Europe
Pros and Cons of Private and Standard Yacht Charters
If you’re still unsure on whether or not to charter a private yacht to explore the Turkish Turquoise coast, here are a few pros and cons to consider.
For many people Turkey’s main attraction is the stunning Turquoise Coastline which stretches from the Antalya, in the Southwest, to Bodrum, where the Mediterranean and Aegean seas meet. The region has attracted sailors for years and each summer the dazzling bays and quaint coves fill up with yachts, traditional Turkish Gulet boats and day cruise ships sailing from the coastal towns of Fethiye, Marmaris, Kas, Bodrum and more. Exploring this incredible coast line and allowing passengers to stop and swim in the refreshingly cool waters. A yacht charter is widely available and would be ideal for all holidaymakers, however there are some options to consider: some may prefer a standard cruise while others would like to charter a yacht privately. Here are the pros and cons of a private charter.
Standard Blue Cruise Itinerary
When booking a cabin on a standard Blue Cruise itinerary, you will be sharing a boat, usually with 12 to 16 passengers plus a friendly crew. However, you will likely receive a fairly spacious cabin with private bathroom and A/C (if requested). Usually all food is included so there is no need to plan a shopping trip before you leave.
Pros
If you don’t enjoy planning and want to make booking your Blue Cruise as simple as possible then a standard cabin charter would be ideal. All you would need to do is select from the range of pre-made itineraries. Cruise routes are generally from four days to 8 days. One of the most popular routes is from Fethiye, one of Turkey’s favorite holiday towns, to Olympos, where you can visit ancient Lycian ruins and enjoy the a view of the magnificent Mt Tahtali from the pretty pebble beach. Other itineraries take passengers to visit the stunning Kekova region or to the nearby Greek Islands.
Also, the standard cruises generally include 3 good meals per day plus an afternoon snack therefore there is no chance that you will go hungry while on the boat. Finally, if you are traveling alone or in a small group and like to socialise then a standard Blue Cruise would probably suit you. With 12-16 international passengers, your cruise is sure to be a lot of fun and far more cost effective than a private charter.
Cons
Standard cabin charter means that you will being sharing your boat with a potentially noisy group of people, so if you are looking for a peaceful or romantic getaway then you may consider private charter instead. Drinks are not included on standard cruises and it is not permitted to bring your own aboard so be careful not to run up a huge tab while out at sea.
With a standard yacht charter, while you will be able to choose from a wide range of itineraries, you will not be able to detour from the pre-planned route.
Private Yacht Charter
When booking a private yacht, the base fee is usually without any food, drinks or extras although they can be included for an additional fee agreed between you and the boat charter agency. Alaturka Yachting is a highly recommended chartering agency with options for size of boat and commodities. One of their most popular is Mavi Boncuk, which has a luxury wooden gulet with capacity for 12 passengers plus a crew of 2 to 3 people.
Pros
If you are travelling in a larger group then private charter is likely to be a more economical option, it also provides you with the opportunity to plan your own itinerary, picking out your favorite places along the legendary Turkish Riviera. You also have the freedom to bring your own food and drink to the ship, which some passengers may find more comfortable. Cooking facilities are usually available onboard.
Also, if you would like a more private experience this would certainly the better option as you will share your boat only with a small crew and not with other holidaymakers. It is also ideal for the more adventurous sailors who would like to get off the beaten path and avoid the summer crowds and party boats. With a private charter, you would be able to agree a path directly with your captain and even change course as you sail or stop to take a swim.
Cons
Depending on the size of your group, private charter can be more expensive than standard cabin charter. It will also require a little more organisation and planning, although to minimise this you could opt to have meals included and choose to follow one of the standard route itineraries.
Turkey’s southern coast line. The Turquoise Coast. The Turkish Riviera. Whichever name you choose to call it by and however you choose to visit the region, you are certain to be blown away by the beauty of the sparkling sea, the crystal-clear waters and the pristine beaches. Cruising along in a Turkish Gulet boat is sure to be the highlight of your vacation whether you opt for a standard or private charter.
Europe
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Europe
Paris on a Budget: Best Cheap Eats in Paris
While Paris used to be regarded as an expensive city, you can now enjoy Paris on a Budget. Use our guide to find the Best Cheap Eats in Paris.
Although Paris has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities globally, the rumors are now unfounded. In 2012, Paris dropped ten places in the Mercer cost of living survey. And with the Euro looking weak, now is probably a good time to find cheap flights and discover the city of love on a budget.
Eating in Paris can catch a lot of tourists out. Avoid the expensive restaurants serving fancy dishes like salmon wellington and snooty maître d’s on the Champs Elysees and follow our guide for the best cheap eats in Paris. Spend less on food and possibly splurge on friendly hotels in Paris instead!
Girl eating croissant in Paris
Best Cheap Eats in Paris
Head to the Marais
Famous for its selection of ethnic eateries, the trendy Marais area of Paris is perfect for picking up a quick snack.
Check out L’As du Falafel, where you can grab a flatbread bursting with golden fried balls of falafel, smothered in hummus and accompanied with red cabbage. For €4 to take away, you can’t argue with that. Simply head to Chez Hanna down the street for equally tasty food at similarly low prices if it’s too busy.
Enjoy an Oriental baguette.
Vietnamese food is popular in France, and nowhere can you see the fusion of two cultures more clearly than at Saigon Sandwich in the Belleville district of Paris. Their specialty, banh mi, is light and crusty French baguette filled with flavors of South East Asia.
There are only a few options (poulet, boeuf, Maison, and unique), but for €3 ago, you could happily sample them all.
Find French food on the cheap.
Believe it or not, there are some restaurants specializing in French cuisine that won’t see you stumbling into your overdraft. Les Temps des Cerises is one of them.
Described by Yelp as a “Dive Bar,” nothing could be further from the truth. Run by a cooperative, it attracts a distinctly bohemian crowd. The menu is small, but the food is prepared from ingredients that sing with freshness and high quality.
Eat like a local celebrity …
Rumour has it that Pierre Herme, one of Paris’s most celebrated pastry chefs, visits the Belleville restaurant Le Baratin. The prices are surprisingly low for the delicious Argentinian fare.
Time Out Magazine recommends the tuna carpaccio with cherries or the spicy basque lamb. Pop in at lunchtime for the prixe fix menu. At €18 for three courses it’s hard to complain.
… or eat like a local office worker
Bistro Victoires is a favorite amongst Paris’s locals. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, and the wine list leaves a lot to be desired, but when you sit down to enjoy some of the best steak frites in Paris, all else will be forgiven.
Portion sizes are enormous, and the waiters often remind patrons that if they order a starter, they won’t be able to tackle the main course. Despite being a famous location steps away from the Palais Royal, it still manages to be a hidden gem.
What are your tips for finding the best cheap eats in Paris?
Europe
Travel Tip: Train to Pisa from Florence
Whether you spend a half-day or full day in Pisa, we recommend that you Train to Pisa from Florence. It’s the fastest and cheapest way to get there.
Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful countryside of Italy. The train from Florence to Pisa takes about an hour, and the journey is stunning. The route takes you past vineyards and medieval villages, through tunnels and over bridges, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan hillsides. You can even see the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the train approaches the station.
Upon arrival in Pisa, you can explore the historic center and visit the famous cathedral, before enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the River Arno. With its stunning scenery and convenient location, a train trip from Florence to Pisa is a great way to spend a day in Italy.
How to get to Pisa from Florence
You have a couple of different options for your own half-day trip to Pisa from Florence depending on how you like to travel. But if you are like us and enjoy travelling around Italy by public transport, then you will definitely want to train to Pisa from Florence.
Train to Pisa from Florence
Florence and Pisa are less than 100 km apart and the easiest way is to train to Pisa from Florence. The entire trip one-way takes approximately an hour depending on your route with no transfers.
Trains leave from Florence S.M.Novella for Pisa Centrale a few times every hour. The closest train station to the leaning tower of Pisa is Pisa San Rossore, but it’s not worth the extra time or transfer required. Pisa itself is small and it takes less than 30 minutes to walk to the leaning tower from Pisa Centrale.
Plus you get to explore more of the city such as the River Arno lined with beautiful stately homes.
If you want to book online then a one-way ticket by train to Pisa from Florence will cost from €7.80 (US$10.40) in 2nd class. It is important to make sure that when you are searching online via the Italian train booking site, Trenitalia, you search for “Firenze” rather than Florence.
The train schedules are very easy to understand so we recommend booking your ticket from the self-service machines on the train platform. The return journey is just as easy in reverse. Just watch that you don’t miss the last train around 10pm most days and carry cash with you for the ticket.
Finally, validate your ticket before boarding the train. We forgot a couple of times but used the typical “I’m a stupid tourist” line to get out of any fines.
Bus to Pisa from Florence
Another option is to catch the bus to Pisa from Florence.
There are two main bus companies, Terravision and Autostradale, run regular buses to and from Pisa Airport and Florence Airport into the Florence city centre, they don’t actually go into Pisa itself. The train to Pisa from Florence is so reliable, fast, and cheap, that you may not want to consider this option.
However, there are some advantages to taking the bus. You will see a lot more scenery from the window of the bus, and it’s definitely cheaper; sometimes you can find fares as low as 4 Euros, especially on Fridays.
Driving to Pisa from Florence
If you have hired a car or scooter in Tuscany then you might look at driving to Pisa from Florence. However, even though the distance is less than 100km, the trip will still take approximately 1 hour.
Aside from the fact that the train to Pisa from Florence typically takes less time than driving, you also have to avoid the crazy Italian drivers. Not to mention trying to find a carpark in two of the most popular cities in Italy. Impossible.
Guided Tour to Pisa from Florence
If you have been enjoying the sunset in Florence and all the city has to offer then you might want to take in a guided tour to Pisa from Florence. Not only do you get a great guide to learn all about the history of the area, you also don’t have to worry about getting to Pisa from Florence.
You might want to check out this guided tour around Pisa or get a little bit more adventurous and try out a segway tour in Pisa. Perfect for the family and it will keep the kids entertained between stops.
If you have a whole day, and haven’t managed to fit in a hike around Cinque Terre, then we recommend looking into the Pisa and Cinque Terre day tour. Lasting roughly 12 hours, you will travel from Florence to Cinque Terre, with a 2 hour stop in Pisa to see all the main sights.
We also reckon guides help you get the best photos, as they have seen all the poses.
Tell us below if you have taken any funny photos in Pisa!
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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