As the Caribbean season draws to a close and the yachts begin to make their journeys back across the Atlantic, the Mediterranean hubs of Ibiza, Saint-Tropez, and the Italian Riviera emerge from their winter slumber. If the cold weather has you frantically searching for your next charter vacation, take a look at the top Mediterranean hotspots to discover this summer and the best yachts on which to enjoy them, courtesy of Burgess.
Porquerolles and Port-Cros, France
Escape the crowds of the French Riviera and head to Porquerolles and Port-Cros, two of the best kept secrets along the Cote d'Azur. These wild forested islands and their uncluttered anchorages make for blissful cruising and there's no better way to enjoy them than from the cockpit of the classic sailing yacht Creole.
An example of exceptional craftsmanship, this standout 65.3 metre schooner is the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht. Even today, 90 years after her launch, she remains a masterpiece with a towering rig and a 1,040 square-metre sail plan.
Creole has had a number of lives, including a period of naval service as a mine-hunter during the Second World War that left her almost unrecognisable. But, following a major renovation project in the mid-20th century, she was restored to her former glory and is presented in immaculate condition.
Afternoons are best spent on deck enjoying the sun beneath the flutter of the sails, while her formal dining saloon and main saloon serve as the perfect setting for more formal occasions. An inviting interior features a blend of warm and rich tones, with beautiful furnishings and traditional styling in a nod to her history.
Creole can accommodate 11 guests in six cabins comprising a master suite, two double cabins and two twins.
Price on application
FOR ENQUIRIES CLICK HERESaint-Tropez, France
At the heart of the French Riviera lies the yachting capital of Saint-Tropez. Each summer, the little French port becomes a catwalk of A-listers and even royalty, stepping ashore to revel in the glamour and sample the world-famous French cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurants such as La Vague d’Or.
After a day exploring the cobbled streets of Saint-Tropez, you'll find plenty of space to unwind in port on board the 85.6 metre superyacht Aquila.
Guests looking to soak up the sun will rejoice at the yacht’s exceptional outdoor spaces, a large Jacuzzi, an abundance of al fresco dining options and a dedicated party deck complete with a DJ booth, AV system, smoke machine and light show.
Below deck, guests can enjoy the use of a cinema room, a massage room, a hair salon, a gym and drinks bar too. There's a plethora of water toys to be found on board as well.
Design enthusiasts will also be impressed by the focal point of the superyacht's interiors; a 11.2-metre 'waterfall' chandelier which cascades down four levels from the sun deck down to the lower deck creating shards of light across the white marble floor.
Aquila can sleep up to 12 guests on board, waited on by a crew of 28.
From $945,000 per week
FOR ENQUIRIES CLICK HEREIbiza, Spain
Known as the party capital of the Mediterranean, Ibiza is the place to be for those looking to dance into the early hours. Here you'll find some of the best night clubs like Ushuaia, Nikki Beach and DC10, while guests seeking a more low key vacation should head to the Western tip of the island for peaceful sundowners on board. With a striking black hull, four decks and 1,200 square metres to explore, the 82 metre Alfa Nero offers the best of both worlds.
A sweeping aft deck serves as the ultimate spot for entertaining friends and family with a large central bar, sofas and a seven metre pool that transforms into a dance floor, creating an Ibiza-style al fresco nightclub from the main saloon to the swim platform.
Alfa Nero is right at home cruising the party towns of the Mediterranean, but is equally equipped for post-party relaxation. Should your night continue into the early hours, kick-off the following day with a reviving dip in the pool or luxuriate in her onboard beauty salon and spa.
Pop art-inspired interiors by the late Alberto Pinto can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins, including a full-beam master suite that occupies the entire upper deck. A self-contained private paradise, the suite houses a private terrace, a Jacuzzi and offers 180-degree views.
From €812,000 per week
FOR ENQUIRIES CLICK HERELa Maddalena Archipelago, Italy
Suspended between Sardinia and Corsica, the La Maddalena Archipelago is a beautiful scattering of islands offering sparkling coves and the opportunity to discover the quieter side of the Mediterranean. If the crystal waters of Spalmatore Beach aren't enough to tempt you here, there are 55 more pristine isoletti to explore.
Aptly named Carpe Diem, this 58 metre superyacht is ideal for those looking to make the most of this peaceful archipelago.
An inviting sundeck is the ultimate spot for guests to spend long and lazy afternoons soaking up the sun, complete with an oversized Jacuzzi flanked by sun pads and a shaded sit-up bar for drinks al fresco.
Down below, an extended swim platform offers an equally tempting proposition for sunbathing by the sea, or for water babies onboard, an afternoon of adrenaline-fuelled water sports.
As the sun sets, meals can be served al fresco or in a stylish formal dining room, while an open galley allows guests to look on as the chefs work their magic.
Carpe Diem can accommodate 12 guests in six spacious en suite cabins comprising a full-beam owner’s cabin, full-beam VIP, and a unique option for three full-beam guest cabins, as well as one twin with a fold-out bed. Fresh from a refurbishment in 2019, she’s shipshape for the charter season.
From €322,000 per week
FOR ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE