Italian Riviera Yacht Charter Guide

History, culture and beauty are found in spades when you cruise the sumptuous Italian Riviera

Rivaling its French counterpart on the Cote d’Azur, the Italian Riviera of Liguria encompasses incredible beauty, history and culture. The subtle curve of northwest Italy is home to the quaint fishing village of Portofino, the historical center of Genoa and the lusting romance of Cinque Terre. There are few better ways to explore this dreamy region than by luxury superyacht. Cruise the stunning coastlines, go ashore to enjoy classic Italian fare, walk the streets to soak in the culture and enjoy stunning sunsets over the sparkling Mediterranean Sea while sipping enchanting Italian wines.

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1

GENOA/PORTOFINO

Embark the yacht in Genoa and depart straight away for Portofino, where you will stay overnight. For such a small a town, Portofino is an almost complete study in culture and tradition Set in a cove, hidden between the rocks and on the beach is a masterpiece of medieval architecture is the Abbey of San Fruttuoso.

DAY 2

PORTOFINO/VIAREGGIO

After breakfast, head ashore to explore Portofino. Here you can enjoy a delicious lunch ashore; the captain or chief stew can advise on the ideal spot. Later, head back to the yacht and cruise to Viareggio for the evening.

DAY 3

VIAREGGIO/FLORENCE

After breakfast, head inland to tour the beautiful Tuscan city of Florence. The captain or chief stew will set up a tour complete with restaurant reservations, museum tickets and everything else you will need for a memorable day.

DAY 4

VIAREGGIO/PISA & PORTO VENERE

In the morning, disembark the yacht for a guided tour of Pisa. After returning to the yacht, you will cruise to Porto Venere, a medieval fishing village situated just south of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. This picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses while narrow medieval streets lined with shops lead up the hill from the ancient city gate to the castle. Byron’s Cave is a rocky area leading to the sea where the poet Byron used to swim.

DAY 5

CINQUE TERRE

Cruise to Cinque Terre where you can enjoy a boat tour aboard a local boat authorized to enter the villages. Suggested villages to visit by boat are Monterosso, Vernazza and Manarola. You can advise the guide on your sightseeing preferences.

DAY 6

PORTOFINO

Cruise back to Portofino and spend the day aboard the yacht enjoying its amenities and the beautiful views of the Italian coastline.

DAY 7

GENOA

Cruise back to Genoa, enjoying breakfast along the way. Disembark at noon and make way for the airport.

Charter Experience

Nestled between the French Riviera and Tuscany, Italy’s Liguria region is Italian Riviera is renowned for charming seaside villages, incredible gastronomy and idyllic views. Within this crescent-shaped territory are some of Italy’s most famous coastal towns, including the region’s capital city Genoa, the picture-perfect Cinque Terre and the quaint fishing village of Portofino. Comprising almost 10 kilometers of pristine coastline, there is no better way to explore the Italian Riviera than by yacht.

In 2004, the capital city of Genoa was named the European Capital of Culture and for good reason. The cobbled streets of Genoa are brimming with history, art, music and architecture. Also, a member of the World Heritage List, Genoa has so much to offer visitors, from historic homes and palaces to luxury shopping to abundant museums and a myriad of exceptional restaurants.

The brightly colored homes of the idyllic fishing village of Portofino play an excellent backdrop to afternoon cocktails aboard the yacht. Head ashore to enjoy high-end boutiques, delightful local seafood restaurants, medieval castles and beautiful sights. The sheltered harbor, often lined with superyachts during the summer months, is picturesque and begs for a photo or two. Since the 1950s Portofino has been a favorite spot of the Hollywood elite, the quintessential Portofino restaurant Puny played host to the engagement of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and European Royalty.

One of the most well-known provinces of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, “Five Lands,” is a distinct area comprising the five adjacent towns of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. These unique little villages each boast their own characteristics, and each must be experienced. The best means of doing so is walking the trail through the hills overlooking the ocean that meanders through stunning botanical gardens and olive orchards. Known as Via dell’ Amore, this easy 25-minute walk takes you from Riomaggiore and Monterosso. A sunset cruise on board the luxury yacht past Vernazza, one of the most striking of the lands, will offer scenes straight out of an Italian romance film.

Location Highlights

Enjoy an after-dinner grappe at La Lepre, Genoa
Marvel over the beauty of the San Lorenzo Cathedral
Enjoy cocktails at Hotel Splendido, Portofino
Amble along Via dell’ Amore, Monterosso
Cruise Cinque Terre for incredible views of the idyllic coastal towns

Expert Advice

A short overnight’s cruise east of Monaco, the Italian Riviera, renowned for its particularly mild climate and relaxed way of life which, together with the charm of its old fishing ports and the beauty of its landscape, has made it a popular destination for travelers and tourists since the time of Byron and Shelley. There are some great hiking trails through the Cinque Terre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the steep, rugged hillsides are home to some lovely little towns, some of which cannot be reached by road. The area is famous for its wonderful food and excellent wines and where better to enjoy both than a café terrace in Portofino?