Yachting gems of the Italian & French Rivieras

Welcome to France and the city of Nice, on the chic French Riviera. Your glamorous cruise begins here. You’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to begin your voyage through the beautiful Western Mediterranean.

Please book your flight to arrive into Nice prior to 03:00 PM.

Welcome to Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming resort town with panoramic views that’s revered for its timeless elegance and style. For those seeking ‘la dolce vita,’ you’re sure to find it in abundance here. Stroll the Santa Margherita promenade or the pebbly beachfront, admiring the gleaming yachts and sailing boats. Marvel at an impressive  Baroque-era church along the cobbled streets and savour succulent red shrimps, the local fishermen’s catch of the day.

Later in the morning, you’ll sail on to delightful Portofino. Embedded along the Italian Riviera, eternally popular Portofino boasts a rich gastronomic scene, a picturesque harbour and narrow streets lined with charming, pastel-hued houses, high-end boutiques and restaurants specialising in freshly caught seafood.

One of the most photographed villages along the coast, with a decidedly romantic and affluent aura, Portofino has long been a popular destination for the rich and famous. Once an ancient Roman colony and taken by the Republic of Genoa in 1229, it’s also been ruled by the French, English, Spanish, and Austrians, as well as by marauding bands of 16th-century pirates. Elite British tourists first flocked to the lush harbor in the mid-1800s. Some of Europe's wealthiest drop anchor in Portofino in summer, but they stay out of sight by day, appearing in the evening after buses and boats have carried off the day-trippers.There's not actually much to do in Portofino other than stroll around the wee harbor, see the castle, walk to Punta del Capo, browse at the pricey boutiques, and sip a coffee while people-watching. However, weaving through picture-perfect cliffside gardens and gazing at yachts framed by the sapphire Ligurian Sea and the cliffs of Santa Margherita can make for quite a relaxing afternoon. There are also several tame, photo-friendly hikes into the hills to nearby villages.Unless you're traveling on a deluxe budget, you may want to stay in Camogli or Santa Margherita Ligure rather than at one of Portofino's few very expensive hotels. Restaurants and cafés are good but also pricey (don't expect to have a beer here for much under €10).

Situated along the Ligurian coast on Italy’s northwest shores, Porto Venere is an ancient city dating back to the first century BC. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s imbued with a romantic history – thanks to its penchant for attracting famous poets and artists over the centuries. Porto Venere’s  wonderful swimming spots were beloved by, amongst others, the legendary  English poet Lord Byron, who regularly bathed and meditated here in the early 1800s. One of Porto Venere's most striking features is its Gothic-style Church of St. Peter, dating back to the 12th century and resting atop a rocky headland overlooking the sparkling sea.

Today, you’ll arrive in Calvi, on the northwest shore of the French Island of Corsica. According to local legend, Calvi is where the 15th century Italian explorer Christopher Columbus was born. While historians may debate this, the natural beauty and rich culture of Calvi is undisputed. Calvi's gorgeous beach presents a crescent-shaped bay of powdery white sand fringed by maritime pines. The town has evolved to become Corsica’s ‘culture capital,’ hosting several music festivals over the idyllic summer months.

A shining jewel of the Côte d’Azur, the legendary resort town of Saint-Tropez is one of the most famous holiday destinations in Europe. It has been drawing celebrities and royalty since the 1950s .  look out over the superyachts jostling for space in the marina, a sure sign that the international jet set is in town. From the soft white sand lapped by clear blue water to the on-trend beach clubs, decadent dining and luxury boutiques, Saint-Tropez is the ultimate French Riviera experience. For history buffs, learn the story of Saint-Tropez at the Musée d'Histoire Maritime, or peruse the incredible modern art inside a former chapel at the Annonciade.

Continuing along the Côte d'Azur, arrive today in Sanary-sur-Mer. This classic Provençal port town still has colourful wooden fishing boats bobbing in the harbour and, pastel houses lining the shore. It’s famous for its bustling daily market in the town centre, which has been named the most beautiful in France. Walk through the stalls to see fresh produce, just-caught seafood and roasting chickens, then sample a ‘cade’, a traditional wood-fired pancake that has been a popular snack here for more than 200 years.

The Costa Brava (meaning the Rugged Coast) is arguably the most beautiful of Spain’s three holiday coasts. The seaside village of Roses sits on its northern edge, close to the border with France, making for a captivating blend of cultures set within a stunning setting where the mountains meet the sea., Roses began as a fishing village and is still the place to sample exceptional fresh seafood. Be sure to try the local seafood speciality of ‘Suquet de Peix’, a hearty fish soup prepared with the catch of the day along with garlic, tomatoes and saffron.

Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes in Catalonia’s cosmopolitan capital, Barcelona, where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home or to continue your travels.

Please book your flight to depart out of Barcelona after 01:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.