WEST MEDITERRANEAN

Yachting in the Western Mediterranean provides a rich contrast in cultures from the opulence of the Italian Rivera  and the Cote d’Azur, with its grand scale occasions, the Cannes Film Festival and the Grand Prix events held in Monaco, to the rustic shores of Corsica and Sardinia. The coastlines of Italy and France provide all the luxuries of modern life, from the finest shopping to five star restaurants and beyond with touches of history in the forms of ancient arenas and Roman ruins and art housed in over two-hundred museums and galleries. The Western Mediterranean is a destination for the Renaissance traveler.

Belearic Islands

The small cluster of islands called the Balearics, are situated just off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea.

The group includes the major island of Mallorca, with its cosmopolitan capital, Palma, home to one of Europe’s most celebrated concert halls, the Auditiorio de Palma. Other islands include Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera, each one with stunning beaches, Stone Age ruins, Gothic cathedrals and castles, such as Castell de Sant Nicolau, found on the island of Menorca.

The smaller island of Cabrera, dedicated as a National Park in 1991, serves as a breeding ground for sea turtles, dolphins and sperm whales and as an important nature preserve for Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons and other birds of prey. Visitors to Cabrera can spot whales off the coast or hike to the 14th century castle. The Belearic Islands offer a unique Mediterranean experience spanning from the ancient to the modern world.

Corsica & Sardinia

The Islands of Corsica and Sardinia offer perfect weather and a landscape shaped by centuries of civilizations including the Phoenicians, Romans and modern French and Italians, evident in Corsica’s 200 medieval castles and King Aragon’s stone steps, Neolithic carvings, like the Lady of Bonifacio, and in the Gothic arches of the church of Saint Dominique.

Corsica’s rocky coastline gives way to excellent seafood and protected anchorages. Sardinia’s own rugged countryside conceals its ancient history in the form of prehistoric castles and temples, a history that now encapsulates all the modern conveniences of life. 

Côte d’Azur

The allure of the Côte d’Azur has drawn artists, such as Matisse in Nice and Picasso in Antibes, to its shoreline. Now, their artwork contributes to the area’s cultural vivacity. Multiple museums, historical sites and even gambling are just a few diversions offered in addition to the 3,900 events held annually, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Grand Prix of Monaco.

Luxuries abound, in the form of the sandy beaches of St. Tropez, the overflowing markets of Antibes and the extravagant boutiques of Nice. 

Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera refers to the coast of Liguria, an area famous for its pedestrian only streets lined with shops and its fresh seafood and pasta served in generous portions. Genoa, located on the Riviera, functions as Italy’s largest port, but also has more than its share of attractions with the second largest aquarium in Europe, its scuba divers’ paradise with the sunken statue “Christ of the Depths” along with its historic regatta held every four years in June. Beyond this bustling city port, are the picturesque fishing villages such as San Fruttuoso, accessible only by sea, the lavish resort towns, like Portofino, with its pastel colored houses, and the two miles of fine quartz sand beaches in Alassio.