Seven Islands in Seven Days
Admin | Nov 19, 2007 | Comments 3
Copyright Karen Schaler All Rights Reserved
Of all the places I’ve traveled to in the world one of my favorite TRAVEL THERAPY trips is to charter your own private sailboat and explore the British Virgin Islands. Don’t worry you don’t actually have to know how to sail, that’s what the captains are for, and if you want, you can even hire a cook, but no matter how you set this trip up be prepared for the experience of a lifetime! Here’s why…
Sailing is the kind of TRAVEL THERAPY that’s addicting. Once you’ve tasted the freedom of chartering your own yacht and going wherever the wind blows it’s hard to settle for anything less. This would be my second time exploring this part of the world this way and getting ready for the trip I could almost smell the salty sea air as I stuffed my duffle bag full of bathing suits, tee-shirts and shorts. Leaving my BlackBerrys behind I set off for Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, the starting point for this latest adventure.
HISTORY OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
To truly appreciate the BVI you need to understand its impressive history. The BVI is an archipelago made up of a necklace of more than sixty islands surrounding Sir Frances Drake Channel and features some of the most secluded luxury resorts in the world. This sailing Mecca also boasts a spicy history of swashbuckling pirates. The infamous Blackbeard sailed the BVI between 1715 and 1718. THAT is hard to beat!
CHARTERING A SAILBOAT IN THE BVI
The best way to explore these islands is by either renting a sailboat or a Catamaran. For my first trip I chose a traditional sailboat so for this latest trip I rented a new deluxe 4300 Catamaran from The Moorings and hired a captain. My goal was to exploring seven islands in seven days. I would alternate sleeping on the catamaran and staying at some of the most exclusive resorts in the world.
After arriving in Tortola and spending the night at the Moorings Mariner Inn, I set sail the next morning. Barefoot and in a bathing suit I played Jimmy Buffet’s “Cheese Burger in Paradise.”(Buffet actually wrote the song with Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay in mind). The water is an increadible turquoise blue and it’s so clear I always joke you don’t need to snorkel to see the coral reefs and colorful fish.
As we started our trip the Captain’s eyes gleamed as the wind caught our sails. I was overwhelmed with a sense of pure exhilaration mixed with anticipation. I had talked with the Captain earlier and planned my route. That’s the beauty about chartering with the Moorings. You get to pick where you go and how long you stay and your captain is there to make sure you get their safely.
I decided my first stop would be Norman Island because I had heard a buried treasure was still hidden on the island somewhere. More on that tomorrow!
For more amazing TRAVEL THERAPY destinations check out www.mytraveltherapy.com and be sure to sign up for the TRAVEL THERAPY NEWSLETTER.
Filed Under: Adventure Trips • Best Beaches • Caribbean • Honeymoons • Island Vacations • Luxury Resorts • Private Islands • Romance • Spas • Travel Therapy
This sounds great! When is the best time of year to go and who flys to Tortola?
This sounds great!
Nice that you leave us guessing until tomorrow. This is like reading an adventure book! Cant wait for the next chapter…