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South of France to Italian Riviera: A Luxury Marina Guide
The South of France to the Italian Riviera is an endlessly popular cruising ground for luxury yachts and superyachts. The glittering shores, quaint coastal towns and unrivalled array of boutiques, hotels and fine dining restaurants never ceases to impress, with luxury yachts returning to the Med year after year to soak up the relaxed lifestyle and European charm. Although there is no shortage of romantic and luxurious destinations in the French and Italian Rivieras, the endless available choice can at times be overwhelming. We put together a mini-guide containing our top pick of luxury yacht marina stop-offs when sailing the seductive South of France to the dazzling Italian Riviera.
1. Port Vauban
Port Vauban is an easy pick for world-class mooring in the beating heart of the French Riviera. This excellently facilitated and full service marina is nestled between the yachting hubs of Monaco and St Tropez, making it a firm favourite for yachting aficionados in their home cruising grounds. But Port Vauban’s excellent appeal is founded on far more than its prime location. Luxurious and well-maintained facilities meet a heritage dating back over 2500 years, making Port Vauban in the heart of the sumptuous Cote d’Azur a long-established home of yachting excellence and pride. The marina specifically caters to superyachts and accommodates vessels up to 170 metres in length with top level security, and is just a stone’s throw from Antibes’ rustic old town.
2. Port de Plaisance - Tino Rossi
For those looking to stray away from the beaten path, an alternative route to the Italian Riviera would be by detouring to the mountainous isle of Corsica. Here, in the quaint coastal town of Ajaccio, Port de Plaisance - Tino Rossi awaits to provide a stopover you will never forget. Catering for superyachts of up to 70m in length, this is a charming marina with a conscience, committed to preserving the beauty and fragility of its setting. Environmentally conscious owners and guests will relish in Port de Plaisance - Tino Rossi’s ‘Eco Gestures’, providing information on good environmental practice at sea and in port and installing dedicated waste collection facilities. The marina prides itself on being in touch with the requirements of modern yachting - and when visitors explore the palm-studded beaches and verdant mountains of the island, it is not difficult to understand their commitment to protect it.
3. Marina Genova
The Italian Riviera is an endless haven of historic coastal towns and excellent yachting facilities, but perhaps nowhere more so than Genoa. Considered the gateway to the Riviera and en route to the yachting hubs of Portofino and Porto Cervo, Genoa’s glorious history as one of the most significant ports in the Mediterranean is evidenced everywhere, from its kaleidoscopic beachfront to its UNESCO World Heritage old town. Marina Genova’s prime location makes it a necessary stop-off on any Italian Riviera cruise; here, first class facilities and 360 degree services meet a relaxed and enchanting lifestyle and cultural epicentre. Marina Genova provides for any service your yacht may require, ranging from electricity and pump out to refit and repair works. 24/7 security and mooring assistance top off this marina’s unique appeal, while it also doesn’t hurt that the port is located just 5 minutes from Genoa Airport.
4. Marina Porto Antico
Just slightly further down the coastline lies Marina Porto Antico, a necessary inclusion in our Italian Riviera segment for its central location in the heart of the historic Old Port. Just a stone’s throw from Marina Porto Antico lay a dizzying array of boutiques, restaurants, galleries and museums, brimming with Genoan charm and history. The marina, who boasts one of the most picture-perfect docks in the whole of the Mediterranean, comprises 270 berths and accommodates yachts up to 70 metres long. Rest in peace that your vessel is in the safest hands at Marina Porto Antico while you venture into the glamorous and rustic city centre, whose unique character blends contemporary with historic in true Italian Riviera style.