Italy's charter industry may be smaller that other sailing destinations worldwide, but Italian sailing holidays are definitely worth the trip.
The eyes of the sailing traveler could endlessly feast on picturesque Italian landscapes: coasts, mountains, hills, fields, archeological sites, and even the numerous museums in the peninsula
The Italian Riviera offers attractive destinations. Likewise, the Naples region is a wonderful cruising experience both on the mainland and the nearby islands. Sardinia and Sicily are also very attractive for sailing. In fact, a good number of charter yachts have come out with very appealing packages.
Sailing the Italian coast allows travelers to experience the country in a very scenic way. As it is, Italy is known for its beauty and history. The watery Venice, stylish Milan and historic Rome give different facets of what Italy offers its visitors. Other interesting places include Tuscany, Florence, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Paestum.
With a chartered yacht or boat, visitors can even see much more of Italy that is perhaps not possible in ordinary travels. Italy's southern part, for example, has lots of captivating archaeological sites, beautiful sand beaches, awesome coastlines, medieval walled villages and hilltowns. There is also a perception that you will experience more hospitality the further you go south.
This is probably why those who have experienced it would say that sailing the coast would give you the best experience of Italy.
Sardinia
Sardinia, an island of the Mediterranean Sea and part of Italy, is one ideal place to anchor. It is surrounded by amazing cliffs and beautiful beaches, and is also a haven for diving enthusiasts. Of course, the food is naturally a gastronomic delight.
The island is mainly mountainous, with a number of lofty upland plains in the east, and volcanic in the west. While there are only few seaports in the coast of Sardina, a good number of these ports are excellent natural harbours.
Corsica circumnavigation
Sailing around Corsica is another way to see Italy. It is observed to be much different from Sardinia in terms of the geography, the language and the food as well. Corsica is much lively with the towns teeming with dozens of restaurants, pizzerias and creperie.
The traditional way for a complete circumnavigation of Corsica is eastwards, going counterclockwise, so that you will be favored by the NE Mistral when you descend the more exposed west coast.
Going towards Porto Vecchio, the first stop is the Lavezzi island. However, the sea must be calm to pass through the little cove. Extreme care is needed in moving around the trick rocks. There are beautiful beaches to see if you anchor outside the island. It is also the place for to a windswept graveyard of the 600 lives that died in a tragic shipwreck two centuries ago.
After Lavezzi comes Cavallo, a private exclusive resort, with air-strip, villas and small central piazza. Charting through the many rocks in these waters require yachts to take much caution. Northwards close to the coast is an exciting narrow passage that passes the Pertusato golf course and the isola Piana's shallow emerald waters.
The next stop is a three-mile deep bay known as the Santa Manza, which provides a safe overnight anchorage. Sailing further would bring you to Porto Vecchio, from which interesting coastlines would continue to dot your chart as you move northwards.
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