The relatively unknown fishing village of Saint-Tropez on the French Rivera shot to fame in 1956 when the movie “And God Created Woman” starring Brigitte Bardot was filmed there. The French actress took a liking to the area and settled locally which created Saint-Tropez’s reputation as a playground for the rich and famous.
The chic resort town of Antibes on the French Riviera has served as an important trading post since it was settled by the Ancient Greeks in 340 BC. As a natural, deep water harbour it was an important port for the Roman Empire and in the 14th century became a prized possession of the powerful Grimaldi family. Today the Port of Antibes is the main attraction for first time visitors due to the sheer size and number of mega-yachts which are docked there during the summer months.
Located on the Côte d’Azur between Saint Tropez and Monaco, the town of Cannes is well known worldwide for hosting its annual film festival. Its popularity as a holiday resort can be traced back to the 1830s when wealthy British families were attracted here by its mild winter climate.
The Parc du Mont Boron is a Mediterranean forest lying just east of Nice on the Côte d’Azur. This natural barrier protects the delightful town of Villefranche-sur-Mer from the encroachment of its nearby neighbour. This independence from the city has allowed Villefranche to maintain its well established air of exclusivity which helped convince a number of rich and famous people to set up homes here. Best known of these luxurious properties is Villa Leopolda which was built in the late 1920s by King Leopold II of Belgium. Some visitors may find that the villa looks familiar as it appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “To Catch a Thief”.
The Côte d’Azur is a length of coastline running along the French Mediterranean which is better known as the French Riviera to English speakers. Although it has no defined borders it is generally considered to run from around Saint-Tropez in the west as far as the Italian border in the east. Its role as a holiday resort dates back to the 18th century when wealthy English families were attracted by its mild winter climate. Some of Europe’s royal families and celebrities from around the globe soon followed suit creating the region’s reputation as a destination for the rich and famous.
The fairytale marriage of American actress Grace Kelly to Prince Ranier III in 1956 firmly established the Principality of Monaco on the map of jet-set destinations. This tiny state on the Mediterranean is surrounded by France with the Italian border just 20km to the east. The number of superyachts in its port, as seen by millions around the world at the annual Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, is testimony to its continued popularity amongst the rich and famous.
Located on the west coast of Sicily, the ancient port of Trapani was founded by the Elymians before a succession of other civilizations arrived including the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Normans. Today this charming port city is home to a plethora of historic buildings together with an impressive choice of attractive terrace cafés and restaurants. Overlooking Trapani from the north-east is the medieval town of Erice which is one of the region’s main tourist attractions along with the ancient Greek town of Segesta and the Egadi Islands which lie just a short journey offshore from the port.
In its heyday it exerted significant power in the Mediterranean region becoming the major city-state of Magna Graecia. Subsequent civilisations who settled in the region left their mark on the city although many of their finest buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. The city has been largely rebuilt and together with the Necropolis of Pantalica is listed as a site of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ by UNESCO.
The Italian island of Elba has a long history which has seen it settled by the Ligurians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. Yet for history scholars the world over it is the fact that Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled here in 1814-15 which is the island’s main claim to fame.
Located to the south of the Gulf of Naples just off the Sorrentine Peninsula is the Italian island of Capri. In the 1950s Capri became a highly desirable destination for the international jet-set including many Hollywood stars such as Sophia Loren, Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn and Ingrid Bergman.
Standing on the Ligurian Sea with distant views of the Apuan Alps, the commercial Port of La Spezia is also home to Italy’s main naval base.
The small port of Portovenere stands on a peninsula overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia on the eastern coastline of the Italian Riviera. It is a charming village notable for the colourful houses which surround its ancient fishing harbour.
Located on the coast of central Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the seaside resort of Gaeta has long been a popular holiday destination for Italian families. Its small harbour attracts relatively few cruise ships compared with the better-known ports of Civitavecchia (Rome) to the north and Naples to the south. Passengers whose itinerary does include Gaeta, however, are in for a treat as this former Roman fortress town is a real hidden gem of the European cruise circuit.
