When big names like Ritz-Carlton and Sotheby's join forces, you know there's a very good chance of getting something extraordinary. If you enjoy art and appreciate discovering artistic destinations on a journey through the Mediterranean, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has something you'll likely crave.
The partnership has announced "Masterpieces & The Mediterranean," an exclusive auction offering that combines luxury travel with curated cultural immersion, offering what may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A Mediterranean journey is always an exciting adventure, but this particular trip is difficult to match.
The voyage is part of a collaboration under Marriott International's Luxury Group, and the auction will be held via Sotheby's Sealed platform from June 20 to 30, 2025, sharing that time period with Sotheby's Summer Marquee Sales Exhibition in London.
The partnership, which launched in 2024, has already produced four bespoke travel offerings. Masterpieces & The Mediterranean offers rare access, expert storytelling, and experiences that will create lasting cultural resonance for the winning bidder.
It takes place on the brand's third and newest superyacht, Luminara, as it journeys from Rome to Barcelona from October 17 to 24, 2025 (no need to worry about a conflict with your summer vacation plans). Designed as a celebration of art and exploration, the voyage brings together the hospitality of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection with Sotheby's curatorial vision.
The winning bidder and a guest will travel in Luminara's Owner's Suite, an expansive two-person residence featuring panoramic views, private indoor-outdoor living, and personalized service from a dedicated Suite Ambassador (a butler to assist with your every whim). Think of the best of a Ritz-Carlton hotel but on a luxury cruise ship.
Destinations on the itinerary include iconic locations like Saint-Tropez, Mallorca, and Portofino. Onboard, guests will enjoy five restaurants, seven bars, a premium all-inclusive beverage program, and a sommelier-led tasting in the Wine Vault featuring rare and limited-edition vintages.
Part of the experience includes the tasting menu at Seta su Luminara, the yacht's signature Italian dining spot, under the supervision of award-winning chef Fabio Trabocchi. What could be better than Italian cuisine while touring the best of the Mediterranean?
In addition to premium ground transportation in Saint-Tropez and Florence, wellness is a central feature of the voyage, featuring treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, with products from ESPA, Pisterzi, and 111SKIN.
The artistic journey is shaped by Sotheby's specialists, Ottilie Windsor and Tom Eddison, and features behind-the-scenes access to some of the region's most culturally significant locations. Highlights include a visit to the FAMM museum led by Sotheby's specialists and museum curators showcasing pieces by popular artists Mary Cassatt, Joan Mitchell, and Louise Bourgeois, among others.
Complementing the visit to the museum is a stop at the home of Christian Levett, founder of FAMM (Europe's first museum showcasing the work of female artists) in Florence, where guests will explore a curated collection of contemporary works by female artists.
Other high-profile stops include the Barbara Hepworth Art & Life exhibition at the Foundation Maeght, France's first independent art foundation, and lunch at La Colombe d'Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where the walls are adorned with a collection of art from heavy-weights like Picasso, Calder and Matisse.
Though it started out as a simple inn, La Colombe d'Or later became a haven for some of the best artists in France. Many of them paid for their stay with art, which has allowed the establishment to amass a collection that is the envy of many museums.
Art connoisseurs will have a hard time finding a more interesting place to dine while celebrating some of the most talented artists of the region. You can place your bid at the Sotheby's auction site.
