French Riviera Dream Nice to Nice

Nice is the fifth most populous city in France and the second largest on the Mediterranean coast. The city’s famous seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’) owes its name to the earliest settlers to this seaside resort. For over a quarter century, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation but also those seeking inspiration. SeaDream docks in the small port and offers several land adventure options as well as private arrangements and transfers.

Saint-Tropez is a coastal town on the French Riviera, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France. Long popular with artists, the town attracted the international “jet set” in the 1960s, and remains known for its beaches and nightlife. The cobblestoned La Ponche quarter recalls its past as a fishing village, although yachts now outnumber fishing boats in the Vieux Port (Old Port).

Cannes is a well-known destination in the French Riviera that is home to many international festivals celebrating the arts, including Midem, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and the global film festival founded in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival. It’s the first European satellite manufacturer, home to the Cannes Mandelieu Space Center, as well as the headquarters for Thales Alenia Space. Originally a small fishing port heavily tied to the Lerins Islands, Cannes is most characterized by luxury, fame, and hosting conferences. Despite becoming a glamorous destination in the Côte d’Azur, the history of Cannes and the Lerins Islands was quite rocky. Cannes was initially named Aegitna, and established by the Ligurian tribe of Oxybii in the 2nd Century B.C. In 410 A.D. two monks settled on Lerina and established a monastery, housing several hundred monks by the 6th century. Out of fear of a Saracen invasion, Le Suquet was procured by the monks in the 11th century, which led to the birth and expansion on what became known as Cannes. Piracy remained a general problem and by the 12th century, the monastery was finally attacked by Saracen pirates, which further fueled insecurity. In 1520, when French King Francis I and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V declared war, Cannes became a passageway for their armies. The situation in Cannes would worsen when the great plague of 1579 annihilated much of the population. In 1635, the Spanish occupied the town for a couple of years before returning to Spain in 1707 for the War of Spanish Succession. It wasn’t until the 18th century where Cannes finally became tranquil and began flourishing in the 19th century. The economy for Cannes is sustained by business fairs, trade, tourism, and aviation. Points of interest include the Iles de Lerins, Marches Forville, Casino Croisette and Rue Meynadier. During the summer, from May to September, Cannes remains sunny for 12 hours a day. Its warm climate allows lemon, orange and olive trees to thrive, as well as fig, almond, oak, lotus and cypress trees. When sailing to Cannes, be sure to visit La Croisette and stroll along the white sandy beaches on this mile-long promenade where the very essence of this town thrives. SeaDream typically anchors so we can offer water sports to our valued guests. You may occasionally see the yacht docked alongside when we are chartered from the festival.

The picturesque fishing village of Portofino can be found along the Italian Riviera, and is one of the most popular resort getaways in all of Italy. Portofino has been a staple of tourism in Italy since the 19th century, officially replacing fishing as its chief industry in 1950. Portofino is twinned with Kinsale, Ireland, and Palma (de Mallorca), Spain. Roman philosopher and military commander Pliny the Elder declared that Portofino was founded by the Romans, and with the high concentration of dolphins found in the Tigullian Gulf, it was named the “Port of the Dolphin” – Portus Delphini. Portofino was primarily a member of the Republic of Genoa in early days, and never provided more than a resting area for the merchant navy due to its naturally cramped harbor. The Republic of Florence purchased Portofino in 1409 from French King Charles VI, yet returned when the Florentines were ousted. Portofino became a part of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815, and during Risorgimento, it became a member of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Aristocratic visitors from Northern Europe began visiting the town in the 19th century, leading to eventual vacation homes and celebrities appearing in Portofino. Portofino is naturally beautiful port with colorful, iconic architecture that was even replicated as a hotel resort at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando. The Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan also created a seaside town based on Portofino. Tourists like to visit the museum Castello Brown, which provides a great view of the town, as well as the churches of St. Martin, Oratorio di Nostra Signora Assunta, and St. George – the latter containing some relics of saints. When visiting Portofino, be sure to take a guided dive to the Portofino Marine Park, as well as take a glimpse at the recently restored famous underwater statue, the Christ of the Abyss.

Nice is the fifth most populous city in France and the second largest on the Mediterranean coast. The city’s famous seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’) owes its name to the earliest settlers to this seaside resort. For over a quarter century, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation but also those seeking inspiration. SeaDream docks in the small port and offers several land adventure options as well as private arrangements and transfers.