|
|
|
|
|
BARCELONA - SPAIN GENERAL : Barcelona is a special and unique city by the sea. It is also one of the few big cities I know where you really are situated in the middle of the city with your boat. The atmosphere of Barcelona you should experience yourself. Marina Port Vell is located next to the charming old quarter Barcelonetta (the area between the port and the beach). In Barcelonetta you can do all your shopping. There are many small shops and some disc  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
06-03-2011
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MERSRAGS - LATVIA GENERAL: Stony cape and sandy beach of Mersrags ar perfect for summer holidays by the sea. Mersrags is small, quiet town on the coast of Riga bay. It is surrounded by untouched and various natures. This marina is always on the way for everybody who goes to Riga or returns. New yacht-club with guest-house and service building and new quayside was build there in 2010. Marine provides full service and is located close to the town centre.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
14-10-2010
written by:
Girts Avotins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAVILOSTA - LATVIA GENERAL: Pavilosta is located between Liepaja and Ventspils. Picturesque fisherman's and holiday town with long sandy beaches is a place where men meet untouched nature. It is a Mecca for those who want to relax and engage with leisure activities - windsurfing and kite-boarding.
Pavilosta Marina is medium-capacity harbor and well protected from winds. On both coasts of the river Saka it offers to yachtsmen complete range of services. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
14-10-2010
written by:
Girts Avotins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIEPAJA - LATVIA GENERAL: Liepaja Yacht Centre is the marina in one of the most beautiful harbor towns in Latvia. It is the most South positioned Latvian port. Architecture of the town tells about the history through centuries. Liepaja is big and living town with extensive art, music and nightlife. Each visitor can find some interesting way to enjoy it. Only in 15 minutes walking distance outside the town centre there is beautiful sandy beach.
APPROA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
14-10-2010
written by:
Girts Avotins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HONFLEUR - FRANCE GENERAL : Honfleur is a living painting. Many small streets surround the famous Vieux Bassin (the old harbour) which make you feel like you're in the Middle Ages. It's a lovely little town at the Southside of the River Seine.
APPROACH : Coming from the sea you sail on the River Seine. The currents on the river can be very strong (I have had 5-6 knots on my log) so you have to count your arrival very well. The best is to wait in the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
08-02-2009
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OOSTENDE - BELGIUM GENERAL : Oostende is my favourite Belgian port. There are tens of wonderful restaurants where you can have unbelievably wonderful meals. You can find fantastic restaurants along the harbour boulevard and in the town centre. The town centre of Oostende is very pleasant and there are a number of delicious bakeries, butcher shops and a wonderful traiteur. All restaurants and the town centre of Oostende are located within walking distance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
17-08-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIEPPE - FRANCE GENERAL : Dieppe is a useful harbour to enter. The name Dieppe comes from the Vikings because this is one of the few harbours on the French coast that is always accessible due to the water being deep enough (4m). The marina Jehan Ango has a lot of space, so most probably you will always find a berth.
APPROACH : There are no dangers in the approach of Dieppe. You only have to watch out for the ferry that departs from the outer harbou |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
17-08-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ST PETER PORT - GUERNSEY GENERAL : It is difficult to explain why St. Peter Port is one of the most charming harbours in Europe. You will only understand that feeling if you arrive here with your own ship and see this lively picture in front of you. It looks somewhat difficult to enter Guernsey if you look at the chart, but in reality it’s not that hard. The Little Russell is the shortest route, but there you have to be very careful, especially at low waters. T |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
17-08-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIRACUSA - SICILY GENERAL : If you will even sail the Med, don't forget to visit Siracusa! This romantic old town is at the east side of Sicily. It really is wonderful to take a walk here and to eat the best Italian food in one of the many little restaurants which you find on the high citywall, above the quay.
Basically Sicily is a poor island which you will notice especially when visiting the southcoast and the northwest. The capital city Palermo ha |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
30-04-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAR DEL PLATA - ARGENTIA GENERAL : Mar de Plata is a large city (500,000 residents) and the biggest beach and tourist centre of Argentina. In addition to tourism, fishing is very big and the harbour is a big attraction. The harbour is big and about 500 fishing boats or more are docked there. That varies from small shrimp boats to gigantic Korean production ships. But the “local” fleet is the big attraction for visitors. Hundreds of orange painted boats are dock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
02-03-2008
written by:
Henk de Velde
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRAIA - SANTIAGO - CABO VERDE GENERAL: It is just under a thousand miles from the Canary Islands to the Cape Verde Islands and it is an easy route. You have both the wind and the current in your back. The weather gets warmer as you sail towards the south.
The Cape Verde Islands are less well-known than the Canary Islands, but a lot of yachts that cross the Atlantic stop there. The course to the other side is the reason. You often only need to sail 200 miles and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
02-03-2008
written by:
Henk de Velde
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GDANSK - POLAND GENERAL :
Gdansk is the largest port city in Poland. It’s a beautiful port city, but with a very limited marina. Actually, none of the marinas in Poland are very big or spacious. Ships that are more than 15 metres long often have difficulty finding a space, although we have always been successful. From the Baltic Sea, you first sail a good one and a half hours through the Gulf of Gdansk before you actually reach the marina entrance. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GDYNIA - POLAND GENERAL : Gdynia is the best marina you can encounter in Poland. It is the most modern and largest harbour in all of Poland, where you can always find a space. It’s a great harbour to stay a few days. There are also many shops nearby (a supermarket) and you can easily take the train to another large harbour, Gdansk. From sea, you will first sail about half an hour through the Golf of Gdansk before reaching the harbour.
Gdynia, Leba |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USTKA - POLAND GENERAL : Ustka isn’t the most appealing harbour on the coast of Poland. However, the advantage is that it’s deep everywhere and thus it’s easy to approach.
APPROACH : The only thing is that the space between the main breakwaters is less than 40 metres, which means it is difficult, if not impossible, to enter safely by high winds and turbulent seas. There are a lot of swells in the harbour itself, even if the weather is calm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEBA - POLAND APPROACH : When you approach Leba, you will have to pay close attention, particularly if the wind is blowing harder than 6Bft. The entrance to the harbour is well-protected by the westerly breakwater. This could be a difficult approach with strong winds from the east or the north. The space between the piers is no wider than 40 metres. And the water is less than 2 metres deep behind the east pier. The water is a good 3 metres deep in th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KOLOBRZEG - POLAND GENERAL : Kolobrzeg is located on the west side of the coast of Poland. Swinoujscie is the first harbour when sailing from Germany. After that, you arrive in Dzinow, but that is a rather small harbour. The first larger harbour is Kolobrzeg. Even this harbour is on the small side from a European point of view. Approximately 50,000 people live in Kolobrzeg and there are an additional 40,000 tourists during the summer, because Kolobrzeg is |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEDSER - DENMARK GENERAL : Gedser is a useful stop if you are crossing the Baltic Sea. The harbour is located on the southern most tip of Falster island.
APPROACH : There is a well-marked (red and green buoys), narrow channel towards the commercial harbour of Gedser. This harbour is not very busy, but there is a ferry that sails every half an hour to the German coast.
MARINA : There is a modern marina with good facilities and a nice Danish restau |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RONNE - BORNHOLM - DENMARK GENERAL : The name of the marina in Ronne is Norrekas and it is located a little further than the large commercial harbour of Ronne, the capital of Bornholm. This island belongs to Denmark, but it is located in the centre between Sweden, Poland and Germany. Bornholm is an island with a number of small, beautiful harbours. Actually, Ronne is the only harbour with enough space and depth. Everything is well organised and clean in Norrekasa |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUXHAVEN - GERMANY GENERAL : Cuxhaven is almost a mandatory stop between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. If you sail from the Netherlands to the Baltic Sea, you can sail around Denmark or you can sail via the Elbe and the North Baltic Sea channel (Kieler channel).
You can sail down the Elbe from Cuxhaven to Brunsbüttel, where you go through the lock to the Baltic Sea. This channel is 56 Nm long. You then take the next lock at Holtenau in order to ar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ZEEBRUGGE - BELGIUM GENERAL : Zeebrugge is a marina that you can always approach at any time, under all circumstances. It is the best well-protected harbour on the Belgian coast. It is a good idea to use the mariphone to announce your intention to enter the harbour to the port control. It is never a problem to find a place to dock in this pleasant harbour.
There are not many facilities in the harbour itself except for showers and toilets. And, it’s quit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IJMUIDEN - SEAPORT MARINA – DUTCH COAST GENERAL : IJmuiden is the easiest Dutch sea harbour to enter thanks to its huge breakwaters that extend out far into the sea. The mouth to the harbour is about 25 Nm from Scheveningen, 30 Nm from Den Helder and 100 Nm from Lowestoft, England.
APPROACH : Approach. It’s always easy to approach Ijmuiden. It only poses somewhat of a challenge to dock properly between the posts and to wrap the ropes around the posts if there is a strong s |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SANTA MARIA DE LEUCA - ITALY GENERAL : Santa Maria de Leuca is at the south eastern tip of Italy. It’s about 70Nm from Corfu. The harbour is protected by large breakwaters and by two smaller breakwaters right in front of the marina. However, the waves are blown right into the harbour with SSW wind, causing a stormy situation in the harbour from time to time. The approach is quite easy. The lighthouse on the starboard side serves as a great landmark from afar. Once |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAHON - MENORCA GENERAL : A steep, high bluff. The waves crash with powerful white crests against the rocks. Mahon is right in front of us and it’s a beautiful view. It is easy to enter. We see buoys for the first time during this trip (from Turkey, via Greece and Italy to Menorca). We enter into the wonderful harbour and dock our boat to the wharf that is managed by Sunseekers. It looks very pleasant here. It’s big, but because it is still early in th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PORTO CRISTO - MALLORCA GENERAL : A cross wind and not quite enough to sail using the wind. What a shame; we have to motor to Porto Cristo. The entrance is not easy to recognise until you are nearby and see a black and white striped tower on the port side. I have my laptop on and sail in without any problem. It is a lot narrower and smaller than indicated by the pilot. There is no possibility to drop anchor here. Thus, we must look for a spot, but everything l |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PALMA DE MALLORCA - MALLORCA GENERAL :Palma is recognised from a large distance by its high cathedral. There are three marinas in the enormous harbour basin of Palma. Club de Mar, Club Nautico and Pier 46. We have spend the first few days in Club Nautico. It’s big, deluxe and very expensive. The price they charge to stay here is outrageous. We have payed 113 euros per night for a 16 metres vessel. There is a very small shop next to the bar at the end of the pontoo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
highest rated marina stories:
|
|
|
|
|
|
DUBROVNIK - CROATIA
GENERAL : If you sail along the coast of Croatia, you have to see the impressive old town of Dubrovnik. From the modern ACI marina it’s about 5 minutes by bus or taxi to the historical center. Of course, it is a tourist attraction, but it is definitely worthwhile to walk around there for half a day. The old city is surrounded by a thick city wall. It is worth seeing the romantic harbour basin with many painters and other artists on the wharf and all the old houses and buildi |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
01-03-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIRACUSA - SICILY
GENERAL : If you will even sail the Med, don't forget to visit Siracusa! This romantic old town is at the east side of Sicily. It really is wonderful to take a walk here and to eat the best Italian food in one of the many little restaurants which you find on the high citywall, above the quay.
Basically Sicily is a poor island which you will notice especially when visiting the southcoast and the northwest. The capital city Palermo has some beautiful historical buildings le |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
30-04-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OOSTENDE - BELGIUM
GENERAL : Oostende is my favourite Belgian port. There are tens of wonderful restaurants where you can have unbelievably wonderful meals. You can find fantastic restaurants along the harbour boulevard and in the town centre. The town centre of Oostende is very pleasant and there are a number of delicious bakeries, butcher shops and a wonderful traiteur. All restaurants and the town centre of Oostende are located within walking distance from the harbours. Nice town to walk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
17-08-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ST PETER PORT - GUERNSEY
GENERAL : It is difficult to explain why St. Peter Port is one of the most charming harbours in Europe. You will only understand that feeling if you arrive here with your own ship and see this lively picture in front of you. It looks somewhat difficult to enter Guernsey if you look at the chart, but in reality it’s not that hard. The Little Russell is the shortest route, but there you have to be very careful, especially at low waters. There are very strong currents and “overf |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
17-08-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIEPPE - FRANCE
GENERAL : Dieppe is a useful harbour to enter. The name Dieppe comes from the Vikings because this is one of the few harbours on the French coast that is always accessible due to the water being deep enough (4m). The marina Jehan Ango has a lot of space, so most probably you will always find a berth.
APPROACH : There are no dangers in the approach of Dieppe. You only have to watch out for the ferry that departs from the outer harbour. There is only one ferry, so it won't |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
member ratings:
published on:
17-08-2008
written by:
Michael Pilarczyk, SY FRANGIPANI
|
|
|
|
|
|
