Part 2: Sea of Cortez, Turkey, and more

By Kim Kavin - October 2003

More of this Feature • Part 1: Destinations • Part 2: Destinations
Related Resources • Cruising/Chartering Index
Elsewhere on the Web • Camper & Nicholsons • Fraser Yachts Worldwide • International Yacht Collection • Interpac Yachts • Koch, Newton, & Partners • Nigel Burgess • Port O’Call Yacht Charters • The Sacks Group

Ann-Wallis White, Ann-Wallis White Charter Yacht Consultants in Annapolis, Maryland: “I think that comparing destinations is like comparing children—each destination has its own magic. Personally, I think there are some places that are under-explored—the eastern shore of the Chesapeake, Desolation Sound in British Columbia, parts of Antigua you wouldn’t recognize. Then there’s the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos were a life-changing experience for me. The time I spent in the Galapagos made me aware of the concept of order in the universe. The fact that these animals who usually eat each other are just hanging out like a cocktail party, it really did make me think of how humans are disruptive to life on the planet. I don’t want to sound like a moonbeam type, because I’m not, but it was one of the things that made me start doing more to better the life for animals whose lives have been upset by the presence of humans. It was inspiring in a way to see the natural order still in order.”

“The Sea of Cortez, on the western coast of Mexico. It’s uncrowded, it’s teeming with sea life. You have desert in the Baja and more action and jungle and places to go and things to do on the Mexican Riviera between Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.” —Beverly Parsons, San Diego-based Interpac Yachts

“Turkey. The landscape is incredible, the people are nice, it’s in the Med, but you feel remote, not claustrophobic with megayachts everywhere. The water’s clear, it’s just stunning. You tie up stern-to with the trees on the land, and it’s like that Bahamas feel, but you’re in the Med. It’s really dramatic scenery. You pull into a little bay, and there are a bunch of old, knocked-down churches 100 feet away. The history, the remoteness. You feel like you’re in another time.” —Capt. Carl Zaniboni of the 138-foot Heesen Blue Harem, part of the Koch, Newton & Partners fleet

“We’re in Croatia. It’s my first time here, and it’s absolutely stunning. It’s not crowded, the chance of getting a berth in the marinas is high, it’s very clean everywhere, and it’s genuinely unspoiled. It’s not overcommercialized yet. It’s reminiscent of Greece, but it’s a lot prettier. They’ve got nice natural parks here, uninhabited islands, and you’re in the cradle of civilization. The old towns, the history—there’s just so much. The northern end of Croatia was part of the Roman Empire at one point, and there’s all this architecture and heritage here. There’s a huge Roman amphitheater and lovely Medieval towns. The centers are very much the same way as they were in Medieval days, with the cobbled streets and all. It’s very impressive, one of the few places in Europe that hasn’t been spoiled yet.” —Capt. Nick Line of the 156-foot Kees Cornelissen Va Bene, part of the Nigel Burgess fleet

“Jost Van Dyke, in the British Virgin Islands. Your favorite place is where, for whatever reason, you have happy memories. Our very first charter, we ended up with these three teenagers, and we went to Foxy’s [bar] back in the day, this was like 1985, and a good time was had by all. The next time we were there, Foxy’s father had died, and he wanted my husband (an attorney) to go over his father’s will with him. From then on, we’ve always had the best service there. The things that have happened there make it near and dear.” —Linda Owen, Kansas City-based Port O’Call Yacht Charters

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