SAILING TUSCANY Unexpected trip in an enchanting and historical environment
A week for true sea lovers to discover this charming and lesser-known side of Tuscany, with its white cliffs, sunny beaches and pearl-like islands. Skippers are friendly, local and highly experienced, they will be sailing with you amidst the islands forming part of the Tuscan Archipelago. The stops have been organized so as to enable inland excursions designed to illustrate the artistic, historic and scenic importance of the region. You will experience the sun and the wind, journeys to small ports and hidden harbours, the variety of interpretations of Tuscan cuisine and, of course, the wines, savouring an authentic part of Mediterranean Sea, drinking in the freshness of the dawn and the sweetness of the sunset.
Suggested itinerary (possible variations due to weather conditions and captain decisions).
D01: PISA - PORT OF SCARLINO - GULF OF FOLLONICA From Pisa airport, forthwith to Volterra for a rendezvous with our guide. Short visit to the historic centre, lunch and relaxation in Piazza dei Priori. At the time of Pericles, during the 5th century BC, Volterra had 7km of walls, when Athens had only 6km. Heading to Follonica and on to the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano. Mystical place, home of the legend of Galgano Guidotti and the sword in the rock: the story of a warrior knight and his journey to becoming a hermit. Then on to Massa Marittima and its impressive Duomo, taking a coffee in the square from which we can have a “taste” of the Tirrenian Gulf and Elba island. Afterwards we will travel to the marina of Scarlino. Dinner and check in on the boat for the overnight.
D02: FOLLONICA - ISLE OF ELBA Sailing to the Isle of Elba. From Scarlino to Marciana Marina (North side of Elba). A visit to the tiny borgo for dinner and overnight in the port of Marciana Marina.
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D03: ELBA - CAPRAIA ISLAND From Marciana Marina to the Isle of Capraia. A visit to the town and a walk on the island. A well-deserved dinner and overnight.
D04: CAPRAIA ISLAND - FETOVAIA BAY (SOUTHERN ELBA) Sailing from Capraia to the south side of Elba: Fetovaia. We could take a guided excursion inland. Dinner and overnight on board.
D05: SOUTH COAST ELBA - PORTO AZZURRO Sailing along the southern coast of the Isle of Elba, easterly from Fetovaia to Porto Azzurro. Overnight in the port or in the harbour.
D06: ELBA PORTO AZZURRO - GIGLIO ISLAND Seven to eight hours sailing heading south-east: from Porto Azzurro to the Isle of Giglio. Dinner and overnight on boat.
D07: GIGLIO ISLAND - PORTO ERCOLE ARGENTARIO Three-hour walking excursion to Giglio Castello. Then sailing on to Giannutri island, with a visit to the Roman Villa of the Domizi Enobarbi family. After a nice swim, we sail along to the mainland and the charming Porto Ercole. Overnight.
D08: ETRUSCAN SITES IN TUSCAN MAINLAND Transfer by minibus into the heart of Etruscan Tuscany and to Pitigliano. Assisted by our local guide we visit the impressive sites of the area and the historic borgo. Lunch and then trip to nearby Sovana, jewel of tufo architecture. We visit the Etruscan area of Sovana, then a deserved rest at the thermal resort of Saturnia. Free time to buy local cheese. Dinner in trattoria, and then back to Porto Ercole. Overnight on board.
D09: PORTO ERCOLE PORT – PISA Airport We greet our skipper and start back to the airport according with our schedule. A fond farewell.
ABOUT SOME OF THE SKIPPERS:
- Luigi Salani. Tuscan, 67 years old (47 years experience of sailing in the Tirreno and Atlantic Ocean). Owner of Elina, a Colin Archer30 built in Finland. Founder of the League of the Free Onion and member of the Brothers of the Coast (with the degree of Captain of Long Sip).
- Maurizio Serafini. Tuscan, 52 years old. Windsurfing renowned champion. Owner of Freelance, a Bavaria 38. He boasts a long history as catcher of tunas and mahimahis (Coryphaena hippurus) of remarkable size. He has always sailed and his passion for the sea is undiminished.
- Paolo Villa, 67 - Professional skipper and owner of Bamaica (Hallberg Rassi 382, Sweden). Endowed with of over 50.000 miles sailing experience in Mediterranean and Atlantic. He lives in Buonconvento (Siena) where he manages the agriturismo www.poderesalicotto.it - His preferred motto: "The sailing mate who snores more is the one who gets asleep first".
ABOUT SOME OF THE BOATS:
FREELANCE; Bavaria 38 (Germany) Lengtht. mt 12,20 - Width 3,85 - Depth 2,00 Displacement: 7000 – Material: VTR - SLOOP Engines: 1 Horse Power 55 HP - VOLVODiesel Fuel capacity (lt): 130 2
Water Capacity (lt): 300 Persons 8 -Berths 8- Double cabins 3 – flexible dinette - WCs 1Sails - Jib, spanker, genoa, gennaker , spinnaker.Standard instruments within 60 miles Elettronic vhf, log, eco, pilot, wind, radar, gps,
BAMAICA; Hallberg Rassi 382- Sweden Lengtht. mt 11.62 - Width 3.64 - Depth 1.80 Displacement: 9000 – Material: VTR - SLOOP Engines: 1 Horse Power 63 HP - VOLVO Diesel Fuel capacity (lt): 400 Water Capacity (lt): 700 Persons 6 -Berths 6- Double cabins 2 – flexible dinette - WCs 1Sails - Jib, spanker, genoa, gennaker Standard instruments over 24 miles Elettronic vhf, log, eco, pilot, wind, radar, gps,
ELINA - ColinArcher 30 – Finland Lengtht: mt 11.50 - Width 3.20 - Depth 1.45 Displacement: 7400 - Material scafo VTR - CUTTER Engines: 1 Horse Power 29 HP - NANNI-Diesel Fuel capacity (lt): 150 Water Capacity (lt): 250 Persons 6 -Berths 6- Double cabins 2 – flexible dinette - WCs 1Sails - Jib, spanker, genoa, gennaker Standard instruments over 50 miles Elettronic vhf, log, eco, pilot, wind, radar, gps,
PARCO NAZIONALE DELL’ARCIPELAGO TOSCANO: THE LARGEST MARINE PARK OF EUROPE. Seven islands form this important archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Gorgona and Giannutri. Surrounded and cuddled by 60,000 hectares of sea which unites and divides at the same time, these islands constitute the National Park. Within the National Park are many habitats, populated by a stunning range of forms of life. The ample biologic diversity stems from the variety of the shores and seabed: from the sandy beaches of Elba to the rocky cliffs of western Capraia (in front of Corsica), a myriad of vegetal and animal breeds live in each gorge of this pleasant environment. - Elba. What is Elba? It is a piece of Tuscany in the middle of the sea. Elba, the third largest island in Italy, extends from the 1000 metre summit of Monte Capanne (the highest peak of the province of Livorno - ancient Leghorn) to the white quartz beaches. Lush with maritime pines, olives and vineyards reaching up to the very shore. Its diversity is readily apparent in its geology and in the culture and social history of its people. - Capraia. 19 square kilometres in area, Capraia is the third largest island in the Archipelago. Until a few years ago, it was a place occupied only by a prison, and counting 80 residents. Its western coasts are steep and inaccessible but those on the eastern side are beautiful and accessible. Originated about 9 million years ago from a volcano eruption, Capraia today represents a very worthy stay, lying in a crystal sea. - Giglio and Giannutri. It takes only one-hour sail from the mainland to reach these islands. The chief town of Giglio is Giglio Porto. There are also Castello and Campese, with a vast half moon-shaped beach of white quartz. The coastal perimeter offers small harbours as well as welcoming bays, and some of its beaches are among the most beautiful of the Mediterranean. Giannutri is 260 hectares in size. It hosts an astonishing piece of archaeological heritage left by the Romans, set in a unique landscape of Mediterranean bush and crystal waters. - Montecristo. Total natural reserve, not approchable by private boats. It is the land of the legendary Count of Montecristo, Dumas masterpiece, and deserves all its fame. Only scientific and didactic expeditions are allowed here by Tuscan environmental authority.
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The individual participation fee includes: - Sailing, accommodation and overnight in the boat - Professional skipper - Wine on board - Local guides and transport by minibus on land part - Medical/baggage insurance
It does not include: - The cost of stores and food is not included (we share the kambusa in order to what we really need) - Meals on land part - Mooring costs in private ports (preferably on a bay. In case of usage, between 20/40€ per night per boat) - International /domestic flights (can be provided – ask for quotation)
DVT - davincitravels – www.davincitravels.com [email protected] - [email protected] Florence - Italy - Phone +39 0571 913093
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