Deal

The Principality of Monaco is the epitome of Riviera chic. This tiny enclave of 370 acres surrounds a sheltered harbour that draws yachts from around the world to enjoy the beautiful scenery, mild weather and elegant casino. Glamorous Monte Carlo is one of Monaco’s four quarters, which also include La Condamine, the business district; Monaco-ville, the capital; and Fontvieille, an area built on reclaimed land. Ruled by Prince Albert II, Monaco has a population of over 32,000, of which about 16 percent are citizens, or Monégasques.

Located 34 kilometres northeast of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean, Porto Santo enjoys the same climate of eternal springtime. However, the small island also boasts an extensive strand of wide, soft sand beach, which its larger neighbour lacks. The northern end of the island is tall and rugged, showing off the columnar basalt formations and tortured geological evidence of is volcanic origins. The southern end is flat and mostly low, ringed by the beach. The main town of Vila Baleira is centred around a triangular plaza, the Largo de Pelhourinho, shaded by date palms and Dragon Trees. Here you will find the Old Town Hall and the Nossa Senhora da Piedade church, rebuilt in the 17th century on the site of a 16th century original. The Via Cristovão Columbo leads to the small house where it is supposed Columbus lived for some years after his marriage. Back up north, the village of Camacha holds a small Cardina museum created by a local man who crafted small-scale models of many of the island’s water fountains (fresh water was always a scarcity) and gathered traditional farming implements and other historic artifacts. The Fonte de Areia is a geologic oddity, an endless cascade of sand resulting from erosion of the soft sandstone cliffs. For golfers, the island has a new 18-hole course designed by Spanish champion Seve Ballestreros.

Colourful fishing boats line the busy little port of Marina Grande, the gateway to the famous isle of Capri in Italy’s Bay of Naples. Inhabited since the Stone Age and settled by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, Capri was the favourite retreat of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, who built numerous residences there. The island has remained a haven for A-listers ever since, as evidenced by the many elegant villas that dot its dramatic coastal cliffs. Your first view upon approach is of the iconic Faraglioni, a cluster of three rock formations said to be home to the mythical sirens who tempted Odysseus with their songs. Today’s travellers are enchanted by the spectacular views from Villa San Michele and atop Mount Solaro. Wander the Gardens of Augustus, take a boat ride inside the ethereal Blue Grotto, and explore the remains of Villa Jovis, the most impressive of Tiberius’s many island abodes. Stroll Capri Town’s narrow alleyways lined with exclusive boutiques, then grab a limoncello in the central piazza, La Piazzetta, and soak in the charm.

This harbour on the eastern shore of Sicily near Messina provides close access to the fabulous Greco-Roman ruins of Taormina, as well as the active volcano Mount Etna. The temples, streets, and large amphitheatre of Taormina make it one of Italy’s premier ancient sites. Its location overlooking the sea, with the backdrop of snow-capped Etna, completes the package and makes it one of the most famous attractions in the Mediterranean region. Giardini Naxos itself boasts a lovely beach at Lido Europa, and intrepid visitors can climb Mount Etna to see a volcano up close.

Occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, French, and British, Malta has been of strategic importance throughout history. A British Crown Colony until 1964, Malta was awarded the George Cross for its valiant resistance to German occupation in WWII. The island’s rich heritage is reflected in the architecture of Valletta, the current capital, and Mdina, the capital until 1565. In Valletta, the Knights of St. John built masterpieces such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Masters, along with the fortifications that protect the town’s magnificent harbours.

A port not often visited by cruise ships, it is more accustomed to welcoming fishing boats and private yachts. Malta’s smaller sister isle has a lot of charm to offer. Villages such as Mgarr all boast tall, elaborately carved churches, the result of a combination of fine-grained, easily carved stone, time, and stonemasons whose skill is matched only by their religious devotion. The city of Victoria was named to honour the British queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Corsica, the ‘scented isle,’ was the birthplace of Napoleon, and as late as the last century, bands of brigands controlled his mountainous and rugged homeland. The beaches of Ajaccio, ranging from narrow crescents to broad, golden expanses, help to explain the city’s rise as a popular resort. Scenic attractions such as the Calanches of Piana, those red granite mountains with their spectacular slopes and formations, add an extra element of interest.

On the southern shore of one of the most beautiful bays of the Riviera, the little port of St. Tropez has become one of the best-known resorts in Europe, a crossroads where journalists, photographers, writers, artists, and celebrities meet. Guy de Maupassant discovered the town, but it was the painters—Signac, Matisse, Bonnard, Marquet, Camoin—who made it more widely known, all staying for varying amounts of time. The harbour teems with life, as fishing boats, excursion craft, and hundreds of yachts share the space. On the waterfront, old pink and yellow houses have been converted into cafés, cabarets, and restaurants, as well as luxury boutiques, galleries, and antique shops. A picturesque and cosmopolitan crowd strolls the streets in season.

Located at the foot of the mountains on Spain’s rugged Costa Brava, Palamos boasts seven superb beaches, Iberian archeological remains from the year 6 BC, and the Church of Sant Esteve on the beach. Highlighting the town centre is its 16th-century cathedral.