BACK TO BASICS

Cruising Guide

Let’s go back to the not-so-basics. Everyone talks about the latest destinations on the superyacht map, but old favorites like New England and the Côte d’Azur are drawing a new generation of glitz-and-glamour-seekers as a wave of chic hotels and restaurants join their stalwart offerings. Navigator takes a look at the original cruising grounds attracting the yachting crowd and the superyachts to take you there

WORDS MIRIAM CAIN

Mykonos

Cyclades, Greece

The Cycladic island of Mykonos may be known as the Aegean’s party isle, but the island’s enduring allure belies its hedonistic reputation. Authentic tavernas, farm-to-table restaurants, chic beach clubs and seafront dining give this island a sense of rustic timelessness combined with a jet-set style.

Drinks... at Scorpios accompanied by acoustic sets and barefoot dancing. scorpiosmykonos.com

Dine... on farm-to-table cuisine at the familyowned Rizes. Located in a traditional Mykonian chorio (farmhouse), the property is surrounded by fields. rizesmykonos.com

Windsurf... off of Kalafatis, Platis Gialos or Ftelia beach – perfect conditions for windsurfing when the renowned meltemi summer winds blow.

Discover... the mythical birthplace of the Greek god Apollo, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the sacred island of Delos located just a stone’s throw from Mykonos.

Did you know Mykonos has its very own Little Venice. The whitewashed buildings that dangle over the edge of the island were built to protect belongings from marauding pirates that were prolific in these waters during the swashbuckling 16th century.

02

Antibes

Côte d’Azur maisondebacon.fr

No other cruising destination has remained as in demand as the perennial favorite French Riviera. Glittering beaches, Michelin-starred restaurants, haute glamour and artistic inspiration – this yachting hot spot has never waned in popularity. One of the most coveted must-visit destinations along the gilded stretch of coastline is Antibes. Offering a sybaritic seaside setting, the ancient walled city overlooking the Mediterranean has always been an inviting setting for the waterborne, and with the recent refurbishments to a trio of its celebrated properties – the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, the Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel and the fabled Hôtel Belles Rives – its esteemed reputation with the yachting crowd looks set to continue. Added to this, the city recently opened The International Yacht Club d’Antibes (IYCA). Following a €135,000,000 investment, the yacht club and Camille Rayon Quay in Port Vauban offers berthing for yachts up to 440’ (135m) in length. Members and guests can now enjoy a selection of lounge bars, terraces and a dedicated crew center with a lounge, gym and training studio, further endorsing Antibes as an unparalleled yachting hotspot in the Mediterranean.

Re-discover the azure seas next summer aboard the 190’ (57.91m) SKYFALL. With expansive outdoor living space she is the perfect yacht for exploring the gilded coastline of the Côte d’Azur. SKYFALL is available for prices from €335,000 per week, plus expenses, for up to 12 guests.

Dine... at La Maison de Bâcon. Known for its bouillabaisse and wood-fire grilled fish, the waterside restaurant is helmed by new chef, Nicolas Davouze – an alum of Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV.

Drink... at the rooftop cocktail bar at Villa Djunah, Bai de Juan-les-Pins. villadjunah.com

Find... the Picasso Museum. Antibes was the one-time home of Pablo Picasso, who was inspired by its rugged landscapes and had an art studio nearby.

Did you know that Water skiing began in the South of France? In 1931, ski instructor Léo Roman put on a pair of skis and was towed behind a speedboat in Cap d’Antibes.

Newport

New England

Newport’s historic estates, along with a wave of chic restaurants, have brought one of America’s original seaside resort towns back to life. Set just off the mainland, on Aquidneck Island, Newport is arguably America’s most enduring playground for the yachting crowd. Its reputation as a summer paradise dates to the late 19th century, when America’s empire builders arrived in droves to build gaudy estates they referred to as summer “cottages” along the picturesque Rhode Island shoreline. Many of these mega-mansions have been restored and are open to visitors. However, it is the contemporary hotels and restaurants that are making Newport very much a place of the present.

There are few better ways to take in the breathtaking coastlines of Newport and the quintessential New England islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard than aboard the 157’ (47.85m) AMORE. Offering her 12 guests a luxurious sundeck with alfresco dining, sunpads, a full wet bar and a superb water toy box, she is available in New England throughout the summer season for prices from $175,000 per week, plus expenses.

Dine... at the cutting-edge Italian restaurant Giusto. Located in Newport’s Commercial Wharf, enjoy local ingredients with Italian flavors on the terrace overlooking the harbor. giustonewport.com

Discover... the new museum on Thames Street, The Sailing Museum or for car aficionados, head for the Audrain Automobile Museum.

Tour... an oyster farm before indulging in a plate or two at Matunuck Oyster Bar. rhodyoysters.com

Did you know that

The nearby, tiny crescentshaped island of Nantucket was once the whaling capital of the world and one of the wealthiest communities in America?

St. Barths

Caribbean

Excessively stylish with a simple and chic charm, St. Barths is the island most synonymous with luxury in the Caribbean, if not the world. With a fresh kick in its stride, thanks to a number of hotel refurbishments and rebuilds, it continues its reign as the ultimate playground for the superyacht crowd. The former Isle de France, for example, is now under the banner of LVMH’s Cheval Blanc and welcomes La Case restaurant, among other additions. On the northern peninsula, Le Guanahani and Hotel Manapany have been revamped, while the ever-glamorous Eden Rock has been through an extensive rebuild.

Whether spending a few days ashore at one of these fine establishments, dropping anchor to tender ashore, or being seen while berthed in the Port de Gustavia, combining a superyacht cruise around the Leeward Islands aboard the 203’5” (62m) SEALION, for example, with a few days discovering St. Barths, makes for the quintessential winter cruising itinerary. Prices from $480,000 per week, plus expenses, for up to 12 guests.

Dine... at the all-new Ocean Club St. Barths overlooking your yacht berthed in the marina below. oceanclubstbarths.com

Drinks... at the new Eden Rock Beach Bar –the beating heart of St. Barth’s social scene. oetkercollection.com

Indulge... in an iconic Dr. Barbara Sturm treatment at the Eden Spa, Eden Rock. oetkercollection.com

Learn... to surf at the Surf Shack at Le Toiny, where you will find surf champion David Blanchard providing tuition for every level. letoiny.com

Did you know that The island was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus? He named it after his brother Bartholomew.

Mallorca

Balearics Islands, Spain

Fresh energy is powering up the glamour on the Balearic island of Mallorca. The Mediterranean idyll, long famed for its hospitality and layers of rich culture, has undergone a renaissance with a fresh stream of creativity spanning food, art and more. High-end hoteliers have prioritized sustainable development, while homegrown artisans have rediscovered rural gastronomy and local craft making, recovering the island’s old culture.

Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Palma and the beautiful Old Town, with its Cathedral and cobbled streets home to designer boutiques and shops packed with ceramics, textiles and antiques alongside traditional tavernas and tapas bars.

Embark on board the 203’5” (62m) RoMa in the Club de Mar marina, which, based in central Palma, is the perfect launch pad for exploring Mallorca’s chic shoreline. With her outstanding facilities, including a spacious sundeck and a large inventory of water toys easily launched from her beach club, RoMa is the ideal charter yacht. Anchor in a secluded bay and have fun on the water slide or take the paddleboards out for a sedate paddle to hidden coves, perhaps for a quick drink ashore. Prices from €370,000 per week, plus expenses, up to 12 guests.

Explore...the twice-weekly market at Santanyí –transforming the sleepy town into a bustling hub of activity.

Drinks...at La Residencia’s

Restaurante Miró amid a vast collection of paintings by Joan Miró. While at the Belmond hotel make some time to stroll through the sculpture gardens – one of Europe’s largest permanent collections. belmond.com

Relax...with a treatment at the Cap Rocat’s SPA. Be sure to spend time relaxing around the spectacular saltwater swimming pool located 40’ below ground level and flooded with natural light. caprocat.com/en/the-spa

Lunch...Dig in to farmto-table cooking at the wooden-decked Patiki Beach – a waterfront chiringuito in Port de Sóller. patikibeach.com