Cote d'Azur - the French Riviera

From Queen Victoria to Picasso and Brigitte Bardot, the Côte d’Azur has seduced people from all walks of life and today tempts you to charter a luxury yacht and cruise its magnificent coastline and admire the same shores that entice people back, time and time again. The French Mediterranean coastline is a varied and spectacularly beautiful cruising area, which includes such well-known names as St. Tropez, Nice, Antibes and Cannes, as well as the lesser known Ile d’Hyères, St. Jean Cap Ferrat and Porquerôlles.
The seaside resort town Saint Tropez is still very popular with the tourists, although the jet set and the in-crowd have long since left it behind. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the quay, and the facing line of terrace cafés, divided by a parade of strolling tourists and slow cruising expensive cars.

Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings are picturesque, but they're more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than historical significance. There are endless possibilities for buying gifts or items of proof that "you've been here".

Movie stars and other famous pretty people do pass through, 'though not so frequently as yesteryear. The most famous, of course, are ensconced in the fabulous private estates set along the coast, protected from the curious eyes of all but those with the means to rent helicopters and light aircraft.

Cannes is the "star" of the French Riviera, famous for the International Film Festival and the glitzy hotels, cars, beaches and visitors attracted here. Although it's probably the opposite of the Beyond type villages of the "arriére pays", it would be a shame to visit the South of France without experiencing the city for yourself.

Film producers and starlets for the festival in May. Tourists year-round and crowds of tourists in the summer. Exotic people and real people, and plenty of poodles (it is France, after all). The yachts and cruise ships float in the blue water, and you can't always tell which is which by the size.

White-haired ladies drive Maseratis for shopping trips, Porsches blow through the streets like pollen, and only the very latest models of Lamborghini and Ferrari attract serious attention.

The city of Cannes is centered around the old port, with the central part quite compact. The famous "Croisette" is the boulevard and the beach that extends around the bay to the east of the port, in the protected "Rade de Cannes".

Greece

Corfu is one of the most visually exciting regions of Greece with its variety of natural beauty – green woodlands, wild pine-covered mountains, lakes, cultivated fields and of course, miles of golden beaches. The Ionian cruising area extends from Corfu in the north to the island of Zante in the south. Short distances and line-of-sight sailing makes relaxing cruising. With light winds and delightful sailing conditions, the Ionian Sea on the western side of Greece is in constant demand for luxury yacht charters. This has always been one of the most popular yacht charter areas, with its myriad of anchorages, quiet fishing villages and lively resorts dotted among lush green islands, all made famous in folklore and Greek mythology.

The yacht charter season in Greece starts early April and ends in November. High season runs from the last week of July till the first week of September. When sailing in the high season you should take into account the following:

The most crowded sailing areas will be Corfu, Lefkas and the Saronic. You will also find a lot of non-yacht charter tourists on the popular islands of Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, Kos, Rhodes, Lesvos, etc. In the Aegean Sea the strong Meltemi could not only be a nuisance but also a hazard for sailors. All tavernas, museums, mineral baths, etc will be open.

Another popular yacht charter areas are the Cyclades. This group of islands, which is situated in the Aegean Sea is made up of 56 islands of various sizes. Just South of Cape Sounion there are a couple of islands that are far more removed from mainstream tourism, and thus a lot quieter. The landscape varies from island to island, but is generally quite barren. The climate is dominated by a Northerly wind, which blows weakly in May and June, but can be quite strong in July and August. Even around Christmas, the temperature still climbs to 16 – 20 degrees. Due to its warmer climate, this area is be particularly recommended for March, April, September and October, when it is much colder in central and western Europe and America.

Corsica

Superb sailing conditions, deep azure blue waters and white sandy half-moon bays are all features on a Corsican yacht charter cruise. The unspoiled, rugged mountain scenery and deep shadowy river gorges make a magnificent backdrop to the beautiful anchorages you’ll find along your way. Inland, the Baroque churches and Genoese fortresses give away only a little of Corsica’s fascinating past.

Spain and the Balearic Islands

In the Mediterranean, off the eastern coast of Spain, the cruising area encompasses the four main Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. All of the Islands maintain a character distinct from mainland Spain and each welcomes sailors with a charm unique to their island. This wonderful destination holds so much more for yachtsmen than any mainland visitor could ever imagine. From golden beaches and bays to lively harbors and high rocky peaks, the Balearics possess their own hidden lifestyle, entertainment and cuisine, as varied and exciting as chartering in the islands themselves.

Turkey

Diversity is the essence of this dazzling destination where the ruins of ancient civilizations mix with nightlife and modern marinas. A curious blend of old and new, today’s Turkey combines simplicity and sophistication. Although Turkey is still less expensive than most Mediterranean destinations, few others possess such a wealth of culture, history and intrigue. Enjoy delicious, exotic cuisine, meet the friendly locals and uncover hidden treasures in an Aladdin’s cave of bazaars where you can haggle for silver trinkets, spices and ‘kilim’ rugs. Sunshine on moderate seas and constant winds virtually guarantee great sailing. Discover towns barely touched by tourism and beautiful bays still only accessible by yacht where fresh mountain rivers run down through deep, green forests to the sea.

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Deluxe Yacht Charters, 3801 Crown Bay Suite 203,  St. Thomas US Virgin Islands Tel# 1-340-690-4315   e-mail: deluxeyachts@aol.com