Luxury Lifestyle, Relaxing Beats Series

In the 19th century, artists discovered this picturesque fishing village on the Côte d'Azur and made it their source of inspiration. They were followed by the aristocracy and moneyed classes, and around fifty years ago St. Tropez gained its international reputation as a refuge for the rich and famous. You can still find them today, in elegant Port Grimaud with its luxurious yachts from all over the world; in the upmarket bars and restaurants that line the promenade; on the elegant boulevards; in high class shops; or at the sophisticated beach clubs. Even with all these distinguished guests, St. Tropez has still managed to preserve its picturesque and sleepy atmosphere.

In the 19th century, artists discovered this picturesque fishing village on the Côte d'Azur and made it their source of inspiration. They were followed by the aristocracy and moneyed classes, and around fifty years ago St. Tropez gained its international reputation as a refuge for the rich and famous. You can still find them today, in elegant Port Grimaud with its luxurious yachts from all over the world; in the upmarket bars and restaurants that line the promenade; on the elegant boulevards; in high class shops; or at the sophisticated beach clubs. Even with all these distinguished guests, St. Tropez has still managed to preserve its picturesque and sleepy atmosphere.

The chalk cliffs are visible even from a long way away and fall away steeply into the sea like a wall – around 70 meters (230 foot) high. Hidden behind them is a fjord-like inlet, which provides the beautiful entrance into the natural harbor of Bonifacio. The elegant modern lower town is set around the harbor with a promenade that runs the length of the deep harbor bay and leads to the elegant marina. More than 187 stone steps, majestically named the "Staircase of the King of Aragon", lead you up to the medieval upper town which sits lofty and impregnable high up on the top of a steep chalk cliff.

With its soft, white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea, the dreamlike Costa Smeralda in northeastern Sardinia has been attracting the international jet set for around 60 years. Karim Aga Khan was one of the first to fall in love with the Emerald Coast in the early 1960s and founded the glamorous Porto Cervo as a glamorous destination for wealthy guests. An elegant little town with luxury villas and a large marina was created around a piazzetta where exclusive restaurants and bars are lined up – still today a perfect playground for the rich and beautiful from all over the world.

A beautiful beachside promenade and, on a headland, the old town of Alghero which sits defiantly behind thick fortifications. Alghero is something very special. Many buildings and squares in the charming old town were built when it was ruled by the Catalans and some of the inhabitants still speak a dialect of Catalan today. That's why the town is also lovingly known as "Little Barcelona". Grand palaces, numerous churches and towers, winding lanes and lively squares with snug bars and restaurants transport you into the Middle Ages with a Catalan-Gothic character.

Mahôn, the island's capital, has the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The harbor of the former capital, Ciutadella, which translates as "tiny little town", has a picturesque setting on a fjord-like bay. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and you will be enchanted by the narrow lanes in the old town, the majestic squares and the smart promenades. Menorca naturally has two sides – in the north is the wild mountain region of Tramuntana, with its ruggedly craggy coastline and hidden bays. In the south there are gentle hills with wide plains and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Majorca's little sister is considerably quieter and more traditional.

Mahôn, the island's capital, has the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The harbor of the former capital, Ciutadella, which translates as "tiny little town", has a picturesque setting on a fjord-like bay. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and you will be enchanted by the narrow lanes in the old town, the majestic squares and the smart promenades. Menorca naturally has two sides – in the north is the wild mountain region of Tramuntana, with its ruggedly craggy coastline and hidden bays. In the south there are gentle hills with wide plains and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Majorca's little sister is considerably quieter and more traditional.

Ibiza's motto is ""live and let live"". Artists, hedonists and the international jet set discovered the beauty of this Balearic island many years ago. The little island's character has a Moorish influence, which has given it the pseudonym of ""the white island"". The tidy old quarter in Ibiza Town, surrounded by huge fortified walls, has been carefully restored and, like the entire island, is under the protection of UNESCO. In contrast, the spectacular, sometimes wildly rugged island coastline with its innumerable bays and beaches shows the traditional side of Ibiza. The primordial backdrop is one of gentle hills cris-crossed with a scattering of fincas.

Ibiza's motto is ""live and let live"". Artists, hedonists and the international jet set discovered the beauty of this Balearic island many years ago. The little island's character has a Moorish influence, which has given it the pseudonym of ""the white island"". The tidy old quarter in Ibiza Town, surrounded by huge fortified walls, has been carefully restored and, like the entire island, is under the protection of UNESCO. In contrast, the spectacular, sometimes wildly rugged island coastline with its innumerable bays and beaches shows the traditional side of Ibiza. The primordial backdrop is one of gentle hills cris-crossed with a scattering of fincas.

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Málaga has spruced itself up. In 2003, the Museo Picasso opened in a 16th century Renaissance palace and is dedicated to the artist's extensive life's work. This historic old city invites you to take a stroll and its buildings gleam like new. And above everything towers the Alcazaba, a mighty walled fortress. The port was completely redesigned when the city was opened to the sea and you can now take a lovely stroll along the promenade. In Malaga's hinterland you can see the most beautiful aspects of traditional Andalusia. From a distance the typical Andalusian villages look like white dabs of paint shining out from the brown of the barren mountain landscape.