A fun, lively place to winter in the Med?

[mikedefieslife]

Loads of threads on wintering but mostly not what I'm looking for.

I'm heading east, in the Balaerics at the moment, and want to be thinking about where I'm going to winter by the time I get to Sardinia.

Ideally I'm looking for somewhere with decent size (100,000 plus) population, lively scene with and without tourists. Good shopping for boat parts and other items (I found Cartagena poor on that front), and slightly warmer than the UK.

Not fussed about rain, but hate wind. Though mostly the big winds in the Med only blow in one direction.

Any suggestions?

P.S must have beer, mucho beer.

[boatman61]

Mucho beer no problem.. as for the rest...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjCIWpfVdsk

[mikedefieslife]

Haha.

Cartagena is almost there, but it is very isolated, even being so close to Murcia. Proper Spanish mentality too, which doesn't really suit.

Been to athens before, not sure that is for me. Split is nice, but faces the wrong way for protection from the Bora.

Maybe southern Italy or Malta (which is always busy and easy to ship items to).

[multihullsailor6]

My suggestion would be Malta - safe and warmish, good chandleries and lots of beer even Guinness!

[stewie]

My first choice would be in the city of Palma de Mallorca as there are marinas right in the centre of this wonderful, fun and historically interesting town. I have wintered there many times and never grew tired it it. Wonderful local food too and more beer than you can drink ! Try Celler Sapremsa for Tumbet , Frito Mallorquin and more. Cheap too.

[b_rodwell]

I would include Marina di Ragusa in Sicily in your list of possibles. Great liveaboard community (120 cruising boats there and half at anytime are occupied), the local town is small but Ragusa (20 minutes away) is bigger.

Brian

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by stewie

My first choice would be in the city of Palma de Mallorca as there are marinas right in the centre of this wonderful, fun and historically interesting town. I have wintered there many times and never grew tired it it. Wonderful local food too and more beer than you can drink ! Try Celler Sapremsa for Tumbet , Frito Mallorquin and more. Cheap too.

Ah, I'm heading to Mallorca once I leave San Antonio, so I will scope it out.

Can you recommend an anchorage with easy access to Palma for my spy mission?

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by b_rodwell

I would include Marina di Ragusa in Sicily in your list of possibles. Great liveaboard community (120 cruising boats there and half at anytime are occupied), the local town is small but Ragusa (20 minutes away) is bigger.

Brian

Will investigate. Thanks.

[TheThunderbird]

Eastern Sicily

[navy davy]

Everyone goes to the BVI's , that's where the fun is !

[David B]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

Loads of threads on wintering but mostly not what I'm looking for.

I'm heading east, in the Balaerics at the moment, and want to be thinking about where I'm going to winter by the time I get to Sardinia.

Ideally I'm looking for somewhere with decent size (100,000 plus) population, lively scene with and without tourists. Good shopping for boat parts and other items (I found Cartagena poor on that front), and slightly warmer than the UK.

Not fussed about rain, but hate wind. Though mostly the big winds in the Med only blow in one direction.

Any suggestions?

P.S must have beer, mucho beer.

For boat parts, it is pretty well impossible to beat Malta. Good place to be too.
Beer - gave that up at 7. (really!).

[stewie]

There are are no sheltered anchorages in the bay of Palma, leastways for an overnight stay or to leave your yacht unattended. Best see if you can find a cheap berth at the pontoons along the Paseo Maritimo in town.

[vtomanov]

St Cyprien in France or Empuriabrava in Spain are good options

[jckb]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

Ideally I'm looking for somewhere with decent size (100,000 plus) population, lively scene with and without tourists. Good shopping for boat parts and other items (I found Cartagena poor on that front), and slightly warmer than the UK.

Palma, Mallorca
Cagliari, Sardinia
Malta, Grand harbour
Syracuse or Catania, Sicily

To see pages giving more detail of any Mediterranean destination, just google "jimb [place name]"

JimB

[Stakaman]

Come to Chania Creta Greece !!