BETWEEN EARTH & SEA

The emergence of luxury ports is ever rising, with each boasting picturesque locations, luxurious amenities and a whole host of parallel lifestyle conveniences. Ports are the new adult playgrounds.

NO.1 PORTO MONTENEGRO
BETWEEN EARTH & SEA

The shoreline of Montenegro, described by the poet Lord Byron as “the most beautiful contact between the earth and the sea”, is an awe-inspiring beauty, particularly the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor, in which the port is situated. Once a dishevelled naval base, Tivat was a speck on the naturally elegant coastline, but after a generous $480 million investment, Tivat has reincarnated as Porto Montenegro. Scoped by the collective dream of great visionaries, Porto Montenegro is a deliberation of the town’s extravagance - a jewel in the crown of Kotor’s coastline.

With fourteen eateries - and counting - your dining options are plenty. Culinary highlights include zesty mezzes at Byblos, hand-crafted sorbet at Moritz Eis and undoubtedly the Jacks Creek Black Angus Ribeye at the Regent Porto Montenegro.

Shopping is a staple pastime in Montenegro, influenced by the duty-free allowances. A wealth of designer outlets, including Balenciaga, Cartier, Tom Ford, and Valentino (to name a few) line the bucolic streets, with ample caffeinated pit stops between. The port also offers an educating experience with its maritime museum, collection of galleries, sports club and even a prestigious school within the ground.

NO.2 VALENTINES RESIDENCES
UTOPIA

The views from the Valentines Residences marina on Harbour Island are nothing short of utopian. This boutique dock is situated on it’s own private island, complete with powdery, pink sandy beaches and a moat of crystal clear water. Unlike many of the modern ports, Valentines Residences offers a more rustic approach to the luxury yachting scene. A time capsule of antiquated Bahamian life, Harbour Island is a parade of pastel cladded huts, undetermined dust roads and bushels of flamboyant tropical flora; a town with an always ‘open door policy’, where the people are even warmer than the climate.

Known as the fisher’s haven of the Caribbean, enthusiasts can enjoy some of the best catches in the Bahamas, but if the thought of salty sea life doesn’t fulfil your wildest dreams, you can always retreat to the magnificent Valentines Resort; a picture-perfect blend of vivacious shanty architecture and modern amenities, their signature accommodation is everything you could want from a luxury Caribbean hotel. Tie your napkin around your neck and enjoy the on-site savours of unassuming Bahamian cuisine with a gourmet flair. Enjoy a few blissful hours in their Dermalogica Skin Centre - home of indulgent skincare - or spend your day lounging in the comfort of the Governor Dunmore Penthouse Suite.

NO.3 ONEOCEAN PORT VELL
BARCELONA’S OLD TOWN

OneOcean is an all-encompassing nautical nirvana. This extravagant harbour leaves little to be desired, with everything you could possibly want no more than a buggy ride away. situated in the heart of Barcelona’s Old Town, the atmosphere is alive with opulence. Mooring here offers access to world-renowned architecture, incredible food and an immersive culture scene.

A beautiful ensemble of glass, stone and driftwood, the port is a stunning contemporary spectacle, teaming with subtle modernist architectural charm. Should your time be spent predominantly harbourside, the OneOcean Club provides a range of leisurely lunching, including fresh, local seafood, and artisan cocktails - all enjoyed with sparkling bay as the backdrop.

Grown weary from your adventures aboard? Retire to the port’s spa-gymnasium, or better yet, have one of their dexterous masseuses come aboard your vessel for some much-deserved rest and relaxation.

NO.4 GRAND HARBOUR MARINA
CULTURE & COUTURE

The sight of signature honey limestone on an expense of royal blue sea is a breathtaking first impression, though merely an entrée, to the beauty of Valletta. Malta is the new jewel of the Mediterranean, offering incredible architecture, a rich history, culture, and plenty of high-life amenities too. Voted Best Place to Visit for Culture 2017 by National Geographic Traveller, Malta - Valletta in particular - is quickly becoming everyone’s next bucket list destination.

Marine giants Camper & Nicholsons Marinas designed Grand Harbour as a yachting destination that would inspire, excite enchant, and relax its visitors. Stroll along the waterfront and explore Haute Maltese fair at the Harbour Club restaurant, where culture, exquisite food and opulence are one.

NO.5 SANI MARINA
SANI SUN

A pebbled aquatic runway leads you into the calm turquoise waters of the bay. Situated on the island’s most-western prong, the Kassandra Peninsula boasts white sand beaches, as well as lush tree-lined capes and breathtaking scenery. Directly opposite, Mount Olympus smiles down on the port - a nod to its beauty from the gods themselves.

The Sani Resort - the marina’s five-star luxury village - vaunts a collection of four hotels, nine prestigious eateries (including a traditional crêperie and patisserie), two cocktailing hot spots and its very own deli. Not to mention the lavish shopping opportunities. Sweep the pizza for its indulgent goodies, including luxury swimwear brand Orlebar Brown, timepiece exports Ulysses Watches and jewellers Thalia Exarchou.

July and August are two of the best months to visit, in the midst of their signature festival season. The Sani Festival is a gathering of talented musicians; an eclectic fusion of music from around the world, brought together at the foothills of the rolling verdant mountains. Second in the term is the coveted Sani Gourmet; an annual gastronomic celebration that brings together some of the finest chefs from Greece and around the globe. In short, Sani is not to be missed.