I asked what she did for a living. She said she was a software engineer working with SOA. I did not think about my plane ride much until I arrived in San Francisco to attend the SOA World Conference & Expo this past Monday and Tuesday. The first day of the conference as I walked into the hotel, guess who I saw? My friend who I met on the Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul. What a small world, isn't it? Her company was one of the sponsors of the event.

Edmiston & Company, world leader in the large yachting business, is announcing their newest yacht for charter: the SENSATION. The SENSATION was designed and created by Sensation Yachts this year, and will be available for charter in August.

This 4th of July marked my sixth visit to the Divan Palmira Hotel in Bodrum, Turkey. My visit this year, which was quite different then the quiet escapes I've had in past years, prompted me to write a review for the first time. The Divan Palmira Hotel is located in the Golturkbuku region of Bodrum. Two recent cover stories published last year in The New York Times Travel Section called this Aegien Sea summer destination, The St. Tropez of Turkey.

Connoisseurs of luxury travel are well acquainted with Silversea Cruises: four Italian-built ships known for their all-suites accommodations, all-inclusive price, personalized service, and some of the finest dining at sea. The 388-passenger Silver Whisper had only around 260 guests at my sailing, which with a crew of 295, superseded their usual phenomenal crew-to-passenger ratio.

Once upon a short time ago a French man named François Spoerry had a unique and watery vision for his yacht. His wish was to create a beautiful home where he could moor his boat in the backyard - the visionary Gallic was an avid sailor as well as being a creative architect. And lucky for an elite few, his wish came true.

Cruising the canals of the Camargue in the South of France is to sample a vacation experience like no other, as you enjoy the local food and wine together with the flexibility, freedom and fun that only a self-catering yacht vacation can offer.

No doubt about it - the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia is the hot new charter area in the Mediterranean. And for good reason: protected cruising, crystal-clear waters, drop-dead gorgeous scenery, and relief from the crowds and high prices of the Western Mediterranean. As distances between ports of call are short, you will cruise about two to four hours each day, leaving a maximum of daylight hours for onshore exploration, watersports, or simply relaxing and enjoying the five-star service aboard your yacht.

YCO are proud to announce the forthcoming mega-yacht Oasis as their latest centrally listed charter yacht...

The Gulf of Naples has captivated sailors throughout the centuries with its crystalline blue waters of the Mediterranean, the majestic sweep of the grand bay with Vesuvius looming in the distance, and the picturesque towns along the Sorrentine peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. Lying just 33 kilometers from Naples in the mainland, and neighboring the better-known Capri, the island of Ischia is blessed with a rugged coastline accentuated with breathtaking coves, lemon groves and romantic islets ? some of which is only reachable by boat. The long-extinct volcano, Mount Epomeo, is the island?s highest point at 788 meters above sea level, and offers a stunning panoramic view of the Gulf.

The well known and popular S/Y MUSTANG has undergone a major refit and will be available for charter in the Mediterranean during the summer of 2006. The refit included: new mast and standing rigging, new engine, complete paint job, new dinghy (and engine) new autopilot as well as complete service and revision of the yacht's ancillary systems, safety gear and upgrade of interior.

Even if you?ve never been to St. Tropez, you?ve probably already seen the famous clock tower and the multi-million dollar yachts berthed shoulder to shoulder at the quayside. You?ve probably also heard talk of the boutiques, luxury hotels, restaurants and bars bursting with celebrities; all glitz and high-living. Some people are put off, others are drawn by curiosity. Certainly everyone has formed an impression before they arrive.

There is no other way to describe the Ligurian coast in the north of Italy other than simply gorgeous and naturally so. Sailing along in your yacht along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean Sea, fondly known as 'the big blue', the view from the water of the cliffs and craggy coves with the immense outline of the Alps is breathtaking. The Alps are so close, within an hour's drive you can reach the ski slopes. So it is possible to combine a day's skiing with your leisurely yacht vacation. Or like us you can choose to lie on the deck of your yacht in the warmth of the spring sun while marvelling at the snow capped mountains a stone's throw away.

When it comes to spending a weekend lying on the deck of a motor yacht, somehow puttering about in your own backyard does not have the same appeal, as say Genoa, Portofino or the Italian Riviera, which probably explains why I did not think twice when invited to join a charter aboard the stunning Maluva, a 65 foot Princess that was about to leave the Genoa Charter Yacht Show and head south to Portofino for the weekend.

Turkey, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, has been, for many years, a haven for the cruising yachtsman. Now as the country opens up its doors to western tourism, charter boats and modern marinas are improving the access for vacationing yachtsmen. Michael Howorth visits the Gulf of Fethiye, an area rich in safe sailing, short island hops and different anchorages to discover the true Turkish Delights.

The first annual St. Maarten Charter Yacht Exhibition - SCYE2004 opened this morning with an impressive organization and presentation. Mostly superyachts lined the decks of several marinas accessible by water taxis. Brokers enjoyed viewing a variety of popular charter yachts, including some that are not often at shows. One of our favorites so far: Lady Madelyn, a 122ft classic Italian yacht with a fabulous crew. Watch for the story in an upcoming issue. Following are the SCYE2004 photo album being updated as the show progresses.

On the scene on the beautiful island of Antigua, YV&C editorial team inspected charter yachts of all sizes. The 43rd Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting hosted more than 100 yachts in three marinas, including the newly refurbished Nelson's Dockyard. According to Afsaneh Franklin, show administrator, there were more than 550 attendees--charter brokers, agents, and press from all over the world.

George Nicholson, Camper & Nicholsons International's chairman and one of the most widely cruised and knowledgeable super-yachtsmen in the world, took family and friends on an unforgettable 11-day charter trip through Greece. Here is his personal cruising log, shared exclusively with International Yacht Vacations & Charters readers.

Although the yacht charter business in Greece always swells in the summer season, this year's business will be remarkably busy due to the Olympic Games being hosted in Athens from August 13-29, followed a month later by the Paralympics. A higher than usual demand for charters is already being made by those who want to make a yacht their base for one or both of these events - especially in a yachtsman's paradise.