Weekend 1 - Romantic
Friday: San Vincenzo – Viticcio (about 20 Mn)
Departure from Marina di San Vincenzo to the Gulf of Viticcio, to spend a night in the roadstead under the star-filled sky of the Island of Elba and spend a relaxing moment in a unique environment admiring its five beautiful coves divided by grey cliffs with quartz veins.
Saturday: Viticcio – La Biodola (approx. 1 Mn) – Marciana Marina (approx. 0.5 Mn)
We set sail for La Biodola, one of the most fascinating and famous bays of the island, whose fine white sand offers a spectacle of colours typical of Caribbean seas. After lunch we move on to Marciana Marina, where we can either stay in the roadstead or go ashore for a tour of the many restaurants and bars overlooking the sea.
Sunday: Marciana Marina – Gulf of Baratti (approx. 17 Mn) – San Vincenzo (approx. 6 Mn)
We set sail early in the morning to go back to Marina di San Vincenzo, making a stop in the Gulf of Baratti to enjoy a last swim in the splendid scenery of the sea, gulf, cliffs, and the beautiful coves nearby, such as Buca delle Fate or Cala Buia, and with a bit of luck, at times with fewer tourists, see whales and dolphins playing with the bow of our boat.
Weekend 2 - Adventure
Friday: San Vincenzo – Ortano for the night (approx. 18 Mn)
Departure from the Marina di San Vincenzo en route to Ortano, a small sandy cove mixed with gravel, where we can spend the night in the roadstead and take a stroll around the islet of Ortano, full of lively bustle of fish just a few metres from the shore.
Saturday: Ortano – Golfo Stella (approx. 13 Mn) – Fetovaia (approx. 9 Mn)
From Ortano we move on to Golfo Stella, located between the cape of the same name and Isolotti Gemini. It is about 2 miles wide and just as deep, divided in half by a narrow rocky point, Capo Pini. It offers good shelter from all northerly winds. The best anchorage is to the NE near the lido beach where we can anchor on a good sandy bottom. After lunch in the roadstead, we head for Fetovaia, one of the most famous and popular roadsteads on the island of Elba. The crystal-clear water and white sand of the beach framed by the Mediterranean maquis make up a postcard landscape of contrasting colours. It offers the opportunity to enjoy both the marine and terrestrial beauty of Elba Island. It is possible to spot numerous shoals of fish with a simple dive from the boat, while more experienced divers can dive to see groupers, lobsters and an underwater cave on the east side of the promontory.
Sunday: Fetovaia – La Biodola (approx. 13.5 Mn) – San Vincenzo (26 miles)
We set off in the morning to head towards La Biodola, one of the most fascinating and famous gulfs on the island, which, thanks to its fine white sand, offers a spectacle of colours typical of Caribbean seas. A quick swim and lunch in the roadstead and then we go back to base.
Week 1 - Romantic
Sunday: San Vincenzo – Capraia (30 Mn)
In the morning, we set sail for Capraia, where we have the choice of mooring in the harbour, in the buoy field or at anchor in the bay in front of the harbour entrance. After Elba Island and Giglio Island, Capraia is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago. It is a volcanic island and at its centre is a small lake fed by rainfall, the only natural pond in the archipelago. The coastline is about 30 km long. The widest coves are ‘Cala del Porto’, ‘Porto Vecchio’ and ‘La Mortola’, the latter of which can only be reached by boat and is a favourite destination for tourists, as it is a wonderful bay with a sandy bottom and which, in favourable wind and sea conditions, creates a small beach, the only one on the entire island. The village and the port are the only inhabited centres that accommodate the approximately 350 residents (up to 2500 in August with tourists).
Monday: Capraia – Fetovaia (25 Mn) – Giglio Campese (39 Mn)
On Monday, we set sail for Fetovaia, one of the most famous and frequented coves on the island of Elba. The crystal-clear water and white sand of the beach framed by the Mediterranean maquis make up a picture postcard landscape of contrasting colours. It offers the opportunity to enjoy both the marine and terrestrial beauty of the Island of Elba. It is possible to spot numerous schools of fish with a simple dive from the boat, while more experienced divers can dive to see groupers, lobsters and an underwater cave on the east side of the promontory.
From Fetovaia we then move on to Giglio Island, with a stop at Giglio Campese, located on the west side of the island in the middle of a charming bay framed by the Faraglione (a monolithic rock rising some 20 metres) on the left and Punta del Fenaio (the northern tip of the island with a lighthouse of the same name) on the right. The southerly winds, which blow in behind, make the bay of Campese an ideal training ground for surfers and sailors, while its western exposure makes it the scene of stupendous sunsets.
Tuesday: Giglio Campese – Giannutri with anchor at Cala Spalmatoio (15 Mn
)
From Giglio Campese we set course for Giannutri, with anchor at Cala Spalmatoio, a beautiful inlet on the island. Historically used as a place for storing and repairing boats, today it is famous as a harbour for mooring boats wishing to discover yet another natural glimpse of the area. The harbour boasts a concrete quay that allows mooring and grants entry to boats wishing to enjoy the wonderful sea that washes the coast. This area used by pleasure boats is located on the northern side of the roadstead and is still subject to navigation and mooring regulations.
Wednesday: Giannutri – Cala delle Caldane (11 Mn) – Giglio Porto (2 Mn)
Cala delle Caldane, also known as Caldane Beach, is located on the south-eastern side of Giglio Island. It is a very private roadstead with a small portion of fine, light-coloured, coarse-grained sand that can only be reached by sea or through a walk of almost 40 minutes along an adventurous and uneven path through the vegetation overlooking the sea.
Around the roadstead, lovers of solitude will enjoy a succession of coves and bays with rocks sloping down to the sea. This is a cove with wild, very private and often uncrowded features, dominated by a spectacular sea in shades of turquoise and emerald, crystal clear and transparent, with a sloping sandy seabed rich in posidonia, ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
For the night, we head to Giglio Porto, located on the eastern side of the island, of which it is the only port. The first visible settlement for ferries from Porto Santo Stefano, in Roman times Giglio Porto was the first civil settlement on the island.
Small and picturesque, with multicoloured houses and a sea of an unthinkable clarity for a port, it manages to reconcile commercial and tourist needs. The very lively atmosphere during the day, with ferries arriving and departing and with its many shops of all kinds, changes completely in the evening with the departure of the last ferry: the pier and the narrow streets with their small shops and craft workshops invite one to stroll around and stop at one of the restaurants, some built on stilts, in a truly enchanting atmosphere. Under normal conditions, Giglio Porto is generally well protected from almost all winds; the predominant ones blow from the north, north-east and south-east. Since Giglio Porto is predominantly considered a transit point, there is little support for pleasure boating within the harbour.
Thursday: Giglio Porto – Porto Azzurro (35 Mn)
From Giglio we go back to Elba, heading for Porto Azzurro, located on the central-eastern side of the island. The imposing fortress of San Giacomo, built in the early 17th century on the top of the promontory dominating the town at the behest of the Spanish, who were interested in controlling and defending the surrounding area, immediately springs to mind. From the end of the 19th century, the fort became a civil penitentiary, which is why in 1947, at the dawn of tourism in Elba, it was decided to change the name of the village from Porto Longone to the more evocative name of Porto Azzurro. In this way, the tourist town wanted to create a new image for itself, not exclusively linked to the presence of the prison.
At the foot of the fortress, the charming seaside village developed. From the central Piazza Matteotti, overlooking the sea and recently renovated, we can admire the tourist harbour, which in summer hosts majestic yachts and in winter is enlivened mainly by the presence of fishing boats and small boats. On the seafront there are exclusive and picturesque restaurants built on stilts, while wandering through the numerous narrow streets, full of shops, you can admire the parish church dedicated to Madonna del Carmine and the Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Mary, both dating back to the 18th century.
Friday: Porto Azzurro – Gulf of Baratti (18 Mn) – San Vincenzo (7 Mn)
We set sail early in the morning en route to Marina di San Vincenzo, stopping in the Gulf of Baratti to enjoy a last swim in the splendid scenery of the sea, gulf, cliffs and the beautiful adjacent coves, such as Buca delle Fate or Cala Buia, and with a bit of luck, in the periods with fewer tourists, to see whales and dolphins playing with the prow of our boat.
Week 2 - Adventure
Saturday: San Vincenzo – Capraia (30 Mn)
We set off immediately in the evening on Saturday, heading for Capraia, to spend the night at anchor in one of its coves, the largest of which are “Cala del Porto”, “Porto Vecchio” and “La Mortola”. After Elba Island and Giglio Island, Capraia is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago. It is a volcanic island, at its centre is a small lake fed by rainfall, the only natural pond in the archipelago. The coastal profile is about 30 km.
Sunday: Capraia – Cap Corse for swimming (18 Mn) – Saint Florent (27 Mn)
On Sunday morning we set sail for Corsica, with our first stop at Cap Corse for a swim. Cap Corse is a peninsula of the island, located in the north-east. Its geographical and cultural peculiarities compared to the rest of the region have earned the Cap Corse the nickname of ‘island within an island’. It stretches from Bastia to Saint Florent, which will be our next stop! The capital of the Nebbio region and the island’s second tourist port, Saint Florent is a must
on a trip to Corsica. The village is also known for being the entry point to the Agriates desert, renowned for its beaches ranked among the most beautiful in Corsica. Nestled at the end of a beautiful bay and framed by mountains, this marina is a reminder that the village was once a fishing village. A stroll around the marina is a must among the things to do in Saint-Florent, where you can find numerous bars and restaurants to spend a fun-filled evening. Its historic centre is also beautiful, the old alleys overflowing with charm and leading gently to romantic squares, charming churches and refreshing fountains.
Monday: Saint Florent – Lotus and Saleccia (1Mn) – Calvi (28 Mn)
From Saint Florent we travel to Loto and Saleccia, two beautiful secret beaches tucked away in the north of Corsica that can only be reached by sea or by 4×4 jeep, located within the Desert des Agriates region. These true natural paradises offer white sand, unspoilt nature and crystal-clear water, providing a unique experience for those on holiday in Corsica. After enjoying this beautiful paradise, we set sail for Calvi.
Nestled between sea, mountains and forests, the perched town of Calvi is as special for its history as it is for its geography. Its crescent-shaped bay and turquoise water beaches guarantee unforgettable moments of relax. Divided in two, the medieval town consists of an upper part, famous for its citadel, and a lower part, where the lively and colourful marina is located. The marina that runs along the Landry quay is an invitation to stroll around and experience a unique atmosphere. Indeed, at any time of day, there are moments to savour: at dawn, one can observe the bustle of fishermen bringing back their full nets while traveller’s boats laze quietly on the waters of the harbour. At lunchtime, the district is quieter and becomes very popular again in the evening when it comes alive with live music, street concerts and parties. It is a must to have breakfast or lunch at the harbour, as it is one of the city’s lively places, ideal for finding outdoor cafés and restaurants.
Tuesday: Calvi – Girolata (16 Mn)
On Tuesday, we head for Girolata, a nature reserve on both sea and land, perhaps the island’s most precious natural jewel. Girolata is a small village that lives in total isolation, light years away from modernity, overlooking one of the wildest areas of Corsica, made up of mountains that reach the sea, the sound of the waves and the scents of the Mediterranean maquis.
Wednesday: Girolata – L’Ile Rousse (30Mn) – Centuri (27Mn)
From Girolata, 30 miles of navigation await us to reach L’Ile Rousse. The name was inspired by the ochre colour of the rocky islet used as a natural harbour and was originally in Italian, then the official language of Corsica; it was Frenchified in 1848. On the seafront, there are several beaches of fine, light-coloured sand, perfect for a swim. There are several monuments in the town that are worth a visit: Torre dello Scalo, Torre della Pietra and the Church of the Immaculate Conception are just a few.
From here, we then set course for Centuri, to spend the night admiring one of Corsica’s most beautiful villages from the roadstead. Of Roman origin, this charming fishing village is a real jewel of the Cap Corse. Built around a handful of houses, the village finds its fulcrum in the colourful harbour, thanks to the multicoloured nets of the fishermen, who have been perpetuating the ancestral tradition of lobster fishing for centuries. Authentic, relaxed and romantic at sunset and in the evening, Centuri is a magical place that will remain in your memory.
Thursday: Centuri – Capraia (24 Mn)
It is time to get closer to the mainland again, so we set off once more for Capraia and enjoy the last evening of this magnificent holiday around the beautiful waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. If we are lucky, we moor in the harbour, so we can go ashore and take a tour of the clubs and restaurants on the island.
Friday: Capraia – Gulf of Baratti (29Mn) – San Vincenzo (5 Mn)
We set sail early in the morning en route to Marina di San Vincenzo, stopping off in the Gulf of Baratti to enjoy a last swim in the splendid scenery of the sea, gulf, cliffs and the beautiful adjacent coves, such as Buca delle Fate or Cala Buia, and with a bit of luck, in the periods with fewer tourists, to see whales and dolphins playing with the prow of our boat.