shoulder with the large cosmopolitan resorts of Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo. And who could miss out St. Tropez with its famous clock tower, picturesque cobbled streets and a collection of designer boutiques to rival Bond Street! Here the ladies can - and do - get the sand between their toes whilst wearing their stilettos.

Remember, you don't need to decide everything in advance, although you may want to plan certain aspects of your trip if there are specific things you want to see or do. You could go to Corsica (an overnight sail away), spend more time in one place or take a longer shore excursion or two - maybe visit a vineyard - it's up to you. It's also worth bearing in mind that regular flight schedules into Nice make long weekends a real possibility and allow you to optimise the length of your holiday for the minimum office leave.
    

Example sailing itinerary:

Day 1. Board your yacht in the picturesque old town of Villefranche and enjoy lunch aboard before sailing to St. Jean Cap Ferrat in time to enjoy an afternoon swim.

Day 2. Sail beneath the towering cliffs of Eze to anchor for lunch at Mala Plage, a tiny beach tucked into the steep and rocky Cap d'Ail. Continue on to Monaco and explore the Grand Prix circuit or the famous Monte Carlo Casino.

Day 3. A longer sail from from Monaco to Juan les Pins, pausing for lunch at Cap Ferrat. Dinner ashore at the Belles Rives, a favourite haunt of Scott Fitzgerald!

Day 4. Sail over to the Isles de Lerins, a nature reserve. The prison where the legendary Man in the Iron Mask was held is located on one of the islands; the other is home to a monastery where the monks are renowned for their lavender liqueur. In the evening, head off to Cannes and explore the cobbled streets of the old town.

Day 5.Cruise along the coast to St. Tropez enjoying the dramatic red rocks of the Esterel and pausing for lunch in the Bay of Agay. Arrive in time for a little shopping in the glamorous boutiques or watch the world go by from one of the quayside cafes.

Day 6.After breakfast depart for the island of Port Cros, pausing for lunch at Cap Taillat with it's sandy beach and turquoise waters, well away from roads and hotels. Spend a romantic evening dining aboard in the tranquil bay of Port Man.

Day 7. A relaxing day around the island of Port Cros, swimming, sunbathing and exploring the beaches. There are no motor vehicles on the island which is a nature reserve with only a tiny port reminiscent of the French Antilles.

Day 8. A morning sail to return to the mainland, disembarking at Cavalaire at around midday.

"Even if you've never been to St. Tropez, you've probably already seen the
famous clock tower and the multi-million dollar yachts berthed shoulder to shoulder..."
International Yacht Vacations and Charters magazine. Volume 2, Issue 2, 2005.

To download the full article, please click here.

Combine sailing with a stay at the Château de Berne.

Cruise along some of the highlights of the Riviera, then explore the secrets of winemaking and tasting deep in the Provencale countryside at the Chateau de Berne.

"You can leave the office after the days business on Friday
and be boarding your yacht later that evening"
International Yacht Vacations and Charters magazine. Volume 2, Issue 1, 2005.

To download the full article, please click here.