Yacht charter highlights: 6 iconic superyacht experiences

A well-run yacht charter can be tailored in any way you like. You can define everything from the charter yacht, the cruising grounds, the crew and the season to the food, the toys, the activities and the events. And such is the scale and sophistication of the modern yacht charter industry that there are now more ways to tweak and tailor your charter yacht holiday than ever before. Do you want to go diving, hiking, wildlife spotting or deep-sea fishing? Do you want to enjoy shopping, wine tasting, partying or pampering? Deciding what kind of charter you favour is a key part of building a truly special yacht charter itinerary and at Princess Yacht Charter, we’re well placed to provide guidance and advice on every element. But if you need a little help kick-starting your imagination, why not check out the following six yacht charter activities? With first-hand knowledge of each and every one of them, we can guarantee that these are among the most special and iconic experiences the charter market has to offer…

1. Go clubbing in Ibiza

Ibiza has long been known as the original go-to party destination and, as its superyacht facilities have developed to match the appeal of its gorgeous Old Town, it’s become even more attractive. Pacha, created on the island in 1973, is still the original and best-known superclub around. Nearby Amnesia houses a pair of brilliant dance floors – the dark and imposing Club Room and the bright, glass-roofed Terrace. Bora Bora delivers an infectious mix of beach, bar and club, all in one. And Privilege is the biggest club in the world, with a capacity of 10,000 people. The options are virtually endless, so whether you want to party inside or outside, in a huge star-studded venue or in an intimate ‘boutique’ club like Pikes, Ibiza’s brand of well-heeled hedonism is a unique and special pleasure.

2. Channel your inner 007 in Monte Carlo

While San Remo on the Italian Riviera is a magnificently stylish place to spend the night in a tuxedo with a pocket full of gambling chips, the go-to casino experience has to be Monte Carlo. The beguiling Casino de Monte Carlo sits right at the heart of this uniquely glamorous destination and when you step inside, it’s difficult not to feel like you’re on the set of a Bond film. No fewer than three 007 films have used this supremely ornate gambling den as a movie set and it continues to thrill with its extravagant architecture and its superyacht-style fondness for marble and gold. And when you’re done with the gaming, where better to spend your winnings than at Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin-star Louis XV restaurant…

3. Step back in time in Valletta

There’s nowhere quite like Valletta. Perched out in the southern Mediterranean, just a few miles south of Sicily, Malta’s capital has been besieged and embattled for centuries and you can feel every bit of that history in the very fabric of the place. Built by the Knights of St John in the 1500s, it comprises a maze of long, steep city streets that were designed to provide respite from the fierce summer sun. These are contained inside a set of vast fortress walls that look out over two of the Mediterranean’s loveliest natural harbours. With an intense concentration of historic monuments, palaces and museums, there are scores of wonderful places to see – and when you’re done with the sightseeing, simply perch at an alfresco café with a strong coffee and a traditional pastry and revel in an atmosphere that feels quite unlike anywhere else in the world.

4. Witness the F1 action in Monaco

If Monaco’s marina is renowned as the venue of choice for some of the world’s largest and most spectacular superyachts, its tightly winding roads are equally well known as the world’s most iconic street circuit. When the Grand Prix comes to town in late May, nothing compares to perching on the upper deck of your charter yacht with a peerless view, as the track wraps around the moored boats, taking in the famous harbourside and Casino Square. You don’t have to be an F1 fan to fall in love with an activity like that – and when the cars are put away, the town becomes your perfect yacht charter playground. Rammed with grand palaces, tempting boutiques and impeccable eating, drinking and party opportunities, it’s great fun wandering through the Port Quarter’s backstreets, heading up into the elegant Old Town or simply sipping a beer while the carnival atmosphere reaches fever pitch.

5. Immerse yourself in Sicilian cuisine

There are few more enjoyable ways to learn about a place than through its food. And while destinations like Sardinia, Corsica, the Cote d’Azur and the Balearics are all recognised A-list destinations for foodies, those in search of a really special charter experience would do well to head for Sicily. With its rich volcanic soils, sunny year-round climate, well stocked fishing waters and robust island mentality, its food is as distinctive as it is delicious. With influences from North Africa and West Asia, as well as the Mediterranean, pasta and rice are supplemented with all kinds of richly scented couscous dishes. Sweet marzipan is also a favourite – and because the island has such an enviable menu of indigenous grapes, its wines are also fantastically exciting. The markets, as well as the cafes and restaurants, deliver plenty of traditional Mediterranean produce like olives, asparagus, artichokes, peppers and citrus fruits. And as the superyacht season pushes towards the autumn, the traditional fish offering of tuna, swordfish, sardines and red shrimp is deliciously diversified with wild game, hazelnuts, mushrooms, cheeses and cured meats.

6. Hike the ‘Cinque Terre’ fishing towns of the Italian Riviera

With its dramatic Alpine backdrops, its narrow strips of waterfront land, its sandy beaches and its colourful salt-caked fishing towns, the rustic sophistication of Italy’s Ligurian coastline feels very special – but nowhere in this fabled yacht charter region feels more gratifying than the villages of the Cinque Terre. The five villages in question (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso) have always been isolated by the intimidating topography between Portovenere and Levanto – and in addition to helping create some of the most extraordinary coastal scenery anywhere in the world, that natural isolation has played a key part in preventing the villages from becoming gentrified. While modish destination towns like Portofino bask in the glorious sophistication of their own A-list appeal, this place continues to feel blissfully untouched and untouchable. Geared up for walkers rather than cars, with networks of precipitous cliff-top pathways, you can expect medieval relics, crusty fishing boats, glorious views, astonishing sunsets and memories that will last a lifetime.