You may prefer to take in more of the wonderful sites of Villefranche during the morning or, if you prefer, the boat will take you to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat early en route to Monaco. St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is an exceptional location and one of the nicest places on the Mediterranean coast – very French. Its tranquillity and warm climate make it a favourite holiday destination among European aristocracy and international millionaires.
In order to better appreciate the beauty of St-Jean- Cap-Ferrat, you need to visit on foot and wander along the coastal paths and the port promenade, opposite the wharf, where several restaurants are to be found, enticing you with cool, shady terraces.
At the tip of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, you will f ind one of the most beautiful palaces in the Mediterranean, the ‘Grand Hôtel du Cap’, set amid a stunning garden. You may also like to visit one of the most beautiful villas on the peninsula, ‘Villa Île de France’, open to the public and like a palace from a Disney fairytale. This mansion is decorated with the treasures of the Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. More than 5,000 works of art are on display, together with an impressive collection of furniture, lamps and carpets… it’s marvellous!
After lunch, enjoy the exhilaration as you cruise over to Fontvieille/Monaco where you will spend the night. After all of this relaxation, why not venture up to the Grimaldi Royal Palace and explore the boutiques of Monte Carlo? Coulthard and McCulloch’s ‘Columbus’ (in Monaco) is a great place to visit for its cocktails, which you can enjoy on the beautiful terrace.
There are so many fantastic places and restaurants to visit in Monaco that the itinerary could run into volumes. However, the ‘Louis XV’ restaurant is def initely a must! After dinner, you may be tempted to visit Monaco’s famous casino (see overleaf ).
Day 6 Monaco – Beaulieu
After the previous day’s activities, you can unwind at the well-known Paloma Beach, for a day’s pure relaxation and water sports. Just let the day flow and let yourself unwind – as the captain and stewardess look after your every need, including a constant supply of cool drinks and delicious food.
In the late afternoon, an aperitif will be served, before the short journey to Beaulieu – a very beautiful resort, well worth a visit to soak up the ambience of times gone by. Protected from the cold north winds, blowing down from the Alps, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is often referred to as ‘La Petite Afrique’ (Little Africa) and has one of the mildest climates along the Côte d’Azur. The town’s quaint shops line the two main streets, and the open-air market sells local produce. Beaulieu has many great restaurants and cafés, each with a unique atmosphere. You can’t help but relax, feel a part of France and enjoy the quiet Riviera of your dreams.
Frequented in the past by royalty and members of the aristocracy, Beaulieu today continues to be a high-class village, in true Mediterranean style. The luxurious properties, beautiful parks and gardens, as well as the extravagant limousines which you will come across in Beaulieu, all remind you that this is the heart of the Côte d’Azur. In the evening, you may decide to dine at the popular ‘African Queen’ restaurant, based in the port.
Day 7 Beaulieu – Golfe Juan
After a great breakfast and a relaxing morning, the boat will cruise out of the marina and across the water for lunch at Millionaires’ Bay, situated off Cap d’Antibes. Millionaires’ Bay, as the name suggests, is home to the rich and famous. Relax on deck and enjoy the spectacular scenery or why not water ski or swim to cool down? This is the best place to do both.
Again, after a chilled glass of champagne has been served, the boat will cruise to its mooring for the night at Port de Golfe Juan. The reason for including Golfe Juan in the itinerary is to give you a real insight into true French life. Behind the marina is a delightful working town – old iron-balconied houses, restaurants and shops, which appear unchanged for many years. Golfe Juan is full of history and is chiefly remembered as the place where Napoleon first landed on his return from Elba.
Day 8 (until 12 noon) Golfe Juan – Antibes
The boat will weigh anchor after breakfast and slowly cruise back along the beautiful French coastline towards Antibes, where you will disembark at noon.