Top 7 European Destinations Chosen by Superyacht Owners in 2021
This article originally appeared on JamesEdition.com. This summer, affluent megayacht owners escaped to the seas – but where, exactly? According to tracking data by Bloomberg, the countries with the largest number of superyachts spotted in August 2021 mainly spanned Europe. Italy, Greece, France, and Spain ranked highly, as well as destinations such as the sovereign city-state of Monaco. Italy topped the list, with 228 yachts counted, and celebrities abroad such as Kendall Jenner, Paris Hilton, Dwyane Wade, and Gabrielle Union. Al Mirqab – the 437-foot, 13-cabin vessel was spotted out on the Italia seas, as was 511-foot Dilbar, complete with a 25-meter swimming pool – one the largest installed on a yacht yet. Also, Le Grand Bleu, the 355-foot, 65-crew boat owned by Russian-American oil billionaire Eugene Shvidler. Greece had a yacht count of 193, 168 were seen in France, and 103 in Spain. Up and coming Montenegro also found its way onto the list with 17 sightings, as wealthy superyacht owners sought an alternative to Croatia (57 were observed there).
Which upscale locations made the top 7?
With Europe dominating Bloomberg’s Resilience Ranking for best places to wait out the pandemic, it’s no surprise superyacht owners set sail for Mediterranean waters. Where was most favored in August?1. Porto Cervo – Sardinia, Italy
At the northeast tip of Sardinia lies luxurious Porto Cervo, the undisputed capital of Costa Smeralda and home to the top-class Pevero Golf Club. With just a few hundred residents, the charming village is surrounded by natural beauty, coming alive in the summer when wealthy yacht owners and celebrities flock to the exclusive area. The port sits in a natural cove resembling the shape of a deer, and is one of the biggest and best equipped in the Mediterranean, housing 700 moorings. The glam spot is also the HQ of Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, organizer of prestigious regattas.2. Sorrento, Capri & Ischia – Naples Bay, Italy
3. Portofino & La Spezia – Liguria, Italy
4. Cyclades archipelago – Greece
This island group in the Aegean Sea is popular among yacht owners, and it’s easy to see why. There’s Paros with golden beaches and a Venetian Fortress, lesser-known Tinos boasting raw beauty, and bucket list Santorini (Thira) formed after a volcanic eruption some 3600 years ago. Not to mention Mykonos, a haven for jet-setters and celebrities, Ios with its secluded beaches and picture-postcard scenery, Syros blending Cycladic and Venetian architecture, and Naxos – the largest of the Cycladic islands, but relatively undetected as a tourist route.5. Lefkada & Corfu – Ionian Islands, Greece
Just a short walk from Lefkada’s historic center, first-rate Lefkas Marina is one of the calmest in the Ionian, fringed by glorious sandy beaches. An excellent base for exploring western Greece, the large harbor houses 620 berths for vessels up to 40 meters long and is connected to the mainland via a small bridge. UNESCO heritage Corfu is home to several ports, most notably Gouvia – an idyllic yachting location and the first privately owned marina in Greece, with 1235-berth capacity for boats up to 80 meters long and 5.5 meters draft.6. Saint Tropez, Cannes & Menton – French Riviera, France
7. Ibiza – Balearic Islands, Spain
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