Southern Europe

Palma de Mallorca

With excellent connections to every corner of Europe, Palma is Spain most well-known and loved resort. Meet your yacht as she is delivered in the port and take her to one of the dozens of marinas on Mallorca or its sister islands Ibiza and Menorca.

Have world-class ceviche in the Peruvian restaurant Sumaq, tapas at Forn de Sant Joan, fusion at De Tokio a Lima, or local specialties at Opio, all serving world-class cuisine a stone’s throw from the port in or near the old town. Spain’s favourite holiday destination also boasts a wealth of luxury and boutique hotels, such as the quiet Calatrava, located in a peaceful spot on a small square, the Hotel Sant Jaume, housed in an elegantly renovated 18th-century palace, the Palacio Ca Sa Galesa, situated within a grand 16th-century mansion, or the gorgeous Nakar Hotel on Palma’s smart Avenue Jaume III.

Nice

Riviera’s metropolis and the foremother of all modern resorts, Nice is a glittering destination in its own right as well as the main gateway to the Côte d’Azur. Having the second-largest airport in France and direct helicopter connections to Monaco, it is easily reached from all major cities in the world.

Once you pick up your yacht, take her to one of the wonderful marinas in the city itself – Port de Nice Marina in the old town, for instance – or in nearby resorts such as Saint-Juan-les-Pins or Villeneuve-Loubet. Dine in Le Chantecler, iconic Hotel Negresco’s flagship two-star Michelin restaurant, the poolside La Terrasse on the tenth floor of Le Méridien overlooking the Promenade des Anglais, or hearty, boisterous L’Acchiardo in the Old Town.

Sleep in the seafront yet secluded La Pérouse with the most beautiful hotel terrace in Nice, amid the arresting design of the belle époque Boscolo Exedra downtown or in the splendid Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée on the Promenade des Anglais. In Nice, the luxury comes to you.

Valletta

Tiny Malta punches far above its weight in both natural and manmade attractions, and is easily reached by air from the main cities of northern Europe. Thanks to its location on one of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, Valletta is home to numerous sheltered marinas where you can base your yacht.

The city’s vivid streets and piazzas run the gamut from mid-16th century Baroque to Modernism, with a unique collection of churches and palaces. Nestled among them are superlative restaurants such as Risette, Fifty Nine Republic and Patakka, which serve fine Mediterranean and fusion fare, as well as a range of opulent hotels – the lavish 17th-century Palazzo Prince d’Orange, the Phoenicia Hotel with its magnificent garden located near the main gates, favoured by the Queen, or Palazzo Consiglia, situated in a 400-year-old limestone townhouse with an alluring plunge pool and harbour views.

Split

Croatia’s Adriatic metropolis is a heady mix of sights, scents and experiences, best represented by the extraordinary warren of the 1700-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian – one of the best-preserved Roman architectural complexes in the world and a harmonious fusion of later Mediaeval, Renaissance and Baroque additions. Boasting excellent connections to London, Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam and many other major cities, Split Airport is located right on the shore and has speedboat transports available to all nearby destinations.

There are a wealth of marinas in the area, from the centre of Split itself to the enchanting offshore islands of Hvar, Brač and Korčula, where pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and enthralling towns that thrived during the era of the Venetian Republic await. Tuck into incredible seafood in hidden gems on the water’s edge like Konoba Nikola on the outskirts of Split, Zori on the picturesque Pakleni Islands off the town of Hvar or Konoba Pusa on unspoilt Brač.

Mykonos

A place that needs no introduction, Mykonos is as easy on the senses as it is convenient to reach. It is connected by air with a huge array of European cities, and there are daily ferries to Athens as well as other Greek islands.

The yacht marina is just a short drive from the charming main town, also known as that picture-perfect vision of the quintessential Greek island you’ll find on many a postcard. This is where most of the fine dining and accommodations are located, although excellent restaurants are sprinkled around the dramatic coastline. Mediterranean food, especially seafood, is king at the stylish Krama and the beachfront Bill & Coo restaurant, as well as at Jackie O’Mykonos, which is situated on a remote dramatic inlet. Once it’s time to rest your weary head, consider the intimate Myconian Naia or the lovely beachfront Mykonos Blu.

Alanya

Situated at a Mediterranean crossroads, Alanya is as rich in historical vestiges as it is in natural beauty. The 13th-century Seljuk citadel, for instance, contains an old Byzantine church as well as a mosque and caravanserai built under Suleiman the Magnificent, and many a fine classic Ottoman villa.

The many visitors to this hotspot usually arrive at the nearby Antalya airport, which has direct links to most major European cities, and yachts can berth at the Alanya Marina. There are plenty of luxury accommodations in and around the city, including the fairy-tale waterfront Aladdin Beach Hotel and the slightly more out-of-the-way Sunprime C-Lounge.

You can end your day by tucking into world-class Turkish-Mediterranean food at the dramatically situated Kaleici Meyhanesi or European fusion cuisine at the Seasons Restaurant in the modern part of the city.