Charter and Travel Archivi - Barche Magazine ISP https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/charter-en/ Rivista di informazione sulla nautica da diporto. Novità, prove, esclusive su barche e yacht a vela e a motore Tue, 19 May 2026 10:18:50 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.barchemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-Senza-titolo-1-32x32.png Charter and Travel Archivi - Barche Magazine ISP https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/charter-en/ 32 32 Santiago by sea – The power of walking on water https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/santiago-by-sea-travels-galicia/ Tue, 19 May 2026 08:17:33 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=258677 Less featured in tourist guides, but utterly captivating. It is the Vía Marítima, the route that lets you experience the […]

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Less featured in tourist guides, but utterly captivating. It is the Vía Marítima, the route that lets you experience the emotions of one of the world’s most renowned pilgrimages from a different perspective

by Ornella D’Alessio – photo by Andrea Pistolesi

     In Galicia, the sea precedes the roads. It is along the water that the oldest and least-known Way of St James passes: the Via Marítima, a route travelled by pilgrims, traders, and sailors who followed the Galician Atlantic coastline long before yellow arrows marked the inland paths.

    A journey marked by lighthouses, rías (Atlantic inlets similar to but gentler than fjords), and safe passage harbours. The maritime route that once linked faith, trade, and coastal navigation can now be followed by boat, with designated stops and mooring points at ports, yacht clubs, marinas, and landing stages designed for modern recreational boating. From the mouth of the Ría de Vigo, one of the best-protected inlets on the coast, you can trace the maritime route of St James the Apostle, sailing through the Rías Baixas and disembarking at Padrón to continue on foot to Santiago. You can depart from the historical port of Baiona (mrcyb.es), at the southern entrance of the Ría de Vigo, close to Cabo Silleiro, where the caravel Pinta landed on 1 March 1493 with news of the discovery of the New World.

The coastline of Galicia is especially charming.

// The Via Marítima is a journey that reminds those who sail it that, before there were paths, there were waves. //

    This is where pilgrims of the Camino via ocean cast off from a safe harbour with a secure seabed, the first point of contact with a deeply maritime Galicia. Before setting sail, it is worth admiring the sunset while visiting the fortress of Monterreal and its famous Prince’s Tower. In the ría, you sail along rugged and windy coastlines. The stop at the Cíes Archipelago is stunning, situated in the heart of the Galician Atlantic Islands Marine-Terrestrial National Park, which the Romans called the Islands of the Gods. This stretch is entirely Atlantic: long waves, strong winds, and a low tolerance for planning errors. Anchoring is permitted only in designated areas and under stable weather conditions (iatlanticas.es/formulario/formulario_espanol.pdf). According to the British newspaper The Guardian, the long white beach of Rodas on the island of Monteagudo, also part of the Cíes Archipelago, is considered one of the best beaches in the world.

El camino a vela, elcaminoavela.com – 5-27 June 2026

     If you continue north along the coast, you enter the Ría de Pontevedra, where navigation is more sheltered. The internal waters allow for easy sailing even in strong winds. Pontevedra boasts one of the most elegant historic town centres and is the second most important in Galicia, after Compostela. Here, pilgrims would disembark and continue on foot towards Santiago. The ría is well-protected, with mild winds and a generally even seabed, making it ideal for transfer navigation. Slightly further south-east, along the same ría, you reach Sanxenxo, one of the main centres of Galician pleasure boating. Its marina is well equipped and easily accessible, making it an ideal technical stopover for refuelling, weather checks, and planning the next leg. It is highly recommended to stop at the marvellous Real Club Nautico Sanxenxo (rcnsanxenxo.com) before entering the extensive Ría de Arousa at Cambados, further north, the productive heart of maritime Galicia. Here, venturing to sea becomes more of a challenge: the bateas for mussel farming occupy large areas and require careful reading of the nautical chart and signals. The currents are sensitive and local traffic is busy, especially during daylight hours. It is an ideal place to try the marisqueo route (guimatur.org), a shellfish-gathering tour that is tide-dependent and not always available. From this point, the traditional route heads towards Santiago de Compostela, not directly from the sea, but sailing up the river Ulla to Padrón, as recounted in the traditional story of the arrival of the remains of Apostle James. This is where the Atlantic transitions into the river and land.

Galicia is an ancient land rich in culture, folk traditions,
fine craftsmanship, culinary delights, unspoilt nature,
and diverse architecture.

     Santiago de Compostela can be reached by mooring at one of the ports along the Galician coast. Each pilgrim is free to choose how to travel to the renowned cathedral in Praza do Obradoiro, which – according to Christian tradition – has safely housed the mortal remains of James, Apostle of Jesus, for more than a thousand years. The perimeter of the square, covering 7,700 m², is adorned with the city’s five main civil and religious buildings, each in a different style, reflecting centuries of history. Standing in front of that magnificent Baroque façade – a masterpiece from the XVII/XVIII century and the final stage of the Camino – takes your breath away. Despite the large, buzzing crowds, you quickly find yourself in front of two 74-metre-tall towers and the monumental central triptych crowned by the statue of St. James. “You feel a pleasant inner silence”, as a pilgrim who has just completed the French Way tells us. A potential return to the water for those wishing to continue towards the Costa da Morte is at Portosín, a modern and well-equipped harbour (rcnportosin.com). Another technical stop in the Ría de Muros is Noia, which is highly valued by pleasure boaters for its safe mooring and protection from prevailing winds, but especially as a place where you can enjoy the summer sunset around 10.30 p.m. while dining at the club. The marina provides good shelter and is often used as a roadstead to evaluate weather conditions before venturing into the open sea. Muros is among the best-preserved historical harbours on the Galician coast, featuring houses overlooking the water, granite docks, and a strong connection between the city and the ocean.

// The maritime route that once connected faith, trade,
and coastal navigation can now be traced by boat, with designated stops and mooring points at ports, yacht clubs, marinas, and landing stages built for contemporary recreational boating. //

     Here, the maritime Camino reveals its most authentic character, composed of landings and coastal navigation. The access point is clear and well-signposted, with the granite docks bearing witness to a long maritime history. It is a highly recommended stopover. Slightly further north lies Carnota, with its fishing harbour, a small landmark along the coast which becomes even more open and challenging on this stretch. At this point, the Atlantic takes on a different character, becoming more direct, with longer waves, constant wind, and fewer options for immediate refuge. 

     The landing at Finisterrae holds a significance that extends far beyond boating: it is the gateway to the Costa da Morte. The finis terrae of the Romans is a symbolic place, with a cosy harbour and a lighthouse dominating the highly exposed coast and marking one of the most western points of the Camino. From here, the route continues towards Cabo Vilán, one of the most iconic and feared lighthouses in Galicia, built after several shipwrecks on that coast, and one of the most challenging passages of the entire itinerary. Its waters are among the most difficult and dangerous along the Spanish coast: strong currents, cross-sea conditions, and frequent, sudden fog. The final stretch of one of Europe’s oldest routes is A Coruña, a large, open, and historic Atlantic port with comprehensive infrastructure and fully equipped yacht clubs, serving as the natural conclusion of a journey that is both a navigation and a narrative. A journey that can be measured in routes, lighthouses, and landings. And which reminds all sailors that before paths we had waves (turismo.gal). This is an experience you can also enjoy by participating in El Camino a Vela (elcaminoavela.com, 5/27 June 26) or in the VI Ruta Náutica Rías Baixas-Camino de Santiago Ria de Muros Noia (mrcyb.es/eventos/evento/vi-ruta-nautica-rias-baixas-2026), where the boat is an integral part of the pilgrimage.

(Santiago by sea – The power of walking on water – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, May 2026)

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Oblu Select Sangeli – Sustainable luxury https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/oblu-select-sangeli-sustainable-luxury/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:40:35 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=251990 Staying at the Oblu Select Sangeli in the Maldives – among modern villas, daytrips on board dhonis, snorkelling in the […]

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Staying at the Oblu Select Sangeli in the Maldives – among modern villas, daytrips on board dhonis, snorkelling in the coral reef, and eco-friendly practices – makes luxury responsible and immersive

by Mariateresa Campolongo

We reached the island of Sangeli after a short speedboat transfer from Malé International Airport, and upon arrival, it was clear we had found a true haven of tranquillity. Oblu Select Sangeli resort welcomed us with its soft tropical light, palm trees swaying lazily in the breeze, and a lagoon of almost unreal turquoise hues. We stayed in a Beach Villa with a private pool, a secluded 103 m² refuge directly overlooking the beach. Spacious and filled with natural light, the villa combined elements of the Maldivian tradition with modern furniture and natural fabrics, striking a perfect balance between comfort and harmony with the surrounding landscape. The bathroom, surrounded by greenery and featuring an open-air shower and bathtub, became a private sanctuary for moments of pure relaxation.

Oblu Select Sangeli

The villas combine interiors with a tropical and modern style with bright and colourful furniture.

Oblu Select Sangeli offers a wide range of accommodation options: from classic Beach Villas to Water Villas suspended above the lagoon, some with private pools, up to Honeymoon suites and the spacious 2-Bedroom Beach Pool Suite, perfect for guests seeking a more intimate connection with the sea. That sense of closeness with the ocean is taken even further in the Honeymoon suites, which feature glass floor panels and a retractable rooftop that allows guests to gaze at the stars, just like on board a luxury yacht. Each villa is thoughtfully designed to deliver moments of absolute relaxation, while preserving an atmosphere of elegance and privacy.

The resort offers a complete experience, including diving, snorkelling, water sports, and sightseeing tours on dhonis, the traditional Maldivian boats, to experience the sea in all its wonder.

We chose to start our mornings with breakfast at The Courtyard, the resort’s main restaurant, where attention to diverse dietary needs is immediately evident: gluten-free dishes, vegetarian options, and personalised selections make each meal easy and enjoyable. The all-inclusive philosophy allows guests to fully embrace the experience without a single concern, indulging in fresh flavours and thoughtfully crafted dishes that highlight locally sourced ingredients.

One of the most memorable moments of our stay was a cruise aboard a dhoni, the traditional Maldivian boat, gliding gently across crystal clear waters as the sun painted the lagoon in shimmering shades of gold and turquoise. Guests can snorkel independently or join guided excursions to explore the coral reefs and the vibrant schools of fish that fill the lagoon – a marine ecosystem restored through the resort’s coral conservation programme. We also participated in an educational session led by biologists Samantha and Giorgia, who showed us how the large metal frames used in coral nurseries help regenerate seabeds damaged by bleaching. It was astonishing to see how, in just a few years, colour has returned to the reefs and marine life has once again flourished throughout the lagoon.

The island’s sand – fine, white, and subtly tinged with pink – captivated us from the very first step: a soft carpet reflecting the sunlight, it turns every stroll along the shore into a small sensory luxury. The resort’s layout was equally impressive: unlike other, more scattered designs, the villas are thoughtfully connected in a harmonious flow, with restaurants and activity areas gathered at the centre of the island. The result is a setting that feels intuitive and easy to navigate, offering both convenience and functionality, while preserving privacy and a deep sense of tranquillity.

There was no shortage of cultural experiences during our stay: we attended a typical evening of live Maldivian music, an authentic immersion in local traditions that deepened our connection to the island’s heritage. The ELE|NA Ayur spa was another unforgettable sanctuary. Inspired by the island’s natural elements, every treatment left us fully regenerated, with massages, aromatherapy and wellness rituals set amid lush tropical vegetation.

The prevailing sensation at Sangeli is lightness and serenity. Each day you can choose between diving, snorkelling in the lagoon, unwinding by the pool, or strolling along powder-white beaches, all accompanied by the discreet, attentive care of the resort’s staff.

In 2019, Oblu Select Sangeli launched a coral conservation programme, creating a coral nursery in the central lagoon with more than 150 metal structures holding 7,000 coral fragments. Oblu Select Sangeli is a Green Globe-certified resort, with a tangible commitment to environmental and social sustainability.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, Oblu Select Sangeli is a Green Globe-certified resort with a tangible commitment to environmental and social sustainability. Drinking water is produced on site through desalination and served in reusable glass bottles. Cleaning products are biodegradable, and waste is reduced to a minimum, carefully sorted, and recycled according to a strict “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” philosophy. Even treated wastewater is repurposed to irrigate the resort’s gardens and green areas. Thanks to its partnership with Swimsol, the resort has also embraced renewable energy solutions, reducing carbon emissions without compromising guest comfort.

As we leave the island, we carry with us the memory of a place where understated luxury, deep connection to nature, and a strong commitment to sustainability come together in perfect balance. Here, the rhythm of the sea shapes each day and every detail is designed for the pleasure of slowing down and enjoying the present. Oblu Select Sangeli is more than a resort: it is a small slice of paradise where natural beauty, respect for the environment, and local culture meet, providing an authentic and unforgettable experience.

(Oblu Select Sangeli – Sustainable luxury – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, March 2026)

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Norwegian Spirit – Asia you wouldn’t expect https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/norwegian-spirit-asia-trips/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:50:54 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=251073 Aboard Norwegian Spirit, wandering around the stunning coastlines of Asia by Ornella D’Alessio Okinawa is the Japan you don’t expect. […]

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Aboard Norwegian Spirit, wandering around the stunning coastlines of Asia

by Ornella D’Alessio

Okinawa is the Japan you don’t expect. At first glance, it’s an explosion of blue, with shades ranging from crystal turquoise to deep cobalt, a play of colours that seems invented to convey the magic of this archipelago, the southernmost in the Land of the Rising Sun (visitokinawajapan.com). Here, colours speak louder than words. Every shade tells a story. The emerald green evokes the forests of Yambaru, north of Okinawa Island, the white sand of Zamami is lapped by waters that change colour with the movement of the waves, and the sun lights up the red roofs of the traditional houses on Taketomi Island and makes the five- or six-pointed star-shaped arena, measuring just a few millimetres, sparkle.

When you arrive in Naha, which is in the Okinawa archipelago, you’ll find that one of the stops on the cruise is full of surprises. This stop is on the Norwegian Cruise Line’s elegant ship, the Spirit.

And then there is the light: in Okinawa, it is different, intense, vivid. In the morning, the ginger fields are tinged with a soft green, while the fishermen of Naha, the capital, set out in their painted boats. Arriving by ship, Naha – one of the stops on the cruise aboard the Spirit, an elegant ship belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line (ncl.com) – is a surprise.

Leaving the harbour towards the centre, you come across Kokusai Street, a shopping street that could be in any Asian capital. A succession of modern buildings, shopping centres, oriental fast food outlets and markets, such as the Makishi public market, at the end of which you can still find beautiful handmade silk kimonos.

The Okinawa archipelago is the southernmost in Japan, made up of 160 islands, many of which are uninhabited, and covers an area of 2,000 square kilometres with a population of approximately 1.4 million.

To get around the city, there is a convenient elevated urban monorail, Yui Rail, which takes you to Shuri Castle. Rebuilt after the bombings of the Second World War, it was destroyed again by fire in 2019. The castle continues to represent centuries of history through its elaborate architecture, which blends Japanese and Chinese influences.

Another almost mystical stop is the Shikinaen Royal Garden: an oasis of peace and the second residence of the Okinawan royal family, where the most important guests were received and entertained. Peace and serenity surround the central lake, overlooked by the palace and surrounded by a forest of tropical plants. Continuing aboard the Spirit, you will find yourself on Ishigaki Island, famous for Kabyra Bay, where you can admire corals, fish and sea turtles from the glass bottom of small boats. However, swimming is prohibited here due to the cultivation of black pearls ((japan.travel). On board large, elegant ships such as the Norwegian Spirit, you will never get bored, and even those travelling alone are welcome, with programmes designed especially for them.

In January 2020, the ship underwent a major refurbishment project. Today, Spirit has six new restaurants, seven new bars and lounges, improved public areas, a spa, modernised cabins and new hull graphics. Continuing the cruise, you arrive in Taipei, the de facto capital of Taiwan, the rebellious island, which is bustling at all hours of the day and night and in every corner of the city (tva.org.tw). Amidst dizzying skyscrapers, concrete and aluminium avenues, and elevated high-speed rail tracks, there is so much to discover to immerse yourself in the true Taiwanese lifestyle and the compelling stories of popular deities who, even today, are so important in everyday life. A fascinating history of settlements, colonisation and immigration has shaped Taipei.

Taipei is the de facto capital of Taiwan. With its dizzying skyscrapers, concrete and aluminium avenues, and elevated high-speed rail tracks, there’s plenty to explore and experience to get to know the authentic local lifestyle.

Today, Taipei is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, religions, and cuisines to discover day after day. From Keelung Harbour, you can easily reach the Main Train Station by metro. This is the meeting point for the Free Walking Tours (likeitformosa.com), during which young volunteers accompany tourists on walking tours of their city. From here, head towards Longshan Temple Station to visit the Buddhist, Taoist and other temples of the same name, located in the western part of the city. In about ten minutes, you will arrive at Bopiliao, an old commercial centre in northern Taipei, where Chinese immigrants traded with the indigenous community.

The style of the former octagonal red-brick public market, Ximen Red House, built in 1908, is entirely different, exemplifying the Japanese colonial style. Today, diverse and multicultural Taiwan has become a magnet for young artisans and artists to exhibit their work. It is pleasant to end the day in one of the many bars in the bustling Ximending district, ideal for shopping. Nearby stands the imposing presidential office, designed to house the governor of Taiwan during Japanese colonial rule. Today, it is the political centre of the island and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, thanks to its Western style and 130-metre-long façade overlooking Ketagalan Boulevard, which provides a great vantage point for taking photos of this imposing building. A short distance away is the national monument, the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, which was completed five years after his death.

The architectural narrative is based on the Chinese imperial style and Chiang’s life as a political figure, who went from being a great national leader to a symbol of an authoritarian regime during the martial law era. The new district of Xinyi, the world capital of semiconductors and high technology, is the perfect location for Taipei 101 (taipei-101.com.tw/en), a 508-metre-high glass-and-steel tower that symbolises dynamic, modern Taiwan.

Gastronomy is so important in Taipei that, in certain neighbourhoods, the air smells of soy, rice wine, sesame, spices, frying oil and grilled meat, accompanied by the cries of street vendors. Be sure to try the dumplings, which can be found for just a few pounds at one of the most gourmet night markets, the Raohe Street Night Market. The steamed dumplings at one of the many branches of the now international chain Din Tai Fung (dtf.com/en), with its open kitchen, are very good, as are the delicious meat xiaolongbao and beef noodles.

Some people love them, and some people hate them. Still, when the itineraries are off the beaten track, and you disembark every day in different places and countries to discover different cultures and customs, without ever having to think about your luggage, cruises prove to be an excellent travel choice.

(Norwegian Spirit – Asia you wouldn’t expect – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, February 2026)

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Ulyssia – Beyond all limits https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/ulyssia-superyacht-charter-fm-architettura/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:39:04 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=249506 Ulyssia is a 320-metre gigayacht with a beam of 34 and a draught of 7.5. and which displaces 98,000 gross […]

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Ulyssia is a 320-metre gigayacht with a beam of 34 and a draught of 7.5. and which displaces 98,000 gross tonnes. It is the brainchild of the Swiss promoter Frank Binder, while Espen Øino handled the exterior lines, and Francesca Muzio was the lead designer for the interiors

by Sacha Giannini

Collectively, we have a subconscious idea of what a home should be, which means caves, skyscrapers and megayachts all have something apparently similar to that archetype. That is because a home is the image of yourself, of your personality, and helps you find yourself. Living there means developing habits as part of our reciprocity with spaces and things within a functional and symbolic system. Nevertheless, inhabiting somewhere is also loaded with other traditions that, in the case of the interiors developed by FM Architettura for Ulyssia, the new ship and ground-breaking residential model for the third millennium, take on great significance because they reflect a contemporary principle of nomadism. This is for people who can experience the world while feeling entirely at home, even when at sea and in Africa, New York or Polynesia, admiring sunsets and experiencing local culture.

«The main objective of the design is to make guests feel at home. The services and communal areas will complement and integrate with their daily routines. This is fundamental and represents a challenge for a boat of this size. Another key aspect is the connection with nature». Francesca Muzio

Francesca Muzio has understood for some time that travelling is the best way to appreciate the makeup of a land through experiences and fragments felt along the way, in a kind of modern-day nomadism that recovers the perceptive sense of the ancient sea routes. Francesca thinks that observing things and preferring seeing to thinking has to be the way to start, as seeing means immersing yourself in the world, whereas thinking often means stepping back from it. The Ulyssia is a unique gigayacht, an outsize masterpiece of hospitality. Espen Øino and Francesca Muzio, selected from an international competition as lead designers for the interiors, will transform this imposing residential utopia into a fascinating piece of steel and aluminium, to be assembled by 2029 at Papenburg by the German naval-mechanical group Meyer Werft GmbH, which specialises in producing large ships.

Founded in 2010 by Francesca Muzio, FM Architettura is a leading interior design studio based in Ancona, Italy. The studio specialises in bespoke interior design and collaborates with over 200 artisans to bring Italian craftsmanship to superyachts, private residences, luxury hotels and residential towers. Born and raised in Italy, Francesca will oversee the common areas and also be available to design individual homes.

Ulyssia, a place without a place that lives for itself, closed in on itself and open to the future, is a representative figure of living. This urban vessel exalts collective life and reserves the exclusivity of individual life, where everyone retains their freedom and habits.

The Ulyssia will not be a simple cruise ship, but rather an exclusive liner on which a small community of the privileged will embark upon a new daily life on the sea, not in cabins with bunks and leftover spaces, but in over 130 luxurious apartments that are fully fitted, from garages to private elevators, with 22 suites available for use by guests. It is the concept of a community, a shared property through fifty-year rental contracts of areas ranging from 100 to nearly 1,000 square metres, with over 300 crew who are highly trained to cater for every need on board. It is set to welcome wealthy businesspeople or habitual travellers. It will follow routes on an itinerary established by the “tenants” themselves, united by a shared passion for travel and adventure. There will also be projects to support an NGO and various philanthropic initiatives, including medical projects for health emergencies, thanks to the cutting-edge on-board medical centre, which can perform X-rays, MRIs, TACs, endoscopies, and even dental care.

As well as Francesca Muzio, other established designers were brought in, under her purview, to give the residences their own character – right down to the smallest detail. Rémi Tessier, with his simplicity in detail; the Belgian designer Jean – Michel Gathy, with his extensive portfolios of hotels and iconic resorts; and then there is Sabrina Monteleone from Monaco with her intricate internal and external decorations. Amongst them will also be Jenan Interiors and Kravitz Design, the studio run by the legendary American rock star Lenny Kravitz.

So, will it be a luxury gigayacht resort or a private social club? Probably both. But it will be organised following a condominium scheme, which will continually plot a route between percentage shares and private spaces, exclusive views and services to support daily life. Facilities will include a 1,900m2 spa run by the Chenot group, along with restaurants, a sports centre with fitness and jogging, swimming pools, a theatre, a library, a gourmet market, educational facilities with on-board tutoring and even a submarine for exploration. Having a residence on a large boat is the new luxury experience that, according to Francesca Muzio, will increasingly follow a type of luxury yachting and its residential variants, which will be able to change setting, view and horizons on a nearly daily basis. Designed to avoid any restrictions in terms of access, Ulyssia will be of a size to go through the Panama Canal, go under the bridges in Patras and Sydney, and also to engage in some epic river journeys. Inertia and energy recovery systems, combined with a hybrid propulsion system offering bio-fuel or methanol options, will provide a good range and promise interesting sustainability figures.

Beyond being a craft designed to serve yachting and its clients, for Francesca Muzio Ulyssia is evocative to walk through, with thematic, multi-coloured social areas, in shades of ivory, dove grey and tobacco. The interiors are enlivened by reflections, transparent sections and gloss paint, but wool, leather, fabrics and recycled materials also absorb the light. Marble and textures cover the floors and bulwark walls, gilded by oblique lights and the glow from the artfully fitted recessed lighting below the furniture and decorative mountings. “We have designed the boat with four communal lobbies as welcoming air, fire, earth and water gardens, creating models to experience the common spaces with art exhibitions, gourmet markets, spas, restaurants, ice waterfalls and double levels in which nature plays an important role and is also brought indoors”, declared Francesca Muzio.

«…here the owner will marry ‘lifestyle’ even before style, using this ship as a semi-ready product to be used in different ways: for entertainment, for business, for residence and for cultural activities…».
Francesca Muzio

Ulyssia is the heterotopy par excellence envisaged by Foucault, the idea of a localised “counterspace” in which normality is overturned, disputed nearly to fulfil a dream that is defined by this incredible floating space that is suspended between adventure, travelling and imagination. Although it is connected remotely to the whole of the rest of the world through WiFi, chat groups and smart working, Ulyssia also suspends it, neutralises it and somehow inverts it, becoming a place of compensation, a real space that is so perfect and ordered that it makes the rest look inadequate and obsolete. The idea is a winning one; it will be a mutually supportive space between these “stateless people” on board who are looking for “…the meaning of travel, even before ownership”, as Francesca Muzio says.

On-board services

  • Marina, yacht club and diving centre
  • Chenot spa, medical centre, swimming pools
  • Sports fields, gym, simulators • Restaurants, bars, culinary studio • Theatre, library, golf simulator, art studio • Four luxury tenders
  • A fully equipped yacht club, Ulyssia Marina and diving centre • Chenot spa, fitness and wellness centre, hairdresser and beautician and a fully staffed medical centre • Indoor and outdoor swimming pools with numerous terraces and solariums • Numerous sports and recreational facilities, including a 600-metre jogging/walking track and a room for dance/fitness classes • Padel tennis, pickleball, and multi-purpose courts
    • Numerous restaurants, a culinary studio and a fine wine cellar • A gourmet market, several bars, including a cigar bar, a lounge and a disco • 24-hour in-residence catering, including a ‘Call a Chef’ programme
    • A theatre conference room and an extensive library • Golf club and simulator
  • An art studio • Children’s programme with entertainment and educational facilities
  • Flight simulators for motor sports, fixed wing and helicopter • State-of-the-art connectivity and corporate conference facilities
    • Two helicopters • Two Triton submarines.

«…it will be a pioneering, fascinating housing model, an increasingly cosmopolitan ‘modus vivendi’ where everyday life will become increasingly ‘nomadic’ for some and ‘remotely’ will trace a new ‘modus habitandi’». Francesca Muzio

The outer partition that defines the foyer of the forward swimming pool highlights the circularity in the design through the use of cladding with broad horizontal strips alternating with thin brise soleil slats that, together with the sofa’s striped textiles, accentuate the effect of the centripetal curve of movement along the curvilinear trajectory that envelops the space and attracts the observer towards the centre of the swimming pool to then transport them to the large central cut of the staircase that links the lounge to the upper deck. The guardrail/parapet rises free and proud from the frame, and with no continuity in solutions, underscoring the extension of the vanishing lines and the distances that pinpoint, with a marked line of teak on the gunwale. This psychological tool allows the eye to sense, throughout its trajectory, the degree of vitality and enormous extension of the space on board. Ulyssia certainly explores forms and new expressions of modernity, and in its own formal and functional expression, looks for that point of equilibrium between the perfectly flat horizon line at sea and the absence of references, or pre-existing things, or design footholds that a blank sheet looks for.

(Ulyssia – Beyond all limits – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, October 2025)

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Focus NSS Charter – Memorable Experiences https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/focus-nss-charter-memorable-experiences/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:58:09 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=231689 A boat charter is perhaps the most modern and dynamic “product” available. It promises easy access to a unique and […]

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A boat charter is perhaps the most modern and dynamic “product” available. It promises easy access to a unique and memorable experience: a trip that goes above and beyond the norm, offering a different perspective. Here, it is no longer the sea that is the destination, but the beach

by Sacha Giannini

Today, sailing is an experience that is open to everyone, not just experts or the wealthy. Cruising catamarans are easier and more comfortable than traditional boats, making them an excellent option for beginners. The charter experience typically begins with an online booking, where you can search for the best choice to suit your preferences in terms of type, model, season, and location. Mapping apps, route simulators, 360° virtual tours, online checklists, and tick boxes become your first travel companions in the careful planning process, which suddenly finds itself catapulted onto the open seas amid horizons, bow thrusters, BBQ grills, bimini tops, and fantastical sunsets. The modern yachtsman is not the sailor of yesteryear who could endure the discomfort and deprivation of life on board a ‘bivouac’ boat; he has shifted from enjoying the sea to entertaining others, and over time, he has increasingly influenced production, purchasing, and style dynamics by transgressing rules and passions.

Meticulous attention to every detail, the possibility of choosing from 30-foot monohulls to catamarans over 70 feet, the possibility of chartering with a crew by opting for a skipper, hostess and chef of your choice, or even a luxury ‘First Class’ package with the top of the range of Lagoon’s flagship and entry-level boats, equipped to offer exclusive services including priority boarding and disembarkation without waiting, unlimited water toys and accessories, has enabled NSS Charter to become not only the leading charter company in north-western Sardinia, but also an important reference point in Italy and abroad with bases in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Simone Morelli

Simone Morelli, CEO of NSS Charter, with a fleet of over 150 boats, offers sea holidays for all tastes on Lagoon sailing catamarans and monohulls of the most popular brands.

Catamarans are more appealing than other boats because they give the impression of living in a balanced space, which is so perfect and complete that the outside world seems inadequate and disorderly. When it becomes a charter vessel, it acquires a rare condition where the excesses and comforts fuel a daily routine of rituals that transform the boat from an immersive vehicle for discovering new places into a tool for enjoying all the ‘domesticities’ on board. This risks turning it into a ‘non-place’ of pure individual pleasure.

The company’s winning slogan is “Nobody Sails Smarter”, whose initials also make up the acronym NSS for North Sardinia Sail, embodying the spirit by which added value is produced at every stage. Thanks to expansionist objectives, both in Italy and abroad, NSS is a forward-looking example of product and process innovation, entirely made in Italy. Today, the person who chooses a sailing catamaran for a holiday is a tourist seeking space, stability, privacy, and “stars”- both of the night sky and those on board – amidst hotel-like services and exclusive pampering.

Capable of offering incredible emotions, but also of condensing emotional discomfort, the boat creates a social space for experimentation. This space is structured by the rules of living and daily actions, which can make one believe they are part of it. However, one can feel excluded because one is suspended in a surreal, escapist dimension. The charter phenomenon transforms the boat from a place of hierarchy and promiscuity into an intimate space of ‘cockpit’ and ‘roles’, where everyone will sooner or later have to interact with others or perform tasks for them. On board, egos are built up and destroyed with unpredictable consequences, which can turn into an uncontrollable spiral of nervousness where minor infringements, such as eating one too many crumbs of bread, can trigger agitation akin to the anxiety experienced during the first and last act of the cruise: the mooring manoeuvre, the scene of the most feared test — reversing and getting underway! In these floating shells of serenity and tension, time flows smoothly between sublime moments and the risk of an imminent psychological crisis.

Nautical chartering has increasingly become the answer to realising the desire for isolation and the desire to ‘escape’ in the middle of the sea, with all the benefits, both material and immaterial, of an experience that in the imagination is synonymous with relaxation, carefreeness, privacy, and freedom.

 And this is where the decades of experience of NSS and the entire team come into the picture. They know the ‘nautical tourist’ and the various criticalities on board well, arranging everything to ensure that nothing happens or degenerates, with boats and check-ins standard-proof and welcoming, with skippers and crew for hire, with beds made and sheets ironed at every embarkation, with full of diesel, priority boarding and a welcome kit to be welcomed and pampered right from the start. The strategic centrality of our peninsula allows for incredible destinations, from Sardinia to Sicily, including Elba and Giglio, Ischia and Procida, Ponza, Ventotene, and the volcanic Aeolian Islands. The significant variable is perhaps the average price, the only factor that distinguishes the service and determines its market positioning and target audience, between luxury customers and early birds who are keen to book in advance and take advantage of discounted prices, pursuing a promotional strategy that can also counter last-minute offers from competitors.

The charterer realised that water makes one happy and increases good mood, promoting the production of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin to alter our perception of time, slowing it down and dilating it as if we were immersed in a big, fabulous, floating bubble for rent.

Best European Dealer Lagoon for four consecutive years and World’s Best Customer-Centric Initiative in 2024, NSS has managed to maintain a family management style, always working at the forefront to ensure a direct relationship with customers, yards, boats, employees, and anyone who comes into contact with them.

The ‘advanced booking’ strategy adopted by NSS Charter since 2005 has allowed for discounts and advantages for both customers and the company itself through the advance payment of part of the service offered. However, chartering is often under constant threat, facing “occasional” competition, abusive businesses, and amateurism, as Simone Morelli, CEO of NSS Charter, reminds us. With a fleet of over 150 boats, NSS Charter offers sea holidays for all tastes on Lagoon sailing catamarans and monohulls of the most popular brands. Not only is it the best European dealer for Cat boats from the Bénéteau Group, with over 50% of sales in Italy alone, but it is also a dealer for Bénéteau monohulls and an importer of Highfield RIBs. It owns the Cala dei Sardi marina in Sardinia, near Portisco, which it uses as a nautical base for the embarkation, mooring, transit and maintenance of its fleet.

The Mediterranean yacht charter market accounts for more than 30% of the world total and is mainly located in the Balearic Islands, Croatia, Greece and Italy.

From brokerage in the sale and purchase of used boats to purchasing management programmes, maintenance, and servicing, NSS has the experience and tools necessary to defend itself against the most aggressive competitors and, above all, to navigate the free market’s constant evolution of new seasonal trends to attract customers. These phenomena promise to satisfy the exact needs at similar prices and features, but in reality, they often offer stars and ratings that fall short of the advertised standard. The idea of owning and purchasing a boat is becoming less appealing to many customers, who are turning to chartering and the various purchase management programmes offered by NSS. These programmes provide a convenient way to enjoy nautical experiences, based on the principles of quality of service and “multiple ownership”. Rather than owning a boat and having to take care of it, maintain it and deal with unexpected expenses, people increasingly want to use a boat for just a weekend, a week or a month.

(Focus NSS Charter – Memorable Experiences – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, August 2025)

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Istria – Between history and nature https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/istria-between-history-and-nature/ Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:56:41 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=232348 Offering sea, history, culture, and nature, Istria is one of the preferred destinations of European pleasure boaters by Ornella D’Alessio […]

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Offering sea, history, culture, and nature, Istria is one of the preferred destinations of European pleasure boaters

by Ornella D’Alessio

In Istria, the biggest green oasis in the northern Adriatic Sea, 35% of the surface is covered by holm oak, strawberry tree woods, and Mediterranean scrub. Intense scents and aromas accompany sailors exploring the Gulf of Medulin and the archipelago of the same name, where the sun shines 2.400 hours per year. The Adriatic coastline is one of the most rugged on the planet, recorded on nautical maps as one of the best destinations in the world due to its clear sea and immense natural beauty, and the peninsula of Istria is its display window.

Isole Brioni © Julien Duval

The minimum distance from the coast for boats up to 15 metres in length is 50 metres, 100 metres for boats between 15 and 30 metres in length, and 300 metres for boats over 30 metres.

If you want to experience the charm of these coasts, sailing begins on the southern part of the Croatian peninsula, 8 kilometres southeast of Pula. Medulin can boast a rather original skyline due to the two 33-meter-tall bell towers of the Church of Saint Agnes, which are almost reflected in the waters of the new Marina and immersed in the extremely ancient history of the place. The most recent archaeological discoveries have revealed traces of Medulin’s prestigious past, the ancient Mutila, on the peninsula of Vižula (which was an island in Roman times), in front of the city centre, which hosts the remains of one of the most beautiful Roman residential villas on the eastern Adriatic coast. Today, it is a modern multimedia archaeological park, which can easily be reached from the Marina. Within it, you can walk in nature and relive the pomp of the period, wearing VR visors to admire the remains of the imperial maritime compound of the late antique period. The beautiful mosaics, multi-coloured marbles, and long colonnades are genuinely stunning. They are submerged mainly by the wind, the erosion and the rising sea.

Medulin Bay is the most complex and best-protected bay in the region. The sea depth varies from one metre near the beaches to twenty-three metres in Premantura. The municipality is divided into seven settlements, including Banjole, Pomer, Premantura, Pjescana Uvala, Vinkuran, and Vintijan. In the third image, panoramic view of the enchanting Vrsar Marina.

The other surprise in Medulin, a necessary sight before you sail northward up the coast, is the Kamenjak promontory, one of the last oases on the coast, which is protected by a natural park. It is a mosaic of pastures and woods, almost immersed in the sea, and a succession of beaches and secret coves. The entire area of Kamenjak is ideal for anyone who loves to move in nature and sleep at anchor. The cycle paths allow you to circumnavigate the island, riding through the most suggestive corners of Gornji and Donji Kamenjak, even on an e-bike. To discover the best sights by bike, there is a three-hour guided tour (jistra.com) along the majestic cape coast up to the southernmost tip of Istria. One of the scheduled stops is the cult Safari bar, which offers one of the three most panoramic points of Istria with views over the Adriatic Sea and the Kvarner islands.

Considered one of the most beautiful towns on the Istrian coast, Rovinj is a charming village set on a small peninsula jutting out into the sea. The imposing Church of St. Euphemia dominates the old town. The blue sea, the enchanting beaches, and the islands of the archipelago are the backdrop to the town’s architectural beauty.

After leaving the berths from the Medulin pier, it is worth stopping at Sv. Ivan na Pučini (Saint John on the open sea), the most distant islet of the small Rovinj archipelago, with a 23-meter tall habitable lighthouse. Even further up the coast lies Rovinj, ancient and modern at once, where you can choose to moor at the Marina or the buoys in the Uvala Lon inlet. It is the largest city on the Istrian coast. For more than half a century, it was part of the Republic of Venice as evidenced by the elegant façades of the buildings with mullioned windows, the small squares, and the bell tower of the church of Sant’Eufemia, a more than 60-meter-tall copy of the church of San Marco in Venice. The dense alleys and narrow passages hide beautiful Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and neoclassical buildings. At Campiello al Monte lies the church of San Tommaso, one of the most visited monuments in the city. It is nice to enjoy local delicacies in one of the cafés on the central square, whose tables almost reach the marina, where sailing and fishing boats land. The pleasant atmosphere has attracted many artists who have opened their ateliers in this town.

Pula is located in the extreme south of the Istrian peninsula and offers beautiful natural landscapes and numerous leisure opportunities. It is the seat of the city’s administrative offices and the Istrian region. The town is approximately 126 kilometres from Trieste and is close to the Brijuni Islands National Park, Rovinj, Medulin, and the Santo Stefano thermal baths. Pula is at the heart of Istrian shipping routes thanks to its large marinas. It is an ancient city whose main symbol is the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre.

Once you pass Punta Kriza, a renowned nudist beach, you sail 12 kilometres through the Lim Channel and reach almost as far as Pazin in central Istria. Although it is often referred to as a fjord, the channel is the submerged part of a karst valley. The misunderstanding may arise because the film The Vikings, with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, was shot here in the 1950s.

The Lim Channel is an 11-kilometre-long inlet surrounded by lush forests, which are home to many wild animals and hide numerous historical monuments, such as the cave of San Romualdo.

Navigation resumes towards the medieval Vrsar, which Giacomo Casanova also visited twice. Protected by islets, it is worth visiting the centre for the picturesque atmosphere and beautiful stone houses. Two miles from Vrsar lies the castle-fortress of Funtana, another panoramic point. A series of coves anticipates the port of Porec, which is closed off to the west by the island of St. Nicholas. After passing Novigrad and taking a walk along the Venetian walls that surround it to then lose yourself in the narrow alleys and small squares, you continue to the fishing village of Daila, known for its monastery which hides a small strip of land called Punta with natural stone and pebbel beaches surrouned by a deep blue sea.

Capo Kamenjak

Capo Kamenjak – Faro Porer, photo by Ivo Biočina

From here, you point the bow southward, in the direction of the Brijuni archipelago, the pride of the Istrian peninsula, which is today a park where the ancient Romans used to relax in luxurious villas. The port of Brijuni (np-brijuni.hr) hosts boats of up to 55 metres, while larger ones can anchor in the Fazana Channel. The cultural, historical, and natural heritage is partly enclosed in the Boat House, built in a 19th-century Art Déco style, which stands out as you arrive in the marina.

Brijuni Isles are a true paradise for sailors. The Maggiore harbour is a safe haven for boats and ships up to 55 metres long. Larger vessels can anchor at buoys in the Fazana Channel.

In this strip of land surrounded by the sea, history has unfolded since dinosaurs, who left two hundred footprints here, and until Jozip Brox Tito’s stay on the island, which he had chosen as his summer residence. Fascinating is the Tito Museum, with its 1953 Cadillac Eldorado produced by General Motors in Detroit parked in front. Inside, it is a kaleidoscope of photographs evoking many significant memories. Among the people portrayed in the pictures are Hailé Selassié, Emperor of Ethiopia; Fidel Castro, President of Cuba; and Ho Chi Minh, President of Vietnam. On the top of the heart-shaped Istrian Island is Pula, with its famous arena from Emperor Vespasian, the Temple of Augustus, the Roman forum and the impressive Arc de Triomphe.

To sail in Croatian waters, you must pay a tax for the safety of navigation. It is paid at the Port Authority office and allows you to sail in Croatian territorial waters for one year. The tax is paid annually and is valid until 31 December of the reference year. Tourist tax is paid separately, depending on the length of your stay in Croatia.

Not far away lies the new marina of Veruda, which stretches for 1.5km along the bay of the same name up to Pješčana Uvala. The cruise ends when you start to make out two bell towers on the horizon, announcing your arrival at the Medulin marina.

For more information, visit the Croatian Tourist Board’s website at https://croatia.hr/it-it.

Opening image a Galebove stijene-Pula beach, photo by Aleksandar Gospić 

(Istria – Between history and nature – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, July 2025)

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Northern Ireland – Amidst nature, history, and legends https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/northern-ireland-amidst-nature-history-and-legends/ Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:59:05 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=221989 Many consider it the most majestic and solemn landscape on the island. It’s the Giant’s Causeway, a stretch of coast […]

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Many consider it the most majestic and solemn landscape on the island. It’s the Giant’s Causeway, a stretch of coast in the County of Antrim, 100 kilometres north of Belfast

by Clelia Pirazzini

Due to the geometry of the sometimes confusing and impressive entanglements, about 40,000 basalt columns with hexagonal bases and various prismatic shapes, 6 to 12 metres high, rise from the sea rocks, so perfect and harmonious that one could think they were man’s work. And here is the surprise: these strange rock formations were created by volcanic activity perhaps 60 million years ago. After the eruption, the lava flowed into the cold waters of the sea and immediately solidified, contracting and forming basaltic columns of different sizes depending on the speed of solidification.

Climbing higher, the landscape opens up to reveal a complete panorama of the coast, especially in the morning when the first rays of sunlight seem to break through the high pillars on the horizon.

The result was so unique and mysterious that Giant’s Causeway had already attracted the attention of scientists and curious minds in the past. 1693, it was mentioned in a document written by Sir Richard Bulkeley for the Royal Society. But this stunning and futuristic phenomenon has also given rise to many strange legends. The most popular one is undoubtedly the legend of the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill, whose strength was so powerful that one day, the Scottish champion Benandonner challenged him to a duel. So Fionn built a trail on the inlet between Ireland and Scotland to reach him, collecting pieces of cliffs and carefully placing them on the ground to create an easy passage. But as he began to cross it and considered the imposing physical composition of his rival, he decided to turn back and seek refuge at home, where he disguised himself. When Benandonner came to his house for the duel, Fionn’s wife told him that her husband had gone out and that the person in the room was her son. Seeing that the son was so large, the Scottish champion figured that the father would be even more gigantic and threatening. Hence, he decided to retreat and destroy most of the extraordinary causeway.

From the Renaissance-style City Hall to Titanic Belfast, Ireland’s most famous museum, Belfast is a city with many faces.

But there is another, more romantic, story about a giant who was in love and had built that causeway to reach Scotland, where his beloved lived. And many more stories like these. Regardless of the many legends, even today, the Giant’s causeway expresses the continuity and spiritual bond with nature, which amazes us with its strange shapes continuously revived by the eternal and elusive breath of the sea. In particular, if you descend on the cliff and walk on the rocky pavement, maybe jumping from one stone to the next, you can observe them to understand the perfection of these columns truly. They generally have a perfectly hexagonal base but can also be squared or pentagonal and up to 50 centimetres wide. Each one seems to have a different and unique shape. Like the one called the Giant Organ due to its striking resemblance to the musical instrument, other rocks look like the boots or eyes of these giants, as they preserve soft and bright nuances. They are so spectacular that the UNESCO declared them a World Heritage Site.

On the left, the two old cranes used to build the Titanic. The world’s most famous ocean liner sank on 15 April 1912.

This coastal area of Antrim also has other attractions of historical interest, such as the promontory where the ancient medieval castle of Dunluce stands overlooking the sea, which has been in ruins and abandoned since 1690 when part of the castle kitchen collapsed into the sea. The political seat of the Earls of Antrim was the scene of the bloody feud between the Mac Quillan and Mac Donnel clans. It was so gruesome that it gave rise to ghostly presences among the ruins, followed by many legends, like the legend about Lord Mac Quillan’s daughter, the sweet Maeve, who refused to marry the man her father had chosen for her because she was in love with another boy and was thus locked up in the manor’s tower. Her young lover came to free her and eloped with her over the cliffs, but the ever-rough sea caused them both to drown together in the nearby Mermaid’s Cave.

With an estimated population of 671,559, Belfast is the capital city.

After acknowledging the beauty of this region suspended between nature, history, and legendary stories, it is an absolute must to visit Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, a city with a rich historical and urbanistic heritage with typical districts crossed by cobbled streets occasionally overlooked by red-brick buildings. Then, the magnificent City Hall was built in a Renaissance style. Still, it was also the typical district of the Murales, many of which reference the conflict between Republicans and Loyalists. But the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the Titanic Quarter, which, among other things, hosts the most famous museum in Ireland: the Titanic Belfast, a place of the soul and memory. This is where you can find the large shipyard founded in 1861 by Sir Edward James Harland and Gustav Willhem Wolff, who worked tirelessly over many years building merchant ships, but above all, ocean liners, including the most tragically famous Titanic. As is well known, the latter sank on 15 April 1912, not because of a construction flaw but rather due to a horrible impact with an iceberg. The yard continued to work uninterruptedly, building six aircraft carriers, two cruisers, and other military units, also including tanks and vehicles of various kinds. But after the 1950s, as demand for passenger ships fell, the yard declined to the point where it will cease operations altogether in 2019. Today, the only reminder of this enormous enterprise are two extremely tall twin cranes with high-sounding names: Samson and Goliath. And, of course, the Titanic Museum, an aluminium-coated building shaped like a hull. Although no original items from the ship are present in the museum – which only exhibits replicas, descriptions and details about the events that took place on the Titanic – it is an actual flashback into this collective tragedy that takes you on a journey back in time, to face the dangers of the Nordic seas, and look into the heart of all human beings.

The ancient medieval castle of Dunluce rises on the promontory. Now it is in ruins and abandoned since 1690.

On the other hand, the Belfast harbour is fully operational and is a source of pride for maritime trade. It hosts more than 500 companies and is a port of call for merchant and passenger ships. For yachting and all activities connected to this industry, the leading marina is Bangor, on the Ards peninsula, just 19 kilometres from Belfast. A truly complete facility capable of accommodating a high number of yachts. From here, you can set out on thrilling fishing trips. There is no shortage of prey, especially from the northern seas, such as cod, which move in large shoals, wrasse, a type of large thrush that lives on the rocky seabed, and giant sole. Some even like to practice fishing sharks, particularly the ‘blue shark’, which satisfies fishermen due to its impressive fighting strength. But if the prey is not edible, once it is caught, it is thrown back into the sea. Certainly not the famous giant crabs of Bangor Bay, which are a typical dish in the local cuisine, together with monkfish in sesame crust. And if, during summer, you feel like taking a nice swim in all safety, this is the ideal place. Even Charles Dickens had shown his appreciation for it. When he came to Ireland to hold a series of conferences, he used to go to Ballyholme Beach in this region for a restoring swim. This is another reminder that in Northern Ireland the sea has always been the show’s star.

(Northern Ireland – Amidst nature, history, and legends – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, March 2025)

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Maldive – Archipelago of wonders https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/maldive-archipelago-of-wonders/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:21:55 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=220250 In the immensity of the Indian Ocean, south-east of Sri Lanka, are the 1,190 islands of the archipelago of the […]

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In the immensity of the Indian Ocean, south-east of Sri Lanka, are the 1,190 islands of the archipelago of the Maldives that tell a thousand-year-old story about the balance between man and nature: a fragile heritage between tradition and future

by Ornella D’Alessio

With two hundred inhabited islands, the Maldives are microcosmos where time follows the gentle rhythm of the tides and the dance of the monsoons. Here, in a region straddling the Equator, the temperature stays constant around 30 °C all year, creating an environment where marine life thrives in an explosion of colours: 187 species of corals create underwater architectures that host 1,900 fish varieties, more than 400 species of molluscs, and 350 species of crustaceans that people these sea beds.

The landing point is Malé, a capital with a surface area of just six km², whose colourful skyscrapers are reflected in the aquamarine-coloured ocean, conveying the story of a people in between tradition and modernity. At sunrise, when the fish market comes to life, the authentic soul of the Maldives is unveiled: among the stands, where you can hear people speak both English and Dhivehi (the local Maldive language), the scent of the mas huni – the traditional dish where smoked tuna meets coconut and chilli pepper – expresses the essence of the local gastronomy. Just a few steps away, the Hukuru Miskiiy mosque from 1658, built with the skilful technique of interlocking blocks of coral and decorated with elaborate carvings, together with its minaret from 1675, bears witness to the architectural art that earned UNESCO’s acknowledgement in 2008. These buildings – the most ancient in Malé – speak of a time when man built in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Each atoll in the Maldives reveals a delicate balance between development and conservation. Suffice it to think that 99% of the nation is constituted by water and just 1% by the islands. These waters are the home of 187 corals that build underwater architectures, hosting 1,900 fish varieties, more than 400 species of molluscs, and 350 species of crustaceans that people these sea beds.

In the Maldives, each atoll reveals a delicate balance between development and conservation. Just consider that 99% of the nation is water, and only 1% is represented by the islands. The resorts, which by law are limited to one per atoll and bound not to reach beyond the height of the highest palm tree, are perfectly integrated into the landscape and guardians of this frail beauty. From coral farming or gardening to the conservation policies launched in the 1970s, the archipelago faces the challenge of climate change with determination. Hulhumalé is the boldest response to the threat of rising sea levels: an artificial island that experiments with sustainable solutions for the future like an open-air laboratory.

«We want Siyam World to be accessible to everyone: families with children, groups of friends, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers». Ahmed Siyam Mohamed

In this country, which is the flattest on the planet, reaching 1.8 metres above sea level at most, the environmental challenge is also an opportunity for innovation. A short flight in a seaplane yields a birds-eye view of a mosaic of blue, light blue, and indigo surrounding islets with rounded shapes, where the tropical vegetation embraces tourism facilities designed to respect the environment. Every corner tells a story of respect and adaptation to the territory. “The idea that the Maldives are only for honeymooners is outdated”, says Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, a visionary entrepreneur who is redesigning the face of the archipelago. “We want these islands to be inclusive for all: families with children, groups of friends, and, more and more often, groups of female friends, lovers of sports, nature”. Siyam World (sunsiyam.com) shows this transformation clearly. In the underground wine cellar, where the coral walls host labels from every corner of the world – Japan, India, Argentina, New Zealand, or Lebanon – the local sommelier explains how the clientele has changed: “We no longer see just couples on their honeymoon, now we organise tastings for friends and entire families”.

This destination is ideal for surfers. The best spots are spread between north and south Malé: Ninjas, Sultanse Honkys for beginners, and the more challenging waves of Lohis and Jailbreaks for more expert surfers, surrounded by the largest coral reef in the world (8,920 km²).

At sunrise, on the pristine white beach, the horses from the ranch wait for the first riders of the day, for a gallop on the sandy shore. Not far away, a group of teenagers (but also suitable for adults) is getting ready for a mermaid lesson, wearing mermaid tails in various sizes. “This is the highest-demand activity”, explains Ali, a swimming instructor. “It transforms a simple swim into a fairy-tale-like and truly entertaining adventure”. But even a simple swim in these warm, transparent waters truly reconciles you with life. And the memory of that incredible feeling is unforgettable. The go-kart track – the largest in the Maldives – once and for all breaks the schemes of the traditional tropical resort. But it is in environmental conservation that the new course of Maldivian tourism finds its highest expression: “Every guest can become a guardian of the ocean”, explains marine biologist Sarah Thompson. At the same time, she guides a group of tourists through the observation of manta rays. The projects for the conservation of marine turtles include the active participation of guests and making their holiday into an experience of environmental awareness.

Projects for conserving marine turtles and coral reforestation involve the active participation of the islands’ guests, who transform their holiday into an environmental awareness experience.

On the close-by atoll of Baa, the Irufushi resort (sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-iru-fushi) is going through the same green revolution. The marine research centre has become an international point of reference where tourists and scientists collaborate. “Last year, we recorded a 40% increase in participation in our conservation programmes”, the centre director tells us, and participants even included a group of scholars from Milan’s Università di Milano Bicocca.

Hulhumalé is the boldest response to the threat of rising sea levels: an artificial island that experiments with sustainable solutions for the future like an open-air laboratory.

Sustainability is not just a slogan: the standard is solar panels, cutting-edge desalination systems, and innovative waste management. However, actual change can be measured in the relationship with local communities. “70% of our staff comes from nearby islands”, explains Mohammed Hassan, human resource manager. “We offer lifelong learning programmes and opportunities for professional growth”. While the sun sets over the lagoon, a nurse shark peacefully swims under a water villa. From the upper deck, adults and children are getting ready to take the last ride down the blue slide. The Maldives of the 21st century are about entertainment and awareness, luxury and sustainability, tradition and innovation.

(Maldive – Archipelago of wonders – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, February 2025)

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Cape Verde – Floating above the sea https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/cape-verde-floating-above-the-sea/ Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:29:33 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=218340 The Cape Verde archipelago is an excellent destination for water and sea sports enthusiasts by Clelia Pirazzini It is no […]

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The Cape Verde archipelago is an excellent destination for water and sea sports enthusiasts

by Clelia Pirazzini

It is no coincidence that the second leg of the latest edition of the Ocean Race included a stopover in the islands of Cape Verde, drawing the attention of the United Nations, which decided to hold the Climate Change Summit in Mindelo, on the island of Sao Vicente, to raise awareness and garner support for ocean rights. UN Secretary-General Guterres stressed that Cape Verde has always shown a strong commitment to environmental issues, such as supporting the blue economy, to the point that today 20% of the islands’ energy production comes from renewable sources. However, the local authorities are working to develop other projects, such as the one designed to combat marine plastic pollution, which is altering underwater ecosystems and killing off the marine fauna that is a source of wealth for the population.

Expanding marine protected areas

It should not be forgotten that fishing has always been the main source of income for the inhabitants of these ten islands and, unfortunately, in recent years the catch of edible fish such as mackerel and yellowfin tuna – both very important in the local cuisine – has decreased significantly due to the higher temperatures in the marine waters. One of the recent strategies adopted to combat this phenomenon has been to extend the various marine protected areas around the islands. These initiatives are increasingly appreciated at international level and attract many visitors who wish to spend their holidays in a healthy environment, immersed in a simple nature that conveys an image of something pure, whose appeal lies not only in its inconspicuous beauty, but also in its imagery and perception. This is particularly true of the sea, which, although it has suffered from global climate change, still boasts seabeds of great biodiversity. Its waters are still inhabited by various species of cetaceans, such as whales, dolphins and orcas, as well as thousands of turtles that love to nest on its calm beaches.

Boa Vista’s nature still has that taste of something exotic, of a primitive and almost suspended time, even in the small villages made of simple yet pleasant houses brimmed with colour that contrasts with the dry soil.

Boa Vista
Boa Vista is not just about the sea. The island has many faces and hides many different nuances. While some areas have sedimentary rocks with mysterious caves, in general, the island has large stretches of sand with dunes that slide into the sea. It also has something that reminds you of Africa, which is about 500 kilometres away. That something is the Viana Desert, formed over time by the trade winds coming from North Africa, carrying sand from the Sahara. Located in the northwest of the island, it has dunes of white sand sculpted by the wind, alternating with black rocks of volcanic origin. It is not a very large desert, only 5 kilometres long and about 1,000 metres wide, but its characteristic silence is very evocative, as it gives the feeling of being surrounded by absolute emptiness. Walking on the sand, which meets the sky in such a natural way, is truly fulfilling. Motorised vehicles can only reach the edge of the desert in certain areas.

When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Boa Vista on his third voyage to the Americas in 1498, he said: “They have a misleading name because they are very dry and I have seen nothing green”.

On the island of Mayo, but above all, on the island of Boa Vista, each year, between July and late October, thousands of turtles, in particular of the species Caretta caretta, reach the candid and wild beach of Praia de Joao Barrosa and other beaches on the south-east of the island to lay their eggs. The incubation period lasts just over fifty days and when the eggs hatch, the baby turtles instinctively crawl towards the sea. This custom has lasted since the beginning of time and, thanks to the measures taken to protect the site, seems to be as strong as ever. The island of Cape Verde is still the third nesting place in the world, after Florida and Oman.

On the island of Boa Vista, each year, between July and late October, thousands of turtles, particularly the species Caretta caretta, reach the candid and wild beach of Praia de Joao Barrosa and other beaches on the south-east of the island to lay their eggs.

Where to practice kitesurfing

But with its surface of 630 square kilometres and prevalently flat terrain – except Pico d’Estancia just 390 metres tall and Pico de Santo Antonio, which is slightly lower – Boa Vista, which belongs to the Barlavento group, and its 55 km of beaches, many of which are secluded, is particularly appreciated by surfers and lovers of kitesurfing. The latter is a sport that can be practised anywhere, but particularly from certain beaches, like the wild beach of Ervatao. This is a long stretch of snow-white and fine sand that dives into a turquoise sea with a sandy bottom, with the only exception of a few isolated and harmless underwater rocks. The wind is ideal, especially if it is regularly blowing from the north-east. But apart from the satisfaction of flying on the waves, this area, which is completely deserted, is still a wild region capable of triggering the strongest emotions and can be reached only after travelling dirt roads among large barren rocks reminiscent of lunar landscapes.

The islet of Djeu
Today, the waters surrounding its uninhabited islet are the destination of divers interested in exploring its seabed, which is full of surprises. It is easy to spot different species of sharks, including hammerheads, blacktips, nurse sharks and threshers. These Selachians are specially protected and have earned Boa Vista the nickname of a multi-species shark nursery. You can see much tropical fish such as parrotfish, triggerfish, angelfish and porcupine fish swimming among the corals, as well as the fish we are used to seeing in the Mediterranean such as red mullet, white bream, sea bream and moray eels. A great variety of species, many of which can be enjoyed in the traditional culinary speciality cachupa, prepared with beans, manioc, corn, sweet potatoes, fish or meat. The seabed is also rich in crustaceans, especially lobster. However, it is forbidden to fish them during their mating season.

Sport lovers also seek out other beaches, such as Curralinho, which unwinds for almost 18 kilometres on the island’s south-western coast and goes by the nickname Santa Monica due to its resemblance to the famous beach in California. And then there is Praia Varadinha, which can be reached if you walk over the dunes that lead to the shore as well as Praia de Chaves, close to the centre and no doubt the busiest of them all. But there is also another very unusual coastline that deserves a visit: Praia Atalanta, known by the name of Cabo Santa Maria. The area is always beaten by long and incessant waves, which often put a break on any water activities, but has risen to prominence because it hosts the historical wreck of the Spanish merchant ship Cabo Santa Maria, which was stranded on a sandy seabed in 1968 for reasons that are still unknown today. The crew, composed of 38 men in addition to Captain Fernando De Solis, apparently succeeded in saving themselves, while the load, mainly constituted of food products, was recovered by the island’s inhabitants.

You can practice sandboarding in Boa Vista, a recently developed sport and tourism-recreational activity, similar to the more famous snowboarding but practised on dunes.

Leaving behind Praia Atalanta, just 6 kilometres away, lies the graceful capital of Boa Vista: Sal Rei. A lively city which is the home of most of the 9,000 inhabitants of this barren island in the Atlantic and can boast two magnificent white sandy beaches in addition to a small marina that can accommodate ships of different sizes. It is very popular both among locals and those who wish to go rod or drift trolling. The prey in this area is guaranteed: white bream, groupers, rockfish, sea bass, sea bream, and mullets. But also large-size pelagic species like amberjacks, wahoo, sailfish, marlin, and barracuda. A true paradise for those who love deep-sea fishing. But also in this case, the local authorities recommend using the “catch and release” technique for large fish that are not particularly appreciated as food. And on the way back you even have the chance to take a short break on the islet of Djeu.

Its waters are inhabited by various species of cetaceans, such as whales, dolphins and orcas, as well as thousands of turtles.

Here, in addition to the lighthouse, you can visit an ancient fort – the fort of the Duke of Braganza of 1820 – built to defend the island against the attack of pirates who used to loot the island to take possession of its wealth, constituted by salt, cotton, and ceramics. Still in excellent condition are the cannons directed towards the open sea, on the point where attacks from enemy ships used to take place.

The barren soil doesn’t allow grass, bushes or trees to grow and flourish. There are some shy flowers grow on the beaches.

The nature of Boa Vista still has an exotic, primitive and almost suspended flavour, even in the small villages made up of simple but pleasant houses, full of colours that convey the emotion triggered by the light of an almost omnipresent sun that gives the landscape that vitality of strong tones that are absent in the terrain. The barren soil doesn’t allow grass, bushes or trees to grow and flourish. There are a few endemic plants such as the Cape Verde dragoeiro or tamareiro, as well as date palms and acacias. And then some shy flowers grow on the beaches. But the colours are almost absent due to the island’s extremely dry soil. Even Christopher Columbus noted this in his writings when he landed on the island of Boa Vista during his third voyage to America: “They have a misleading name because they are very dry and I have seen nothing green”. Charles Darwin shared this opinion, but he was compelled by the wild nature, and when he landed in the archipelago in 1832, he declared: “Any kind of vegetation would spoil the grandeur of this landscape”.

(Cape Verde – Floating above the sea – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, January 2025)

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Oceanco H3 – Spectacular transformation https://www.barchemagazine.com/en/oceanco-h3-spectacular-transformation-2/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:51:02 +0000 https://www.barchemagazine.com/?p=215845 The superyacht H3, built by Oceanco in the Netherlands in 2000, has undergone a major refit by Massimo Longoni – […]

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The superyacht H3, built by Oceanco in the Netherlands in 2000, has undergone a major refit

by Massimo Longoni – photo by Guillaume Plisson

Most of H3’s structure is the original, while every other element on board has been completely transformed, both technically and aesthetically. H3 has a modern appearance with a completely new superstructure. The length of the ship has been increased from 95 to 105 metres.

The H3 uses all the space available to create areas to suit every need on board. The sun deck offers stunning panoramic views, with its bar and seating, and a forward-facing Jacuzzi.

The exterior and interior design is by Reymond Langton, who has used a soft, light colour palette with earth tones throughout the interior, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Geometric motifs adorn the flooring, with vertical and horizontal detailing on the walls and ceiling to create a harmonious balance. Floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate every corner of the interior, enhancing the sense of openness and space experienced on board.

H3 can accommodate up to 20 guests in 10 staterooms. The forward-facing Master Suite has his and her ensuites, walk-in wardrobes and lounge seating. The VIP suite has en-suite facilities, a private lounge and a terrace. The remainder of the guest accommodation consists of five double cabins and three twin cabins.

H3, formerly known as Neom, was originally named Al Mirqab for the Prime Minister of Qatar. For several years the yacht was owned by Vijay Mallya, who renamed her Indian Empress.

Powered by twin 3,862 hp MTU engines, H3 can reach a top speed of 18 knots with a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. Compliant with IMO Tier III regulations, she meets modern standards of sustainability and environmental impact, following the trend towards more eco-conscious yachting. She can accommodate up to 20 guests in 10 cabins with a crew of 31. She has a gross tonnage of 3,521 GT and a maximum beam of 14.78 metres. She has an entire deck dedicated to the master suite, which includes a gym, sauna and steam room.

THE OWNER’S SUITE HAS A SOFA, FORMAL DINING AREA AND WINE CELLAR.THE GYMNASIUM ON THE FORWARD FACING SUN DECK PROVIDES AN EXERCISE AREA, WHILE THE LOWER DECK OFFERS ADDITIONAL FACILITIES SUCH AS A HAIR AND BEAUTY SALON, MASSAGE/HOSPITALITY ROOM AND HAMMAM.

The current owner of H3 (unconfirmed, editor’s note) is said to be Saudi billionaire Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, chairman and owner of the MBC Group, one of the largest media companies in the Middle East and North Africa.

THE YACHT IS FOR SALE AT EDMISTON AND HAS A FULL RANGE OF JET SKIS, SEA BOBS, KAYAKS, SUPS, A SELECTION OF BOARDS, DIVING EQUIPMENT AND INFLATABLE TOYS. A TOUCH-AND-GO HELIPAD RATED FOR AN H155 IS LOCATED ON THE FOREDECK.

OCEANCO
www.oceancoyacht.com

PROJECT
Naval architect Oceanco,
Lateral Naval Architects
Exterior designer Reymond Langton Design Ltd
Interior designer Reymond Langton Design Ltd

HULL
Length 105.26m
Beam 14.78m
Draft 4.6m
Gross Tonnage 3521GT
Hull material Steel
Superstructure material Aluminium
Deck material Teak

MAIN PROPULSION
Engines 2 x MTU 3.862 hp
Cruising speed 14 Knots

Yacht for sale by Edmiston
www.edmiston.com
Asking 295,000,000€ Price excl. VAT (October 2024)

(Oceanco H3 – Spectacular transformation – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, October 2024)

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