Côte d’Azur

One small stretch of coastline casts its spell on the entire world: the 60
miles from Monaco along the French Riviera to Saint-Tropez. The very names
drip with sophistication: Cannes, Cap Ferrat, Nice, Antibes, Monte-Carlo.
A haven for movie stars and kings, sheiks and industrial magnates, this
glamorous playground can be explored over and over without ever growing
old. There are ancient villages to wander and sophisticated nightclubs for
dancing the night away, designer boutiques and casual open markets, all
overlaid with superb food and fine wines. Start and end at the fairy-tale
Principality of Monaco, where you might want to take a chance on the dice
at Monte-Carlo’s famous casino. During the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix
of Monte-Carlo, many charters never leave the harbor, serving instead as
luxurious accommodations with unrivaled views of the racing. Immortalized
by F. Scott Fitzgerald in “Tender is the Night” and made famous by Cary
Grant and Grace Kelly in “To Catch A Thief,” the Riviera is on everyone’s “must
visit in this lifetime” list. How better to go than by luxury yacht?

ITINERARY

Day 1 MONACO
Arrive from the international airport in Nice by helicopter to
enjoy a sweeping view of the rugged coastline and the stunning
villas and villages that line the sea. Settle in with cocktails and
dinner aboard before trying your hand at the roulette table at the
legendary Monte-Carlo casino.

Day 2 MONACO TO CANNES
Cruise to fabled Cap d’Antibes, a peninsula between Nice and Cannes where the marina, overlooked by an ancient stone castle, harbors many of the world’s largest yachts. have lunch ashore, and take in the Picasso Museum at Chateau de Grimaldi. Later, head for Cannes and stroll the mile-long la Croisette promenade.

Day 3 CANNES TO SAINT-TROPEZ
Leave early and anchor for a swim off club 55 on famed Pampelonne Beach, an extraordinarily long beach said to be the home of the bikini and one its early proponents, Brigitte Bardot. Dine ashore at Alain Ducasse’s Spoon at Hotel Byblos.

Day 4 SAINT-TROPEZ TO ÎLE DE PORQUEROLLES
This large island in the Gulf of Hyères with its cool forests of wind-twisted parasol pines and traditional villages is unusual, welcoming and rigidly protected against development; break out the bikes as no cars are allowed. Sample fine Provençal cuisine at Le Mas du Langoustier.

Day 5 PORQUEROLLES TO ÎLE DE LÉRINS
Cruise past the red-roofed villas spilling down the hillsides and stop at Iles de Lérins, a pair of islands near Antibes. Saint-Honorat has an abbey where Cistercian monks produce a fine white wine, while Sainte-Marguerite has the fort made famous in “the Man in the iron Mask.” These islands are another calm spot in the hectic riviera lifestyle, where lavender, olive trees and wild daisies mix with the aroma of rosemary and wild honeysuckle.

Day 6 ÎLE DE LÉRINS TO VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
This pretty town is a perfect base from which to explore the winding cobbled lanes of the hilltop village of eze. Continue on to Saint-Paul de Vence for a romantic dinner at la Colombe d’Or.

Day 7 VILLEFRANCHE TO MONACO
Return to catch the helicopter to the nice Côte d’Azur airport.