Category Archives: Cannes

We discovered the definition of a Luxury Charter on board ILLUSION…

Luxury yacht charters Review: Majestically planted amongst the hundreds of yachts in the Old Port of Cannes, ILLUSION certainly stands out with her stunning 3-deck layout, sleek curves and pristine white finish. Whilst we recently had the opportunity to hop onboard and explore the beauty of this 152ft classic Benetti superyacht, we noted that ILLUSION is nothing short of pure luxury.

Upon entering her aft deck, host to a relaxing lounge area and spacious dining table, and through glass doors, we were welcomed into her bright and open saloon, furnished completely in white. The immaculate condition of Illusion and the beautiful attention to detail with the décor, designed by the owner’s wife, certainly add to her appeal. The rich mahogany furnishings throughout the corridors and cabins bring an authentic feeling to this stately vessel yet the fresh whites of the upholstery keep her open and airy. Her length deceives, as the sheer comfort and space onboard the luxury yacht; ILLUSION is a luxury motor yacht with features that you would expect from a much larger yacht.

The bar featured within the saloon offered a great selection of beverages and we were told that one of the crew members is a particularly adept cocktail maker! It was quickly noted that the crew have a fantastic vibe – all of them young, lively and active – and it’s clear they have a solid foundation and have been working together for a while. Claiming that it’s the best sushi they’ve ever tasted, the Australian chef never fails to impress his fellow colleagues with his fantastic Asian cuisine and will guarantee this, along with a whole lot more, on board a luxury yacht charter with ILLUSION.

Up on the top deck, host to yet another open lounge and dining area, is a stunning and spacious sunbathing area and mosaic pool with jets; ideal for soaking up the sun during the day and winding down in the evenings. The lightwood and white exterior give this luxury motor yacht an extremely Zen feel with its minimalistic and modern design, allowing you to truly enjoy a relaxing luxury yacht charter at sea.

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A Group Day Charter on the Cannes Bay – a Great Way to Enjoy the French Riviera

Recently the author had the good fortune of being on a day charter from Cannes to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday.  We went from Port Canto to the Lerin Islands, just a few minutes sail – but what a great experience it is to get on the water and see the French Riviera unfold behind you!

We had a group of 25 people, so nearly every luxury yacht was unable to take us – maritime law limits the number of guests on a luxury yacht to 12 people.  There are a few yachts, however, on the Riviera, with special licensing and safety equipment enabling them to take larger groups.  We selected LADY PACA (PACA being the abbreviation for “Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur”), which is a grand catamaran with huge deck space and salon that can easily carry 30 people in comfort.

Meeting in Port Canto at 11:00 we sailed into the bay, quickly seeing all of the views that the area is famous for – the hotel lined Croisette, the Palais des Festivals (where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year), the Esterel red rock formations, Cap d’Antibes, and the two islands just off the coast named Ile St Margeurite and Ile St Honorat.  Even though it was the middle of January, we had bright blue sky and weather warm enough for everyone to be in t-shirts.

We helped the captain raise the sail and toured the bay for a bit, before heading between the two islands.  Because this is a peaceful, calm spot with clear water perfect for a swim, normally you will find scores of yachts moored here, making it quite festive most of the year.  We docked at the pier for the Restaurant “la Tonelle” run by the Monks from the Monastery of Ile Ste Honorat (they serve their own wine that is grown and made on the island).

We took a walk to the beautiful monastery, through grape orchards and olive trees. Once at the Monastery, you can see the Mediterranean sea splashing up against an old fortress – a delightful walk!  Caution, the Monastery is fully functional, please do not disturb the monks!

After touring the island, we headed back out on the catamaran, enjoying a light lunch catered on the boat.  We  again toured the bay to take in the sights and sun, while eating on deck and sharing the requisite rose wine. Everyone was very relaxed, and had had a chance to get to know each other better.

After a nice sail, we headed back to Port Canto, everyone feeling refreshed and glad they had a spent a day out on the water in one of the most magnificent ports anywhere!

We have a more extensive version of this Cannes, Cap d’Antibes, Iles Lerins itinerary available on Boatbookings.com. There are many day boats available for events of all types in the French Riviera – here is a selection of the best.

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On board a timeless Benetti…the perfect Mediterranean family yacht charter with Giorgia.

We recently had the opportunity to hop aboard GIORGIA, an example of immaculate Benetti craftsmanship. With her 3-deck layout, this luxury charter yacht is beautifully maintained and features a spacious and comfortable saloon and a formal silver service dining room on the main deck, as well as a relaxing sky lounge with a bar, ideal for hosting casual drinks.

The spacious and comfortable staircase leads you up to the stunning top deck; home to a lavish area for sun bathing, a Jacuzzi, as well as a barbecue and another bar, perfect for a day of relaxing in the sun.

 

We think Giorgia provides you with everything you need for a fantastic cruise and a great family charter, lead by English Captain Ben Baylis who will go out of his  way to ensure you have a fabulous time. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, you will be guaranteed to discover only the best places  on the Mediterranean.

 

Currently scheduled to go to Croatia this summer, allow yourself to explore this beautiful, up and coming region as well as stopping off on the Italian coast and taking advantage of the fantastic array of water toys available on board.

Accommodating up to 10 guests in 5 luxurious cabins (3 doubles/2 twins) , Giorgia is fully equipped with the latest state of the art entertainment system and will certainly promise a peaceful and enjoyable vacation.

 

Please follow this link for detailed information on GIORGIA.

For more information on the joys of chartering in Croatia, see our  Croatia Yacht Charter Guide or if you would like to view our Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter Worldwide

If you are interested, you can contact Mimi, [email protected] who knows the yacht, the Captain and crew well.

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Chartering for Events and Celebrations in Cannes, France

Cannes is perhaps the only city in the world that boasts a world-class conference facility directly adjacent to a port capable of handling superyachts.  This is why so many conferences and festivals such as MIPIM, MIDEM, MIPCOM, Cannes Lions, and of course, the Cannes Film Festival, come back to Cannes each year.

Cannes, with its two ports, nearby islands, quaint Old Town and ample restaurants is also the ideal setting for corporate events, team building and family celebrations.  Put simply, Cannes provides a superb backdrop for virtually any meeting or celebration.

The numerous events in Cannes have spawned a wide selection of yachts that specialize in events of all types.  If you have an event to plan, there are catamarans that holds 56 day passengers for a day cruise to a superyacht that can hold an event for 250, and everything in between. Whereas most luxury yachts can hold a maximum of 12 guests, these yachts have special licensing and insurance so that they can meet your large party’s needs.  Please see our current list of recommended Cannes Event Yachts.

We are releasing this week a newsletter dedicated to Events in the French Riviera, featuring our current selection of top event yachts.  You can get a preview by clicking on our February Newsletter – Events in the South of France. And take a serious look into having fun with your group on the French Riviera, it will be the event of a lifetime!

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Heesen Yachts 50m SATORI is a Double Winner at Prix du Design Awards Ceremony

Dutch shipbuilder Heesen Yachts was the proud recipient of two World Yacht Trophies awarded in Cannes and the prestigious Prix du Design in Monaco for SATORI, the first of the 50 meter aluminum class, semi-custom series. The yacht was delivered last May and officially christened during the Monaco Grand Prix.

The World Yacht Trophies ceremony took place at the Carlton Beach, Cannes in mid-September. SATORI, a Buddhist term for enlightenment, was competing in the category Custom Yachts under 50m and won both the Best Design and Best Layout and Decoration awards.

Designer Rémi Tessier successfully evokes a Zen spirituality throughout the yacht interior using clean lines and a dramatic juxtaposition of dark and light, an effective nuance of the balance of yin and yang.

From left to right: Eric Benson (Owner of Satori), HRH King Juan Carlos of Spain, Valentina Coghlan, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Gaëlle Tallarida (Monaco Yacht Show) and Anna Becker (Nymphenburg)

Fabio Ermetto, Sales and Marketing Director at Heesen Yachts, collected the prizes and commented: “I am honored to receive these two prizes on behalf of the Owner. Satori is a beautiful vessel. Her clean, distinctive design and perfect execution are the result of incredible teamwork. Thank you to the Owner for his vision, to Rémi Tessier for his creativity, and to the Heesen staff for their incredible ingenuity.”

The Prix du Design ceremony took place on board SATORI, docked at Quai des Etats Unis during the XXI Monaco Yacht Show. HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Gaëlle Tallarida – GM of the show – and Anna Becker from Nymphenburg, awarded SATORIs Owner with the stunning trophy, the Volute Bowl, a unique piece of ceramic designed by Ted Muheling and entirely hand crafted at the Nymphenburg atelier in Munich.

Here is additional information on the Heesen Shipyard and Heesen Charter Yachts.

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