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French Riviera Yacht
Charters
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French
Riviera Yacht Charters - Crowned with golden beaches,
dressed with glittering boutiques, casinos and clubs, and home
to the Grimaldi Royal family, the French and Italian Riviera is,
quite literally, the king of yacht charter destinations.
Wild asparagus, sun-baked olives, rare aromatic herbs and spices,
tangy lemons and fragrant fennel ... it's true to say that many
people come to the Côte d'Azur to dine on the finest cuisine
in some of the world's most famous restaurants, but many also
come to soak up the beauty of the idyllic landscapes, rolling
orchards and scenic groves where it grows - basking in seclusion
and sunshine while overlooking one of the world's most fashionable
strips of coastline.
The racy city of Monaco is synonymous with the annual Grand Prix
and year-round jet-set living, but its exotic gardens and Oceanographic
Museum are well worth a visit. From scenic anchorages in Juan
Les Pins and Pampelonne, where beach and water sports fun earn
you an appetite for lunch in Club 55, head then to St Tropez -
capital of the French Riviera and a Mecca for film stars and royalty.
After just a short cruise south, the heady mix of cigars and expensive
perfume gives way to the fragrance of pine, eucalyptus, lavender
and fennel on the rustic Ile de Porquerolles. Enjoy a leisurely
cycle ride across the island, and then relax on board for a cruise
back up the coast to star-studded Cannes, and the next day on
to the old town of Villefranche. Visit its gardens in a 16th century
fortress and the Chapel de Saint-Pierre before Cap Ferrat entices
you to its Villa-Musée Isle de France, decorated in true
European style with exquisite classical furnishings, sculptures
and paintings.
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Meet driver at Nice airport. Drive
to Monte Carlo (located approx. 15 miles from Nice
airport). Have lunch aboard your yacht and take the
rest of the afternoon to relax.
Mid-morning, plan some time exploring
the harbor or do some shopping. Water sports can be
done just outside the harbor entrance if you are so
inclined. You can either have lunch ashore or perhaps
this would be a good time to invite your friends aboard
for a cruise. For the evening, plan to dine ashore.
I recommend the Hotel De Paris or Chevre D'Or at Eze.
Eze is a small, medieval village above Monaco. This
is also a great spot for lunch or sunset cocktails
as the view is spectacular. Don't forget to visit
the Casino in Monte Carlo.
Depart for Antibe (20 nm) and a
berth at the International Yacht Club. This is where
a line-up of the best yachts in France will be. This
is also an excellent opportunity to explore the old
city of Antibe and the early morning flower and food
markets or visit the small Picasso Museum. You can
also drive out to Cap D'Antibe and have a drink or
lunch at the famous Eden Roc Hotel. A noteworthy side
trip is a visit to Saint Paul De Vence. It is another
medieval city that is full of artisan shops and quaint
cafés. The countryside is also quite lovely.
Cannes is today's destination and
is only 12 nautical miles away. Along the way, you
may visit the Iles De Lerins. These islands sit a
few miles off Cannes. They are beautiful and have
many paths through the woods and are inhabited by
a monastery and a vineyard. Once in Cannes, you will
find a number of great little restaurants on the back
street behind the Hotel De Ville. The Casino de Festival,
the Martinez or Carlton for cocktails is also fun.
For walkers, a stroll along the waterfront offers
a great opportunity to stretch your legs.
Early departure after breakfast
for St. Tropez (26 nm). This passage is along a section
of the coast which is beautiful and a good time to
pass the morning sunbathing on deck and taking in
the sights. Mid-morning to noon arrival into St. Tropez.
The day could be spent in St. Tropez along the beaches
or shopping in the town.
Depart in the morning after breakfast
for Ville Franche (50nm). This is a lovely small harbor
and bay. A great place for water sports as the anchorage
is very calm and protected. There are great seafood
restaurants along the Quay. If you missed Eze you
are still in range for the trip up. The town of Beaulieu
is a very charming place for dinner or for an early
evening stroll.
Today will take us to San Remo (43
nm), the flower capital of Italy. You will be able
to see the many hot houses (greenhouses) that line
the cliffs. Berth at Porto Sole' and take advantage
of the many sidewalk café's in the old port.
There are many fine restaurants in San Remo (I recommend
Ristorante da Giannino) and also a Casino. For early
risers you can accompany the chef to the market for
fresh produce, flowers and bread.
Pre-dawn departure for Portofino
(90nm) 5.5 hours. It will be mid-week, so this small,
quaint but cosmopolitan port should not be crowded.
You may anchor off here or you might be fortunate
enough to get a berth. If it is too crowded, you can
always anchor off Ste. Margherita and take the yacht's
tender to Portofino. Take most of the day for water
sports and just relaxing and enjoying the sights around
Portofino and Ste. Margherita.
Begin the day with a breakfast cruise
south to Spezia and Cinque Terre. The hillside along
this stretch is a beautiful backdrop. Cinque Terre
is a cluster of small villages along the cliffs off
the coast. They are hard to reach and have become
a nice hidden area that has attracted artists through
the years. La Spezia is a wonderful old coastal city.
Continue south to arrive in Viareggio or Livorno.
Both of these towns are commercial ports, so they
are not as scenic as other ports along the way. They
are well situated and either location will bring you
within an hour's drive to Pisa should you care to
sightsee inland. If the pace is not too quick at this
point, these stops can be eliminated. Capraia is also
a good overnight location.
Depart for Elba. Spend time relaxing
while underway. Elba was the island of exile for Napoleon.
The residence and villa are worth the visit. There
are many nice hillside villages and I would recommend
hiring a car. The beaches of San Andrea and Cavoli
are excellent for swimming.
Cruise to Port Cervo (102nm). This
is an extremely popular (and very expensive) spot,
so if you wish to be at the dock, make certain to
book well in advance for a berth. There are many small
inlets for anchoring if you choose not to secure a
berth. There are many places for water sports and
swimming near Porto Cervo.
Leave mid-morning for the Straits
of Bonafacio. This area just north of Porto Cervo
has majestically beautiful beaches and private coves.
The barren landscape is a great contrast to the water,
which is an amazing blue in this cluster of islands
and coves.
Cruise through the Straits of Bonafacio
to Ajaccio (approx. 60nm). Ajaccio was the birthplace
of Napoleon. There is an old Citadel which dates back
to 1554 as does the Cathedral. A few hundred yards
from the Citadel is Casa Bonaparte. Ajaccio was developed
as a resort along with Cannes, Nice and Palma de Mallorca.
Overnight passage back to the South of France and
a berth in Golfe Juan.
Golfe Juan to Nice where you will
spend the night prior to your departure. There are
many restaurants in Nice and your captain can recommend
a good one for you to try. There is also plenty of
shopping if you are inclined.
Sadly, the driver arrives to return
your group to the airport in Nice.
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