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