L'ITALIE ET SES ILES
We all know that Italy is beautiful, its islands are above all others. Mostly small, no two are alike, and each one takes our breath away.
On the mainland, not far from France, Portofino and Cinque Terre stand out. The former is a small, authentic, and colorful village; its port lies at its heart, and the surrounding area is pleasant to explore. Cinque Terre, further east, is a kind of long village with widely spaced houses built atop the cliffs. With no land access, the inhabitants cultivate gardens on the cliffside, and handcrafted staircases lead down to the sea. Heading south, the first island is Elba. Its port is very beautiful, surrounded by fortifications, and the small local restaurants are there to delight you. Further south, you'll admire the famous Giglio. But the ultimate goal is to reach the Pontine Islands.
Offshore lies the small town of Ponza . Just approaching it, a swimming anchorage to its north, beneath the striking limestone cliffs and in its turquoise waters, is highly recommended. Then you can either find a berth in the harbor or drop anchor just offshore to explore this charming village of beige granite.
The following morning, a tour of the island will leave you amazed! So many colors, such beautiful landscapes. Some sections of rock are even a vibrant orange. At the end of the day, or the next day, take the hour-long ferry to Ventotene . Completely different, its beige-orange, granite rock is round and smooth, a uniform color. The sparse vegetation is a vivid green. Its tiny harbor accommodates boats up to 10 meters long, and the fishmongers all have their own little restaurants; the food is good, fresh, and very friendly.
A grand staircase leads to the village square, where, as in all Italian islands, the inhabitants gather.
Teenagers gathered around their scooters, younger children played games, and the elderly sat on benches, putting the world to rights. The next island, a little further away, is Ischia , a mile from the port of Naples. Apart from its charming appearance, I didn't find it particularly interesting. However, an hour south, we arrive at the most famous island, Capri . Grandiose, awe-inspiring, its cliffs, whose summits stretch as far as the eye can see, are a dark gray contrasting with the colors of the village. In its harbor, the most beautiful yachts are moored.
Its fun taxis, with their multicolored tarpaulins replacing roofs, will whisk you away to this hilltop village with its fine and varied restaurants, quality boutiques, and incredibly welcoming locals. During the day, circumnavigating the island to the east will reveal the southern beaches. If your boat's captain is daring enough, they'll navigate some very narrow passages between two cliffs, safely and for your entertainment. Head east to explore the Amalfi Coast. It's famous for good reason. At its beginning, you can anchor among three small islets, offering complete protection and a peaceful, secluded, and beautiful setting. The eastern coast is simply stunning. Small traditional villages with imposing bell towers are adorned with a thousand multicolored flowers.
The port of Amalfi is at the end of this coast; very congested and lively in the evening, this area is well worth a visit. A long crossing southwards will lead you to Stromboli . This still-active volcano is a truly spectacular sight at night.
Beyond this island, Lipari , the largest of the Aeolian Islands, makes a lovely stop. Its spacious harbor guarantees you a berth, the traditional village is very Italian despite its muted colors, and both locals and tourists are relaxed. You'll then sail between Lipari and Vulcano , with its volcanic sulfurous scent, to reach Alicudi and then Filicudi , two small, beautiful, and unspoiled islands where fishermen invite you to have lunch in their comfortable beach huts. A longer sail later, the Egadi archipelago appears, west of Sicily.
The small town of Maritimo, with its white Greek-style houses, will only welcome you if you're lucky enough to find a berth in its tiny harbor. I hope you do. Otherwise, you'll have to go to Favignana , its larger neighbor.
The port is large, as is the village; this flat island is made entirely of beige granite, even the buildings in the village. The Italians there are very pleasant, and the anchorages are calm and safe. On your return to southern Corsica, be sure to see Ustica . A tiny island in the middle of the sea, I'll refrain from telling you more about it to leave you the excellent surprise of discovering it. All of Sardinia is very beautiful; we'll only discuss its northeast. Porto Cervo , the Sardinian Saint-Tropez, is of a much higher standard than our Provençal village. Its bay is enclosed—well, a narrow opening allows yachts to enter the port. Total protection. Everything there is very expensive. Luxury is everywhere, even in the buildings of the village clinging to the hillside. Everything is very beautiful; it's a must-see. End of our Italian tour: the Maddalena archipelago , whose largest island bears the same name. A superb village, populated and lively.
North of the island, very technical sailing in shallow waters, between the rocks, will allow you to find yourself alone in a paradise. Further west, the island of San Stefano is not particularly interesting, but its neighbors Budelli and Santa Maria are exceptional. Turquoise, transparent waters, perfectly calm anchorages, beautiful scenery, and on Budelli , the pink beach, where the sand is truly that color. I could tell you all about the Mediterranean. You will have the pleasure of reading about it soon in my book, " The Little Captain ." If you would like to know more about Sicily, the Adriatic, Greece, or Turkey , please feel free to contact me through our Contact page. Happy sailing and much enjoyment!
