steered by pros. Following a flotilla reduces the worry of having to navigate and get lost in the open sea. There is also the advantage of having spare parts within reach if needed.

People going on sailing vacations usually sail during the day and enjoy the beauty of the maritime landscape. During nights they may stay on beaches, resorts or in hotels. Some people who sail in catamarans or in big yachts with their own rooms also undertake the adventure of sailing during the night.

There are many hotspots where sailing vacations are concerned. The Caribbean islands are one of the hottest destinations. With their tiny islands so close to each other, they are a sailing vacationer’s haven. The Bahamas are also highly preferred destinations. Other destinations like Maine, the Hawaiian Islands, the Australian and New Zealand islands are scattered around the globe.

Sailing Vacations provides detailed information on Bahamas Sailing Vacations, Caribbean Sailing Vacations, Catamaran Sailing Vacations, Family Sailing Vacations and more. Sailing Vacations is affiliated with Caribbean Sailing.

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Life on a houseboat can be an exciting as well educational and adventurous experience. It is also refreshing and comforting at the same time. Hundreds of houseboats are available on Lake Cumberland, but are often booked during the whole summer season. If you are fascinated by the idea of vacationing in a houseboat, start making your reservations as early as the end of the winter season.

Lake Cumberland was created along with the construction of the Wolf Creek Dam in 1950. It is an artificial lake located in Central Kentucky that cost over $80.4 million. This artificial lake was created for flood control and for the production of the hydroelectric power that could support several towns, as well as several states. Its shoreline alone already measures up to 1085 miles and 50,250 acres at the top most power pool. This wonderful man-made lake has become a source of tourism for the state, as well as an economic engine for the South-Central Kentucky.

The lake is a great place for renting houseboats. There are a lot of rental services available on the Internet.

Lake Cumberland rental companies provide a high level of service with no extra charges. Most boat models are equipped with hot tubs to take your entertainment and relaxation to the next level.

Instructions are given before each boat sails like simple operating procedures, as well as other boating instructions. The houseboats are built for comfort and entertainment exclusively. Houseboat equipment includes private staterooms, air conditioning, stereos, oven ranges, microwaves, refrigerators, GPS, coolers, outdoor furniture, waters, slides, TVs and DVDs. You’ll also find a fresh supply of sheets, towels and blankets and other kitchen utensils for your convenience.

All the convenience of home plus many added extras are available like satellite television, satellite music, and party tops and outdoor grills. The houses are prepared for big parties, and you will surely spend a holiday in luxury less the luxurious price tag.

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Suggested 2 day trip

South Beach Harbor at Pier 40 in San Francisco is a great
destination for a first overnight cruise. It’s a reasonable
distance from Redwood City. At about 20 miles, it’s only 4
hours away even at the stately speed of 5 knots. The harbor
is easy to find, easy to get in and out, and easy to maneuver
in. There are facilities such as heads and showers and lots
of restaurants and other shops ashore.

We suggest you plan your trip on a weekend when there is
morning maximum ebb approximately between 9:00 and
10:30. This will give you a favorable current heading up to
San Francisco in the morning and favorable current coming
back in the afternoon the next day. If you leave Redwood City
as late as the time of maximum current, you’ll be arriving
about the time the current goes slack. This would give you
plenty of time to get to South Beach and may even give you
enough time to sail past Pier 40 and the Bay Bridge to check
out the North Bay, Alcatraz Island, etc. before settling in at
South Beach Harbor.

Make your reservations with harbor office at (415) 495-4911.
The overnight fee is $1.00 per foot. There is also a $50 key
deposit, which can be done with an authorized credit card.
The harbor master monitors VHF channel 16 if you need to
call via marine radio.

Pac Bell Park is within walking distance and there are
several restaurants in the area. Take advantage of the extra
time the next day to explore the North Bay a little before
heading back to Redwood City. Just allow about 4 hours of
sailing time from the Bay Bridge for the trip south. It’s likely
you’ll have the wind in your favor the whole way and if it’s a
normal spring or summer day there will be lots of it. What a
way to finish a weekend sail!

For more information please visit our website at
http://www.spinnakersailing.com
For this article in its entirety including links and photos go to:
http://www.spinnakersailing.com/noframes/charters/sbcharterhandbook.htm

Bob Diamond has been head sailing instructor at Spinnaker
Sailing since 1984.

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I’ve cruised dozens of ships on various lines and in my opinion this is as good as it gets on a mega-liner of 2200+ passengers with 920 crew. Costa’s Atlantica was a floating palace of art deco furnishings, marble inlaid floors and millions of dollars invested in original works of art. It exceeded my expectations. Also I normally loose weight on cruises shunning the ships artificial fare. This time I over indulged on varied menus of fresh food. I ate enough prosciutto and ice cream to last a decade. The Italian accented cuisine was prepared by Euro-chefs and culinary graduates of the world famous Chaine des Rotisseurs.

We had an awesome group of 60 who blended harmoniously. No love connections occurred (that I know of), but friendships developed as we bonded on our AFS private shore excursions and parties onboard. This group was blessed throughout with the best weather the Baltic region could ever provide - 68 daily and no rain. The First Officer said “this was the best weather of the summer.”

Each country visited was a lesson in culture and history. We saw an eyeful along our 1987 nautical miles. In Copenhagen Denmark - with it’s Mermaid, Stockholm Sweden - the archipelago referred to as “Venice of the North”, Helsinki Finland - so friendly, modern and clean, Grand St. Petersburg Russia where we squeezed in a full power tour of the Hermitage, palaces, onion domed churches, canals and an evening ballet. Our final port was charming Tallinn Estonia where the entire walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was like walking through a fairytale.

For our days at sea there was never a dull moment with 3 pools, shops, casino, luxurious spa and contests with the crew. The 2 story gym was so high tech that I didn’t know how to turn on the equipment, so the only exercise I got was jumping to conclusions. The midnight buffets were the most magnificent I’ve ever witnessed with countless ice sculptures. There was a house baked out of bread and piano shaped from white chocolate.

On our last night we attempted to pack all our trinkets collected: faberge egg, Russian nesting dolls, Swedish crystal, Finish glassware, Nordic pewter, lingonberry jams, amber jewelry, hand knit sweaters and a million T-shirts. Many things such as our fur hats may end up in a garage sale some day, but the bargaining sure was fun.

We tasted just an appetizer of this 5 country smorgasbord but leave perfectly satisfied. As I say Bon Voyage to this unique part of this world, I am able to remiss another journey well done.

Suzy Davis www.adventuresforsingles.com
Adventures For Singles Inc.
800-813-9421 or GA. 770-432-8225

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