| Although the sailing season in the South Eastern | | | | The charming French islands of Martinique and |
| Mediterranean runs from mid-May to the end of | | | | Guadeloupe have long been an attractive |
| October, there is still significant demand from | | | | alternative to the traditional winter destinations for |
| European sailors for charters in waters warm | | | | frost-bitten Brits, but one that they seem |
| during the long, cold Northern winter. | | | | determined to ignore. A quick connecting hop to |
| Traditionally the Caribbean has been the main | | | | Paris and a direct flight from there to either |
| beneficiary of this. The British have tended to go | | | | French island is an altogether more attractive |
| to the ex-colonies - the Virgin Islands, Antigua, | | | | option; when you get there the Gallic charm (and |
| and Grenada. This always has two problems. | | | | excellent food) is much in evidence; and there are |
| Travel costs are high and/or inflexible, and the | | | | plenty of yachts to charter from companies |
| area is equally popular with North Americans to | | | | every bit as well equipped and more flexible than |
| the point that it gets very crowded. Getting there | | | | their neighbours in the English speaking Caribbean! |
| from the USA is seriously cheap and easy, and | | | | The cruising opportunities are almost the same. |
| there is little or no time difference. | | | | |