Grand French Riviera & Mediterranean Explorer

Ports

• Barcelona
  

  Overlooking the Mediterranean city, Barcelona is a destination that welcomes exploration. Vibrant and metropolitan, this UNESCO-Awarded city is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. It is especially notable for its Art Nouveau architecture and the work of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, which can be seen throughout the city. His best-known work is the immense, unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction since 1882 and is still financed by private donations. Completion is planned for 2026. SeaDream overnights in this bustling Mediterranean city and typically docks downtown at the World Trade Center, just steps away from the iconic tree-lined pedestrian La Rambla boulevard
• Roses, Costa Brava
  

  Roses (or Rosas in Spanish) is a coastal city and has the largest fishing fleet of the Costa Brava. Even with so many fishermen, this town in Girona thrives on tourism. The town is popular for its splendid beaches and loved for its unique location as it is the only beach resort facing west. This allows tourists and locals alike get to enjoy fantastic sunsets across the Gulf of Roses. SeaDream anchors just of the marina and may offer guests water sports activities.
• Sete
  

  This city in southern France has a long and interesting history, modern history from the mid-1600’s when it was founded as an integral Mediterranean port. In the 1800’s the British attempted to burn down the city, and German troops occupied it in 1944. Visitors to the city can enjoy numerous fine restaurants, a great selection of museums and art galleries, and of course water sports, tours, and excellent sandy beaches.
• Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
  

  Resplendent Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is ideally situated in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, with a plethora of quintessential French towns within easy reach. Discover the breathtaking city of Marseille, whose striped Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde is crowned by an immense golden statue of the Virgin Mary and Child. In genteel Aix-en-Provence, follow the trail of Cézanne through leafy squares and promenades sprinkled with bubbling fountains. The artistic ambiance also extends to Cassis, whose evocative landscapes have been immortalized on canvas by the likes of Paul Signac and André Derain. Step back into the medieval era in both La Cadière d’Azur, a delightful cluster of buildings dating as far back as the 9th century, and in tranquil Le Castellet, a diminutive hilltop hamlet that provides expansive views over the surrounding farmland. The region’s terroir is phenomenally suited for winemaking, so you’ll enjoy ample opportunities to try the local varietals, whether visiting one of the area’s many wineries or simply sipping on a refreshing rosé while lounging at an inviting seafront bistro.
• Sanary-sur-Mer
  

  Sanary-sur-Mer is a Provencal village located in the Var department in the Provences-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur region of France. Most visitors fall in love with the town shortly after they arrive. The harbor has several traditional wooden boats called “pointus” that are used by the fisherman daily. They sell their catch each morning on the harbor front. Market day is always a special treat so plan accordingly. The nearby village of Bandol has some of the oldest vineyards in France. It’s an easy bike ride down the coast from Sanary-sur-Mer. Other options include a land adventure to the nearby town of Castellet a typical hilltop village where you can explore and have a nice wine tasting. Golf at De La Fregate as well as water sports are also on option here.
• St. Tropez
  

  St. Tropez located on the French Riviera quite simply may be the most famous resort town in Europe. It is a playground for the fashion models, athletes, movie stars, entertainers and other extremely wealthy summertime guests. There’s much to offer in this resort town, shopping, nightlife (Byblos hotel’s Les Caves du Roy nightclub) exceptional beach clubs such as Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach at Pampelonne. Nearby you can explore some of the hill towns and visit the award winning rose wineries. You can also visit neighboring Grimaud and Port Grimaud or just a little further out golf at a few highly rated courses. SeaDream anchors just off the break wall and tenders directly to the pier downtown.
• Cannes
  

  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.
• 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.
• Bonifacio, Corsica
  

  Bonifacio is one of our favorite arrivals! As we approach, the Captain navigates along the limestone cliffs giving guests a sea view of incredible Bonifacio as well as the great Aragon steps leading to the water’s edge. Shortly after the pilot will embark and the Captain will turn the yacht around and back into this very impressive fjord-like marina. This could be one of our highest rated arrivals as the guests always find it both impressive and awe inspiring.
• Porto Cervo, Sardinia
  

  Porto Cervo is an Italian seaside resort in northern Sardinia in an area called the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). SeaDream is most likely the only commercial vessel allowed to call to this amazing port of call. There have been several restrictions navigating and calling to ports within the protected national park zone. The best solution rather than anchoring was to get permission to dock next to the other super yachts “stern to” (backing into the pier using the marina platform to access to the port). The village is the main centre of the Costa Smeralda. It was created by Prince Karim Aga Khan and various other investors. The village houses some amazing boutiques, a newsagent, bars, restaurants and supermarkets. Guests like to visit incredible properties such as Cala di Volpe, Patrizza, Romazzino as well as the Pevero Golf Club for some amazing golf and tennis options. SeaDream’s Land adventure takes guests to all the sights of the Costa Smeralda.
• Calvi, Corsica
  

  Calvi located on the northwest coast of Corsica in the Haute-Corse department of France. Some have speculated that Christopher Columbus came from Calvi, which at the time was part of the Genoese Empire. SeaDream has an option to dock in the heart of town or anchor off the marina to offer marina possibilities. As most of the main sites are just a stone throw away, we have arranged a guided walking land adventure. Other options include the popular Villages of Corsica adventure, Golf, mountain biking or relaxing on the beach.
• Cassis
  

  Cassis is a small port situated east of Marseille in the administrative department of the Bouches-du-Rhone in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in southern France. It is a very popular tourist destination and is famous for its steep cliffs (falaises) and the sheltered limestone inlets called calanques. The wines of Cassis are white and rose, and not to be confused with creme de cassis, a specialty of Burgundy which takes its name from blackcurrants (cassis), not the village here. SeaDream anchors in the bay and offer a land adventure to the impressive Aix en Provence. Other options are taking a local boat to the calanques, hiking along the coast, visiting some of the local vineyards, water sports, mountain biking or simply relaxing in a Balinese bed on the yacht.
• Fréjus
  

  Often referred to as “the French Pompeii,” Fréjus bursts with ancient monuments and a history that few seaside towns can claim. Here Julius Caesar founded the first Roman military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, and with its 2,000-year-old history you might just feel like you are in gladiatorial times past. Unmissable sites include the Roman Ampitheater, an impressive oval arena perched on the edge of town; the Roman Aqueduct, where channeled waters from the Foux and Siagnole Rivers meet via massive underground conduits; and the Archaeological Museum, which houses the bust of Hermes, the symbol of Fréjus. Take in the open-air street markets and cafés, brimming with local life and culture, and ask your chef to accent your evening’s meal with local flavors.
• Collioure
  

  Collioure is one of the most picturesque coastal resorts on the Mediterranean coast of southwest France. With the backdrop of the Pyrenees mountains tumbling into the sea, discover its Old Harbor, impressive castle, narrow cobblestone streets, bijou boutiques, a special art trail, and secluded beachess. Collioure was first settled by the Phoenicians and Greeks as a trading port and over time has been occupied by Romans, Arabs, Spaniards, and the French. The Knights Templars built Collioure’s Chateau-Royal in the twelfth century, later used as a residence for the kings of Mallorca. Collioure has long been considered the birthplace of Fauvism, an expressionistic style of painting created by Henry Matisse and André Derain in 1905. Collioure is known for its salted anchovies, which are exported throughout France.
• Tarragona
  

  At the mouth of the Francoli River, on a hillside rising from the Mediterranean Sea, sits Tarragona, one of Spain’s most flourishing resort towns. In cultured Tarragona, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Roman history mingles with gorgeous sun-kissed beaches and a gastronomic setting that fills its boardwalks with unimaginable culinary aromas. Perhaps its biggest allures are the ruins of a seaside amphitheater and a mosaic-decorated museum, boasting one of the best collections of fourth- and fifth-century Christian documents in Spain, historical emblems made for inquisitive exploring. The Necropolis features Roman tombs and traces of the Forum stand among the alleys of the walled, medieval Old Town. Stroll the Old Town and visit the towering Romanesque Cathedral and one of its lively bistros. A walkway along the ramparts, the Passeig Arqueològic, leads to sweeping views of the surrounding community.
• Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands
  

  Palma de Majorca enchants visitors with its cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that presides over the destination. Visit the Old Town and admire the Royal Palace of Almudaina, before strolling along the promenade and dining on tapas and imbibing on sangria. Valdemossa, a beautiful mountain village in the Tramuntana Mountain valley outside of Palma, is steeped in old-world charm and a rich blend of olive and almond trees. It includes such notable gems as a thirteenth-century monastery where musician Frederic Chopin drew inspiration.
• Alicante
  

  Seaside Alicante sits along Spain’s Costa Blanca, the Mediterranean coastline that runs along the Alicante province on the southeastern coast of Spain. A holiday resort town known mostly to travel insiders, Alicante’s picturesque harbor and stunning golden-sand beaches complement its signature Explanada de España, a marble promenade lined with more than six million mosaic tiles. Alicante’s Old Town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, is your pathway to the medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, one of Spain’s largest medieval fortresses, set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Mediterranean.
• Cartagena
  

  Cartagena was founded in the 3rd century BC and has been a major naval station. It is located in the Region of Murcia, southeastern Spain. Thanks to its strategic position on the Mediterranean, Cartagena has been inhabited by many different cultures which have left their mark on its rich cultural heritage during a glorious and turbulent history. It’s a very pleasant and relaxing city to walk around. SeaDream makes it easy is the yacht docks in the center of town. Guests have an option of a walking discovery adventure as well as resort golf at La Manga. Some guests also enjoy independent usage of the mountain bikes.
• Malaga
  

  Malaga, together with adjacent towns and municipalities such as Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Alhaurin de la Torre, Mijas, and Marbella, forms the Malaga Metropolitan area. The important cultural infrastructure and the rich artistic heritage have culminated in the nomination of Malaga as a candidate for the 2016 European Capital of Culture. The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas were both born in Malaga. SeaDream calls to Malaga both as an embarkation point as well as a typical port of call. Kindly check on the land adventures tab to see all of the activities and options. Should you need embarkation information, it’s also available there.
• Puerto Banus
  

  Puerto Banus is a very upscale marina to the west of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. It was built in 1970 by Jose Banus, a local property developer, as a luxury marina and shopping complex for the jet-set. The focal point of Puerto Banus is the marina. It is also a scene for many exotic cars that are owned by international celebrities and wealthy owners that also own large mega yachts. Our local agent tells us that SeaDream is the only commercial yacht that has docked in Banus.
• Gibraltar
  

  Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the entrance of the Mediterranean on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. Most visitors arriving by sea are impressed by the rock’s enormous visual impact. Only covering an area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 sq. km.) several sites are a must-see! Some of the “can’t miss” options include the Great Siege Tunnels, St. Michael’s Cave, The Moorish Castle, The Lighthouse at Europa Point and shopping – yes shopping. SeaDream docks at the passenger terminal and has the coaches for the land adventures just outside. It is an easy walk downtown to the duty-free area. Bikes are available should you want to bike up the rock.
• Tangier
  

  At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tangier opens the door to Morocco. This port on the Strait of Gibraltar is truly a feast for the senses. Take in the influences of peoples and cultures, the heavy fragrances of the spice markets, the murmurs of the sea and city swirling together. The Old Town, or medina, is an architecturally rich labyrinth, boasting Byzantine-era cobblestone streets, Grecian whitewashed homes, and ancient mosques and temples. Separated from the medina by ramparts, the Kasbah, ancient palace district, is built on the highest point in the city, overlooking the harbor.
• Cadiz
  

  Cadiz is believed to have been founded some 3,000 years ago which could make this port city the oldest in Western Europe. The city has so much to offer its visitors with its commercial importance, stunning beaches, regional cuisine and the Unesco Awarded Donana National Park. There’s several significant landmarks in Cadiz, some of which include the yellow-domed Cathedral, the ancient roman theatre, an 18th-century watch tower, the city walls and so much more. SeaDream docks in the heart of this Andalusian town.
• Huelva
  

  A coastal town sitting along the Costa de la Luz coastline in the Gulf of Cádiz, Huelva lies next to the estuary formed by the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. Huelva is surrounded by the unique landscape of dunes, marshes, and pines of the Doñana National Park, pristine beaches, and golf courses. Rich is maritime history, the province is noted for its Palos de la Frontera, and Moguer, where Christopher Columbus sailed out of on his first voyage in 1492.
• Setubal
  

  Setubal sits pretty in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal on the edge of the Setubal peninsula, on the north bank of the Sado Estuary. This lovely historic town boasts notable landmarks such as the 16th-century Monastery of Jesus and the São Julião Church. A charming, strollable destination, Setubal is known for its vibrant food culture, including its local wines, fresh seafood, and local specialty, choco frito (fried cuttlefish). Stroll its waterfront, where traditional fishing boats bob gently against the backdrop of St. Philip fortress and the rugged Arrabida mountain range, or lounge one of its several beautiful beaches.
• Lisbon
  

  Portugal's bustling capital showcases a rich contrast of the historical and modern. Situated near the Tagus River and endlessly sunny, Lisbon embodies a unique beauty and an internationally acclaimed architectural singularity. Its charming hilly neighborhoods boast winding, cobblestone streets and pastel-painted homes and cafés, which happily serve up the city’s signature cuisine, including pastel de nata and custard tarts. From imposing Sao Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the city’s Old Town, Tagus Estuary, and suspension bridge; the National Azulejo Museum displays 5 centuries of decorative ceramic tiles.