Luxury Yacht Charter in Italy: A vacation on the sea and off the ‘beaten path’

Then there are those sea lovers who seek out the picturesque Italian coast, usually the Amalfi Coast, which always seems to enamour many a traveller, and why shouldn't it? There's no other coastal town in Italy as beautiful, characteristic and overflowing with culture as ‘La Costiera Amalfitana.' Or is there?

Imagine ten beautiful sun-filled days on a luxury yacht, five bedrooms, immense living room and plenty of outdoor lounge area to bask in the European sun. Warm nights spent on the open deck looking up at a Mediterranean star-filled sky and days spent exploring the less touristic islands that are considered the rare gems of Italy.

So on your next yacht charter vacation, make sure to have your captain dock in the following places:

Pianosa

Tuscan Archipel

Classically appreciated as the heart of Italian culture and the birthplace of Italian language, Tuscany is also home to one of the largest marine parks in Europe, the Tuscan Archipelago, a curious chain of islands with a mesmerizing history. Located between the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea this chain of islands includes Gorgona, Capraia, Elba, Pianosa, Montecristo, Giglio and Giannutri and Monte Argentario. Many of them like Capraia are only accessible by boat seeing as there are no roads on the island, just paths, giving you a tranquil experience away from the hustle and bustle of typical summer tourist traps. For an even more desolate island feel, the eerie feeling of Pianosa, once home to a prison and now completely uninhabited, is a
Elba is the largest and most important, and not just because it once housed the infamous Napoleon. With its clear blue seas and sandy beaches, Elba has a magnificently rich wildlife that makes the daytime activities endless. There is ample opportunity for biking, hiking, diving and snorkeling.

And of course why does anyone come to Italy: to eat. Feast upon the Palamita, a local blue fish caught in the Tuscan Archipelago or Schiaccia Briace, a sweet flat bread topped with pine nuts, raisins and dried fruit. No meal is complete in wine country with of course, a glass of wine. Introduce your palette to Elba's local red wine, Aleatico.

Ponza at night

Pontine Islands

This string of islands may have flown just under the radar in the quest for an ideal Italian travel itinerary, but with a yacht charter, it would be a veritable shame to miss them. Located just off the coast of Italy's capital, Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone, Ventotene, Santo Stefano, the small island of Gavi and the solitary rock of la Botte, make up the Pontine Islands, the most exquisite in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Known for their varying coastlines, brilliant rock colors, attractive colourful villages and quaint Mediterranean-style ports, they have a myriad of small coves, bays, inlets and anchorages that are convenient for boat access. Ponza is the most popular of the islands, with its pristine waters and combination of rocky and sandy beaches.
Palmarola typical homes dug into the rock, only two restaurants open in summer, but it is a fantastic place to dock the yacht and watch the sunset with a fabulous evening aperitivo on board or head back to Ponza, dock at Frontone Beach and enjoy the happening nightlife at sunset.

Cala Rossa

Sicily

What would be more fabulous than seeing one of Italy's major islands, Sicily? Exploring the tiny islands that dot the perimeter of it, of course. Sicily is no stranger to travellers and Italy fans alike, whether it has popped up in movies, books, or tales from our grandparents in the ‘old country.' But Sicily is home to some of the most amazing areas to dock a boat, starting first with the Aeolian Islands of the northeast coast. Made up of Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Vulcano and Stromboli, cobalt-blue waters are full of sea anemones, shell-fish, seaweed, crustaceans and molluscs as well as countless species of fish, a must-see, snorkelers and divers. It is absolutely necessary to have your captain sail around Stromboli at night to see the scintillating "sciara" of fire (the red-hot flow of the volcano plunging towards the sea). With a cuisine rich in fresh fish, capers and tomatoes, a day docking at Salina is in order, where you will find the original ‘granita' as well as pane cunzato, a mountain of fresh typical products atop a delicious focaccia.

On the western side of Sicily, sail to the Egadi Islands, made up Levanzo, Favignana and Marettimo. Scuba lovers take note as yachts come here mostly for the crystalline waters offering superb swimming scuba-diving opportunities. Ask your Captain to anchor in the Cala Rossa in Favignana, which despite its name, ‘rossa' (red in Italian), is actually known for its sparkling turquoise colour and a high, looming platform overlooking the bay. Dramatic limestone cliffs define the mostly isolated island of Marettimo, which offers mountain paths for hiking, remarkable scenery, and just a few local restaurants serving the fresh catch of the day.

Whether you're an adventure seeker, history buff, sea aficionado, or just plain Italy admirer, a yacht charter throughout Italy opens you to the possibility of luxury on the open sea and the freedom to revel in the country's best-kept coastal secrets.

For more information about an Italian yacht charter: Verdeblu