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I would like to find out more about your holidays can you send
me a brochure ?
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All information is on our web site www.sail-italy.com.
We do not print glossy brochures but if you do not have access to
the internet we can print out the info and post it to you. If you
have a questions you cannot find an answer to, type
it now and we'll answer it for you.
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Does the cost of the holiday include flights or ferries?
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No,
prices do not include flights. Convenient, cheap and easy to book
flights are however increasingly available from destinations
throughout Europe, eg. London Stanstead to Pisa or Rome with Ryanair for Salivoli, Etrusca Marina & Cala Galera. Easyjet from Luton or Gatwick to Naples for Naples, Salerno & Vibo Valentia, Easyjet also fly to Alghero for Sardinian bases
. We
do however provide on request a person to meet you at the airport
and drive you to the boat (we will quote you a price for this on request).
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Are there any hidden costs ?
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No, our price list shows clearly all extras and options.
Obviously
your holiday budget needs to allow for food, drink etc which is not included.
We've tried to give more information on such matters at "price
help" on the prices page. You will need to pay overnight charges in ports.
These vary from being free up to around 30 to 45 per boat for
a night. Obviously you will pay nothing for a night anchored
in the "rada", or anchorage, but you will have to get into
your tender to get ashore. If you spend the night in a bay
somewhere, and there are many with secluded restaurants on the
beach, your night will be free. A typical fortnight might cost
something in the region of 150 for the whole yacht in mooring fees, depending on how
you spend your nights and the size of your boat.
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What qualifications do you (Sail-Italy) have?
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No special qualifications except for a love of cruising and Italy
and experience of chartering yachts in Italy.
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What guarantees do you offer ?
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None, we started operations in 2000, except for personal
commitment to customer satisfaction.
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Do you offer holiday insurance
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No, most charter companies offer insurance and add on a margin without
adding value. If you want insurance to cover risk of accident we
recommend that you go to a specialist and get a better deal.
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What qualifications do we need to take your boats out?
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If you require a licence to be in charge of a yacht in your own
country, then you will need that qualification to charter one of our
yachts in Italy. For example, no formal qualification is required for British nationals sailing
in Italian waters, under EU law. If you are Italian, you will need
a licence ! We do however require you to confirm
in writing that you have the necessary experience to safely skipper
a boat. If you do not have sufficient experience we recommend you
take one of our skippers.
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What provisions do the boats come with?
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No food and drink is provided unless you request it. We can provide
you with basic provisions (i.e. for the first day) as detailed on
the price and the enquiry pages (pay at the port in local currency). A full bottle
of gas is included in the price at most of our bases and the boat tanks are full of water and fuel.
You pay for fuel consumed.
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Is the galley fully equipped ? Do we need to bring salt ?
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The Galley (kitchen) has all the
equipment you need, including oven, fridge, plates, pans, cutlery
etc. Some basic provisions, like salt, coffee etc will be on
board even if you don't order any. If you lets us know
beforehand, we will organize a full 24/36 hour provisioning for
your arrival. |
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What about bedding?
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Blankets are provided. Linen is provided as an optional extra (you
can bring your own) as shown in the price list.
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Are charts included on board?
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All necessary charts are provided on board tell us your planned
itinerary and we will check that charts are complete.
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Lifejackets, child lifejackets?
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Lifejackets are provided for all persons on board including childrens
sizes.
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Children overboard?
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Cockpit netting is available on request.
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Is a Dinghy included?
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All boats come complete with tender and oars (min 2.4 m). On request
we provide an outboard engine as shown in the pricelist.
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What Spares are on board?
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A toolkit, repair kit and engine spares are provided.
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Italian dictionary?
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No, but we are compiling a Sail-Italy phrasebook, which may not
be entirely relevant .......
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Cards?
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On board most of our yachts.
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Board games?
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No, bring your own
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Windsurfers?
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On request, subject to availability
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Fishing gear?
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No, but you can buy cheaply at the port.
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Snorkels?
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On request.
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Flippers?
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No, because feet sizes vary so much; they can be purchased very
cheaply throughout the region.
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Inflatables?
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Yes (see above re dinghy or tender)
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Don't speak Italian will that be OK?
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Yes most people speak / understand some English you can always
call us if you have problems. Our skippers all speak English.
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If we get into difficulties miles away from base will you help?
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Yes, depending on distance we will come or direct you to someone
at the nearest port. There may be a charge for this.
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What happens if the weather prevents us from getting back on time?
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Don't do this !!
You need to plan your trip with ample margin for delays and after
checking weather forecasts.
If you do get into difficulties of this type, please call us as
soon as possible. We may be able to help. Don't forget that
someone else's holiday depends on you.
If you are late returning you must pay
a penalty equal to your security deposit plus a fee equal to the daily rate (20% of full weekly rate). You will most likely also lose your flight and have to pay
again !
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We can sail but are novices on the Med, will you provide a day
teaching for us?
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The Med is much easier sailing than in tidal waters very little tide and
better and more reliable weather. We provide a full briefing before
you leave. If you are not confident, take one of our skippers -
perhaps just for a few days. They are not expensive and they
can teach you.
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Do you have a guide to the coastal ports, restaurants, shops?
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Yes, we provide you with a guide to the ports you may visit at
the briefing.
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Can you deliver or collect a boat to my choice of port?
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Not normally but we do have a good range of bases. On
request though, we can deliver or collect. Please ask us for a
quote.
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Will someone at base always be accessible?
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Yes - we provide a mobile phone number to call.
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Nanny on board to help look after children, trained and insured ?
Can
she swim?
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Not normally difficult to guarantee quality. We can
however provide hostesses on request.
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Can you book moorings for us at marinas ?
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We provide phone numbers on the boat for you to call if you don't
want to use the VHF radio.
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Do you have villas available with a boat so non-sailors can stay
on land?
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No not at the moment, but we can help you to find one
through our local knowledge.
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We will be arriving late at night, will there be anyone there and
can you provide basic provisions for us (food!)?
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Yes we can provide basic provisions and can meet you at the boat
after the agreed time, provided it is not too late and provided you
let us know.
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Can we bring a dog (dog passports now exist), and do you have any
dog lifejackets?
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Yes no extra cost - but no dog lifejackets most dogs can swim.
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How to stop children etc, falling overboard?
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If you decide to take small children with you, we recommend that
you keep them in your view at all times.
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Hiring boats for a very long time (months) and discount?
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Maximum standard charter is 4 weeks we can quote specially for
periods exceeding 4 weeks. We offer discounts for longer periods.
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Safe places for cars?
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Cala Galera, Salivoli and Punta Ala provide parking but no guarantee
(unguarded) never had a problem personally.
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Can you provide a chaperone to take young children to airport?
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Not a normal service, but we can try and organize. We do quite
often have customers whose children want to stay on longer, and we
have sometimes arranged this.
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What are the recommended maximum/minimum ages?
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Up to each individual. However unless you are experienced with
small children on a boat we would not recommend taking children
less than 4 years old.
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What do we do if we get into trouble with the boat? (SOS)
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Call us by mobile for advice but obviously in serious difficulty
you should follow normal procedure (mayday) on VHF.
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What is the booking procedure ?
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You should fill out the enquiry form on
the web site.
We will then confirm to you availability and price (normally within
3 days of receipt) by Email. Your booking is confirmed when
you pay the first installment (by cheque or bank transfer). You must
pay the balance 40 days prior to departure.
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Preparation
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Do I need to bring my sailing gear ?
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In March April and November weather is usually good, but it can
be cold - so bring a proper sailing jacket. From
May to October it is rarely other than warm or hot. At night it
gets cool by the sea sometimes, so bring a jacket.
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Transport
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Which days do you leave on ?
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Saturdays
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Which
airport is best to
leave from
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see
the section on "getting there" on the "What we
offer" page See our
links page for train timetables and airports.
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Can I leave midweek ?
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Out of the high season we can try to arrange this for you.
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What about long weekends, or weekends ?
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Highly recommended, especially in the low and medium seasons when
the weather is still so wonderful.
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Who will meet me ?
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Sail-Italy associates can meet you at Airport arrival, unless
you decide to make your own travel arrangements to our ports - see
earlier question at the top of the list.
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Logistics
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Do you suggest that I go to our villa first, then sail, or vice
versa.
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Ah, problems, problems....
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Do I have to return the boat to where we departed ?
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Yes,
unless you take a skipper who can drop you off. We provide skippers if required.
See also the "one-way" page.
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Sailing
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Can I do it alone ( i.e. without skipper)?
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See the "experience page.
Many people who sail outside the Mediterranean are used to difficult conditions
of rising and falling waters, strong currents, dangerous sandbanks
and some of the most crowded shipping lanes in the world. Italy
is more benign, and, assuming you have been in charge of boats elsewhere
and have the experience and knowledge necessary for that - well, provided you keep away from the occasional strong
winds (try wine tasting for a while), listen to the English language
marine forecasts [channel 68 on VHF], and look at the charts to
keep away from rocks, and keep a good look out for the occasional
ship you should be fine. If you dont feel confident, take a skipper.
Single handed sailing is not allowed (for our insurance and your
safety). Night sailing is not permitted without previous written
permission from Sail-Italy.
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What safety equipment do you provide on board
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Each boat is fully equipped with safety equipment including lifejackets,
inflatable life-rafts and flares, conforming to European safety standards.
See under "what we offer".
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Cost and payment
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When do I have to pay ?
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Your reservation will be secured when we have received your payment.
We require 50% of the cost of the holiday to proceed and confirm
your booking.
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When do I pay the balance?
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The outstanding amount, plus the refundable security deposit, is
due 40 days before the departure date.
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How can I pay?
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You can pay by cheque to Sail-Italy Ltd in Euros or by bank transfer to
Barclays Bank, Cambridge, UK, sort code 20-17-35, account
number 6907 6099, leaving your name
as the reference. Please ensure that we receive the correct amount after
any charges that the banks might apply for electronic transfer. You can pay in the pounds sterling equivalent
either by cheque or by bank transfer to Barclays bank, Cambridge UK, sort code 20-17-35, account number 00767042, again leaving your name
as the reference. Add £15 handling charge for sterling payment.
Please ask us for the exchange rate, or use the buy rate at
www.rate.co.uk/exchangerates.html. In the case of a bank transfer, which would certainly confirm
your order more rapidly and be easier for us, we would appreciate
a phone call or an Email (info@sail-italy.com)
to let us know that you have done it.
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Can I pay by credit card?
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No.
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What is the security deposit ?
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We require a deposit against the safe and timely return of the yacht and its
contents, undamaged
and with all the equipment still on board !! While we do not have
any problems in this area, and the deposit is invariably returned
in full, the yachts are very expensive items which can be damaged
if mishandled or not respected.
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Arrival at the port in Italy
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What happens when I arrive at the port ?
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One of our staff welcomes you and shows
you to your yacht. You will have been told previously how and when
to get there. The website also gives details under "getting
there".
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