April 29, 2013

"Y" is for Yacht


This is Day 25 for the
Blogging from A to Z Challenge
for 2013.


The letter "Y" is for the many yachts found in the waters of the French Riviera.


Monaco is home to some of the wealthiest people in the world and its harbour is filled with luxurious yachts of all sizes.



Monaco's Port Hercule


While having breakfast at our hotel, the Fairmont Monte Carlo, we had a beautiful view of the glistening Mediterranean dotted with yachts.


Breakfast at the Fairmont Monte Carlo



After breakfast we ventured down to Port Hercule in La Condamine.



Port Hercule in La Condamine



The super-yacht Lady Moura, owned by a Saudi Arabian businessman, was docked here. Monaco is her home berth.



Lady Moura, Monaco





On nearby Cap Ferrat, the view looking east toward the Villa Kerylos is also filled with yachts.



View from Cap Ferrat



They can also be seen from high above in the hilltop town of Eze-le-Village.



View from Eze-le-Village



During a boat excursion from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Monaco we came across the Bistango, which can be chartered for 350,000 euros per week.



The Bistango


Docked in Monaco's harbour were the Romance, the Candyscape II and the Lady Kathryn V.


The Romance


The Candyscape II


The Lady Kathryn V

From our new vantage point, the Lady Moura (below, on the right) towered above our tour boat.

















Details of the ship's luxurious interior have been kept secret, but it's been reported that the name Lady Moura is carved from 24 carat gold - no surprise that the yacht is valued at $210 million.



The Lady Moura's 24 Carat Gold Lettering



But she's not the world's most expensive yacht - that honour goes to the Eclipse, currently the world's largest yacht and valued at an estimated $1.5 billion. (And the Eclipse may soon be surpassed by the even larger Azzam, due to launch in the fall of 2013.)

The much more humble harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer is also home to many yachts, though none quite as grand as those in Monaco.




Harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer



So perhaps it's quite fitting that the Streets of Monaco yacht has been designed to replicate those very streets, including miniature replicas of the Monte Carlo Casino, Hotel de Paris and Café de Paris. If completed, it could take over the top spot.



Monte Carlo Casino


Hotel de Paris


Café de Paris



The Streets of Monaco's new owner should feel right at home.

Next:  "Z" is for Zodiac


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