Is Europe worth it?

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I can confirm all the above based on a number of trips to Europe, even staying in hotels. We spent a week in Paris that cost less than we spent for a week in NYC. Had friends in France recommend hotels used by the locals and stayed away from the big tourist centers. So the staff didn't speak much English but we got by on what they knew and my tourist French. The hotel was outside the Périphérique but the Metro station was right there. We ate very well at local restaurants, markets, and sidewalk cafes for not much.

Did the same all over Europe and we were not staying in hostels or dorms. Can't wait to go back and do it by boat.

Care to share some restaurants in Paris where you can eat well for not much? Do you have some hotels to recommend?

This is always a goal of mine, and I usually have to spend at least something in order to eat well.

[DtM]

Of course it is worth it.

Open your eyes to other cultures and history.

You can control your costs as has been pointed out above.

Are marinas expensive? Yes and no. We stayed in Monaco in the Fontvielle harbour for 105 euros a night in a 44 foot catamaran with water and electricity. I reckon that is cheap. there were only two of us but it could have been 8 and the cost would have been the same.

[Nostrodamus]

I think that Americans will find it easier paperwork wise in the med that Europeans would find it trying to sail in American waters for any length of time.
We are in Sicily at the moment at the marina is full of American and Australian boats. It is also cheap here to over winter (1320 euros for a 45 ft boat for 7 months) with no additional costs for cats.
We have spent the last three years sailing around and in the med and there is so much to see and do and everywhere is less than a days sail (well almost)
Have a look at our blog to see photos of some of the places and drink up the culture and history.
We anchored all last year so marinas cost nothing.
Our blog is
Home « Cygnus III Cygnus III
You will never forget visiting here.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

\\


To cruise the Baltic, the Atlantic coasts of Europe, and the Med would be a lifelong occupation. You just couldn't see it all in one lifetime, even if you sailed 24/7 and didn't need to work.

I've spent the last 10-12 years cruising the Baltic and I haven't even come close to seeing half of it. And I cruise a lot. A lifetime is simply not enough. Re. the Med, I believe Seaworthy Lass and has been in there for 4-5 years? and is only now beginning to think about sailing out.

Even the UK/Ireland would take several years just to get really acquainted

[boatman61]

The Med is as cheap or as expensive as you make it... if you can master your fear of not speaking the language and can learn to enjoy laughing at yourself.. and encourage others to join in it can be marvellous..
That gets you away from the 'Front Line' as we call it.. where everyone speaks English and everyone charges English...
Explore the markets and restaurants/bars 3 streets back.. in the main friendly folk, and decent food and wine.
The Portuguese and Spanish can't afford to eat in the tourist spots where the '14 days Brigades' hang out with 11mths savings to blow in a fortnight...
Believe me they enjoy good food just as much as you.. and they eat it where tourist needlessly fear to tread..
Pork chops, fries and salad, bottle of beer, after dinner coffee and local brandy...
Frontline 17.50euro
Local bar 3 streets back 6.50euro
To quote 'DelBoy'.... "Who Dares Wins"..
PS; Last week I paid 15euro/night for a Lagoon 380 with water and elec in Almerimar...

[Sailing Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

Yes there's lots of enjoyment here, Aussies we are BUT we are lucky in holding dual citizenship Aust/English so 90/90 doesn't apply in Schengen, 180 for the boat does but a visit to non-schengen cures that issue.

If your parents were from UK then getting the passport is GOLD.

Do you know if "Grandparents" apply to that rule?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

Care to share some restaurants in Paris where you can eat well for not much? Do you have some hotels to recommend?

This is always a goal of mine, and I usually have to spend at least something in order to eat well.

Well we also had to spend something. Didn't find much for free.

Not sure of your culinary predilections but my family is all vegetarian so when we had a sit down meal most were vegetarian as well so our choices might not be of interest. We also ate a lot from street vendors, markets where there were booths making everything from crepes to burgers, small cafes and just what ever we passed by.

Will have to find the details on the hotel we stayed at and get back to you on that.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by boatman61

The Med is as cheap or as expensive as you make it... if you can master your fear of not speaking the language and can learn to enjoy laughing at yourself.. and encourage others to join in it can be marvellous..
That gets you away from the 'Front Line' as we call it.. where everyone speaks English and everyone charges English...
Explore the markets and restaurants/bars 3 streets back.. in the main friendly folk, and decent food and wine.
The Portuguese and Spanish can't afford to eat in the tourist spots where the '14 days Brigades' hang out with 11mths savings to blow in a fortnight...
Believe me they enjoy good food just as much as you.. and they eat it where tourist needlessly fear to tread..
Pork chops, fries and salad, bottle of beer, after dinner coffee and local brandy...
Frontline 17.50euro
Local bar 3 streets back 6.50euro
To quote 'DelBoy'.... "Who Dares Wins"..
PS; Last week I paid 15euro/night for a Lagoon 380 with water and elec in Almerimar...

I'm frequently in the Algarve in Protugal. Yep - eat in the tourist places and they cost the same as in northern europe. Go around the corner and you can get good food and portuguese wine for really low money.

[Lagoon4us]

Eat and shop where the locals do and try to buy fruit and veggies from the markets, Half the prices of the shops dealing with the Villa renters.

[Tellus]

Originally Posted by carstenb

I'm frequently in the Algarve in Protugal. Yep - eat in the tourist places and they cost the same as in northern europe. Go around the corner and you can get good food and portuguese wine for really low money.

Oh yeah...remembering of Olhão....

[NornaBiron]

New Greek Cruising Tax proposed | CA

QUOTE=goboatingnow;1396028]

As for taxes on boats, virtually nothing applies to visiting boats ( at the time of writing) other then small charges in Greece for the DEPKA or transit logs.
[/QUOTE]

The link explains a law that was passed, here in Greece, yesterday. Not so cheap any more if it is fully implemented.

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by NornaBiron

New Greek Cruising Tax proposed | CA

QUOTE=goboatingnow;1396028]

As for taxes on boats, virtually nothing applies to visiting boats ( at the time of writing) other then small charges in Greece for the DEPKA or transit logs.

Thank you, it seems typical of all countries to pass laws that are up for or need interpretation.

If it goes as this document states then we shall cruise/transit for the month i.e. 140 euro in our case (14metres) and exit bound for Malta.

Cheers

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by boatman61

The Med is as cheap or as expensive as you make it... if you can master your fear of not speaking the language and can learn to enjoy laughing at yourself.. and encourage others to join in it can be marvellous..
That gets you away from the 'Front Line' as we call it.. where everyone speaks English and everyone charges English...
Explore the markets and restaurants/bars 3 streets back.. in the main friendly folk, and decent food and wine.
The Portuguese and Spanish can't afford to eat in the tourist spots where the '14 days Brigades' hang out with 11mths savings to blow in a fortnight...
Believe me they enjoy good food just as much as you.. and they eat it where tourist needlessly fear to tread..
Pork chops, fries and salad, bottle of beer, after dinner coffee and local brandy...
Frontline 17.50euro
Local bar 3 streets back 6.50euro
To quote 'DelBoy'.... "Who Dares Wins"..
PS; Last week I paid 15euro/night for a Lagoon 380 with water and elec in Almerimar...

It's usually the exception that proves the rule...

Isn't there a cruising tax in Portugal as well?

[Nostrodamus]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

It's usually the exception that proves the rule...

Isn't there a cruising tax in Portugal as well?

No cruising tax but a lighthouse tax of between 2 and 20 euros a year depending on where you get it. The trouble is finding somewhere you can get it. We went all through Portugal and were never asked for it