Did you already start planning your 2010 holiday? The new MMV Sardinia travel catalogue is now available!

Welcome to Sardinia! It does not matter whether you were thinking about a romantic holiday for two, causal family fun, wellness, adventure and experience whether in Costa Smeralda, Alghero or Villasimius, the new MMV Reisen Catalogue www.holidays-in-sardinia.com 2010 has the right offer for every budget.
For next year the German-Italian tour operator has put together exciting and attractive offers for the most beautiful areas of Sardinia with numerous practical tips and details for travel planning.
"As an addition, we offer our customers new accommodations as well as many small, fine guest houses, historic villas and charming hotels and top-class yacht charters", says Michael Mueller, CEO of MMV Reisen.
As usual, the 2010 travel brochure comes in a straightforward layout, with an optimal navigation, practically structured headings and booking engine with instant pricing.
Look forward to your vacation and browse now the new Online Catalog 2010 by Holidays-In-Sardinia.com

www.holidays-in-sardinia.com

bmibaby announce massive expansion plan from East Midlands Airport - new flight to Alghero (Sardinia)

The British airline bmibaby has announced today a massive expansion plan from East Midlands Airport. The plan breaks down into three key initiatives:



1. Three additional aircraft to be based at East Midland Airport

2. Eight new European routes from the airport to: Alghero (Sardinia), Barcelona, Bastia (Corsica), Cork, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Malta, Newquay and Venice

3. Increased frequencies on key winter and summer routes, with the addition of Palma to the winter flying programme, and a year round service to Geneva and Prague

As a result of the new routes and additional frequencies, the airlines’ capacity will increase by 40 per cent from East Midlands Airport. bmibaby’s expansion plan will mean that an additional 350,000 passengers will fly with the airline from East Midlands Airport in 2010, and an additional 2,872 flights will be operated by the airline next year from the airport. Flights will go on sale today (09 September, 2009) and are available to book at http://www.bmibaby.com/. The news comes just days after easyJet announced its departure from East Midlands Airport.

Alghero & Surroundings: Alghero All locations all Hotels all Houses Villas all Bed & Breakfast All Farm stays



(Image: MMV Reisen)

Costa Smeralda: 20th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup starts tomorrow

Forty two maxi yachts are putting the finishing touches to registrations and preparing for the first day of racing September 7th 2009 in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2009 in Northern Sardinia. The assembled yachts range from 18 to 45.5 metres in length and represent 14 nations (CAN, CAY, FRA, GBR, GER, HKG, IRL, ITA, MLT, MON, NZL, POL, SUI, USA). The event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda together with the title sponsor Rolex, will run from 6th to 12th September with racing scheduled to start at 11.30.
The Maxi fleet will be split into five divisions: Cruising/Spirit of Tradition, Mini Maxi Racing, Mini Maxi Racing/Cruising, Racing/Cruising and Wally. Each division will have a separate start and may be assigned different courses. The schedule foresees windward-leeward or coastal races for Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th while a longer Islands Race is scheduled for Wednesday. Thursday will be a lay day and racing will continue on Friday and conclude on Saturday 12th September. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Race Committee, headed by President Peter Craig, will set courses in and around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago off the North-Eastern coast of Sardinia.
Competition is expected to be particularly fierce in the Mini Maxi Racing division which sees top level sailors such as Francesco De Angelis, winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000, calling tactics aboard Luna Rossa and Adrian Stead, America’s Cup participant in 2003 and 2007, aboard Niklas Zennstrom’s Ran.
Stead, who is fresh from victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race aboard Zenstrom’s 22 metre Judel –Vrolijk designed sloop, is looking forward to an exciting week: “I think we’re going to see some absolutely fantastic racing. The forecast is good, moderate to fresh north easterly breezes, at least for the first part of the week. An excellent fleet has assembled here and it’s the first time all eight of the Mini Maxi racers will sail together so there is a lot of interest and expectations are high for this week. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new Alfa Romeo performs.
As regards the boat to beat in his division, Stead was cautious. “All of the boats are strong in certain conditions, there are no weak boats in the Mini Maxi fleet and they are all well sailed.”
Other names of note include America’s Cup winner Jochen Schueman (Alinghi, 2003 and 2007) aboard Thomas Bscher’s Wally Open Season and Karol Jablonsky, 2002 world match racing champion, aboard Albert Buell’s 45 metre Saudade.
As is always the case with YCCS and Rolex events, owners and crews will be kept thoroughly entertained ashore thanks to daily social events including after race refreshments on the Club’s Piazza Azzurra, a Rolex Party for owners and crews and a gala dinner at the Cala di Volpe hotel.
Racing is scheduled to start tomorrow with the first signal at 11.30 for the Mini Maxi Racing division. Seventeen to eighteen knots of wind from north east are forecast.
For news from the regatta course and live tracking please visit http://www.yccsmaxi.com/, for further information visit http://www.yccs.it/ , http://www.regattanews.com/ or contact the press office.

Porto Cervo Costa Smeralda: Maltese Falcon wins at Perini Navi Cup 2009 in Sardinia

Westerly winds gusting at up to 40 knots put paid to racing on the second and final day of racing in the Perini Navi Cup 2009. The results of Friday’s race at the Coasts of Northern Sardinia are valid for the series and therefore the 88 metre, triple masted Maltese Falcon, which reached top speeds of 21 knots during racing, takes victory overall. The 64 metre Felicità west takes second place and the 46 metre Antara third.



The final prize giving took place at 6 p.m. on the Yacht Club’s Piazza Azzurra and the Perini Navi Cup and a Rolex timepiece were awarded to the Maltese Falcon by the President of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, His Highness the Aga Khan and Fabio Perini. Prizes were also awarded to the yachts which had completed Friday’s race in the fastest elapsed time. The 56 metre Salute was the swiftest yacht, having completed the 25 mile course in just under 1 hour and 50 minutes, and was followed by the 56 metre Felicità West. The 50 metre ketch Baracuda, which stands out visually due to an unusual steel grey hull combined with violet sails, was third fastest around the course.

“We saw these yachts at their very best on Friday.” commented YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo. “The racing really was of a very high standard and the fleet is so impressive. Seeing 19 Perinis lined up in front of the YCCS at sunset brought such glamour and elegance that we will remember them for a very long time.”

Owners and guests were due to round off a highly enjoyable two days with a gala dinner on the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s panoramic pool terrace.



The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s sporting calendar continues immediately with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup which starts tomorrow, 6th September with inspections and registrations while racing starts on Monday 7th September.

Marina Yachting, Rolex, Axa, Acqua di Parma, Pommery, Icet and Audi are sponsors of the Perini Navi Cup 2009. Yacht Capital is media partner of the event.
Perini Navi: with a fleet of 46 sailing yachts cruising the world's oceans, Perini Navi is a leader in the design and manufacture of blue water sailing yachts. Famous for revolutionary automatic sail handling systems and for their unique aesthetics, the Perini’s are among the most celebrated vessels in the world. For all results please visit http://www.yccsresults.com/perini09/perini1.htm.

Photos: Atmosphere, Fleet, Maltese Falcon.
Credits Rolex/ Carlo Borlenghi

Daily Telegraph: Sardinia: The lure of the Emerald Coast

Daily Telegraph has dedicated a long article to Sardinia and its Emerald Coast in the North of the Island in its September 2nd 2009 issue. In its article "Sardinia: The lure of the Emerald Coast" Telegraph correspondent Oliver Smith writes about leisure time in Costa Smeralda, the best accomodation between Olbia and Palau, how to arrive at Olbia airport, where to spend the morning, lunch and dinner time and gives hints about golfing, going out and shopping

Daily Telegraph: The lure of the Emerald Coast

Perini Navi Cup 2009 starts tomorrow in Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda

Porto Cervo, 2nd September 2009. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s September racing calendar is set to start in style as the Club hosts the Perini Navi Cup from 3rd to 5th September. The waters off Porto Cervo will provide the perfect backdrop to the record fleet of 19 Perini Navi sailing ships participating in this third edition of the event. A large number of these sailing giants, are already docked in Porto Cervo Marina, much to the delight of sailing enthusiasts and awestruck passers-by.

Perini Navi yachts are known for their marriage of elegance and cutting edge technology and the fleet, which if lined up end-to-end would stretch for almost a kilometer, will certainly be a sight to behold as it winds its way through the granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago. Racing will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September using staggered starts based on each yacht’s ORC Club handicap which will allow the fleet to race in a close group as they proceed around the course. Racing can be followed in real time thanks to on board tracking displayed on the site http://www.perininavicup.it/.

Participating yachts include the most recent addition to the Perini Navi family, the 56 metre Ketch Riela, delivered in June of this year. The 2008 launched Baracuda whose 50 metre aluminium hull boasts an aggressive, aerodynamic line, will also participate. The largest participating yacht will be the 88 metre Maltese Falcon. Winner of the Perini Navi Cup in 2006 and classified second in her class in the St Barths Bucket 2009, Maltese Falcon will have a good chance of finishing in the upper realms of the classification. The tallest mast in the fleet, however, belongs to the 56 metre Salute: measuring 75 metres, it is the tallest aluminum mast in existence today.
“The Perini Navi Cup is always a wonderful event for me and this third edition, with such a large number of participants, is particularly special.” declared Giancarlo Ragnetti, Managing Director of Perini Navi. “It is a record which gives me great satisfaction and which shows how passion and dedication can achieve extraordinary results. Once again our owners have shown their affection for the family that we created at the start of the 80s and which today counts 46 yachts.”

YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo was also enthusiastic:

“The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is delighted to organize the Perini Navi Cup for the first time and to welcome this record fleet of ships from the Perini family. The event fits in perfectly with the Club’s development in the superyacht arena and our aim to attract the cream of owners, shipyards, designers and the entire nautical spectrum to the YCCS. I am certain we are going to enjoy some spectacular sailing in a festive atmosphere.”

Tomorrow, Thursday 3rd September, owners and crews will be busy completing registrations and attending the technical briefing while the first race is scheduled to start at 12 midday on Friday 4th September. Racing will continue on Saturday 5th September with the final prize giving scheduled for 6 p.m. A varied programme of exclusive social events will be organized ashore including a welcome cocktail, a cocktail competition aboard the yachts and a gala dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse.

Marina Yachting, Rolex, Axa, Acqua di Parma, Pommery, Icet and Audi are sponsors of the Perini Navi Cup 2009. Yacht Capital is media partner of the event.

Perini Navi: with a fleet of 46 sailing yachts cruising the world's oceans, Perini Navi is a leader in the design and manufacture of blue water sailing yachts. Famous for revolutionary automatic sail handling systems and for their unique aesthetics, the Perini’s are among the most celebrated vessels in the world.


Entry list:

Andromeda la Dea, 47 m
Helios, 45 m
Parsifal III, 53,80 m

Antara , 46 m
Heritage, 45,3 m
Perseus, 49,8 m

Atmosphere, 53 m
Heritage M, 33,5 m
Phyrne, 50 m

Baracuda, 50 m
Klosters, 47 m
Riela, 56 m

Elettra, 24,45 m
Independence, 53 m
Salute, 56 m

Felicità West, 64 m
Maltese Falcon, 88 m


Gitana, 36 m
Ohana, 43,45 m

(Photo courtesy of Perini Navi)

Hotel Tartesh at Guspini: Exclusive Luxury-Hotel off the beaten track

The Hotel Tartesh is an exclusive property closeby Costa Verde. It was opened in 2005 is build at the edge of the small Sardinian village of Guspini. It can be easily identified by its castle like façade.
Impressive pieces of Pisan Byzantine natural stone pillars decorate the entrance hall where wicker work furniture, colourful materials, many books and candles break up the atmosphere and let this place become a favourite spot for the guests.
Enjoy Sardinian Wine tasting in the cosily furnished ethnic wine cellar. Smell the scent of juniper wood, and try dry salami and piquant Sardinian cheeses that accompany the best seasoned Sardinian wines!
The suites are situated in the Main Building and are furnished with selected antique furniture and sober and stylish interiors in beige and wood colours and decorated with candles and dry flower arrangements. Every room is scented with a fragrant exclusively created for the hotel. The garden area is full of patios, palms, olive- and orange trees. Here you can find the Double rooms and Junior-Suites that can be combined flexibly with each other. The ground floor position as well as the direct access to the garden make these rooms the guest’s favourite.

A very special esoteric atmosphere you can find at the central fountain area with its circular piazza. At the summer solstice the sun reflects in a round window, while in midwinter the moon mirrors in the same window.
The elegant restaurant with garden view, thanks to its exclusive table settings with fine china and silver cutlery, creates a perfect atmosphere to relax after an eventful, imaginative day at Costa Verde and its surroundings.

Hotel Torre Ruja in Sardinia: Romantic Wellness-Hotel on the beach

The charming 4-star hotel Torre Ruja (Wellness hotel of the Delphina Hotel Group) opened in 2001, and is located directly on the sea. It owes its name to the still visible Saracen tower from the 16th Century. A deep blue sea and white sandy bays, framed by red sandstone Porphyry cliffs, create a truly Natural haven.
The love of the Sardinian Island by the owners of Hotel Torre Ruja contributed to a harmonious integration of the hotel in a virtually untouched landscape. The respect for nature is reflected also in the names of the different areas of the rooms, which are taken from the names of the endemic plants like for instance the Asphodel.

From the car park you come to the reception via a small paved path. Here is the restaurant " Tramonto Rosso " (" Red sunset ") with a wonderful panoramic view on the surrounding areas, swimming pool and the sea. The second hotel restaurant "Sotto le stelle " ("Under the stars") can be found on the terrace of the reception hall. Here is all about romanticism, where under the night sky, you'll be spoilt with exquisite sea specialties. (A table reservation is requested).

Behind the reception the beautiful rooms in Mediterranean style are accommodated in more than two levels.
The natural materials used for the furniture underline the relaxing holiday atmosphere.
In the rear of the hotel the Wellness-Centre "Venere" (Thalasso and Spa) reminds of Roman Thermal spa thanks to the numerous pillars, mosaic walls and round arches.
In the rear area of the hotel you will find the Wellness-Centre "Venere" (use against a surcharge on the spot). Thanks to its pillars, mosaic walls and round arches it reminds of a Roman Thermal bath and promises voluptuous relaxation moments to body and soul.

Book your 2010 vacation at 2009 prices!

Make your dream holiday come true now! If you book within 31.10.09 we guarantee you the same price of 2009 for your holiday in 2010!

Check out our special offers:
Last Minute, early booking , special offers, Wellness offers, honey moon offers , family offers, Single with child offers, Single-fiendly prices, senior citizen discounts

In typical Farr 40 style the final day of racing in the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship 2009 saw the 25 boat fleet line up for the tenth and final race with just one point separating the top two teams. All was set for a duel to the death between two time world champion Jim Richardson (1998, 2004) on Barking Mad and Massimo Mezzaroma with his Nerone (ITA), winner of the 2003 world championship organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in Porto Cervo. In the end Nerone, with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics, did not manage to shine in Race Ten and Barking Mad, with tactician Terry Hutchinson, comfortably defended the lead she had held since day one of the series to clinch the title for the third time. Nerone took second place with Giovanni Maspero’s Joe Fly in third. Former world champion Vincenzo Onorato came fourth.
The Mistral wind, sunshine and blue skies which characterized the entire event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 22nd to 27th June, were present once again for the start of today’s first race. Race Nine started on schedule at 11.05 in approximately 18 knots of wind from 290°. Nerone started well and was followed around the first mark, where winds reached 22 knots, by Joe Fly and Flash Gordon (USA), owned by Helmut Jahn. A head to head battle ensued between Nerone and Joe Fly but it was Vascotto’s team which crossed the finish line first ahead of Joe Fly, with Francesco Bruni on tactics, and Flash Gordon.
Heading into Race Ten, the final of the series, Barking Mad’s sixth place in Race Nine left her just one point ahead of Nerone. Tension was high as the fleet crossed the line at 12.40 pm in approximately 20 knots of wind which held at 290°. The American’s of Barking Mad and Flash Gordon followed Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma, with tactician Tommaso Chieffi, around the first windward mark. Barking Mad had taken the lead by the leeward gate with Mascalzone Latino hot on her heels and Flash Gordon in third. Mascalzone gained the lead during the second windward leg and held it to the finish, crossing the line ahead of Barking Mad and Flash Gordon respectively.
Richardson was delighted with a World Championship which saw him average less than four points per race: "We're very, very happy. Coming to Italy and winning this World Championship in Porto Cervo is an amazing feeling for us. There are so many good teams out there, particularly the Italians and to be able to win in their home waters is a great thrill for us.”
"We could almost taste victory, so it’s disappointing not to win”, commented Vasco Vascotto, tactician on Nerone, “we sailed well but the American’s were more constant. It has been a great season and we have gained experience, you never stop learning.”
Mascalzone’s Vincenzo Onorato, racing under the YCCS burgee, was philosophical about handing over the title he had won for three consecutive years. “ It’s a great story for the class, we went to Jim’s hometown to win the Farr 40 World Championship in 2006 in Newport, Rhode Island, and Jim has come here to our home, in Porto Cervo to win the Worlds. The last race was the first in our campaign for the Farr 40 Worlds 2010 at Casa di Campo.”
PRO Peter “Luigi” Reggio summed up the week’s racing nicely: “This place is just insanely cool!”
Jim Richardson, Rolex Farr 40 World Champion 2009, was awarded the Farr 40 World Cup trophy and a specially engraved Rolex timepiece during the prize giving held at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
For further information on this regatta please visit http://www.farr40worldchampionship.com/ , http://www.yccs.it/ , http://www.regattanews.com/

Barking Mad, Nerone, fleet. Credits Kurt Arrigo/Rolex

Hotel Li Rosi Marini, in Costa Paradiso (Northern Sardegna)

The romantic hotel Li Rosi Marini is a 3* overlooking the sea among the red rocks of Costa Paradiso, surrounded by enchanting bays and crystal clear water. The hotel has a sea water swimming pool and several solariums. The panoramic restaurant is in a large terrace.
All rooms have independent access, phone, TV, minibar, safe, air conditioned, and bathroom with shower and hairdryer. Moreover a few family rooms, triples and quadruples, are scattered between two floors.
The hotel Li Rosi Marini, in North Sardinia, is ideal for all those who want to discover enchanting hidden bays and the fascinating underwater world in the unspoilt nature.

Porto Cervo/Costa Smeralda: Racing in Sardinia cancelled at Audi Invitational

The prevailing mistral wind which has made the regatta course off Porto Cervo one of the world’s most famous failed to cooperate for the Audi Invitational, the third leg of the Farr 40 European Circuit 2009. Yesterday’s first scheduled day of racing was abandoned due to sustained winds of 30 knots and more, all was set to rest on today’s second and final day of racing but a storm front which is passing across Italy put paid to all hopes of completing the minimum two races required to validate the event.
The 24 Farr 40s participating in the Audi Invitational left Porto Cervo Marina on schedule for the programmed 11 am start but as the Race Committee was setting the course at 270° the wind shifted to 030° and began to build to approximately 25 knots. As the Race Committee prepared the new course the storm front arrived from Porto Cervo bringing torrential rain, thunder and lightning. PRO Peter Reggio then sent the fleet back to the docks and at 1pm racing was abandoned for the day.
The provisional standings after two legs of the European Circuit held in Porto Rotondo and Capri therefore remain valid and Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino leads the fleet on 33 points. Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone is in second place with 40 points and Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma sits in third place on 49 points.
Racing in Porto Cervo for the Farr 40 fleet will begin on Wednesday 24th June with the first start of the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship 2009 scheduled for 11am.
For further information on this regatta and the entire Yacht Club Costa Smeralda season please visit http://www.yccs.it/

Credits: Kurt Arrigo/Audi

Audi Invitational at Costa Smeralda: Mistral blows into Porto Cervo

The strong Mistral winds which blew across the coast of north-eastern Sardinia late on Friday night brought a welcome respite from the stifling heat of the past weeks but arrived with too much force for the 24 Farr 40 yachts moored in Porto Cervo for the start of the Audi Invitational. Racing in the event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and valid as the third leg of the European Circuit for the Farr 40 class, was scheduled to start at 11 am but with 25 knots of north-westerly wind and gusts of 28 the YCCS Race Committee postponed racing for two hours. The Mistral continued to gather force however and racing was postponed for a further two hours before finally being abandoned at 3 pm.
“There was simply too much wind”, commented Principal Race Officer Peter “Luigi” Reggio. “ It was blowing from 30 to 40 between Sardinia and Corsica, Bomb Alley was completely white and just before 3pm we were registering 32 to 35 knots on the mark boat.”


Waiting on the docks at Porto Cervo Marina. Credits: Kurt Arrigo/Audi

The participating teams will be anxious to get out on the water tomorrow, not least in order to complete the minimum two races in order for the series to be valid but also in preparation for next week’s Rolex Farr 40 World Championship (June 22nd to 27th), also organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo.
Current leader in the Farr 40 European Circuit 2009, after legs held in Capri and Porto Rotondo, is Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino with tactician Adrian Stead. Mascalzone Latino, which is flies the YCCS burgee, sits seven points ahead of Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics and Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma with tactician Tommaso Chieffi.
Racing is scheduled to start tomorrow 21st June at 11 am. Northerly winds of 16 to knots are predicted.
For further information on this regatta and the entire Yacht Club Costa Smeralda season please visit http://www.yccs.it/

Costa Smeralda: Gliss victorious at Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 in Sardinia

After four days of racing in near perfect conditions in the North of Sardinia, the 32 metre Gliss, owned by Switzerland’s Marco Vogele, has taken victory in the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Boat International Media. Gliss took first place seven points ahead of the Reichel-Pugh designed My Song owned by Pierluigi Loro Piana and was awarded the Silver Jubilee Cup during the prize giving in the Yacht Club’s Piazza Azzurra. Charles Dunstone’s 36 metre Hamilton II came in third, just one point behind My Song.
Vogele was delighted on arrival at Porto Cervo Marina:

“The location is the best, the organization is the best and we enjoyed this regatta so much. Rocks, stakes and sticks are used as natural marks and it’s perfect for everybody. This event is exceptional and excellently organized.”

Today’s fourth and final race of the regatta saw some shifty wind conditions for the first time in the event. The majority of the fleet started in 12 knots of wind from 310 which unexpected swung round to 180° and fell to 8 knots during the starting sequence.

Photo: Gliss, My Song. Credits Kurt Arrigo

The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta uses pursuit style racing with staggered starts based on each yacht’s handicap: the pure cruising yachts therefore start first with the faster yachts starting at the end of the sequence so that the entire fleet ends up sailing together around the course. Today’s sharp wind shift meant that the first yachts started on an upwind beat while the last yachts to start were flying their spinnaker.
The fleet sailed north from the start off Porto Cervo to round Monaci island before turning back south to round the Secca Tre Monti rock and heading through the strait between the mainland and the Isole delle Bisce Island and the finish line off the Gulf of Pevero.
Today’s Race was won by Open Season, owned by Thomas Bscher, ahead of Gliss and Magic Carpet 2, owned by Lindsay Owen Jones.
Bscher was pleased with the week’s racing: “This was a super week, Porto Cervo at its best. The weather was a dream, ideal sailing conditions which you will not find at this time in Europe. Regarding Open Season we did quite well on three of the days, except the second day when we made a wrong decision. The organization was first class, the race committee as well. We will definitely come again.”
Tommaso Chieffi, Veteran America’s Cup sailor (1986, 1992, 2003, 2007) and tactician aboard My Song which had an impressive 1, 3, 1 scoreline until she took twelfth place in today’s race, was philosophical “We were unlucky today. We had our start just when the wind swung from mistral to sirocco and we more or less stopped, along with the other five boats that started towards the end of the sequence. We had a good week and it has been a great event, it’s just a shame that the last race went this way for us.”


“The variety of boats all racing together, the location, the weather and the atmosphere is unique” commented Ed Dubois, designer of fourth-placed Moonbird The race organisation by YCCS is world class and the yacht club is possibly the most beautiful and organised in the world. In common with our clients, we at Dubois feel it is the superyacht regatta for the Mediterranean.”

For further information, full entry list and to view photos and video of the 2009 edition please visit http://www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com/ or http://www.yccs.it/ .

Moonbird takes lead in Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 in Costa Smeralda

In a very fitting turn of events Day Two of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta - the Fitzroy Yachts race day - was won by Moonbird, one of the two Fitzroy-built superyachts competing. Marco Vogele’s Gliss came in second on handicap today and Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s My Song took third place. Moonbird is also sitting at the top of the overall classification thanks to her second-place in yesterday’s Race One. My Song is in second place, just one point behind, and Gliss is in third place overall in this event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Boat International Media.



Race two, a 35 mile course which wound in through the island of the La Maddalena archipelago, was once again accompanied by blue skies, sizzling sunshine and a brisk Mistral wind which kept owners and crews busy and entertained. the owner of the 39 metre Ganesha commented:

“We had gusts of up to 31 knots which was just a little bit too much wind for us so we didn’t fly the spinnaker. As a result we probably lost 2 or 3 places but it was still a great day’s sailing. I think Porto Cervo is the best place to sail in Europe. "

Wally Yachts had another great day with three of their yachts taking the top places in elapsed time for the second day running. Claus Peter Offen’s Y3K completed the course in just over two hours and 40 minutes followed by Magic Carpet2 and Indio.
Rodney Martin, Managing Director of Fitzroy Yachts was pleased with the today’s race “I’m really pleased to see a Fitzroy-built, Dubois-designed sloop cross the finish line first and take first place on handicap on the Fitzroy Race Day. The event is really well organized and is a credit to the YCCS and Boat International Media.”
Racing started on schedule this morning at 12.05 and the fleet was set a coastal course which took full advantage of the 18 to 20 knots of wind from 295°. The YCCS Race Committee sent the superyacht fleet from the start off Porto Cervo north to round the Isola dei Monaci to port before rounding the southern tip of Caprera island and sailing northward along the coast. The yachts then turned North, passing between the La Maddalena island and the island of Spargi. After rounding the Barettinelli di Fuori islets at the northern end of the archipelago the fleet then headed back south leaving the La Maddalena and Caprera islands to starboard and on to the finish in the Pevero Gulf, just South of Porto Cervo.
Racing is scheduled to continue June 12th at 12 midday. The forecast predicts strong westerly winds in the morning which should calm to approximately 15 knots in the afternoon.
For further information, full entry list and to view photos and images of the 2009 edition please visit http://www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com/ or http://www.yccs.it/.

(Images: Moonbird, My Song. Credits Kurt Arrigo)

Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 starts today in Porto Cervo

Tuesday 9th June. Porto Cervo, Italy. A fleet of superyachts lines the docks of Porto Cervo Marina ready and waiting for the start of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009. Racing is scheduled to start tomorrow, Wednesday 10th June, with the nineteen-strong fleet completing a coastal course in and around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago on each of the four days of racing in programme. This is the second edition of the event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International Media and sees the participation of Italian luxury clothing brand Loro Piana for the first time.



Both modern and classic designs are present with Andrea Recordati’s Wally 101, launched less than one month ago, lining up against the Royal Huisman-built Meteor, a reproduction gaff rigged Gloucester Schooner launched in 2007. The best of Italian nautical know-how is well represented with three of Willy Persico’s Southern Wind yachts participating (Fado, Farandwide, Farewell) alongside no less than five Wally craft (Indio, Magic Carpet 2, Open Season, Saudade, Y3K). The fleet ranges from the 25.4 metre My Song, owned by Pierluigi Loro Piana, to the largest yacht in the fleet, the 52 metre Kokomo, owned by Australian Lang Walker.
Racing will take place using the IRC rating system and with staggered starts based on each yacht’s handicap which will allow the entire fleet to race in close proximity around the course whilst insuring safety on the starting line.
The event will also offer a varied social programme for owners and crews including a beach party at the Romazzino Hotel and an Owners Dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse. The Loro Piana Prize Overall - The Silver Jubilee Cup by Boat International Media will be presented to the overall winner during the prize giving ceremony scheduled for Saturday June 13th. A special prize will also be awarded to the best classified Wally yacht.
Fitzroy Yachts are Gold sponsors of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009. Alloy Yachts, Future Fibres and Lufthansa Private Jet are Silver Sponsors of the event. IBS Yachts, Louis XIII by Remy Martin, Royal Huisman, San Lorenzo, Scorpion and Wight Vodka are contributing sponsors.
For further information, full entry list and to view photos and images of the 2008 edition please visit http://www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com/ or http://www.yccs.it/ .

Stazzi Giagumeddu Apartments in Badesi, Northern Sardinia

The apartments Stazzi Giagumeddu Apartments are located in a quiet location in Badesi, about 3 km away from the sea in the north of Sardinia. The 2-room apartments, with private terrace and shared pool, can host 4 to 5 people, and some of them have sea view. Following the ancient Sardinian tradition they are built of granite, wood, brick and wrought iron.


The Stazzi Giagumeddu are ideal for families with children or groups of friends who want to spend a relaxing holiday, immersed in an atmosphere of privacy, without renouncing to discover the beautiful beaches of Northern Sardinia!

Book the Stazzi Giagumeddu Apartments in Basedi on http://www.holidays-in-sardinia.com/ or browse the new 2009 online catalogue now!

A Goat’s View of Sardinia: New York Times features Sardinia on a 2 page article

On the ruggedly gorgeous coast of the Orosei Gulf, in eastern Sardinia, purple limestone cliffs erupt from the Mediterranean-like high walls of some unconquerable redoubt. Ravines wild with goats tumble onto isolated beaches. On hot days when the sirocco wind blows, the land can smell of wild rosemary and thyme. For all its physical flamboyance, the Orosei (pronounced oh-roh-ZEYE) offers a quieter holiday than the Costa Smeralda (...). About half a dozen remote beaches sit tucked into the limestone folds along the roughly 35 miles of gulf coast, and the customary way to reach many of them is by boat.

The New York Times has dedicated 2 pages in its travel section to hiking and trekking along Sardinia's East Coast, along the Gulf of Orosei. Read the full article from New York Times author Tim Neville here!

Ryanair: New connections to Sardinia: The Irish Carrier expands its network to Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia.

Ryanair will be adding new aircraft at Bristol and Edinburgh airports in the UK in a significant expansion of its network.
Bristol airport’s new routes will include flights to and from Cagliari and Olbia in Sardinia. Other new routes are Alicante, Barcelona, Eindhoven, Limoges, Malta, Montpellier, Perpignan, Rimini, Seville, Toulon and Trieste. This increase in service will add 1.6 million passengers yearly to Ryanair’s traffic numbers.
Ryanair already announced new connections to Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero airports in Sardinia in 2008. This year, the low cost airline connects Alghero airport with Barcelona Girona, Bruxelles, Dublin, Düsseldorf-Weeze, Frankfurt-Hahn, Genoa, Liverpool, London, Milan (Bergamo), Paris-Beauvais, Pisa, Rome (Ciampino), Stockholm, Venice-Treviso, Bremen, East Midlands, Madrid and Oslo (Torp).
The Sardinian capital of Cagliari is regularly connected with Barcelona Girona, Bruxelles, Cuneo (Alps), Düsseldorf-Weeze, Edinburgh, Genoa, Karlsruhe-Baden, Marseille, Milan (Bergamo), Paris-Beauvais, Pisa, Rome (Ciampino), Seville, Trieste, Venice-Treviso, Verona (Brescia) Bristol, Madrid and Manchester.
For great hotel deals and the best selection of holiday homes with self catering facilities, group tours, incentives, events, tailor-made tours choose http://www.holidays-in-sardinia.com/! The Sardinia-specialists located in Cagliari (Sardinia) have a history of over eight years of personal travel consulting, product and island knowledge and satisfied customers.


(Image: Creative Commons)

Welcome to Sardinia! New online catalogue for the Italian holiday Island

A romantic holiday in Sardinia for two? Family Fun? Wellness, golf or sailing charter? The new 2009 catalogue of Holidays in Sardinia.com leaves no wish unfulfilled. With its collection of first-class accommodations, and plenty of practical tips to help your planning your trip, the new online travel catalogue offers a varied programme for the Island of Sardinia. Besides the best holiday homes, we added fifty new accommodations such as hotels, bed & breakfasts and farms to our 2009 catalogue, and have completely redesigned it to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. Look forward to your vacation and browse the new 2009 online catalogue http://www.holidays-in-sardinia.com/ now!