Tuscan Archipelago - A 14-day suggested Itinerary

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(Days 1 to 5 as for the 14 day itinerary to Marciana Marina in Elba.)

Day 1 (Saturday)

After a full briefing on your yacht charter, or even before if you arrive early,take a trip to visit the old town of Porto Ercole (photo) with its fine harbour  and smart shopping area, only 1 mile from Cala Galera. Walk along the harbour and visit the old town, perched on the hillside overlooking the sea. Finish your evening at Da Brunero's Piano Bar on via Italia, just back from the seafront, and listen to the amazing talents of Jaffa at the piano.  He's guaranteed to play a song specially for you that will bring a smile to your face. You can have a meal there too....the fish is excellent, but you'll need to reserve in the summer (0564 832 659).    If music whjle you eat is not required, try a Pizza at El Pirate on the front.  Very friendly. Or consult your briefing guide (given at briefing) to help you select one of the many fine fish restaurants. Sleep on board in Cala Galera.

Day 2 (Sunday)

We suggest a slow and easy sail around the Argentario peninsula, stopping in the many bays and admiring the beautiful hillside scenery covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation ("macchia"), numerous 16^th century lookout towers, and the occasional luxury villa with private jetty. The deep waters around Argentario are a great place for Scuba Diving (recommended for the more experienced) and we can supply indications of interesting wreck and cave dives. A 3 hour sail takes you to the lively fishing village and tourist attraction of Porto Santo Stefano, a good stop to buy fresh fish in the open air market, hire diving equipment and visit one of the most bustling towns in the area, home to a fishing fleet, ferries to the Islands of Giannutri and Giglio as well as great restaurants.

Day 3 (Monday)

A 6 hour sail north-west to Elba, the third largest island of Italy (after Sicily and Sardinia). Stop in Porto Azzurro (photo),  located in a fine and well protected natural harbour and with excellent marina facilities. Visit the 17^th century Spanish fortress on the hill above Porto Azzurro. The evening can be spent either in Porto Azzurro or in the old hilltop village of Capoliveri, only a 10 minute taxi ride, where we can recommend an excellent value "trattoria" with typical Elban food and wine. Sleep on board in the Marina or at anchor in the harbour.

Day 4 (Tuesday)

Sail from Porto Azzurro along the Elban coast to Portoferraio, stopping along the way at the many secluded sandy beaches facing towards the Italian mainland. Portoferraio is about 4 hours sail and is the capital of Elba. The town, founded during the Roman Empire,  is full of history with interesting 16^th century fortifications and port, ancient churches, Roman remains and remnants of Napoleon’s stay in Elba. Anchor and sleep in the well protected bay or in one of the fine Marinas.

Day 5 (Wednesday)

Our last port of call in Elba is Marciana Marina (photo), a small town and port in the north-west of the island, about 3 hours sail from Portoferraio. Marciana Marina has Elba’s best nightlife and is busy till the wee hours with trendy bars full of people in the holiday season. From here, visit the ancient hillside town of Marciana  and take the cable-car to the top of Mount Capanne, enjoying a superb view of Elba, the island of Capraia 25 miles to the north-west and on a clear day the whole Tuscan archipelago and the Italian mainland. A 2 day stop here is worth it if you wish to better visit the area or enjoy the great beaches in the vicinity.

Day 6 (Thursday)

Sail across the deep blue water to the unspoiled island of Capraia, 5 hours away. Dolphins will often accompany you on the way. The beauty of this nature reserve was maintained because the island housed a prison and was closed to tourism until only a few years ago. Visit the fortress town a short walk up the hill from the little port (no cars!), and savour the authentic cuisine of this tiny island paradise.

Day 7 (Friday)

Spend a full day walking on the island’s numerous trails enjoying spectacular views over the sea and the spectacular scenery. Enjoy a swim in one of the secluded and uncontaminated beaches in what is perhaps the finest coastline in the Med.

Day 8 (Saturday)

Sail west (4 hours) to the well equipped yacht marina of Macinaggio in Corsica. Enjoy the facilities , cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Day 9( Sunday)

Sail North to cap Corse and the island of Giraglia on the northern tip, enjoying the spectacular rugged scenery and then head south to Saint Florent on the west side of Corsica. This can be an exciting 5 hour sail as the prevailing westerly or north-westerly winds may freshen on the west side of Corsica. Stop in the port of St. Florent a hotspot of luxury yachts, and exciting nightlife.

Day 10 (Monday)

Stop at Saleccia beach, close to St. Florent, accessible only by boat and rightly famous for its glistening white sand and transparent waters. Sail on to Ile Rousse, west of St. Florent and eat at one of the many excellent fish restaurants on the harbour.

Day 11 (Tuesday)

Sail back in 6 hours around the Northern tip, or "finger" of Corsica to the town of Bastia, a bustling port on the East Coast. Do some sight-seeing or shopping in this busy town, and sleep at the moorings in the old port.

Day 12 (Wednesday)

Sail across to Elba in about 6 hours to Marina di Campo on the south side of Elba, anchoring close to the sandy beach and proceeding to the tiny port in your tender. Visit this delightful resort with elegant summer villas and take an excursion to the center of the island, wine-tasting in one of the many hillside vineyards.

Day 13 (Thursday)

Sail from Elba south-east to the mountainous island of Giglio in about 5 hours. Moor in Giglio Porto and catch the local bus up the mountain to the fortress town of Giglio Castello, an unspoiled medieval town with narrow winding streets (no cars) and surprisingly full of small bars selling the distinctive local wine (buy a few bottles to take back with you). Eat for almost nothing (by UK standards) in a tiny family run trattoria in Giglio Castello.

Day 14 ( Friday)

Sail from Giglio in 2 hours to the island of Giannutri. Stop at the tiny bay (and ancient Roman port) of Cala Maestra) visiting the remains of the superb Roman Villa. Swim in the crystalline blue water around Giannutri (excellent diving in many spots). Sail in the afternoon (less than 2 hours) back to Cala Galera, the Sail-Italy charter base, to a friendly welcome from our attentive staff.

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