8 Secrets To Traveling Madrid On A Budget

Many also find it relatively inexpensive, especially compared to other capitals in Western Europe. In fact, there are enough free things to do in Madrid to keep you busy for a day or two. You can even feast on free tapas and visit the city’s world-class museums without paying entrance fees if you know the tricks.Madrid is a great city for travelers who love art and history, enjoy good food and appreciate beautiful architecture.

To help you plan your trip to Madrid on a budget, I’ve asked eight travel bloggers to share their little-known tips for visiting this fun-loving city. Here’s what you need to know.

Debod Temple at sunset. Photo by Daniela Frendo.
1) Have Dinner In Madrid’s Chinatown

“As a local in Madrid, my favorite thing to do is to watch the sunset. The best spot is in Debod Temple, very close to the city center. And what would you usually do after watching an amazing sunset? Well, there’s getting a good dinner, and after just a few minutes of walking, you can reach Plaza de España. Just go down to the parking lot and you will find a small Chinatown with really tasty and authentic Chinese cuisine. And the best thing is that the restaurant prices are very affordable. You can get a huge dinner for less than 5 Euros each. Definitely a bargain in Madrid.”

Ruben Arribas from Gamin Travel (Facebook and Instagram)

Lunch from Cien Montaditos. Photo by Daniela Frendo.
2) Grab A Quick Bite From Cien Montaditos

“Cien Montaditos is perfect for the traveler that is trying to stay on budget; or for anyone that likes saving money because you can eat like a king for 5 Euros. On Sundays and Wednesdays, they have this amazing deal where the sandwiches are 1 Euro and large beers are 1.5 Euros. They also have multiple locations throughout the city so it shouldn’t be too hard to take advantage of this tasty — but cheap — meal.”

Heesun and Sharon from Me Want Travel (Facebook and Instagram)

Madrid Opera House. Photo by Cali O’Connor.
3) Buy Last-Minute Tickets For Performances

“If you are interested in seeing a performance at Teatro Real — the Madrid Opera House — without the high price tag, do not buy tickets in advance! On the evening of the performance, arrive 1-2 hours early and request a last minute ticket. This can save you 90% provided the show hasn’t sold out. My ticket was originally over 200 Euros!”

4) Go Clubbing On Thursday Night

“If you are a student, take your student ID everywhere when in Spain. Many attractions give discounts for this. During the day you can chill in beautiful Retiro Park and in the night head straight to Copas Rotas for your 1 Euro drink!

Thursday nights are the best to go clubbing since many don’t charge for entrance, like El Son or Star Studio. Entrance fees are usually from 8 to 12 Euro, so you’re saving a lot.

Bonus: Spanish people love to dance so you will get a free dancing class during your night out. You will certainly need it after all those tapas and churros!”

Maja from Mexatia (Pinterest and Instagram)

El Retiro Parque, madrid on a budget
El Retiro. Photo by Daniela Frendo.
5) Explore El Retiro Park

“Ride the airport bus to city center for 1 Euro. Prado Museum — one of the most influential in the world — has free admission from 6-8pm on Monday-Saturday and 5-7pm on Sunday. Nearby El Retiro Park is a wonderful place to explore before the museum visit. After the museum, it is a short walk to the vibrant downtown.”

Charles McCool from McCool Travel (Facebook and Instagram)

The Prado Museum. Photo by Daniela Frendo.
6) Visit The Museums In The Afternoon

“Three of the best museums in Europe are in Madrid. The Reina Sofia, Prado, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums make up the Golden Triangle of Art. Free entry is available at all three! Prado is free for the last two hours of each day (mentioned above). The Reina Sofia likewise is free for the last two hours as well as Sunday afternoons. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum has free entry from 12:00 – 16:00 on Mondays.”

Photo by Paroma Chakravarty.
7) Participate In A Food Tour

“If you are in Madrid, participating in a food tour is a great idea and a good budgetary move for those who are passionate about trying new and local cuisine. This is because not only do you get to sample a lot of food, but you also get a mini walking tour of some of the most popular parts of the city where your guide points out all kinds of restaurants to revisit later at your leisure.

For 85 Euros this is a really good deal for the amount of stops and food tasting that you get to have you sample everything from appetizers to entrees to drinks and dessert, get a goody-bag for later and also a list of places for budget dining which only locals know about.

I highly recommend the Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Tour by Devour Madrid which also accommodates vegetarians. A food tour will help you save time and get you to all the great food destinations for a set price.”

Paroma Chakravarty from Year Of The Monkey (Facebook and Instagram)

8) Go For Free Tapas At A Traditional Spanish Bar

“At first glance, Bar Sidi might look like a run-of-the-mill, old man-style Spanish bar, but it’s actually a hot spot in Malasaña, one of Madrid’s trendiest neighborhoods. You’ll be lucky if the bar isn’t filled to capacity if you try to go around midnight on a weekend; Sidi brings in patrons from all age ranges and it’s not a surprise why. The free tapas that come with the beer are worth skipping dinner for. Spanish tortilla, jamón, chorizo; you name it, you’ll get it for free with your beer. Come with an empty stomach and an unquenchable thirst for beer.”

https://jessieonajourney.com/madrid-on-a-budget/

Never Forget: The Important 9/11 Stories You Need To Hear

TV screens showed images scarier than anything I’d ever seen in a horror movie or video game; because this was real life. I was 16 at the time, and throughout the school day students names were read over the loud speaker to be told they were being sent home. September 11, 2001 was the first day I truly came to understand fear, in that weird way that you know it’s real but still can’t comprehend; can’t process what’s happening.

Some of the calls were for kids with concerned parents wanting to have their children at home during the horrific events. Others were for kids who had a parent or parents that worked at the World Trade Center.
One girl from my school waited at her kitchen table for days before realizing neither of her parents were coming home. Another one of my friends, while we watched the horrors on television in Spanish class, told me confidently there was “no way” his father would die. It just wasn’t fathomable. His father was one of many to lose their lives. I still wonder if that friend remembers our conversation.

Over 3,000 people lost their lives on 9/11. What’s crazy is I still remember that seemingly perfect morning. Glowing sun. No humidity. Bright blue skies.Then at 8:46am, the time the first plane hit the North Tower, everything changed.

Manhattan skyline before 9/11
Shaken Up

Not surprisingly, my entire sense of reality was shaken after 9/11. People died from cancer and guns and heart disease and old age… But terrorism? At the age of 16 this was a new word for me — hard to believe today with all the awful news stories popping up each day. It was just all so senseless. For the first time I felt like real life could truly be worse than my nightmares.

Being a licensed NYC tour guide I’ve done a lot of research on 9/11 beyond my own experiences. You simply can’t talk about this date without mentioning the word “tragedy” and saying a silent prayer for those who lost their lives to rest in peace.

Rick Rescorla. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Rick Rescorla

It’s also important to point out, though, the tremendous bravery of certain individuals, as well as the support New York received from most of the world. One hero was a man named Rick Rescorla, a retired US Army officer who got a job as director of security for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (previously Dean Witter).

He’d anticipated air attacks due to the vulnerable nature of the building, and pleaded with the firm to find a new office space. Because that wasn’t an option due to lease agreements, Rescorla enforced regular drills so employees knew how to evacuate in case of an emergency.

On 9/11 Rescorla was supposed to be home, but was covering for a co-worker. He is responsible for saving 2,700 people, singing inspirational songs into a megaphone while escorting people in and out of the building. Sadly, Rescorla did not make it out that day; however, his memory lives on through the Rick Rescorla Memorial and a book written by his wife, Touched By A Hero: A 9/11 Widow’s Journal of Love & Legacy.

Moira Smith via NYPD
Moira Smith

The only female NYPD officer to lose their life in 9/11, Moira Smith was known for her intense dedication to being a police officer. According to NYPD Angels this was her second time risking her life in an extremely disastrous situation to help others. The first was during a 1991 subway crash in Union Square, which she survived and received the Police Department’s Distinguished Duty Medal for. Sadly, the second situation on 9/11 Smith did not survive, though she was seen selflessly saving others.

On 9/11 she became known as the woman with the flashlight who helped prevent mass hysteria and the blocking of exits. She saved hundreds of lives by directing people out of the South Tower and encouraging people to “Don’t look down; Keep Moving.” There is even a famous photograph of Smith heroically leading a bloodied businessman to safety, and an account written by another man she saved.

Photo via the Welles Remy Crowther Trust
Welles Remy Crowther

Another hero on 9/11 was Welles Remy Crowther, known by the people he saved as the young man with the red bandana, which he’d used to cover his nose and mouth to protect against smoke and debris. Crowther had been a volunteer firefighter as a teenager, and during 9/11 was working as an equities trader on the 104th floor of the South Tower. When the chaos ensued Crowther took charge to move groups out of the building, going back in numerous times.

He saved over 15 lives, though lost his own. His memory lives on through the Welles Remy Crowther Trust, and his red banana can be seen at the 9/11 Museum. You can learn more about his story at Man In Red Bandana, a site for Crowther’s documentary. On the site you can also purchase a red bandana to help fund the film and donate to the Trust.

Photo via the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation
Stephen Siller

On 9/11 Stephen Siller had just gotten off from his job as a firefighter with Brooklyn’s Squad 1. When he heard about the attacks he called his wife to tell her he’d be late. He drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it was closed. Instead of giving up he strapped on his heavy gear — 60 pounds worth — and ran through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he lost his life selflessly saving others.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation hosts a number of annual events in his honor, including a walk/run of the route Siller ran that day.

St Paul’s in September 2011
St. Paul’s Chapel

To me, St. Paul’s Chapel is one of the most important attractions in NYC, and also one of the most overlooked. Not only is it the oldest public building in continuous use in New York City, dating back to 1766, but it’s also an important place to start your understanding of 9/11 heroes and what New York City was like in the aftermath.

Much of Lower Manhattan was damaged after 9/11, and the Reverend of St. Paul’s expected the chapel to be destroyed; however, when he went to see what he could salvage on September 12, he was shocked: St. Paul’s was completely fine aside for a six-inch layer of ash. A sycamore tree had fallen in such a way to save the chapel, which is also why in front of the affiliated Trinity Church down the street you’ll see a giant sycamore root system sculpture.


Trinity Root. Photo via Tony Fischer/flickr.
The Reverend took his fortune as a sign that he must help the community — especially those working on The Pile (the name for the rubble left from the Twin Towers). Can you imagine digging out dead bodies — 40% of which to this day were never found — in hazardous surroundings? In fact, over 30,000 people today have irreversible health problems from the horrific conditions.

St. Paul’s offered these workers a place of reprieve round-the-clock, and people came from all over the country to help by offering free medical / mental health services, meals, music, or simply a cup of coffee and someone to talk to. Because many of the workers began having foot issues,

George Washington’s pew yes, George Washington used to worship at St Paul’s became a makeshift podiatry station. Hey, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and likely suffered foot ailments (and would have been happy to help).

Memorial inside St. Paul’s. Photo via (vincent desjardins)/flickr.
St. Paul’s, A Church & A Museum

Today St. Paul’s, though currently closed for restoration until fall, acts as a church and a 9/11 museum — and you’ll 100% need to bring tissues, because it’s a very emotional spot. It’s free to enter, and inside you’ll find original photographs and letters left by those trying to find loved ones; a memorial altar; gifts donated by other countries

(like colorful origami peace cranes from Japan); hand tracings from children around the world with hopeful messages; a signed banner of support from Oklahoma for Ground Zero workers; police and firefighter patches sent from around the world; original markings on the pews from the Ground Zero Workers’ boots while sleeping on them; and more.

After taking your time to peruse the exhibits surrounding the pews, exit through the back into the ancient graveyard. The headstones date back to 1704, and you’ll also see the Bell of Hope, given to NYC church by the city of London. Out of over 90 countries to lose citizens, the United Kingdom lost the most (aside for the US) with 67 casualties. The bell is rang each year on September 11th.

Continue walking straight to the 9/11 Memorial, an inspirational park paying homage to those who lost their lives, and the 9/11 Museum, a place to gain a deeper understanding of what exactly transpired on that tragic day.

St. Paul’s Chapel. Photo via Oswaldo Rubio/flickr.
Further Reading

This list is far from exhaustive. There are so, so, so many heroes that deserve recognition for their bravery during 9/11. If you have a hero you’d like to highlight, please leave a comment below.

https://jessieonajourney.com/911-stories/

13 Creative Ways Travel Bloggers Monetize Their Blogs

Tip: Ever wish you had a coach helping you along your blogging journey? Welcome to the final installment of my 6-part series “Blogging Secrets Revealed,” where I’ve been sharing insider knowledge to help those of you wanting to start your own travel (or non-travel) blogs and turn them into income-generating businesses.

Join Travel Blog Prosperity for just $1 for October. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you’ll get an entire month of teaching. Read full details here; but hurry, as early bird bonuses expire September 22, and doors close for good on September 30!..And now, if you’ve ever wondered how to make money blogging, here are 13 creative ways.

1) Vicki Garside, from Make Time To See the World

“I’ve added a social media management service to my blog, specializing in Instagram and Pinterest for travel bloggers and travel brands. I focus on these two platforms as they often yield the highest return, with a highly engaged following on either platform boosting a bloggers profile and increasing direct traffic to their website (which is great for affiliate marketing).

Social proof is becoming more and more important in this technological world, and I love to help people harness its power through profile optimization on both platform, hashtag usage on Instagram, effective keyword usage in Pinterest, and designing beautiful pins that people can’t help but share.”

2) Tia Brown from That Golden Life

“We monetize our blog a few different ways; sponsored posts, affiliate links and selling products. For sponsored posts, we reach out to brands and companies that align with our niche of outdoor adventures. We try not to post more than one sponsored post every week to keep our feed authentic.

We also love affiliate links! This is like a “set it & forget it” way of making money from your blog! Hotel affiliate links are our biggest money maker. You get a percentage of what the hotel was booked for.

Lastly, signing up for a network marketing company where you can promote & sell products or even creating your own line of products is where the big money is at. I personally am a distributor for Senegence, a cosmetic & skincare line and it’s been a great way to make extra money and incorporate those posts organically into our blog. If you have the audience, why not monetize it? With selling your own products, you get a bigger piece of the pie.”

3) Sherry Ott from Ottsworld

“Last year I started pitching projects that were more content oriented. I did a big 2-week hike in Costa Brava and was hosted by the tourism board.  I had talked to the tourism board and found out they were focusing on hiking that year. I did the typical blogger stuff, took pictures, updated my social accounts daily, and did live broadcasts while hiking on the trail. After that I wrote a couple of blog posts, and provided them 10 pictures for their digital marketing use. This is all pretty normal stuff. Sometimes you get paid for it, sometimes you don’t.

However, for this project I also produced an ebook about the hike (a guide to the coastal trail of Costa Brava) that they own.  They are using it as a free download on their website for marketing purposes.  Now I have a project that I can definitely get paid for.

They get exposure to my audience and professional content for their use. Once the ebook is live on their site, I write one more blog post promoting the book on their site. I pitched the idea to them with a price tag that covered my time/work on producing the book and ensuring all travel costs were covered by them.

I’m starting to pitch similar projects now to other tourism boards and travel companies.  Many companies are looking for well produced content for their own uses in addition to influencer exposure.

4) Kristen Slizgi from The Luxury Travelist

“When we first started our blog, we had many inquiries from readers asking for advice and help with planning their trip. Since we focus on the affordable luxury market, we had an influx of 20 – 30-year-olds eager to work with a concierge company that was affordable.

We realized that our content was attracting a certain type of market and with the inquiries for help with travel planning, we realized we could offer BOTH services: content for reading and travel advice as well as building out client itineraries.

Our platform provides readers a chance to read through our content, become inspired and then book through us which is how our blog ended up making money. It was quite simple as there was a demand, and we listened. We have also partnered with hotels, restaurants and tour operators around the world to secure loyal partnerships which in return gives us a percentage of commission when booking our clients with their company.”

5) Kara and Nate from Kara and Nate

“First off, as Youtubers our primary method of monetization is obviously YouTube Ad Revenue. However, unless a channel goes viral, there’s no way it could make enough money from ads to support full-time travel, so we developed additional sources of income.

The first is Patreon. Patreon is a platform that allows creators to receive reoccurring funding from fans in exchange for small rewards such as a postcard from every country we visit.

Next, Amazon Affiliate Income. Amazon is a huge e-commerce that everyone already trusts, plus we get paid for anything that is bought within 24 hours of clicking our link (even if it is not the product we recommended). We promote our Amazon referral links by publishing packing lists, vlogging gear lists, etc.

The final way we monetize our vlogs is through other affiliations. This includes everything from online travel agencies such as Booking.com to individual hotels and tour operators. We often partner with hotels and tours to promote our services in exchange for a complimentary stay/tour. When people watch our vlogs they get a better understanding of travel experiences and are more likely to book with the same operators.”

6) Neil Fahey from The Bushwalking Blog

“In late 2013, when The Bushwalking Blog was in its 5th year, I saw a need amongst my readers and the general Australian outdoors community for an affordable and easy to use emergency beacon hire service. I purchased two PLB emergency beacons, set up a simple landing page as part of The Bushwalking Blog, performed some SEO optimization, and had my first booking within a few days.

Since then, my PLB’s have traveled much further than I have. My best estimate is that my customers have hiked, biked, and paddled them over 7,000 kilometers in total, and they’ve been sent to every corner of the country.”

7) Cori Carl from 15 Miles

“Lots of travel bloggers have books, but they’re usually travel guides. After immigrating to Canada, my wife and I self-published a book with step-by-step instructions on how to move to Canada as a skilled worker. Canada has revamped its immigration programs in the past few years, so all the existing guides were totally obsolete, making ours quickly become a top Canadian immigration guide. We spent about $50 on marketing during the first week and have been making about $500 a month since.

Most travel blogs and digital nomad sites gloss over the details of visas, permanent resident status, taxes, and the other hairy issues of living on an international scale. We’ve learned that people are eager to learn the ins and outs of moving and living abroad from someone who’s actually done it.”

8) Bonny Albo from Bonny Adventures

“While traveling and writing for Bonny Adventures, I discovered a huge gap with offering housesitting services. Yes, there are a handful of companies that manage to do an okay job of connecting housesitters and homeowners, but I didn’t like the heavy competition and zero guarantees.

So, whenever I want to housesit somewhere specific, I take out ads focusing on my target market, and send them to one of my pieces about finding a housesitter or becoming a housesitter. Every time I’ve done this I’ve been offered some amazing housesits, and also get affiliate income from housesitting services. Win-win!”

9) Chris Backe from One Weird Globe

“Like most bloggers, I make money from sponsored posts and the occasional affiliate link. Call me old-fashioned, but I think of my books as a creative money-maker. I’ve written dozens of books, most of them based around specific cities or regions. Itineraries are a planned step-by-step journey across the city or region, while guidebooks offer a curated selection of places across the country — plan your own trips! Most months, my books add three figures to my bank account.

As a bonus, once the book is written you have a built-in audience to sell it to. After all, people who like your blog will probably like your book! Be sure to add value to your books any way you can, from maps to directions to links from one part of the book to another.”

10) Stéphanie and Peter from Tourist Exclusive

“We have found that a lot of luxury hotels are clueless on how to create content that is really engaging for their audience. When we enter in a hotel we go through it with the eyes of travelers and as entrepreneurs – where could they improve, how could they create a story or show an experience.

After that process we write up a report and present this to the hotel manager or the general manager. We have seen about 200 different 5-star hotels and know what works and what doesn’t. We share our knowledge and this way we make the experience for everyone better.”

11) Heidi Nicholl from All Glamping

“My creative monetisation is to sell gorgeous enamel camping mugs and water pitchers. I import the enamelware from Kashmir and I’ve set it up so that stock gets mailed directly to two wonderful social enterprise fulfillment centers. The fulfillment centers (one in the UK and one in the US) both support people with disabilities to work within their own capacities.

This means that I can make money when I travel, I can provide a source of gorgeous camping mugs because people who read my blog clearly love camping (and beautiful things)… and my customers and I can do good work together providing employment for people who really appreciate the opportunity to work and be a part of the community.”

12) Soraya from Soraya Beheshti

“I have had an online store featuring ethical, cruelty-free and fair trade products for several years. I use internal links from my blog posts and recipe posts to point to these products, but my favorite way to monetize is through affiliate codes and links. I reach out to brands whose quality and product offering I am impressed with. I ask for a discount code that I can offer to my followers, which benefits them, and I receive a small commission each time a transaction is made using the code.

I will only do this with brands whose products I have purchased or used many times and have been consistently impressed with, as I believe very much in promoting companies who have dedicated themselves to making the world a better place and empowering the global community, each step of the manufacturing process.

I also founded a non-profit organization that serves displaced communities and refugees around the world. We are currently developing a mobile app to facilitate skill and service exchanges between refugees and citizens using a non-monetary economic system, since refugees are not permitted to earn money in many countries.

In order to secure donations, we set up a crowdfunding campaign, and are currently developing a 100% plant based cookbook filled with traditional home-style recipes from Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kurdish areas. Since the ebook costs nothing but time to make, it is a great way to monetize. We can sell the book for $12 to people all over the world, and will be able to raise a significant amount of money for our cause. Ebooks are definitely a resource bloggers should utilize. I plan to make many more in the future!”

13) Michelle Schroeder-Gardner from Making Sense of Cents

“One way I make money though my blog is by creating a course. I created Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing after regularly earning $50,000+ per month through affiliate marketing on my blog. I now sell this course and earn anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 per month, and it’s quite passive since I already created the course and it pretty much sells itself on my blog. Plus, I get to help other bloggers increase their blogging income.

Creating a course is something that more bloggers should do because there is probably something you’re an expert at that you can help other people improve on. I’m extremely glad that I created and launched this course because it has opened up so many doors for me!”

Connect with Michelle on Instagram and Facebook

Have you ever wondered how to make money blogging? Learn simple (but effective!) tactics for growing and monetizing your blog in Travel Blog Prosperity, launching in June for just $1!

https://jessieonajourney.com/how-to-make-money-blogging/

Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Charter

Guide to Chartering a yacht for the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, the most prestigious event in the Formula 1 calendar, which attracts the SuperyachtSet,  high-society, supermodels and world famous music & film stars who migrate up the French coast after the Cannes Film Festival's final curtain.

No doubt the most prestigious event in the Formula 1 calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix brings together the very best of high-society, from chart-topping musicians to the most in-demand supermodels. Taking place just after the curtain has been drawn on the Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix also provides visitors the chance to rub shoulders with the actors and actresses behind the year’s biggest blockbusters. With berthing options located at various points along the track, the event is perfect for those who prefer to combine their business or vacation with highly action-packed entertainment.

The Event

Beginning on Thursday and wrapping up on the following Sunday, the Monaco Grand Prix partners its various races with a number of premier fashion shows and popular charity events. Ahead of the main race on Sunday, charter guests will undoubtedly want to get out and sample the charms of the French Riviera, whether as a break from meetings or simply as part of their luxury vacation. With a number of comfortable lounges and outdoor bars situated close to the yacht berths, such an activity could not be easier to indulge. When the main event gets underway on the Sunday, guests will be able to observe all 78 laps of the race either from the comfort of their yacht, or from a prebooked corporate box or hotel terrace.

Choice Of Yacht

For those looking to put on some memorable corporate hospitality, a larger motor yacht with open decks and a sizeable sundeck is assuredly the better choice. Whilst such vessels are capable of carrying a greater number of guests, it’s essential to ascertain the maximum amount of guests permitted onboard prior to your charter. By enjoying the Grand Prix on-board a yacht, guests are able to take in the action from berths at the Port Hercule marina which can be conveniently accessed via a taxi tender. Overlooking the more exciting parts of the track, guests can expect to witness the best bits of the race from a truly unrivalled spot.


It is, however, important to note that not all charter yachts are available for event charters, and for more information regarding the yachts which are available for the Monaco Grand Prix, it’s advisable to speak with your preferred yacht charter broker.

Why charter a luxury yacht

The moment you step on board a luxury charter yacht, your world is opened to the ultimate in luxury, privacy and freedom.

High profile names have long used superyachts as a way of combining privacy and luxury, but a growing market has seen it become increasingly popular with those looking to embark on the hedonistic voyage of a bespoke vacation. Unlike the restrictions of a cruise ship itinerary or the inconvenience of busy hotels and restaurants, superyacht charters offer a sense of freedom and flexibility that is truly unrivalled. Tailored to the needs and desires of you and your guests, with a professional crew dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience, you are free immerse yourself in the luxury and relaxation of fabulous accommodation, breathtaking views, gourmet cuisine and endless activities, all enveloped by the vitality of life at sea.

The comfort and opulence that accommodation on a superyacht can have to offer rivals that of the best hotels in the world, with the added element of 24 hours a day personalised service. Each individual charter yacht is different, and offers a wide range of amenities on-board. From movie theatres, spas and private beachclubs to jet skis and scuba diving equipment, along with an experienced crew that could include anyone from award winning chefs to qualified beauty therapists, there is the perfect excuse to indulge or try something new. No-where else in the world can you experience watching a multi-coloured sunset from a top-deck Jacuzzi in the tranquility of the vast, open ocean before enjoying al-fresco dining with your family and friends under an endless star-strewn night sky.

A corporate yacht charter can provide the perfect platform for impressing potential clients, rewarding existing employees or launching new products in the ultimate style and elegance aboard a superyacht. Whether it's a week-long cruise along some of the worl'’s most celebrated coastlines to build professional relationships, formal meetings and dinners with exquisite fine dining or an evening cocktail party at an international business event, there is no better setting than a luxury yacht. Alternatively, our events section offers a comprehensive guide to the most exciting upcoming luxury and sporting events as well as yacht shows and regattas so you won’t miss an opportunity to enjoy the buzz and excitement from the luxury of a stunning superyacht.

Setting out to sea doesn't mean losing contact with the rest of the world and if you can't spend the duration of your charter vacation out of communication with your office, family and friends it is now easier than ever to keep your finger on the pulse. Thanks to modern technology, electronics and satellites you can still deal with clients and oversee projects through on-board telephones and have full access to internet and email, and what better place to do it than the luxury of a private office overlooking the fantastic views of the rippling ocean waves.

Whether you're a true sailing enthusiast looking for maritime adventure or just looking for a luxurious and comfortable vacation that caters to the needs of all your family and friends, a luxury yacht charter offers something for everyone with limitless possibilities.

NERO YACHT FOR CHARTER

The 295.60ft /90.1m Custom motor yacht 'Nero' was built in 2007 by Corsair Yachts and last refitted in 2015. Neil Taylor is responsible for her beautiful exterior and interior design.

ACCOMMODATION
Nero's interior layout sleeps up to 14 guests in 7 rooms, including a master suite, 1 VIP stateroom, 2 double cabins, 2 twin cabins and 1 convertable cabin. She is also capable of carrying up to 20 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. Timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating feature throughout to create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.

Nero's impressive leisure and entertainment facilities make her the ideal charter yacht for socialising and entertaining with family and friends.

PERFORMANCE
She is built with Steel hull and Steel superstructure. This custom displacement yacht is equipped with an ultra-modern stabilization system which reduces roll motion effect and results in a smoother more enjoyable cruising experience. She features ‘at anchor stabilisers’ which work at zero speed to increase onboard comfort at anchor and on rough waters. With a cruising speed of 14 knots, a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 3,800nm from her 176,000litre fuel tanks, she is the perfect combination of performance and luxury.

AMENITIES
Air Conditioning, WiFi connection on board, Deck Jacuzzi, Gym/exercise equipment, Stabilisers underway, Air Conditioning, Stabilisers underway, Jacuzzi (on deck), Gym, Stabilizers at Anchor, At anchor Stabilizers

CHARTER NERO
Nero is currently available for charter, to find out more about this superyacht please contact your preferred charter broker.

Luxury Charter yacht Nero is a neo-classic yacht, read our online guide for more information on classic yacht charter.

The 15-year-old who sailed round the world alone

In 2011, Dutch teenager Laura Dekker became the youngest person to sail alone round the world. Her account, of which this is an extract, bubbles with a youthful verve and passion.

In 2009, the English sailing community was galvanised by the arrival on the East Coast of a 14-year-old single-hander from Holland, writes Tom Cunliffe. This was Laura Dekker, skippering a small yacht she had bought with borrowed money.

She was placed in care and refused leave to return home in her boat until her father, party to the whole event, came over. He declared his confidence in his daughter and she completed her voyage alone.

Later that year, Laura announced her intention to sail round the world single-handed in a 38-footer she would finance though her own efforts. Now it was the Dutch authorities who tried to ban the project, but after a good deal of manoeuvring they too relented and she finally set out from Portugal in 2010.

One year and five months later, Laura became the youngest solo circumnavigator at the age of 16.

This extract from her book, One Girl One Dream, (Harper Collins, New Zealand) describes part of her 6,000-mile passage from Australia to South Africa. It bubbles with youth, and anybody feeling jaded with their life should read it right now.Better than that, go out and buy the book. I did. I couldn’t put it down.

Finally, some wind, but it’s so dark and grey outside that it looks as though the clouds will envelop Guppy at any moment. There’s a 4m swell and I’ve been having squall after squall breaking over me for the past two weeks. The wind isn’t constant for more than an hour at a time, which entails adjusting the sails and the course regularly.

I dive into a book so that I can forget everything around me, but every time I get up there are dark clouds, drizzle and little wind. During my crossing from the Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands, I’d covered 2,600 miles in the same time it’s taken to cover only 1,500 now. This ocean hasn’t done me any favours, and I’ll be glad to leave it behind me.

Guppy is running at three knots and bobbing along like a useless rubber duck on the high swell. At the top of the waves, I have an infinite view of endless grey sea that changes to drizzle on the horizon. I have to accept it because I can’t change it anyway, and things are bound to get better.

When day breaks, a few squalls pass by, causing the wind to come first from behind and then head-on, just to give me a hard time, before falling away altogether.

This isn’t much fun with the high swell and the cross-seas . . . Guppy is rolling very heavily and the sails are flapping in all directions, but once the squalls have disappeared on the horizon I feel it – WIND! Wonderful wind. Guppy flies forward and is making real speed for the first time since Darwin. It’s going well and she’s jumping over the waves at seven knots like a young foal, and looks as though she’s enjoying it as much as her skipper.

A glance at the solar panels shows me that there is work to do. I can start cleaning them all over again as it seems to have become a regular shithouse for all my feathered friends. Not good, and I’m pissed off about all the lost current that I need so much.

Seeing that I’ve hardly had any sun, Guppy’s batteries have not been charging optimally, which means that I can make only limited use of my radar and beloved SSB radio, which both need a lot of electricity. A pity because my SSB offers me something else to do other than staring over the grey sea and skies.

http://www.yachtingworld.com/voyages/crossing-the-indian-ocean-single-handed-dutch-solo-sailor-laura-dekker-in-her-own-words-109746