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How to Chill After Covid Lockdown [quick strategy]

FINALLY Your hometown lockdown is lifted.  Your arm hurts like heck where they stuck you with the Pfizer-BioNTech. Things are getting back to normal.  You are vaccinated, and oh-so-ready to reschedule that summer 2020 yachting escape. Don’t worry.  France, Italy, and Spain are right where you left them.  So, what to do after Covid? Close your […]

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This entry was posted in Destinations News Frequently Asked Questions Reviews Educational Yacht Charter and tagged The Gritti Palace , Ibiza , Venice yacht charter , After Covid , boutique resort , vacation plans , golden hour , Covid-19 , getting to Mediterranean , Venice Film Festival , strategy , Alfa Nero , Ibiza yacht charter , Superyacht Alfa Nero , wellness , Covid , layover , Venice Biennale , Six Senses , Venice , Xarraca Bay , yacht charter vacation , spa endorsement

58 Meter St Martin Yacht Charter Vessel Is A Standout

MI SUENO CHAT We had an opportunity to chat with Captain Glynn Smith onboard the Trinity yacht charter vessel, motor yacht MI SUENO (FYI – her name is now SKYFALL) recently.  We organized a year-end Caribbean yacht charter for a repeat customer and needed to review itinerary ideas, etc.   CAN-DO SKIPPER It’s always a pleasure to work […]

This entry was posted in Good Times Yacht of the Week Reviews and tagged Captain Glynn Smith , trinity , caribbean yacht charter , Mi Sueno , Skyfall , Trinity Yacht , Patrick Knowles Designs , St. Martin yacht charter

Award-Nominated Luxury Yacht Charter Vessel Offers Deep Winter Discounts

TIRED OF WINTER CHILL? Looking to escape the winter chills and head to the Caribbean with the family?  Motoryacht TURQUOISE has a warm offering waiting for you.   DISCOUNT OFFERED How does a whopping 30% discount sound for your next luxury yacht charter vacation?   PRESENTING TURQUOISE The 182 foot (55.4m) motor yacht TURQUOISE has […]

This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Special Offers Yacht of the Week and tagged Turquoise , pilates , World Superyacht Awards , Best Refit , H2 Design , Proteksan Turquoise , full-beam master , Swimming pool , 12-person Jacuzzi , Refit , caribbean yacht charter , award-winning , discount

Updated – Champagne Names – How to pronounce them?

You are planning a private luxury yacht charter at the Cannes Film Festival in the South of France (pronounced CAN…..not con).  You want to pronounce all champagnes correctly. Especially when working with your onboard superyacht Sommelier.  Thanks to our friends at Glass of Bubbly, we share this helpful and informative blog post. In specific, about the […]

This entry was posted in Frequently Asked Questions Educational and tagged How do you pronounce Mumm , Moet et Chandon , book now , How do you pronounce Pol Roger , champagne , how do you pronounce champagne names , yacht charter France , How do you pronounce Louis Roederer , pronunciations , how do you pronounce cannes , private luxury yacht charter , How do you pronounce Bollinger , bollinger , Taittinger , How do you pronounce Moet et Chandon , Pol Roger , How do you pronounce Taittinger , Mumm , How do you pronounce Dom Perignon , Jana Sheeder , Deutz , How do you pronounce Veuve Clicquot , Cannes , Ruinart , How do you pronounce Deutz , luxury yacht charter , Piper-Heidsieck , How do you pronounce Ruinart , Dom Perignon , Glass of Bubbly , How do you pronounce Piper-Heidsieck , Louis Roederer , Veuve Cliquot

Did She Really Offer That???

SAY WHA??? What could be better?  Dreaming of a Phuket yacht charter odyssey for a full week?   The answer is a glorious TEN nights in Thailand. Those Thailand nights are aboard a luxury yacht charter vessel for the price of SEVEN nights!   Imagine saving a whopping 30% off your next superyacht experience.  All of […]

This entry was posted in Special Offers Yacht of the Week Educational and tagged wooden sailing yacht , special offer , sailboat yacht charter , thailand yacht charter , yacht charter deal , swim with whale sharks , scuba dive , dive expeditions , sailing yacht , yacht charter indonesia , lamima

Top 3 Luxury Yacht Charter Amenities in 2018

FLOATING VILLA AMENITIES The world’s largest yachts continue to grow larger and larger each year.  The ideas of superyacht owners as to what features and amenities will make their, “floating villas” stand out from the crowd also expand.  This demand for over-the-top luxury pushes high-profile yacht designers to continually “reinvent” the ultimate onboard amenities. No […]

This entry was posted in Yacht Charter News Educational and tagged tender garage , wellness , meditation room , Solandge , namaste , yoga , Finnish sauna , Tim Heywood , Evan Marshall , lady britt , Swimming pool , wellness vacations , Jana Sheeder , hammam , Espen Oeino , pilates , Lurssen , beach club , Aquijo , wetbar , president of 1-800 Yacht Charters

Is a Private Luxury Yacht Charter for You?

HAVE YOU SEEN THEM? We’ve all seen the images. They include a silhouette of a sailing yacht. Also nearby is a secluded beach.  The sun is setting in the background of all photos.  Massive superyachts are docked side-by-side in a marina along the Côte d’Azur.  Imagine you and your family inserted in the yachting images.  […]

This entry was posted in News Frequently Asked Questions Educational and tagged What is a luxury yacht charter vacation? , caribbean yacht charter , Are yacht charters private? , florida yacht charter , What is a yacht charter all about? , motoryacht , How do I charter a yacht? , More Magic , yacht charter Caribbean , Jodi Lee , Here Comes the Sun , Mediterranean yacht charter , How can I afford a luxury yacht charter? , Who do I call to book a yacht charter? , Bahamas yacht charter , Who is the best yacht charter broker? , Superyacht , Where are luxury yacht charters offered? , sailboat

Reduced Rates Announced For Yacht Carpe Diem For Bahamas Yacht Charter Adventures

  MOTOR YACHT SPECIAL RATE Whoo-hoo!  The yacht’s representative contacted us to announce newly reduced rates. These are for the popular 191-foot motor yacht CARPE DIEM.  The rates are for the remainder of the spring in the Bahamas. Her weekly rate reduction is from $395,000 per week to now $375,000 per week. Additionally, the yacht […]

This entry was posted in News Special Offers Yacht of the Week and tagged Trinity Yachts , Captain Butterwick , advance reservations for Mediterranean yacht charters , yacht charter , Carol Williamson & Associates , yacht charter Bahamas , SCUBA diving , motoryacht charter , award-winning , discount , Carpe Diem , luxury yacht charter , World Superyacht Awards

Experience Rugged Greenland & Beyond Onboard Yacht LEGEND

ADVENTURE & LUXURY – HAND IN HAND The hottest trend in yachting continues this summer.  Motor yacht LEGEND joins a growing fleet of luxury yacht charter vessels forgoing the Mediterranean. She heads to the extreme Arctic and Northern Europe for amazing adventures.       ANTARCTICA A winter expedition in Antarctica relocates Icon yacht LEGEND to northern […]

This entry was posted in Destinations News Yacht of the Week and tagged wildlife , Sherakhan , Abeking & Rasmussen , Snow scooters , expedition yacht , Balinese spa , Legend , Arctic wildlife , Cloudbreak , yacht charter Greenland , Baton Rouge , submarine , patagonia , Arctic yacht charter , norway yacht charter , special offer , Icon , ice breaker , motoryacht charter , Antarctica

Award-Winning Interior Design Captured In Yacht SEALYON Video

Award-Winning Style Motor yacht SEALYON first launched in 2009 . Her name at the time was yacht CANDYSCAPE II.  We remember saying, “This yacht has, ‘it.“  IT refers to that exceptional fusion of glamour, design, and quality.  For instance, many sing the praises of the Espen Øino-designed superyacht.  She is built by Italy’s Viareggio Super Yachts.  The […]

This entry was posted in News Yacht of the Week and tagged Candyscape II , luxury yacht , yacht video , sealyon , viareggio super yachts , circular sunpad with misters , yacht charter , Candy & Candy of London , 1800yachtcharters , International Yacht Awards , award-winning , private luxury yacht charter boat , St. Barts yacht charter , motoryacht

Sardinia Luxury Tax on Mediterranean Yacht Charter Vessels Abolished

Posted June 10, 2009 by admin

Ferretti Yacht SEA STREAM brings Luxury Charter to Seychelles

What to Pack for a Sailboat Vacation

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Discover the latest luxury yacht charter articles from the Bespoke Yacht Charter Blog. Yachts, Charter Tips, Charter Destinations, Event Guides and much more.

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Our luxury yacht charter blog shares the latest news, crewed charter specials, and more. We feature superyachts, motor yachts, catamarans, and sailboats that charter worldwide, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Mediterranean, and Asia. We also have the latest news on private yachts in South and Central America. If you don’t know where to begin, or can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us for help. 

10 Best Caribbean Yacht Charters

Fishing yacht charter in the bahamas, popular things to do on a bvi yacht charter, popular caribbean winter yacht charter, popular winter yacht charters in the bvi, popular bahamas winter yacht charters, bahamas yacht culinary experience: luxury dining & views, discover popular luxury bvi yacht charters, family yacht charter in the bahamas | fun on land and sea, luxury yacht trips | best destinations revealed, explore popular bvi yacht charter locations, sailing the greek islands – an epic adventure, best boat charter caribbean | top 5 yacht options, let us deliver on your dream vacation..

Contact us to start a conversation about your dream vacation, and let us show you how we can help bring your vision to life through our exceptional yacht charter services.

Luxury Yachting Blog

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Welcome to the Silver Star Yachting blog. Find all the latest yacht charter news and advice here, including our brokers’ tips for the hottest destinations in Europe, when to go where, and which yacht to travel on. Whether you seek advice on a family yacht holiday in Italy, a party vacation in Croatia, or an adventure escape in Greece, we have got you covered.

Our yachting blog also covers the latest yachting news about major events in the industry, such as Monaco Yacht Show and the Cannes Yachting Festival, as well as plenty more industry advice. This is where you’ll find profiles of our coolest new superyachts, reviews of the best water toys, and itinerary tips on everything from diving and hiking to shopping and beach clubs in different areas. Interviews with our founders, industry professionals and the charter crew provide more valuable insight.

4 Reasons For A Private Yacht Tour of Italy

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Please just get in touch if there is a yachting news item that you would like us to cover - we would love to hear from you.

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Explore our wide array of luxury charter yachts ranging from 20 meters to 123 meters, built inside some of the most prestigious shipyards in the world. We guide you through the choice of vessels and we guarantee you the best experience in the world of sailing and motor yacht charter.

A Beginner’s Guide to Chartering a Yacht

With the pandemic driving a boom in superyacht charters , more and more people are taking to the water for their first yachting experience. But while some superyachts can cost more than a million a week to charter, you don’t need to outlay seven figures for your own yachting vacation.

Wondering what else you need to know before stepping on board for the very first time? We’ve turned to experts in the yachting industry for their insider intel on how to charter a yacht like a pro—from how much it will run you, to where to go, and well beyond. Read on.

Do I need a charter broker, and how do I find one?

It’s a charter broker’s job to match you with the right yacht and crew—and then take the lead in planning the entire experience. Professional bodies such as MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association act as a database of industry-recognized professionals. But the best source for finding a charter broker is often your own network. “Building up a relationship with a charter broker is very important,” says Jacqui Lockhart, a Monaco-based broker at Camper & Nicholsons International . “If possible, look for a recommendation from a friend.”

Once you’ve found the right broker, communication with them will be key. “Take the time to be as detailed with your preferences, such as dietary requirements, likes and dislikes, and preferred activities, as possible,” says London-based broker Charles Crane of Edmiston . “This will give us and the crew the best information to make the charter a success and tailored to perfection.”

How much should I be prepared to spend?

“The entry point is around $40,000 for a week on a yacht 82-feet upwards that can sleep six people," says Lockhart. What can take first time charterers by surprise is that this isn’t an all-inclusive figure. “The charter fee covers the hire, the crew, the insurance—everything that’s linked to the yacht,” Lockhart continues. Anything specifically for the client is extra—including food and beverages, fuel, and dockage. As a rule of thumb, budget for an extra 30 percent on top of the baseline charter figure for these extras, which goes into a fund known as the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). At the end of the charter, it is also customary to tip the crew; between 10 and 20 percent of the charter fee is a guideline figure. There may also be Value Added Tax (VAT) to pay on the charter rate, depending on the country of embarkation.

At the smaller end of the charter fleet, more opportunity exists for single-cabin bookings rather than whole yacht charters. This year in the Caribbean , Sheila Ruffin of Soca Yacht Charters has launched a “Stranger on the Seas” package. Prices start at around $6,000 per person—all-inclusive—on catamarans between 48 and 60 feet. “This allows couples the opportunity to mix and mingle with other couples for an adventurous and social yacht charter on the Caribbean Sea,” says Ruffin.

What destinations are best suited to first-time charterers?

“For first-timers, I wouldn’t recommend a remote destination,” says Captain Kelly Gordon of Freddy , a 106-foot charter yacht based out of the Bahamas . “When it’s hard to get to, that eats up some of your valuable time and can also take some of the fun out of it.”

While yachts are heading towards unchartered waters such as Antarctica with increasing frequency, cruising grounds in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are classic destinations for a reason. “For the first-time charterer in these locations, there will be more yacht options to choose from, proven cruising grounds with known and safe anchorages, well-connected and easy access hubs to ensure smooth passage to embark and disembark the vessel as well as the ability to source most provisions that guests may want,” says Crane.

The key ingredient? The crew.

Although much of the focus is on securing the right yacht, the secret to the success of a charter is its crew. “Put simply, the crew make the difference between a good charter yacht and a bad one,” says Crane. Today’s crew are increasingly versatile. “They may also be a diving or yoga instructor, personal trainer, fisherman, or sommelier,” he continues.

The crew also knows your cruising area better than anyone else. “Be sure to pick their brain on fun things to do. They often love the opportunity to come up with fun activities and games, whether for kids or adults,” says Lotte Barker-Hahlo, a London-based charter broker at Burgess .

The level of hospitality from crew on most yachts often convert first-time charters into repeat customers. “The attention to detail from the crew is unsurpassed by any other luxury holiday,” says Barker-Hahlo. “From the unpacking of your suitcase to being offered a drink before you’ve even realized you’re thirsty, it’s 24-hour care and service.”

Gordon says that much of the feedback she receives at the end of a first-time charter is why didn’t we do this earlier? “People are always surprised at how we take the time to get to know their needs before they have even arrived. We really do study those preference sheets!”

Think carefully about who else you want on board

Another important factor to a successful yacht vacation? Your fellow travelers. This is a specific type of vacation, which should narrow your list of invitees. “Strongly consider who you vacation with when chartering a yacht,” urges Ruffin. “Unlike other vacation options, yachts are very intimate and exclusive. Choose to share your water adventure with those you like and will enjoy on the water for a week or more.” Maybe, even for veteran yachties, that's the sagest advice of all.

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CONTACT YACHTS is a luxury yacht charter company that operates worldwide. Our team of professional charter brokers will assist you in renting, buying, selling or building a new yacht. We also have a concierge team to assist our clients with any VIP request related to a yachting & travel experience.

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Home ~ About Us ~ Blog

Caribbean Sailing Seasons

Here we are in late February, with spring a mere 3 weeks away, and as the days grow longer thoughts inevitably start turning to warm weather plans, it reminds me of a common misconception about Caribbean sailing seasons: the best time to sail is the winter. The truth is that it’s not that the Caribbean… Read more »

Great Review of the Luxury Crewed Lagoon 620 Catamaran Charter ‘Nomada’

One of our customers who recently sailed on ‘Nomada’ for their BVI charter sent in the following letter of praise: “We just stayed on your amazing catamaran last week – Nomada. Thank you for sharing your beautiful boat. We had one of the best holidays of our lives! As amazing as the boat was –… Read more »

BVI Ends Covid Testing Requirement

As of Friday, July 15, 2022, travelers to the BVI will no longer be required to present a negative covid test to enter the country as part of the BVI covid testing requirements. The government passed an amendment to the regulations on July 13th, announcing the move on July 14th. Full details of the BVI… Read more »

Cruising Guide Post-Hurricane Updates Now Available

Cruising Guide Publications have begun posting downloadable post-hurricane updates on their website as a supplement to their “Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands”. The update references the current guide by page and includes information about Ferries and Transportation, Customs and Immigration, as wells as BVI Anchorages. This is a great resource if you have already… Read more »

Oyster 885 – Ayni Gets a Rave Review as a Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter

One of our Customers’ had this to say about their recent luxury crewed yacht charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands aboard the Oyster 885 – Ayni: “Awesome trip aboard a brand new Oyster 885 was chartered through Ed Hamilton Yacht Brokerage that exceeded way beyond our greatest expectations. It was a family trip including… Read more »

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25+ best yachting blogs & websites to stay up to date.

Whether you are a captain, engineer, or yacht owner, staying up to date with industry news and improving your skillset is very important. It might be a good idea to surround yourself with like-minded people you can learn from, even if this happens through the perks of today’s technology.

In both cases, the best way to do this is by building a database of the best yachting blogs, websites, and forums. And this is exactly why we wrote this article. 

Over the next few chapters, we briefly introduce some of the most trusted yachting resources, compiled in an article that you can bookmark for future reference. Let’s delve in!

Best yachting websites & digital magazines

Best yachting blogs & digital magazines, yacht forums to consider.

The following publications are well known across the yachting industry, with several of them being digital alternatives to popular print magazines. 

1. Superyacht News

Superyacht News is a publication that covers everything related to business, tech, ownership, design, and management of luxury vessels. Known as one of the best superyacht websites, it keeps readers up to date with everything related to the industry, while also publishing print magazines.

2. Yachting Monthly

Being one of the top yacht websites, Yachting Monthly is one of the most popular boating publications in the UK. The digital publication discusses yacht news, races, boat, and equipment reviews, as well as the skills you need to become a master sailor.

3. Genesis Luxury Interiors

A somewhat inactive yet very resourceful website, Genesis Interiors is the best yachting publication for those who want to learn more about (luxury) interior design for their vessel. It is thus a somewhat “niched” website focused on superyacht owners with a keen interest in interior decoration. 

4. Yachting Pages

Yachting Pages is the most popular directory of the industry and is often seen as a participant or sponsor of boating events. The website is used by people who wish to find a particular service, product, or event related to the yachting industry, in their location.

5. SuperYacht Times

The SuperYacht Times is a digital publication that features interviews with the most influential personas of the industry, information on vessels, as well as boat shows. The website also has a video section that further delves into the discussed topics, giving a rich overview.

 6. Luxuo Yacht Archives

Luxuo is a website that covers multiple industries linked with luxury products and lifestyles. Among them, we also find yachting, with news mainly concerning reviews of superyachts, as well as lists posts covering everything from boats to equipment. While it may not be the best yachting blog on this list, it is definitely one you should check out.

7. Yachts & Yachting UK

Yachts & Yachting is more oriented towards performance sailing. The website presents the latest news in the racing scene accompanied by beautiful photos and inspiration from top performers. The website also has a value-packed newsletter that is sent out once per month.

8. Digital Yacht

Digital Yacht is one of the best yachting blogs for engineers as it delves into marine electronics and the progress of technology in the sector. Apart from being an educational resource, the website also has a dedicated e-commerce store with a wide range of products related to    electrical systems onboard.

9. Lovesail

Since we are covering all aspects of importance, we couldn’t leave out the dating scene. Lovesail is a website that brings together single and solo boating enthusiasts to create meetups, dating opportunities, and other types of events.

10. Boat International

Boat International is a globally recognized publication that delves into the industry’s latest news, yard updates, opinion pieces, and superyacht sales. There are enough subcategories to accommodate the needs of any boat enthusiast and the news section is always well-written and up to date.

11. OnboardOnline 

OnboardOnline is a news portal that delves into the latest news, interviews and stories of the (super) yacht industry. The publication is not just a great publication to help you stay up to date, but also a resource for those looking to learn more about key industry players. 

12. Dockwalk

While Dockwalk is more commonly known for its monthly print edition, the digital publication has also grown in popularity. Among the useful resources, the website offers a blog section with entertaining content, a dedicated forum section, as well as a directory of industry-relevant companies and their contact details.

13. Boat Lyfe

Boat Lyfe is a minimalistic-looking news portal with a separate forums section. Topics range from sailing and speedboats all the way to luxury superyachts, and there are many different categories to choose from.

14. Yacht Harbour

Yacht Harbour is a news outlet and yacht brokerage featuring boats for sale and chartering. The news section of the website is also split into two distinct categories, namely “yacht news” and “brokerage news”. Therefore, one could say that it targeted mainly towards potential boat owners.

15. Galati Yachts

Galati is a US-based yacht brokerage company. Their website covers latest news, opinion articles, upcoming events, and boating advice. With more than 50 years of experience, Galati is now known as “one of the largest and most respected yacht brokerage companies in the world”.

16. SuperYacht World

SuperYacht World is a global magazine for superyacht owners and luxury boating enthusiasts. The news section of the website has not been updated in a while, but still offers an archive with useful information that you can skim through aside from the print version.

17. CharterWorld

While CharterWorld is not necessarily a blog or news portal, the website offers resourceful content to help yachting enthusiasts make more sense of the industry. Through a list of educational articles, their “Inspiration” and “Advice” sections are great resources for relative beginners.

18. Yacht Bible

Yacht Bible is a superyacht and luxury yacht directory featuring all the latest yachts and news in the industry. Yacht Bible features a wide selection of both yachts for sale and charter from all around the world.

Yachting blogs are a little different than news portals, as they do not primarily focus on the latest news and updates. Instead, they are more oriented towards educational content, yachting advice and opinion pieces.

18. The Yacht Owner

This blog is dedicated to owners and brokers of different types of yachts. According to its author and ship engineer Daniel Popescu, The Yacht Owner helps readers give better advice in the circles of their occupation, while also getting a better understanding of the things to look out for when buying a yacht. 

19. Heesen Yachts

Heesen Yachts is a popular Dutch shipyard, building exceptional superyachts using timeless designs. While the website is primarily focused on building and selling custom vessels, their YachtTalk section hosts one of the best yachting podcasts. While not exactly the typical blog-type format, the website offers many gems to keep yachting enthusiasts up to date with the latest industry news.

20. Yachting World

The digital magazine of Yachting World offers value-packed and diverse content, similar to the popular print magazine, but does so through a subscription-based app. New subscribers get access to all previous editions of the magazine while you can also download issues to read them offline - ideal for long voyages.

21. Yacht Charter Blog

Yacht Charter Blog features blog posts on private (super)yacht charters, interesting destinations, reviews on equipment and gadgets, as well as sustainable practices to follow. 

22. 212 Yachts

212 Yachts is primarily concerned with topics related to charting, rentals, and superyacht tender hire. Their blog offers local insights into beautiful destinations, seen through the eyes of charter experts, while also offering industry-relevant gems and knowledge.

23. YotSpot

If you are looking for more generic, informative content related to yacht work, YotSpot is a great blog to check out. Apart from its articles, the website is also known for YotSpot Connect, an app that helps yachting enthusiasts meet up and stay connected across their travels.

24. Danielis Yachting

Wanna know what the weirdest superyachts look like? What about some interesting local attractions you should check out while visiting Europe? Danielis Yachting is a Croatia-based yacht charter service with a rich blog presence, hosting a diverse range of topics.

25. Silver Star Yachting 

Known as one of the best yachting blogs and with emphasis on luxury, Silver Star Yachting helps you understand how to properly charter a sailing or motor yacht. Here too, articles and blog posts are pretty diverse, and there are separate pages with info on popular destinations.

26. SuperYacht Crew Agency

Superyacht Crew Agency helps luxury yachts handle their recruitment process. Their blog is a great resource for those looking to find work, improve your CV , hire a crew, learn from the experiences of others, or get training and certification updates for their role.

Finally, let us give you a small overview of the best yachting forums. These platforms will help you connect with like-minded individuals and discuss a broad range of industry-relevant topics. Forums are a great way to find some of the best yachting resources to help you learn about building, buying, selling, and even hiring for your vessel.

27. YachtForums

YachtForums is a very active platform that helps boating enthusiasts connect and learn from one another. Membership is free of charge and there are many different categories of topics, among which one can also find comprehensive reviews of luxury vessels.

28. Yachts and Yachting Forum

The Yachts and Yachting Forum is one of the most popular discussion platforms in the boating industry. With nearly 20.000 members, there are a plethora of topics to keep you busy and a large community to help you out with potential problems.

29. YBW Forums

With more than 480.000 monthly visitors, Yacht & Boating World is one of the best yachting blogs in the industry. Their forum has more than 160.000 members and is widely considered to be the best discussion board in the industry.

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The Luxury Yacht Charter Fleet

We are the world's leading luxury yacht charter comparison site, view the entire market to find your ideal yacht for your fully crewed private yachting vacation..

We have searched everywhere to find all crewed rental yachts - so you don't need to. Compare the market using our powerful search engine tools to view all superyachts & megayachts as well as catamarans and luxury gulets available to rent around the globe.

View all luxury yachts available to rent in the most popular Mediterranean summer charter destinations such as the South of France , Greece , Croatia and Turkey in addition to the classic winter season cruising grounds of the Bahamas & Caribbean and all the other exotic charter locations.

Why Charter a Yacht?

From the moment you step on board a luxury yacht charter, your world is opened to the ultimate in luxury, privacy and freedom. Unlike the restrictions of a cruise ship itinerary or the inconvenience of busy hotels and restaurants, superyacht charters offer a sense of freedom and flexibility that is truly unrivalled. Tailored to the needs and desires of you and your guests, with a professional crew dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience, you are free to immerse yourself in the luxury and relaxation of fabulous accommodation, breathtaking views, gourmet cuisine and endless activities, all enveloped by the vitality of life at sea.

The comfort and opulence that accommodation on a superyacht can have to offer rivals that of the best hotels in the world, with the added element of 24 hours a day personalised service. Each individual charter yacht is different and offers a wide range of amenities onboard. From movie theatres, spas and private beachclubs to jet skis and scuba diving equipment, along with an experienced crew that could include anyone from award-winning Chefs to qualified beauty therapists, there is the perfect excuse to indulge or try something new. No-where else in the world can you experience watching a multi-coloured sunset from a top-deck Jacuzzi in the tranquillity of the vast, open ocean before enjoying al-fresco dining with your family and friends under an endless star-strewn night sky.

Whether you're a true sailing enthusiast looking for maritime adventure or just looking for a luxurious and comfortable vacation that caters to the needs of all your family and friends, a luxury yacht charter offers something for everyone with limitless possibilities.

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YachtCharterFleet has one simple aim: making sure you get exactly what you need with less hassle, and less time.

Our mission is to help you get exactly the holiday you need.

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Black Pearl

105m   Oceanco

Renaissance

REV Ocean 28

195m   2025

Golden Horizon 274

162m Brodogradevna Industrija Split

162m   2021

Flying Fox 22

136m Lurssen

136m   2019

from $3,328,000 p/w eek ♦︎

126m Lurssen

126m   2003/2024

from $2,200,000 p/w eek

122m Lurssen

122m   2024

from $3,000,000 p/w eek

115m Lurssen

115m   2021

from $2,874,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Renaissance 36

112m Freire Shipyard

112m   2023

108m Benetti

108m   2019

from $1,990,000 p/w eek ♦︎

107m Olympic Yacht Services

107m   1997/2022

from $2,211,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Black Pearl 14

105m Oceanco

105m   2018

Christina O 34

99m Canadian Vickers

99m   1943/2020

from $774,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Carinthia VII 12

97m Lurssen

97m   2002/2023

from $1,547,000 p/w eek ♦︎

97m Feadship

97m   2017/2022

from $1,775,000 p/w eek ♦︎

CC-Summer 12

95m Lurssen

from $1,769,000 p/w eek ♦︎

95m Golden Yachts

from $1,217,000 p/w eek ♦︎

from $1,327,000 p/w eek ♦︎

93m Feadship

from $1,556,000 p/w eek ♦︎

92m Nobiskrug

92m   2000/2023

from $1,050,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Aquarius 12

92m Feadship

from $1,500,000 p/w eek

Queen Miri 36

92m Neorion

92m   2004/2023

from $1,094,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Moonlight II 36

91m Neorion

91m   2005/2020

from $713,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Tranquility 22

92m Oceanco

92m   2014/2023

from $1,100,000 p/w eek

Lady Lara 12

91m Lurssen

91m   2015/2023

from $1,400,000 p/w eek

90m Corsair Yachts

90m   2007/2021

from $497,000 p/w eek

Phoenix 2 12

90m Lurssen

90m   2010/2024

from $1,000,000 p/w eek

90m Royal Huisman

90m   2004/2024

from $324,000 p/w eek ♦︎

90m Oceanco

90m   2018/2024

from $1,334,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Lauren L 36

90m Cassens-Werft

90m   2002/2008

from $768,000 p/w eek ♦︎ *

89m Oceanco

89m   2015/2023

Maltese Falcon 12

88m Perini Navi

88m   2006/2023

from $490,000 p/w eek

Project X 12

88m Golden Yachts

from $1,222,000 p/w eek ♦︎

88m Schichau Unterweser

88m   1969/2020

from $500,000 p/w eek ♦︎

86m Oceanco

from $561,000 p/w eek ♦︎

86m Scheepswerf Gebr. van der Werf

86m   1998/2024

from $531,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Man of Steel 12

86m   2010/2023

86m Derecktor Shipyards

86m   2010/2021

from $945,000 p/w eek

86m Abeking & Rasmussen

86m   2009/2024

from $939,000 p/w eek ♦︎

86m   2010/2018

from $1,278,000 p/w eek ♦︎

85m SilverYachts

from $968,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Wanderlust 12

from $960,000 p/w eek

85m Lurssen

Grand Ocean 12

85m Blohm + Voss

85m   1990/2019

from $703,136 p/w eek

Meridian A 12

85m   2011/2019

from $1,056,000 p/w eek ♦︎

O'Ptasia 12

85m Golden Yachts

85m   2018/2024

from $1,001,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Solandge 12

85m   2013/2022

from $1,111,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Victorious 12

85m Ak Yachts

from $890,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Le Ponant 32

84m   1990/2022

from $506,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Savannah 12

84m Feadship

84m   2015/2020

83m Golden Yachts

83m   2004/2022

82m Abeking & Rasmussen

82m   2015/2021

from $1,223,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Alfa Nero 12

81m Oceanco

81m   2007/2024

from $812,500 p/w eek *

81m Feadship

81m   2011/2017

from $1,028,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Sea Eagle 10

81m Royal Huisman

81m   2020/2022

from $590,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Elements 12

80m Yachtley

from $889,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Excellence 12

80m Abeking & Rasmussen

from $1,150,000 p/w eek

80m Oceanco

80m   2007/2019

from $861,000 p/w eek ♦︎

My Dragon 12

80m Columbus Yachts

from $945,000 p/w eek ♦︎

80m Bilgin Yachts

from $860,000 p/w eek ♦︎

from $965,000 p/w eek ♦︎

SS Delphine 26

79m Great Lakes Ew

79m   1921/2016

from $445,000 p/w eek ♦︎

Amaryllis 12

78m Abeking & Rasmussen

78m   2011/2022

from $770,000 p/w eek

78m Golden Yachts

78m   2023/2024

from $811,000 p/w eek ♦︎

from $480,000 p/w eek

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All yacht particulars are believed correct but cannot be guaranteed.

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YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

YEKATERINBURG: FACTORIES, URAL SIGHTS, YELTSIN AND THE WHERE NICHOLAS II WAS KILLED

Sverdlovsk oblast.

Sverdlovsk Oblast is the largest region in the Urals; it lies in the foothills of mountains and contains a monument indicating the border between Europe and Asia. The region covers 194,800 square kilometers (75,200 square miles), is home to about 4.3 million people and has a population density of 22 people per square kilometer. About 83 percent of the population live in urban areas. Yekaterinburg is the capital and largest city, with 1.5 million people. For Russians, the Ural Mountains are closely associated with Pavel Bazhov's tales and known for folk crafts such as Kasli iron sculpture, Tagil painting, and copper embossing. Yekaterinburg is the birthplace of Russia’s iron and steel industry, taking advantage of the large iron deposits in the Ural mountains. The popular Silver Ring of the Urals tourist route starts here.

In the summer you can follow in the tracks of Yermak, climb relatively low Ural mountain peaks and look for boulders seemingly with human faces on them. You can head to the Gemstone Belt of the Ural mountains, which used to house emerald, amethyst and topaz mines. In the winter you can go ice fishing, ski and cross-country ski.

Sverdlovsk Oblast and Yekaterinburg are located near the center of Russia, at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and also the southern and northern parts of Russia. Winters are longer and colder than in western section of European Russia. Snowfalls can be heavy. Winter temperatures occasionally drop as low as - 40 degrees C (-40 degrees F) and the first snow usually falls in October. A heavy winter coat, long underwear and good boots are essential. Snow and ice make the sidewalks very slippery, so footwear with a good grip is important. Since the climate is very dry during the winter months, skin moisturizer plus lip balm are recommended. Be alert for mud on street surfaces when snow cover is melting (April-May). Patches of mud create slippery road conditions.

Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg (kilometer 1818 on the Trans-Siberian Railway) is the fourth largest city in Russia, with of 1.5 million and growth rate of about 12 percent, high for Russia. Located in the southern Ural mountains, it was founded by Peter the Great and named after his wife Catherine, it was used by the tsars as a summer retreat and is where tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed and President Boris Yeltsin lived most of his life and began his political career. The city is near the border between Europe and Asia.

Yekaterinburg (also spelled Ekaterinburg) is located on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains in the headwaters of the Iset and Pyshma Rivers. The Iset runs through the city center. Three ponds — Verkh-Isetsky, Gorodskoy and Nizhne-Isetsky — were created on it. Yekaterinburg has traditionally been a city of mining and was once the center of the mining industry of the Urals and Siberia. Yekaterinburg remains a major center of the Russian armaments industry and is sometimes called the "Pittsburgh of Russia.". A few ornate, pastel mansions and wide boulevards are reminders of the tsarist era. The city is large enough that it has its own Metro system but is characterized mostly by blocky Soviet-era apartment buildings. The city has advanced under President Vladimir Putin and is now one of the fastest growing places in Russia, a country otherwise characterized by population declines

Yekaterinburg is technically an Asian city as it lies 32 kilometers east of the continental divide between Europe and Asia. The unofficial capital of the Urals, a key region in the Russian heartland, it is second only to Moscow in terms of industrial production and capital of Sverdlovsk oblast. Among the important industries are ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, machine building and metalworking, chemical and petrochemicals, construction materials and medical, light and food industries. On top of being home of numerous heavy industries and mining concerns, Yekaterinburg is also a major center for industrial research and development and power engineering as well as home to numerous institutes of higher education, technical training, and scientific research. In addition, Yekaterinburg is the largest railway junction in Russia: the Trans-Siberian Railway passes through it, the southern, northern, western and eastern routes merge in the city.

Accommodation: There are two good and affordable hotels — the 3-star Emerald and Parus hotels — located close to the city's most popular landmarks and main transport interchanges in the center of Yekaterinburg. Room prices start at RUB 1,800 per night.

History of Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723 by Peter the Great and named after his wife Catherine I. It was used by the tsars as a summer retreat but was mainly developed as metalworking and manufacturing center to take advantage of the large deposits of iron and other minerals in the Ural mountains. It is best known to Americans as the place where the last Tsar and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918 and near where American U-2 spy plane, piloted by Gary Powers, was shot down in 1960.

Peter the Great recognized the importance of the iron and copper-rich Urals region for Imperial Russia's industrial and military development. In November 1723, he ordered the construction of a fortress factory and an ironworks in the Iset River Valley, which required a dam for its operation. In its early years Yekaterinburg grew rich from gold and other minerals and later coal. The Yekaterinburg gold rush of 1745 created such a huge amount of wealth that one rich baron of that time hosted a wedding party that lasted a year. By the mid-18th century, metallurgical plants had sprung up across the Urals to cast cannons, swords, guns and other weapons to arm Russia’s expansionist ambitions. The Yekaterinburg mint produced most of Russia's coins. Explorations of the Trans-Baikal and Altai regions began here in the 18th century.

Iron, cast iron and copper were the main products. Even though Iron from the region went into the Eiffel Tower, the main plant in Yekaterinburg itself was shut down in 1808. The city still kept going through a mountain factory control system of the Urals. The first railway in the Urals was built here: in 1878, the Yekaterinburg-Perm railway branch connected the province's capital with the factories of the Middle Urals.

In the Soviet era the city was called Sverdlovsk (named after Yakov Sverdlov, the man who organized Nicholas II's execution). During the first five-year plans the city became industrial — old plants were reconstructed, new ones were built. The center of Yekaterinburg was formed to conform to the historical general plan of 1829 but was the layout was adjusted around plants and factories. In the Stalin era the city was a major gulag transhipment center. In World War II, many defense-related industries were moved here. It and the surrounding area were a center of the Soviet Union's military industrial complex. Soviet tanks, missiles and aircraft engines were made in the Urals. During the Cold War era, Yekaterinburg was a center of weapons-grade uranium enrichment and processing, warhead assembly and dismantlement. In 1979, 64 people died when anthrax leaked from a biological weapons facility. Yekaterinburg was a “Closed City” for 40 years during the Cold Soviet era and was not open to foreigners until 1991

In the early post-Soviet era, much like Pittsburgh in the 1970s, Yekaterinburg had a hard struggle d to cope with dramatic economic changes that have made its heavy industries uncompetitive on the world market. Huge defense plants struggled to survive and the city was notorious as an organized crime center in the 1990s, when its hometown boy Boris Yeltsin was President of Russia. By the 2000s, Yekaterinburg’s retail and service was taking off, the defense industry was reviving and it was attracting tech industries and investments related to the Urals’ natural resources. By the 2010s it was vying to host a world exhibition in 2020 (it lost, Dubai won) and it had McDonald’s, Subway, sushi restaurants, and Gucci, Chanel and Armani. There were Bentley and Ferrari dealerships but they closed down

Transportation in Yekaterinburg

Getting There: By Plane: Yekaterinburg is a three-hour flight from Moscow with prices starting at RUB 8,000, or a 3-hour flight from Saint Petersburg starting from RUB 9,422 (direct round-trip flight tickets for one adult passenger). There are also flights from Frankfurt, Istanbul, China and major cities in the former Soviet Union.

By Train: Yekaterinburg is a major stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Daily train service is available to Moscow and many other Russian cities.Yekaterinburg is a 32-hour train ride from Moscow (tickets RUB 8,380 and above) or a 36-hour train ride from Saint Petersburg (RUB 10,300 and above). The ticket prices are round trip for a berth in a sleeper compartment for one adult passenger). By Car: a car trip from Moscow to Yekateringburg is 1,787 kilometers long and takes about 18 hours. The road from Saint Petersburg is 2,294 kilometers and takes about 28 hours.

Regional Transport: The region's public transport includes buses and suburban electric trains. Regional trains provide transport to larger cities in the Ural region. Buses depart from Yekaterinburg’s two bus stations: the Southern Bus Station and the Northern Bus Station.

Regional Transport: According the to Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT): “Public transportation is well developed. Overcrowding is common. Fares are low. Service is efficient. Buses are the main form of public transport. Tram network is extensive. Fares are reasonable; service is regular. Trams are heavily used by residents, overcrowding is common. Purchase ticket after boarding. Metro runs from city center to Uralmash, an industrial area south of the city. Metro ends near the main railway station. Fares are inexpensive.

“Traffic is congested in city center. Getting around by car can be difficult. Route taxis (minivans) provide the fastest transport. They generally run on specific routes, but do not have specific stops. Drivers stop where passengers request. Route taxis can be hailed. Travel by bus or trolleybuses may be slow in rush hour. Trams are less affected by traffic jams. Trolley buses (electric buses) cannot run when temperatures drop below freezing.”

Entertainment, Sports and Recreation in Yekaterinburg

The performing arts in Yekaterinburg are first rate. The city has an excellent symphony orchestra, opera and ballet theater, and many other performing arts venues. Tickets are inexpensive. The Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater is lavishly designed and richly decorated building in the city center of Yekaterinburg. The theater was established in 1912 and building was designed by architect Vladimir Semyonov and inspired by the Vienna Opera House and the Theater of Opera and Ballet in Odessa.

Vaynera Street is a pedestrian only shopping street in city center with restaurants, cafes and some bars. But otherwise Yekaterinburg's nightlife options are limited. There are a handful of expensive Western-style restaurants and bars, none of them that great. Nightclubs serve the city's nouveau riche clientele. Its casinos have closed down. Some of them had links with organized crime. New dance clubs have sprung up that are popular with Yekaterinburg's more affluent youth.

Yekaterinburg's most popular spectator sports are hockey, basketball, and soccer. There are stadiums and arenas that host all three that have fairly cheap tickets. There is an indoor water park and lots of parks and green spaces. The Urals have many lakes, forests and mountains are great for hiking, boating, berry and mushroom hunting, swimming and fishing. Winter sports include cross-country skiing and ice skating. Winter lasts about six months and there’s usually plenty of snow. The nearby Ural Mountains however are not very high and the downhill skiing opportunities are limited..

Sights in Yekaterinburg

Sights in Yekaterinburg include the Museum of City Architecture and Ural Industry, with an old water tower and mineral collection with emeralds. malachite, tourmaline, jasper and other precious stone; Geological Alley, a small park with labeled samples of minerals found in the Urals region; the Ural Geology Museum, which houses an extensive collection of stones, gold and gems from the Urals; a monument marking the border between Europe and Asia; a memorial for gulag victims; and a graveyard with outlandish memorials for slain mafia members.

The Military History Museum houses the remains of the U-2 spy plane shot down in 1960 and locally made tanks and rocket launchers. The fine arts museum contains paintings by some of Russia's 19th-century masters. Also worth a look are the History an Local Studies Museum; the Political History and Youth Museum; and the University and Arboretum. Old wooden houses can be seen around Zatoutstovsya ulitsa and ulitsa Belinskogo. Around the city are wooded parks, lakes and quarries used to harvest a variety of minerals. Weiner Street is the main street of Yekaterinburg. Along it are lovely sculptures and 19th century architecture. Take a walk around the unique Literary Quarter

Plotinka is a local meeting spot, where you will often find street musicians performing. Plotinka can be described as the center of the city's center. This is where Yekaterinburg holds its biggest events: festivals, seasonal fairs, regional holiday celebrations, carnivals and musical fountain shows. There are many museums and open-air exhibitions on Plotinka. Plotinka is named after an actual dam of the city pond located nearby (“plotinka” means “a small dam” in Russian).In November 1723, Peter the Great ordered the construction of an ironworks in the Iset River Valley, which required a dam for its operation. “Iset” can be translated from Finnish as “abundant with fish”. This name was given to the river by the Mansi — the Finno-Ugric people dwelling on the eastern slope of the Northern Urals.

Vysotsky and Iset are skyscrapers that are 188.3 meters and 209 meters high, respectively. Fifty-story-high Iset has been described by locals as the world’s northernmost skyscraper. Before the construction of Iset, Vysotsky was the tallest building of Yekaterinburg and Russia (excluding Moscow). A popular vote has decided to name the skyscraper after the famous Soviet songwriter, singer and actor Vladimir Vysotsky. and the building was opened on November 25, 2011. There is a lookout at the top of the building, and the Vysotsky museum on its second floor. The annual “Vysotsky climb” (1137 steps) is held there, with a prize of RUB 100,000. While Vysotsky serves as an office building, Iset, owned by the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company, houses 225 premium residential apartments ranging from 80 to 490 square meters in size.

Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center

The Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center (in the city center: ul. Yeltsina, 3) is a non-governmental organization named after the first president of the Russian Federation. The Museum of the First President of Russia as well as his archives are located in the Center. There is also a library, educational and children's centers, and exposition halls. Yeltsin lived most of his life and began his political career in Yekaterinburg. He was born in Butka about 200 kilometers east of Yekaterinburg.

The core of the Center is the Museum. Modern multimedia technologies help animate the documents, photos from the archives, and artifacts. The Yeltsin Museum holds collections of: propaganda posters, leaflets, and photos of the first years of the Soviet regime; portraits and portrait sculptures of members of Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of various years; U.S.S.R. government bonds and other items of the Soviet era; a copy of “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, published in the “Novy Mir” magazine (#11, 1962); perestroika-era editions of books by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Vasily Grossman, and other authors; theater, concert, and cinema posters, programs, and tickets — in short, all of the artifacts of the perestroika era.

The Yeltsin Center opened in 2012. Inside you will also find an art gallery, a bookstore, a gift shop, a food court, concert stages and a theater. There are regular screenings of unique films that you will not find anywhere else. Also operating inside the center, is a scientific exploritorium for children. The center was designed by Boris Bernaskoni. Almost from the its very opening, the Yeltsin Center has been accused by members of different political entities of various ideological crimes. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

Where Nicholas II was Executed

On July, 17, 1918, during this reign of terror of the Russian Civil War, former-tsar Nicholas II, his wife, five children (the 13-year-old Alexis, 22-year-old Olga, 19-year-old Maria and 17-year-old Anastasia)the family physician, the cook, maid, and valet were shot to death by a Red Army firing squad in the cellar of the house they were staying at in Yekaterinburg.

Ipatiev House (near Church on the Blood, Ulitsa Libknekhta) was a merchant's house where Nicholas II and his family were executed. The house was demolished in 1977, on the orders of an up and coming communist politician named Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin later said that the destruction of the house was an "act of barbarism" and he had no choice because he had been ordered to do it by the Politburo,

The site is marked with s cross with the photos of the family members and cross bearing their names. A small wooden church was built at the site. It contains paintings of the family. For a while there were seven traditional wooden churches. Mass is given ay noon everyday in an open-air museum. The Church on the Blood — constructed to honor Nicholas II and his family — was built on the part of the site in 1991 and is now a major place of pilgrimage.

Nicholas and his family where killed during the Russian civil war. It is thought the Bolsheviks figured that Nicholas and his family gave the Whites figureheads to rally around and they were better of dead. Even though the death orders were signed Yakov Sverdlov, the assassination was personally ordered by Lenin, who wanted to get them out of sight and out of mind. Trotsky suggested a trial. Lenin nixed the idea, deciding something had to be done about the Romanovs before White troops approached Yekaterinburg. Trotsky later wrote: "The decision was not only expedient but necessary. The severity of he punishment showed everyone that we would continue to fight on mercilessly, stopping at nothing."

Ian Frazier wrote in The New Yorker: “Having read a lot about the end of Tsar Nicholas II and his family and servants, I wanted to see the place in Yekaterinburg where that event occurred. The gloomy quality of this quest depressed Sergei’s spirits, but he drove all over Yekaterinburg searching for the site nonetheless. Whenever he stopped and asked a pedestrian how to get to the house where Nicholas II was murdered, the reaction was a wince. Several people simply walked away. But eventually, after a lot of asking, Sergei found the location. It was on a low ridge near the edge of town, above railroad tracks and the Iset River. The house, known as the Ipatiev House, was no longer standing, and the basement where the actual killings happened had been filled in. I found the blankness of the place sinister and dizzying. It reminded me of an erasure done so determinedly that it had worn a hole through the page. [Source: Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, August 3, 2009, Frazier is author of “Travels in Siberia” (2010)]

“The street next to the site is called Karl Liebknecht Street. A building near where the house used to be had a large green advertisement that said, in English, “LG—Digitally Yours.” On an adjoining lot, a small chapel kept the memory of the Tsar and his family; beneath a pedestal holding an Orthodox cross, peonies and pansies grew. The inscription on the pedestal read, “We go down on our knees, Russia, at the foot of the tsarist cross.”

Books: The Romanovs: The Final Chapter by Robert K. Massie (Random House, 1995); The Fall of the Romanovs by Mark D. Steinberg and Vladimir Khrustalëv (Yale, 1995);

See Separate Article END OF NICHOLAS II factsanddetails.com

Execution of Nicholas II

According to Robert Massie K. Massie, author of Nicholas and Alexandra, Nicholas II and his family were awakened from their bedrooms around midnight and taken to the basement. They were told they were to going to take some photographs of them and were told to stand behind a row of chairs.

Suddenly, a group of 11 Russians and Latvians, each with a revolver, burst into the room with orders to kill a specific person. Yakob Yurovsky, a member of the Soviet executive committee, reportedly shouted "your relatives are continuing to attack the Soviet Union.” After firing, bullets bouncing off gemstones hidden in the corsets of Alexandra and her daughters ricocheted around the room like "a shower of hail," the soldiers said. Those that were still breathing were killed with point black shots to the head.

The three sisters and the maid survived the first round thanks to their gems. They were pressed up against a wall and killed with a second round of bullets. The maid was the only one that survived. She was pursued by the executioners who stabbed her more than 30 times with their bayonets. The still writhing body of Alexis was made still by a kick to the head and two bullets in the ear delivered by Yurovsky himself.

Yurovsky wrote: "When the party entered I told the Romanovs that in view of the fact their relatives continued their offensive against Soviet Russia, the Executive Committee of the Urals Soviet had decided to shoot them. Nicholas turned his back to the detachment and faced his family. Then, as if collecting himself, he turned around, asking, 'What? What?'"

"[I] ordered the detachment to prepare. Its members had been previously instructed whom to shoot and to am directly at the heart to avoid much blood and to end more quickly. Nicholas said no more. he turned again to his family. The others shouted some incoherent exclamations. All this lasted a few seconds. Then commenced the shooting, which went on for two or three minutes. [I] killed Nicholas on the spot."

Nicholas II’s Initial Burial Site in Yekaterinburg

Ganina Yama Monastery (near the village of Koptyaki, 15 kilometers northwest of Yekaterinburg) stands near the three-meter-deep pit where some the remains of Nicholas II and his family were initially buried. The second burial site — where most of the remains were — is in a field known as Porosyonkov (56.9113628°N 60.4954326°E), seven kilometers from Ganina Yama.

On visiting Ganina Yama Monastery, one person posted in Trip Advisor: “We visited this set of churches in a pretty park with Konstantin from Ekaterinburg Guide Centre. He really brought it to life with his extensive knowledge of the history of the events surrounding their terrible end. The story is so moving so unless you speak Russian, it is best to come here with a guide or else you will have no idea of what is what.”

In 1991, the acid-burned remains of Nicholas II and his family were exhumed from a shallow roadside mass grave in a swampy area 12 miles northwest of Yekaterinburg. The remains had been found in 1979 by geologist and amateur archeologist Alexander Avdonin, who kept the location secret out of fear that they would be destroyed by Soviet authorities. The location was disclosed to a magazine by one his fellow discovers.

The original plan was to throw the Romanovs down a mine shaft and disposes of their remains with acid. They were thrown in a mine with some grenades but the mine didn't collapse. They were then carried by horse cart. The vats of acid fell off and broke. When the carriage carrying the bodies broke down it was decided the bury the bodies then and there. The remaining acid was poured on the bones, but most of it was soaked up the ground and the bones largely survived.

After this their pulses were then checked, their faces were crushed to make them unrecognizable and the bodies were wrapped in bed sheets loaded onto a truck. The "whole procedure," Yurovsky said took 20 minutes. One soldiers later bragged than he could "die in peace because he had squeezed the Empress's -------."

The bodies were taken to a forest and stripped, burned with acid and gasoline, and thrown into abandoned mine shafts and buried under railroad ties near a country road near the village of Koptyaki. "The bodies were put in the hole," Yurovsky wrote, "and the faces and all the bodies, generally doused with sulfuric acid, both so they couldn't be recognized and prevent a stink from them rotting...We scattered it with branches and lime, put boards on top and drove over it several times—no traces of the hole remained.

Shortly afterwards, the government in Moscow announced that Nicholas II had been shot because of "a counterrevolutionary conspiracy." There was no immediate word on the other members of the family which gave rise to rumors that other members of the family had escaped. Yekaterinburg was renamed Sverdlov in honor of the man who signed the death orders.

For seven years the remains of Nicholas II, Alexandra, three of their daughters and four servants were stored in polyethylene bags on shelves in the old criminal morgue in Yekaterunburg. On July 17, 1998, Nicholas II and his family and servants who were murdered with him were buried Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg along with the other Romanov tsars, who have been buried there starting with Peter the Great. Nicholas II had a side chapel built for himself at the fortress in 1913 but was buried in a new crypt.

Near Yekaterinburg

Factory-Museum of Iron and Steel Metallurgy (in Niznhy Tagil 80 kilometers north of Yekaterinburg) a museum with old mining equipment made at the site of huge abandoned iron and steel factory. Officially known as the Factory-Museum of the History of the Development of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, it covers an area of 30 hectares and contains a factory founded by the Demidov family in 1725 that specialized mainly in the production of high-quality cast iron and steel. Later, the foundry was renamed after Valerian Kuybyshev, a prominent figure of the Communist Party.

The first Russian factory museum, the unusual museum demonstrates all stages of metallurgy and metal working. There is even a blast furnace and an open-hearth furnace. The display of factory equipment includes bridge crane from 1892) and rolling stock equipment from the 19th-20th centuries. In Niznhy Tagil contains some huge blocks of malachite and

Nizhnyaya Sinyachikha (180 kilometers east-northeast of Yekaterinburg) has an open air architecture museum with log buildings, a stone church and other pre-revolutionary architecture. The village is the creation of Ivan Samoilov, a local activist who loved his village so much he dedicated 40 years of his life to recreating it as the open-air museum of wooden architecture.

The stone Savior Church, a good example of Siberian baroque architecture. The interior and exterior of the church are exhibition spaces of design. The houses are very colorful. In tsarist times, rich villagers hired serfs to paint the walls of their wooden izbas (houses) bright colors. Old neglected buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries have been brought to Nizhnyaya Sinyachikha from all over the Urals. You will see the interior design of the houses and hear stories about traditions and customs of the Ural farmers.

Verkhoturye (330 kilometers road from Yekaterinburg) is the home a 400-year-old monastery that served as 16th century capital of the Urals. Verkhoturye is a small town on the Tura River knows as the Jerusalem of the Urals for its many holy places, churches and monasteries. The town's main landmark is its Kremlin — the smallest in Russia. Pilgrims visit the St. Nicholas Monastery to see the remains of St. Simeon of Verkhoturye, the patron saint of fishermen.

Ural Mountains

Ural Mountains are the traditional dividing line between Europe and Asia and have been a crossroads of Russian history. Stretching from Kazakhstan to the fringes of the Arctic Kara Sea, the Urals lie almost exactly along the 60 degree meridian of longitude and extend for about 2,000 kilometers (1,300 miles) from north to south and varies in width from about 50 kilometers (30 miles) in the north and 160 kilometers (100 miles) the south. At kilometers 1777 on the Trans-Siberian Railway there is white obelisk with "Europe" carved in Russian on one side and "Asia" carved on the other.

The eastern side of the Urals contains a lot of granite and igneous rock. The western side is primarily sandstone and limestones. A number of precious stones can be found in the southern part of the Urals, including emeralds. malachite, tourmaline, jasper and aquamarines. The highest peaks are in the north. Mount Narodnaya is the highest of all but is only 1884 meters (6,184 feet) high. The northern Urals are covered in thick forests and home to relatively few people.

Like the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, the Urals are very old mountains — with rocks and sediments that are hundreds of millions years old — that were one much taller than they are now and have been steadily eroded down over millions of years by weather and other natural processes to their current size. According to Encyclopedia Britannica: “The rock composition helps shape the topography: the high ranges and low, broad-topped ridges consist of quartzites, schists, and gabbro, all weather-resistant. Buttes are frequent, and there are north–south troughs of limestone, nearly all containing river valleys. Karst topography is highly developed on the western slopes of the Urals, with many caves, basins, and underground streams. The eastern slopes, on the other hand, have fewer karst formations; instead, rocky outliers rise above the flattened surfaces. Broad foothills, reduced to peneplain, adjoin the Central and Southern Urals on the east.

“The Urals date from the structural upheavals of the Hercynian orogeny (about 250 million years ago). About 280 million years ago there arose a high mountainous region, which was eroded to a peneplain. Alpine folding resulted in new mountains, the most marked upheaval being that of the Nether-Polar Urals...The western slope of the Urals is composed of middle Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (sandstones and limestones) that are about 350 million years old. In many places it descends in terraces to the Cis-Ural depression (west of the Urals), to which much of the eroded matter was carried during the late Paleozoic (about 300 million years ago). Found there are widespread karst (a starkly eroded limestone region) and gypsum, with large caverns and subterranean streams. On the eastern slope, volcanic layers alternate with sedimentary strata, all dating from middle Paleozoic times.”

Southern Urals

The southern Urals are characterized by grassy slopes and fertile valleys. The middle Urals are a rolling platform that barely rises above 300 meters (1,000 feet). This region is rich in minerals and has been heavily industrialized. This is where you can find Yekaterinburg (formally Sverdlovsk), the largest city in the Urals.

Most of the Southern Urals are is covered with forests, with 50 percent of that pine-woods, 44 percent birch woods, and the rest are deciduous aspen and alder forests. In the north, typical taiga forests are the norm. There are patches of herbal-poaceous steppes, northem sphagnous marshes and bushy steppes, light birch forests and shady riparian forests, tall-grass mountainous meadows, lowland ling marshes and stony placers with lichen stains. In some places there are no large areas of homogeneous forests, rather they are forests with numerous glades and meadows of different size.

In the Ilmensky Mountains Reserve in the Southern Urals, scientists counted 927 vascular plants (50 relicts, 23 endemic species), about 140 moss species, 483 algae species and 566 mushroom species. Among the species included into the Red Book of Russia are feather grass, downy-leaved feather grass, Zalessky feather grass, moccasin flower, ladies'-slipper, neottianthe cucullata, Baltic orchis, fen orchis, helmeted orchis, dark-winged orchis, Gelma sandwart, Krasheninnikov sandwart, Clare astragalus.

The fauna of the vertebrate animals in the Reserve includes 19 fish, 5 amphibian and 5 reptile. Among the 48 mammal species are elks, roe deer, boars, foxes, wolves, lynxes, badgers, common weasels, least weasels, forest ferrets, Siberian striped weasel, common marten, American mink. Squirrels, beavers, muskrats, hares, dibblers, moles, hedgehogs, voles are quite common, as well as chiropterans: pond bat, water bat, Brandt's bat, whiskered bat, northern bat, long-eared bat, parti-coloured bat, Nathusius' pipistrelle. The 174 bird bird species include white-tailed eagles, honey hawks, boreal owls, gnome owls, hawk owls, tawny owls, common scoters, cuckoos, wookcocks, common grouses, wood grouses, hazel grouses, common partridges, shrikes, goldenmountain thrushes, black- throated loons and others.

Activities and Places in the Ural Mountains

The Urals possess beautiful natural scenery that can be accessed from Yekaterinburg with a rent-a-car, hired taxi and tour. Travel agencies arrange rafting, kayaking and hiking trips. Hikes are available in the taiga forest and the Urals. Trips often include walks through the taiga to small lakes and hikes into the mountains and excursions to collect mushrooms and berries and climb in underground caves. Mellow rafting is offered in a relatively calm six kilometer section of the River Serga. In the winter visitor can enjoy cross-mountains skiing, downhill skiing, ice fishing, dog sledding, snow-shoeing and winter hiking through the forest to a cave covered with ice crystals.

Lake Shartash (10 kilometers from Yekaterinburg) is where the first Ural gold was found, setting in motion the Yekaterinburg gold rush of 1745, which created so much wealth one rich baron of that time hosted a wedding party that lasted a year. The area around Shartash Lake is a favorite picnic and barbecue spot of the locals. Getting There: by bus route No. 50, 054 or 54, with a transfer to suburban commuter bus route No. 112, 120 or 121 (the whole trip takes about an hour), or by car (10 kilometers drive from the city center, 40 minutes).

Revun Rapids (90 kilometers road from Yekaterinburg near Beklenishcheva village) is a popular white water rafting places On the nearby cliffs you can see the remains of a mysterious petroglyph from the Paleolithic period. Along the steep banks, you may notice the dark entrance of Smolinskaya Cave. There are legends of a sorceress who lived in there. The rocks at the riverside are suited for competitive rock climbers and beginners. Climbing hooks and rings are hammered into rocks. The most fun rafting is generally in May and June.

Olenii Ruchii National Park (100 kilometers west of Yekaterinburg) is the most popular nature park in Sverdlovsk Oblast and popular weekend getaway for Yekaterinburg residents. Visitors are attracted by the beautiful forests, the crystal clear Serga River and picturesque rocks caves. There are some easy hiking routes: the six-kilometer Lesser Ring and the 15-kilometer Greater Ring. Another route extends for 18 km and passes by the Mitkinsky Mine, which operated in the 18th-19th centuries. It's a kind of an open-air museum — you can still view mining an enrichment equipment here. There is also a genuine beaver dam nearby.

Among the other attractions at Olenii Ruchii are Druzhba (Friendship) Cave, with passages that extend for about 500 meters; Dyrovaty Kamen (Holed Stone), created over time by water of Serga River eroding rock; and Utoplennik (Drowned Man), where you can see “The Angel of Sole Hope”., created by the Swedish artist Lehna Edwall, who has placed seven angels figures in different parts of the world to “embrace the planet, protecting it from fear, despair, and disasters.”

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation (official Russia tourism website russiatourism.ru ), Russian government websites, UNESCO, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Yomiuri Shimbun and various books and other publications.

Updated in September 2020

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