THE ORIGIN OF LUXURY YACHTING
With its balmy summer weather, beautiful picturesque beaches and the jet set glamour of the Côte d’Azur, its easy to understand why the South of France is so highly regarded in luxury travel. A fantastic blend of rustic Roman architecture and modern masterpieces means there’s something for everyone on a South of France charter. This week long charter itinerary incorporates some of the most attractive aspects of the southern coastline, giving those visiting the chance to explore and relax in one of the world’s most popular charter destinations.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY
Golfe Juan
At 12:00 noon you will board your chosen yacht at Port de Golfe Juan. This is the perfect destination to get a sense of true French life, and once you’ve settled in, met the crew, and been served a chilled glass of champage, your Captain will set off towards Cannes giving you a great view of the Lerins Islands and the old traditional town behind you. Lunch will be prepared for you onboard by the chef and served on the flybridge, giving you time to sit back, relax and take in the beautiful surrounding views. After lunch you will reach Iles Sainte Marguerite, the largest of the Lerins Islands. Here you can drop anchor and go for a refreshing swim in the mild Mediterranean sea. After exploring the azure waters along the unspoilt coastline that this island has to offer, your Captain will take you over to Cannes, your port for the night where you can chose to have dinner onboard, or venture inland to one of the many famous restaurants in town.
cannes
Cannes, well-known for the Cannes Film Festival (held there every year), is a town of luxury and glamour. If you enjoy shopping, the Promenade de la Croisette never fails to impress with its numerous chic boutiques that and Ferraris and Porches passing by. If you’d prefer to relax today, the yacht will head to one of the beautiful nearby beaches for you to soak up the sun and enjoy a leisurely swim. For the explorers among you, a car can collect you from Cannes and take you to Grasse – the perfume capital of the world. This town is steeped in history, with 17th and 18th century buildings, ancient steps, tunnels, and thin, winding streets, you could spend hours exploring this traditional town and never tire of its charm. Once you have finished exploring, the car will return you to your yacht, just in time for cocktails. Depending on what time you visit, Cannes also offers some spectacular firework displays during the summer which you can watch from the comfort of your own flybridge.
ST JEAN CAP FERRAT
As the chef and crew serve you a delicious breakfast on the aft deck, you will start your journey from Cannes to St Jean Cap Ferrat. Here you can walk along the rocky paths that guide you along the landscape to the best views of the villas of the rich and famous. The port at St Jean Cap Ferrat is a beautiful, picturesque port and offers a walk way right around the peninsula with breathtaking views of the water. Of course, no trip to Cap Ferrat is complete without visiting the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild; the mansion of Barenness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild established in 1934. The building is set high up on the hill, giving excellent views of the town and sea glistening below. The palace is filled with 18th century decor; rare paintings, furniture and tapestries. The villa also has seven impeccible gardens, each influenced by a different style. After exploring, return to your yacht for a delicious meal and cocktails prepared by your crew.
VILLEFRANCHE
After a relaxing and leisurely morning, your Captain will begin your journey from Cap Ferrat over to Villefranche, a beautiful port located between Nice and Monaco. A town built into the steep cliffsides that run along the coastline, Villefranche is a wonderful location to stop and explore. The medieval port is a striking sight with the red rooftops contrasting with the green of the natural landscape, and whilst this town has plenty of wonderful bars and restaurants to offer along rustic cobblestone streets, it’s beauty is best seen from sea. You can choose to have lunch on your yacht with Villefranche as your backdrop, or you can venture inland where you will find a number of authentic French restaurants to choose from; Le Mayssa Beach offers delicious Mediterranean seafood with a beautiful view of the water.
MONACO TO MONTE CARLO
Departing from Villefranche in the morning, you will reach Monaco after breakfast. Monaco, known for its extravagance and wealth, is a must-see for those fascinated by grandeur and beauty as this small city-state has both in abundance. The Grimaldi Palace is a particularly good place to visit with this in mind. Built as a Genoese fortress in 1191, the palace, now owned by the Monaco Royal Family, has a long and dramatic history. Whilst the Sovereign Prince still lives here, parts of the building are open to the public, giving you a glimpse of the lavish royal lifestyle. Of course no visit to Monaco is complete without visiting Casino Monte-Carlo, so once you have finished exploring the palace and had lunch in one of the nearby authentic restaurants, a car will be arranged to take you. First opened in 1863, this iconic casino is unquestionably one of the most recognised buildings in the world. Why not try your luck at poker, or for the less daring, have a drink at the bar and simply soak up the electric atmosphere. After all this exploring, you can choose to return back to the comfort of your yacht for dinner and cocktails on the aft deck, or you can dine in The Columbus Hotel on their beautiful terrace.
ST TROPEZ TO PAMPELONNE BEACH
After a leisurely morning in Monaco, your Captain will guide your yacht over to St Tropez, a slightly longer passage here allows you to experience the high performance of your yacht. Since Bardot’s performance in ‘And God Created Woman’, filmed in what was once a quiet fishing village, St Tropez is now regarded as a glamourous getaway for Hollywood starlets and a playground for the rich and famous. Joining them, you will be staying in the main marina here at St Tropez, giving you the chance to explore the many streets and shops the city has to offer. Despite common miconceptions, St Tropez is a great location to take families as it has many beautiful family-friendly beaches to offer, making St Tropez a popular location for all types of charters. A short distance from St Tropez your yacht will anchor off at Pampelonne Beach. Here the tender will escort you over to the infamous ‘Club 55’ where a reservation will have already been arranged for you. You can enjoy a swim and relax on the sunbeds on Pampelonne beach before having a delicious dinner in the restaurant whilst watching the yachts pass by. Have an aperitif at the beach bar before boarding your yacht for a delicious dinner made by your chef.
DISEMBARK
Enjoying a final morning on your yacht, your Chef will cook you a breakfast consisting of fresh local produce collected by the crew that very morning in the local street market. At 12:00 noon you will disembark your yacht at Golfe Juan as your Captain and Crew wish you a fond farewell and bid you adieu.
