Winter in Italy, Malta, Tunisia...?

[Chiroeurope]

Okay,

Don't know Sibari as it was not in the area that my wife and I lived in down there. On the other hand there is NO way I would winter North of Brindisi as even there the weather can get a bit nippy during the winter months. We lived in Giovinazzo (Near Bari on the Adriatic) for over a year and you do not want to be in a boat (even in harbour) when a serious sea storm rolls in. There is also Taranto, Gallipolli, Porto Cesareo, Santa Maria Di Leuca, and then there is the Adriatic side.

For Shopping Eurospin, Lidl, Gulliper and local markets help alot. Quarta is a good coffee as well Battista, Kimbo, and a few others. Stay away from Illy or Lavarza as they are for soft water and the water there is not soft. You can fill your water jugs from the Aqueduct for free were you see the fountains (bring your own bottles). Stores to stay away from are Auchan, HyperCOOP, they may be convenient, but you pay for it.

If a group is going to be together would suggest anyone who has had insurance in Italy (car insurance in Italy is a racket, a bad one at that) to pool funds and buy a used car from a good dealer and use that for the winter as a group. There is tons of stuff to see and do there and if you are wise with your budget and eat the seasons you can get by on a small amount (My Wife, young son, and I lived on food wise about 50 to 60 Euro/week) and that was eating out nice twice a week (on the other hand I am a Doctor so get certain discounts that I don't ask for).

If you get to Italy in the Summer try a caffè con ghiaccio it is excellent and the variation with Lattè di Mandorle (sweetened white Almond milk) is very, very good.

If you need help or want other information or contacts down there, let me know and will gladly help out.

[Jim Thomsen]

Hi Chiroeurope,

Thanks for the information and good ideas. We are looking forward to our time in Italy. I will follow up with some additional questions and suggestions.

Jim

[Chiroeurope]

There is also two marina's in Taranto which is directly part of a major regional city (A major as they get in the South outside of Napoli). This is just another option and it is in the same area (Ionic) as Sibari. It also has the advantage of being attached to the town/city. Just another option.

One of them has 160 posts with max of 25m on boat length and the other has over 300 post for boats so. the options are up to you. Both have cranes and full services and markets directly attached if you don't want to walk into town (they will take you to a bus station if you want). Both also have security.

So the choices are up to you.

Michael.

[multihullsailor6]

Has anybody on this forum wintered on or been in autumn / winter to the Italian island of Lampedusa? Being so far south the temperatues should be agreeable.

Roger

[Chiroeurope]

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

Has anybody on this forum wintered on or been in autumn / winter to the Italian island of Lampedusa? Being so far south the temperatues should be agreeable.

Roger

Lampedusa is restricted in places to harbor and is also the major port for the military when dealing with illegal immigration attempts across the Med' (it is where they are processed and sent back). The Weather there is milder than further North but the Sirraco winds will be a bit heavier with sand when they come (Yes i said when, not if).

[swagman]

Hi Jim,
We found Turkey good value a year back - and both Marmaris and Kemer have exceptional expat communities which make a stay more enjoyable and when away, helps bolster security.
For example, Kemer had its clubhouse for expats, huge library, movie nights each week, tennis, Turkish, French language classes, tennis lessons, keep fit classes most mornings, opera and theatre visits on a Friday night, and walking trips out up country usually for a Sunday lunch.
The marina bar even presents you a candle lit cake on your birthday!
Add in simple stuff like clean waters to swin in, good shower facilities and free wi-fi - and you'll see why they end up with such large winter communities.
JOHN

[Jim Thomsen]

Hi John,

Thanks for the info, sounds ideal... we went ahead and put a deposit for Kemer, but will probably move it to the following winter (2009/10) so that we can also go on the EMYR (next year is only for those who have already done it.).

Jim

[swagman]

Hi Jim,
If you do wish to go on EMYR next year suggest you simply persist. They are a lovely group of organisers and totally corruptable with a few gin and tonics. Keep asking if you want to go, and I'm sure you'll get in.
Good luck.
JHN

[tenacious]

we spent three weeks 2005 in vallatta - grand harbor marina was ok, it had just opened and services were mediocre - we cruised to Siracusa and across the boot of Italy, marinas are so so to bad, things may have improved since then - we crossed from Brindisi to Dubrovnik and cruised north to opatija - we are currently in punat (krk) - very expensive (and we have euro income), but beautiful - services are mediocre to bad...

[bobnlesley]

Given your current location, I was surprised that nobody's suggected Ostia Marina on Italy's west coast - it's reasonably priced during the winter generally attracts a decent sized community of overwintering yachties and is very handy for the sights and services of Rome.