Italian Riviera

Sanremo, the bougainvillea-clad ‘City of Flowers’, has been one of the Mediterranean’s ritziest resorts for a century. Little wonder Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law frolicked here in 1950s-era thriller The Talented Mr Ripley. Come February, Italian celebrities descend en masse for the Sanremo Music Festival. Accordingly, Sanremo's Marina Portosole hosts a bevy of berths for the world’s largest luxury yachts.
On terra firma, visitors may slip into the Art Nouveau Casinò di Sanremo for a round of Texas Hold’em. Being Sanremo, these gaming rooms were designed by renowned Milanese architect Giò Ponti. And naturally, all are welcome to your own private casino which may be recreated back onboard.

Imperia is a coastal city and commune in the region of Liguria, between the French boarder and Genoa. It is the ideal destination for your Italian Riviera yacht charter if you are looking for sunshine, low humidity and warm summer breezes as it was just voted the Italian town with the best weather. The city centre is split into two districts by the river Impero, after which the city was named. The main attraction of Oneglia, on the east of the river, is the port. From there, one can spot the towers of the San Maurizio cathedral, the largest cathedral in Liguria with a pleasing classical façade. Oneglia is more modern than Porto Maurizio on the other side of the river which is defined by its many narrow winding lanes and colourful buildings of the old town.

A vibrant city that claims Christopher Columbus as its son, Genoa is a heady mix of royal mansions, age-old eateries and one of the Mediterranean's largest ports. Time stands still in the city’s labyrinthine caruggi (Genoese alleyways). These wind down from bourgeois palazzi to Genoa’s porto antico, or teaming ancient port. It’s here that thousands of sea creatures – including sharks, rays, manatees and penguins – reside within Italy’s largest aquarium.

The nearby fishing village of Sestri Levante provides a blissful respite from Genoa's urban spirit. A pastel wash of sea-facing homes, it’s still off the international tourist radar. Join the elite group of Italians who have made Sestri an exclusive summer getaway for a century or more.

Portofino may be a byword for glamour, yet this pastel-hued harbour is familiar to just a lucky few. The resort began its heady heyday during the 1960s, when Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra and Brigitte Bardot graced this former fishing village with a touch of the La Dolce Vita.

Come summertime celebrities including Monica Bellucci, Jean Reno and Jude Law holiday here. But locals like to welcome friends without making a fuss. If you queue for gelato next to Rihanna, or sip one of Antonio's bellinis at the Hotel Splendido alongside Kylie, it’s all part of the fun.

A laid back sister to Portofino, Santa Margherita is the archetypal Italian fishing village with a little extra. Elegant Liberty-faceded hotels overlook the endless sea and pastel coloured houses line its perfect promenade. During your Italian riviera yacht charter take in the 16th century Villa Durazzo, with exquisitely kept gardens, and the baroque church Signora della Rosa.

Until the railway arrived a century ago, the Cinque Terre were five far-flung fishing villages cut off from the rest of Italy. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore were sustained only by olive oil, fresh fish and wine from their own vineyard-filled valley.
Today, these colourful stone villages tumble into the sea to form a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding vineyards are still all-organic, but are now criss-crossed by cycling routes, jogging paths and hardcore hiking trails. And beneath its turquoise waters dolphins and the odd whale swims in a protected marine park.

Forte dei Marmi mixes ultimate luxury with brazen hauteur. The Agnellis and the Pirellis made ‘Forte’ Italy’s answer to Cannes in the 1950s. Members of the international jet set stop by each year. Michael Douglas and Giorgio Armani are regulars in the resort’s art deco cafés.

Forte dei Marmi’s pedestrian-only streets distil the very best of Milan and Rome. Boutiques advertise locations of sister branches: St Tropez, St Moritz, St Barths. Beach stretches out from Italy’s most fabulous resort to Pisa in the south and to La Spezia in the north. Forte’s 100 beach clubs outclass even St Tropez.

Tucked at the southern tip of Cinque Terre’s rugged peninsula, Porto Venere is laced with medieval architecture and crowned by 12th-century Castello Doria. Something to celebrate? The castle can be hired out for a private party.

Porto Venere’s seafront promenade is splashed with sublime restaurants. Each dishes up platters of frutti di mare alongside local amber-hued Sciacchetrà wine.

Drop anchor at the nearby island of Palmaria. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is trimmed by isolated beachy coves. Adventurous anglophiles may follow Lord Byron's footsteps: during the early 19th century, he frequently swam across the Gulf of La Spezia to visit fellow English poet Shelly in San Terenzo. More sensible guests take the tender instead.