Encompassing some of the world’s most iconic yachting destinations, the Eastern and Western Mediterranean offers a diverse mix of culture, fantastic cuisine, and beautiful coastlines. The sun-kissed Mediterranean and its enchanting landscape is well-serviced by several large international airports, making it ideal for both short breaks or longer trips.
From the glamour and luxury of the Cote d’Azur to the turquoise waters of the Balearics and the ancient wonders of the Greek islands, a yacht charter in the Mediterranean offers a mix of bustling ports and secluded anchorages, picturesque villages and towns, and historical architecture alongside modern five-star resorts and protected national parks.
Highlights of the Western Mediterranean include the Cote d’Azur where the towns of Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Monaco rank highly on the international list of acclaimed yachting destinations. Since the 1950’s, these ports have welcomed the international jet set and yachting fraternity to their shores and they are now iconic locations of luxury.
Moving along the coast, one reaches the Italian ports of Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi. The Bay of Naples holds the islands of Ischia and Capri, renowned for their thermal spas and blue grotto caves, as well as the pastel-coloured town of Positano. Developed vertically, the buildings of Positano seem to rest atop one another as they cascade down the cliffside, meeting the sea at the bottom.
The Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, the French island of Corsica and the Spanish Balearics - Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca, also offer a yachting playground of beach clubs, pretty harbours and waterside restaurants. Cruise between Sardinina and Corsica for dramatic landscapes and scenic diversity, best seen in the height of summer, or head to Mallorca for a more cosmopolitan take on island life, which is in full swing from April to October.
On the eastern side, the Mediterranean region includes the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia and the Aegean Sea, which is home to the Greek Cyclades and Dodecanese i\Islands. In recent years, destinations along Croatia’s coastline, such as Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik have enjoyed an increase in popularity and the infrastructure here for tourism is positively flourishing.
Referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, the city of Dubrovnik nestles behind its huge imposing ramparts, captured between an azure sea and a lush, green backdrop of hillsides. Hvar is another destination worth exploring whilst in the Adriatic. Built around a Baroque-style harbour, Hvar is the most sophisticated of Croatia’s islands and is fast becoming the Saint-Tropez of the Eastern Mediterranean, with plenty of glitz and glamour to keep you entertained.
Greece’s famous mythical islands, such as Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and the Ionian Islands are perfect for island-hopping by yacht. Here you will discover ancient temples and ruins, white-washed streets paving the way to luxury boutiques and traditional family-owned tavernas serving locally-caught fish.
The Mediterranean is arguably the home of superyachting and truly offers something for everyone.