Are you put off sailing in the EU?

[svBeBe]

Originally Posted by monte

its really not THAT hard..sail into the MED, spend a month between Gibralter and the Baleirics, a month or 2 around Corsica, Sardinia, Italy, 2 or 4 in Croatia, 2 or 3 in Greece head to Turkey for winter or back to Croatia or to the african coast and you can cruise pretty much full time.

You do realize that following your suggested itinerary would put a non-EU citizen into violation of the Schengen visa limitation after those 2 months around Corsica, Sardinia and Italy. It would be possible to then go to Croatia for a minimum of 90 days before could legally enter Greece. Croatia is not yet a Schengen country but Greece is. And that itinerary does not account for the Med weather that does limit the months of the year that one can move about in boats.

None of this would work for us because we are going in the opposite direction. Once we leave Croatia the rest of the Med is Schengen and carries that 90-day limit. Also, the entire African coast is pretty much off limits today; especially for Americans. We had hoped to winter in Tunisia but that idea is out of the question today. I am hoping the increasing troubles in the Maghreb do not get worse so that we can stop in Morocco next year.

Judy

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by svBeBe

You do realize that following your suggested itinerary would put a non-EU citizen into violation of the Schengen visa limitation after those 2 months around Corsica, Sardinia and Italy. It would be possible to then go to Croatia for a minimum of 90 days before could legally enter Greece. Croatia is not yet a Schengen country but Greece is. And that itinerary does not account for the Med weather that does limit the months of the year that one can move about in boats.

None of this would work for us because we are going in the opposite direction. Once we leave Croatia the rest of the Med is Schengen and carries that 90-day limit. Also, the entire African coast is pretty much off limits today; especially for Americans. We had hoped to winter in Tunisia but that idea is out of the question today. I am hoping the increasing troubles in the Maghreb do not get worse so that we can stop in Morocco next year.

Judy

Hi Judy, we're a world apart now but keep meeting here

With your American flag, I'm pretty sure you will find smiles and friendly people in Turkey, Lebanon, Gibraltar and Morocco as of the current political situation. I do agree that the EU became a monster that needs to crash and rise in a much smaller version, but the countries I listed here won't be part of the EU anytime soon. And they are stunning, well except for Gibraltar

[David_Old_Jersey]

Not sure how "off limits" all of North Africa is at the moment - but if Tunisia at least is in the game then not really a massive problem (albeit still a PITA).......and once Libya settles down a bit that will really open up options.

[svBeBe]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Not sure how "off limits" all of North Africa is at the moment - but if Tunisia at least is in the game then not really a massive problem (albeit still a PITA).......and once Libya settles down a bit that will really open up options.

Tunisia is definitely "off limits" now. The US State Dept warns Americans not to travel to Tunisia, including the northern area which was previously considered "safe". Libya is out; Algeria is out; and troubles are growing in Morocco. Nope; this is not doable in today's political climate for Americans. The northern coast of Africa is basically a "no-go" area for us at this time. We would not berth our boat in Morocco for 5-6 months over winter because there would be the possibility of being forced to set to sea during winter because of the political situation there. I've seen winter in the Med; it is not weather in which we would want to be at sea.

This 90-day limit is a real problem for foreign sailors.

Judy