Cruise along the coastline of northern Italy, where art and architecture go hand in hand with nature /

Think steep terraces of brightly colored houses, grand palazzos and dramatic rock walls and you could dream of Liguria’s varied coastal landscape. Now consider that some of this region’s best kept secrets are only accessible by boat and you have the perfect recipe for a luxury Italian yacht charter.

A Panfilo di Lusso

The appeal of chartering your luxury dream yacht lies in the freedom to create your own itinerary, choosing to explore your surroundings while being looked after by trusted crew members who truly understand your tastes and how you want to spend your time. A wide choice of charter yachts are also available, depending on the size of your party, whether you want to sail or motor, what water sports and toys you enjoy, and your taste in food and entertainment.

Days on board can be spent cruising to your next destination or hiding out in a quiet cove to swim, eat, read or just watch the world go by. For those wishing to venture inland, a driver and car can be arranged to collect you from your yacht.

An expert charter broker can help you plan your vacation and will consider your needs and budget before creating a bespoke list of options and itineraries. With nearly 8,000km of coastline and its artistic and stylish heritage, it’s no surprise that Italy is home to some of the world’s largest yacht builders. Choose to embark in Sanlorenzo,
Ferretti or Azimut charter yacht and let her guide you through her home waters.

Home to Renaissance art and a plethora of natural wonders

The Italian Riviera is a unique stretch of coastline in the northwest, with the port capital of Genoa as the ideal starting point for charter holidays.

Sanremo has been the favorite destination of the aristocracy since the mid-18th century and now hosts the popular Sanremo Much Festival. The traditional seaside town of Portofino offers crystal clear waters, family-friendly beaches, galleries and shops. Hiking trails lead visitors to the quiet villages of Cinque Terre that are largely inaccessible by car. And nature abounds in the coastal reserves and on the quiet islands of Palmaria and Tino.

Embracing the coast all the way, visitors can then explore inland by visiting the architecturally stunning city of Pisa with its world-famous Leaning Tower. Outside the busy tower square, there are plenty of restaurants where owners serve a bowl of fresh pasta and seafood alongside a crisp glass of wine from any number of vineyards in the surrounding countryside.

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For those for whom history, art and sculpture are a must, no visit to Northern Italy would be complete without seeing Florence. The city of terracotta roofs is home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its recognizable Duomo. This symbol of the Renaissance is the inspiration for artists such as Botticelli and da Vinci, whose work can be admired in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Food and wine enthusiasts will be delighted by the passion shown in the selection of fantastic restaurants. Hilltop vineyards not only provide a great way to spend an afternoon of wine tasting, but often also offer the best views over the rolling hills and sea beyond, with perhaps a chance to catch a glimpse of your waiting charter yacht in the distance. The countryside is full of rows of ancient, twisted olive trees that produce Italy’s liquid gold, and the inland city of Modena is the center of balsamic vinegar production. As everyone knows, no Italian table is complete without this perfect combination.

Islands are crucial landmarks for ancient navigators

The islands of the Tuscan archipelago helped ancient sailors calculate their position and offered safe harbor, food and supplies. The largest of the islands, Elba is part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, itself the largest marine park in Europe. Charter yachts can anchor in any number of coves around the 90 miles (147 km) of coastline and stand watch as guests explore the hiking trails and natural beauty of this jewel-like island. For history buffs, it is also the island where Napoleon was exiled for a time, and where his residences of Villa dei Mulini and San Martino, now museums, can be visited.

Sardinia, an island hidden in the Mediterranean Sea with miles of unspoilt coastline, beautiful beaches, turquoise seas and fascinating landscapes. Being far from Europe’s main tourist routes, it is a sophisticated island with chic harbours, luxury restaurants, designer shops and beach clubs. Perfect for exclusive charter visitors.

Thanks to Europe’s diverse cultural heritage, you are never far from traces of ancient civilizations and Sardinia is no exception. Nuraghe are megalithic structures found exclusively in Sardinia – and nowhere else in the world. These cone-shaped stone structures were built by the Nuragic civilization between 1900 and 730 BC and the examples at Barumini are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at the legendary Il Pevero Golf Club, nestled among the emerald green waters between the bays of Pevero and Cala di Volpe. Designed by landscape architect Robert Trent Jones, it is considered one of the top 50 golf courses in the world. The clubhouse also features a panoramic terrace overlooking the course and a delightful restaurant serving the best of international and traditional Sardinian flavours.

With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, concentrated from April to September and warm winds from the African continent, the Sardinian climate is perfect and not as hot as in other yacht charter areas in the Mediterranean.

There is so much to explore that you will never want to leave this beautiful region of Italy, but if you have a longer yacht charter or want to return to experience more of what Italy has to offer, there is much more to see in Naples and along the Amalfi Coast. Read our guide to chartering luxury yachts in southern Italy next month.

Trina Howes is a director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with outstanding yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.

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