The Ultimate Mediterranean Charter Itinerary: France and Italy
If the cold winter days and long dark nights are making you dream of summer, then we have some inspiration for your next Mediterranean luxury yacht charter. There is so much culture and natural beauty in the region that there is no need to confine yourself to just one country. Explore uninhabited islands, enjoy warm turquoise waters, and savour the taste of culinary delights prepared by your personal chef as you cruise the Mediterranean on your very own yacht charter. Assuming you have at least 10 days to take a vacation, we have put together a flexible itinerary of the French Riviera, Italy, Corsica and Sardinia that you can adapt to suit your own interests and time commitments. At the very least it should offer some inspiration.
1. St Tropez
There is no better place to start of a Mediterranean yacht charter than the Port de St. Tropez. This resort town epitomises Riviera life and has a fashionable past that has influenced today’s chic cafés, glamorous restaurants and sun-kissed beaches. Once just a humble fishing village, the characterful cobbled streets of the old town are full of pastel coloured houses, vibrant bars and designer boutiques. The surrounding countryside is a verdant idyll of pine trees, olive groves and cypresses, a beautiful view to drink in as you sail out of the port and along the Cote d’Azur.
2. Antibes
Antibes is a hub for yacht enthusiasts because it has one of the biggest and most impressive ports in Europe. The old town is quintessentially French and a pleasure to stroll around and enjoy the cafes and Picasso museum, finished off by walking to the castle at sunset. There are some great snorkelling locations away from the crowded beaches in places like Les Iles de Lérins, islands off the coast of Cannes. Celebrities (Rihanna, Beyonce, Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio to name just a few) often stop by the renowned Michelangelo Restaurant and you can spot the famous faces in the various images that adorn its walls if they are not there in person.
3. Monaco
The cosmopolitan city-state of Monaco is an essential stop on a luxury Riviera yacht charter. The glamour begins as soon as you berth in the Yacht Club de Monaco among the other yachts whose lights shimmer and reflect off of the water. There are plenty of top-class restaurants to choose from, but Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin star Le Louis XV at Hotel de Paris is possibly the most sumptuous in its palatial surroundings. For those who like to sample the nightlife until the small hours, the vibe at Buddha bar is unrivalled. During the day you can explore the beautiful sights of the Casino, the Rock and shop to your heart’s content at the many boutiques.
4. Portofino
Welcome to Italy! Portofino is a delightful introduction to the country and it’s the perfect combination of sophistication and natural beauty. The town is overflowing with opulent modern day luxuries and an abundance of marine life in the surrounding waters. Spend time exploring its lanes, eating in its elegant waterside restaurants and then head out of town to explore the surrounding countryside. Make sure you explore the local hills and take in Castello Brown, Giorgio Church and the lighthouse on Punta del Capo for panoramic views. The nearby resort town of Santa Margherita is picture perfect with pastel coloured houses; despite the luxury yachts lining its waterfront, this one-time fishing village is a smaller less touristy version of Portofino.
5. Cinque Terre
Just down the coast from Portofino the extraordinary beauty of Cinque Terre (‘Five Lands’) awaits exploration. This stunning stretch of coast is inhabited by stacks of pastel-coloured houses and terraced vineyards clinging to dramatic cliffs for dear life. The effect is breathtaking and the five villages that make up Cinque Terre have become UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are full of sun-soaked piazzas filled with charming restaurants that serve delicious fresh fish such as anchovies from Monterosso that are famous all over Italy. You can admire the rocky coast from the perspective of a luxury yacht charter in a way that is impossible to experience on land and it will give you plenty of memories to enjoy with your family and friends.
6. Corsica
Corsica is perfect for beach lovers, particularly after the rugged charms of Cinque Terre, and it has some of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the Mediterranean, Its dramatic inland mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls are also a big draw for those who love nature. The first stop will be the northern port of Bastia, which is the commercial centre of Corsica and a great place to do some shopping or pick up supplies before you sail down the coast to the southern tip of the island (stopping off at Ajaccio, Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace on the way) where Bonifacio perches theatrically on a limestone cliff. The rock face creates an amazing natural harbour. The citadel bursts with labyrinthine alleys that climb skywards lined with Genoese architecture and enough cafes and restaurants to keep the fussiest visitor happy.
7. The La Maddalena Archipelago
Located between Corsica and Sardinia, this national park is extraordinarily beautiful. The archipelago is composed of seven islands and numerous small islets. La Maddalena’s transparent waters are the perfect anchorage for snorkeling sunbathing on the peaceful beaches which can only be reached by your yacht, the best being the Spiaggia Rosa or Pink of Budelli, where the pink sands are made of crushed coral.
8. Porto Cervo, Sardinia
Porto Cervo is the perfect destination for a luxury yacht charter in Sardinia if you love to be in the heart of the action and social scene. It is the ultimate playground for the rich and famous and has a truly international atmosphere with cultural influences from Italy, Greece, North Africa and Spain.discover. The whole stunning shoreline of the Costa Smeralda is the epitome of glamour, but the glossy nightlife does little to diminish the area’s natural beauty and tranquil turquoise sea. There are so many fabulous beaches on the coast but the crescent-shaped Spiaggia del Principe (Prince’s Beach) is one of the best with fine white sand framed by Mediterranean scrub. Another outstanding beach is Liscia Ruja – the largest beach on the Costa Smeralda at 500m long – defined by its fine pink-hued sand and clear water.
If you are interested in Mediterranean yacht charter to any of these destinations, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Categories
