The Summer Season: Ten Places to Fly, June to September
Summer belongs to the Mediterranean, with a few great American exceptions. The season opens with the Monaco Grand Prix in late May and peaks in August, when the yachts gather off Sardinia and the Riviera. Here is where our clients go, and what to know before you book.
1. Saint-Tropez and the Côte d’Azur
The centre of the summer yacht circuit. Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, Airelles Pan Deï and lunch at Club 55 are the anchors. Fly into Nice and continue by helicopter, around half an hour, to avoid the coast road. Flying to St Tropez
2. Monaco
The Grand Prix in late May opens the season, and the Hôtel de Paris is the address. From Nice, a helicopter reaches Monaco in about seven minutes. Flying to Monaco
3. Mykonos
A lively crowd, including many athletes and entertainers. Private villas are the norm, with long lunches at Nammos and Scorpios. The island airport is ten minutes from town. Flying to Mykonos
4. The Amalfi Coast and Capri
Il San Pietro, Belmond Caruso and the Hotel Caesar Augustus are the key hotels, and Positano is often reached by yacht. Fly into Naples and take a boat or helicopter along the coast. Flying to the Amalfi Coast
5. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda
Porto Cervo has the densest gathering of superyachts in the Mediterranean in August. Cala di Volpe and Belmond Romazzino lead, and Olbia airport is half an hour away. Flying to Sardinia
6. Ibiza
Villas, yachts and beach clubs, with a party scene that coexists with a very private crowd in the quieter north of the island. Flying to Ibiza
7. The Hamptons
New York’s summer migration, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, mostly to private estates. By helicopter it is around forty minutes from Manhattan. Flying to the Hamptons
8. Lake Como
Villa d’Este, Passalacqua and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo are the key hotels, and the lake is one of the world’s favourite places for weddings and celebrations. Milan Linate is around an hour away. Flying to Lake Como
9. Bodrum and the Turkish Riviera
Rising fast, thanks to gulet and yacht charters. Amanruya, Mandarin Oriental and Six Senses are the main properties, and Milas–Bodrum airport is around forty minutes from town. Flying to Bodrum
10. Sun Valley, Idaho
Allen & Co.’s July conference makes Sun Valley the summit of media and technology, and private aviation traffic is enormous that week. Aircraft parking at Hailey must be arranged far in advance. Flying to Sun Valley
When to book
For the Grand Prix, August in the Mediterranean and Sun Valley’s conference week, book as early as you can: airport parking and helicopter slots are limited, and the best aircraft go first. For the rest of the summer, a few weeks’ notice is usually enough.
Tell us where you would like to spend the summer. We will arrange the flight, the helicopter or boat for the last mile and, through Le Rambouillet, the villa, the yacht or the suite.