The south of France, Corsica and Sardinia are considered as three of the most luxurious holiday destinations in all of the Mediterranean, if not the world! Why be forced to choose which one you want to go to this summer? On a luxury yacht charter, it is possible to visit the French Riviera, Corsica and Sardinia all in ten days!
Day 1 – St Tropez to Porquerolles
On arrival, you will be welcomed onboard your yacht by the Captain and crew and offered a glass of champagne! Once you have settled in, the vessel will slip its moorings, depart the Port of St Tropez and follow the coast round to the internationally renowned ‘Club 55’ restaurant, situated on Pampelonne Beach in neighbouring Ramatuelle. You will be transported by tender from your yacht to the restaurant’s private pontoon. Reservations for this restaurant must be made weeks in advance, giving you an indication of its incredible and lasting popularity! After lunch, your yacht will set off towards the picturesque Island of Porquerolles situated a few hours south of St Tropez. Porquerolles is one of the four islands known as Iles d’Hyeres. Porquerolles is the largest at over four miles wide. Around the islands is a marine reserve – one of the very best places to swim in all the south of France. It is here that you will spend your first night at anchor. There are several options for eating ashore or you can enjoy a meal prepared onboard your yacht.
Day 2 – Porquerolles to Calvi
After a delicious continental breakfast, the yacht will set sail for Calvi, one of the most beautiful towns in Corsica. You will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the five-hour cruise to Corsica. Although the journey takes a few hours, when you are relaxing in the sunshine, with the wind in your hair, the time will pass quickly. You may even be fortunate enough to see some dolphins! You will know when you have arrived at Calvi, as the town sits on a ledge of rock which seems to rise up out of the sea. After the yacht has docked in the picturesque marina, you may like to visit the old town, steeped in history, with wonderful, quaint narrow cobbled streets. It has a great citadel which dates from the thirteenth century, although the site was fortified around 500BC. In the evening, why not experience some local Corsican live music or visit Chez Tao, the chic piano bar which also serves fantastic food?
Day 3 – Calvi to Girolata
After a relaxing morning, your yacht will cruise gently southwards to the bay of Girolata. This is a brilliant place to snorkel in the beautiful clear water or you may prefer to take out the tender and water ski – the choice is yours! After a full day spent enjoying water sports and breathtaking views, the yacht will moor for the evening in the village of Girolata, located at the head of the bay. This is definitely the place to be for those who love seafood, and in particular langoustines! You may want to try the restaurant Le Bel Ombra, renowned for its seafood gastronomic delights. Everything in Girolata has to be brought in by boat, as it is shut off from the rest of Corsica by the steep mountains and ravines; this gives Girolata a truly unique atmosphere.
Day 4 – Girolata to Ajaccio
Your yacht will head out of the bay southwards, hugging the fabulous coastline, before stopping to visit the Gulf of Porto for full water sports action. Others may want to visit the old fishing village of Porto itself. This area is one of the most spectacular and scenic places on the Corsican coast, offering a unique and dramatic beauty. Later in the day, the yacht will explore the area around Cap Rossi, before finally berthing for the night in Ajaccio. The town of Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Its hustle and bustle is set in stark contrast to the tranquility of the surrounding areas. However, it still retains the picturesque Riviera town feel. In the evening, you will be able to visit Le 20123. This restaurant, offering superb food, has been built to resemble a small hill village. It even has a fountain and a Vespa scooter parked on the ‘street’!
Day 5 – Ajaccio to Propriano
After a restful night, you will make your way to the old town of Propriano – a beautiful town, surrounded by green hills which slope gently up to the mountains behind, encircled like a necklace by the white, sandy beaches which stretch around the gulf. En route to the town, you will stop over at Porto Pollo which sits on a golden stretch of beach under gentle, wooden cultivated hills. This once fishing village is now a popular tourist resort. Later in the afternoon, you will cruise to Propriano to visit one of the great restaurants which surround the bay.
Day 6 – Propriano to Bonifacio You will spend the early part of the day anchored off Campomoro, with its tall palm trees dotted about giving the feel of a North African town. In the afternoon, your yacht will head south to Bonifacio, passing some of the most dramatic coastline in Corsica on the way. Bonifacio is one of the Mediterranean’s most dramatic and memorable natural harbours. It is famous for its fish soup and views from the citadel, with its commanding position on top of the cliffs. In the evening, you may wish to try the elegant restaurant at the Hotel Residence du Centre Nautique, specialising in seafood and pasta.
Day 7 – Bonifacio to Porto Vecchio In the morning, you will take a slow, relaxing cruise past the most southerly tip of Corsica. This area offers beautiful scenery, as well as the view of the multitude of boats passing through the strait. The yacht will cruise past the beautiful islands of Lavezzi and Cavallo, before arriving at the old Roman galley port of Porto-Vecchio – which is literally carved out of the rock. Here, you will spend a tranquil afternoon. It is a great place to explore, and the countryside in this area is revered throughout Corsica. For dinner, why not try Tamaricciu, located right on the stunning beach and specialising in beautiful seafood.
Day 8 – Porto Vecchio to Porto Cervo Today, you will head south again – this time to the Italian island of Sardinia. On the way, you will stop to anchor off the gorgeous island of Maddelena for lunch, then on to Porto Cervo. This port was originally built by the Aga Khan as a playground for Europe’s glitterati. It is the main town on the Costa Smeralda – one of the most prestigious tourist resorts in the Mediterranean. Porto Cervo is a shopping paradise, with all the world’s big-name stores. Every evening, the people throng the pretty streets and restaurants – to see and be seen. Ristorante Il Pescatore with its superb views from the sea terrace is highly recommended!
Day 9 – Porto Cervo to Porto Rotondo Near to Porto Cervo is a fantastic anchorage in the bay of the famous Hotel Cala di Volpe. Here, the water is clear blue and the beaches whiter than white. This is a great place in which to snorkel or relax in the water. You may prefer to mix with the jet-set and perhaps take lunch in the hotel itself, before going into Porto Rotondo. Porto Rotondo is a very attractive marina with a great atmosphere. This is known as one of the best marinas anywhere in Europe, and there are numerous boating regattas going on throughout the summer.
Day 10 – Porto Rotondo to Bonifacio
Today, you will head north, to complete the last day of the charter in Corsica and Sardinia. Before reaching Corsica, you will stop for lunch off the Sardinian islands of Isola Razzoli and Isola Spargi. These islands are part of the Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve. There are few inhabitants, and the islands remain unchanged – as they were when they formed part of the Roman Empire. The sea bed is of beautiful white sand interspersed with rock – a wonderful place to snorkel. After lunch, you will again sail through the strait between Sardinia and Corsica, before reaching Bonifacio where you disembark your yacht.
Bespoke Yacht Charter are specialists in Mediterranean luxury yacht charters on crewed superyachts, motor yachts and sailing yachts in yachting destinations including the French Riviera, Corsica, the Italian Riviera and Sardinia.
