Italy is a nation almost entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and therefore offers its guests a long series of possible itineraries along its endless coasts and islands.
We have decided to describe to you 5 possible destinations were to organize a trip aboard a boat or yacht charter in Italy. Here are our choices!
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It is not easy to choose precise destinations, having to deal with a similar abundance of places where it would be worth spending at least one night. For this reason, the 5 destinations that we report below are actually Italian regions, each one can be the destination for a complete itinerary of several days to spend between sea, beaches, and characteristic villages.
Before starting, it is right to make a clarification: unlike what one might think by looking at a simple geographical map, Italy is really an extended country and for this reason, it must be visited piece by piece, without adding too many very distant destinations. Obviously, the possibilities to extend your itinerary varies according to its duration but in a classic 14-day charter it is more convenient to choose stops that do not involve entire navigation days.
Said that, let’s get started! Here are out five Italian destinations not to be missed for a boat tour in the summer of 2021:
No. 1: Sardinia
Sardinia is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, south of French Corsica, west of Italian peninsula coasts, and east of the Balearic archipelago.
Although inhabited for millennia, the island is still dominated by nature which still preserves a large part of it in the wild.
An island that for its biodiversity and morphology is, according to some, as vast as an entire continent!
How to get here?
Sardinia is well connected with Italy and the rest of Europe by several airports. There are three main airports on the island: Cagliari-Elmas airport in the south of the island, Olbia Costa Smeralda airport located in the northeast, and Alghero-Fertilia airport in the northwest.
Alternatively, it is possible to reach the island from one of the many tourist ports found in the nearby Tuscany region.
Which ports to sail from?
On the island, there is certainly no shortage of marinas from which it is possible to set sail, especially on the north-east coast. Among the main ones, it is impossible not to mention Porto Cervo, a small but exclusive destination for the international jet set located to the northeast. Less famous but equally well served are the Arbatax marina and the tourist port of Villasimius located to the southeast.
What attractions can’t you really miss?
Sardinia, in our opinion, really has everything a yachtsman would like to find. The right mix of nature and services with many wonders to discover in the middle. If you love paradisiacal beaches, here you will be spoiled for choice: starting with the most famous, La Pelosa in Stintino, a real natural swimming pool envied worldwide, then moving on to the various hidden coves such as Cala Luna, Cala Goloritze, or Cala Mariolu, ending with Porto Giunco and Costa Rei. All-natural wonders where to forget time passing.
Finally, the archipelago of La Maddalena is not to be missed, a nature reserve famous all over the world for its beauty that even deserves a separate whole trip.
What is the ideal length of a tour here?
Given the size of the island and the number of places that can be visited, we believe that a two-week itinerary is optimal to appreciate a good part of it, even if a month would not be enough to see all that Sardinia has to offer!
No. 2: Sicily
Sicily is located in the deep south of Italy and is a world apart. Here millenary traditions and different cultures resist immersed in a territory that has given birth to great ancient civilizations such as Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. Such a large population mix has left traces such as temples, statues, and centuries-old cities.
If in addition to a wonderful sea you are also looking for a little culture, this is your most suitable destination.
How to get here?
The island can be reached by plane from the main European airports. All major cities, such as Palermo, Catania, Trapani, and Messina are well connected with the airports.
It is also possible to reach Sicily through a network of ferries that connect it to the main southern Italian cities.
Which ports to sail from?
As a very large island, the best marina from which to set sail falls on your choices in terms of itinerary. On the north-eastern coast overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Milazzo, Portorosa or Capo D’Orlando marinas are very convenient. Further south we find the ports of Catania, Syracuse, Porto Empedocles, and Sciacca. Finally, in the westernmost area, we can mention the tourist ports of Trapani, Palermo, and San Vito Lo Capo.
What attractions you can’t really miss?
As we said, not only the sea but also art and culture in abundance wherever you decide to stop. You will be able to discover the Greek amphitheater of Taormina, the Temples Valley in Agrigento, the cathedral of Noto, just to name a few of the Sicilian culture’s symbolic places. How can we forget the most active volcano in Europe? Etna, located to the northeast, is certainly a sight to be admired from far but also to be experienced through an excursion on its slopes.
There is obviously no shortage of beaches. Above all, we point out the beach of San Vito Lo Capo, a real postcard, and the famous beach of Mondello in Palermo.
What is a tour ideal length here?
An itinerary spread over two weeks is in our opinion the minimum amount of time to circumnavigate the island and seeing its salient features. If, on the other hand, you want to focus on a particular area, such as the Aeolian Islands archipelago, even a week-long trip will prove to be truly rewarding.
No. 3: Amalfi Coast
This coast stretch is probably one of the most famous in the world. We are located in southern Italy, precisely just south of Naples, along that promontory that extends towards the Tyrrhenian Sea and which is characterized by steep cliffs, cobalt blue sea, and some world-famous towns.
If you’re wondering what the reason for such fame is, well it’s difficult if not impossible to put into words. The place’s atmosphere, its landscapes, and its millenary history, combined with exceptional typical cuisine, can only give you an idea of what awaits you.
How to get here?
Naples-Capodichino International Airport is the closest airport to the Amalfi Coast, about an hour away by road. Alternatively, it is possible to comfortably reach the railway stations of Naples or Salerno (a city very close to Amalfi Coast) by high-speed trains from central-northern Italy’s main cities.
Which ports to sail from?
Amalfi Coast is well stocked with marinas. The main ones are those related to major tourist attractions such as Sorrento, with about 150 berths up to 30 meters long, Amalfi, with 90 berths up to 35 meters long, and Positano, a small port with only 30 berths.
What attractions can’t you really miss?
Just mention the main villages to which a visit is a must such as Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, Furore, and Vietri Sul Mare. It is then worth climbing to the top of Ravello to enjoy a breathtaking view.
Finally, a day spent among the narrow streets of Capri or circumnavigating this pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea to discover its small beaches or photograph the famous “Faraglioni” is a must.
What is the ideal length of a tour here?
A whole week dedicated to the discovery of these places, dedicating a day to each of the most important villages, may be considered sufficient, even if, we are ready to bet, it will leave you with a little bitter taste for not having extended the travel duration!
No. 4: Italian Riviera – “Cinque Terre”
The so-called “Cinque Terre” is nothing more than ancient fishing villages located along the rugged north-west coast of Italy. Each of these villages is characterized by colorful houses and vineyards clinging to the steep terraces created on the coast.
The ports are crowded with fishing boats and in the typical trattorias, it is possible tasting the Ligurian traditional specialties such as the famous Pesto.
The Sentiero Azzurro, a hiking path that extends along the coast and connects Cinque Terre villages, offers splendid sea views and landscape.
How to get here?
This popular tourist resort is located about an hour and 30 minutes away from Genoa international airport, the main city, and capital of the Liguria region.
It is also possible to set sail directly from the port of Genoa and reach the Cinque Terre directly by the sea.
Which ports to sail from?
As we said, Genoa is definitely the main port of the area even if there is no shortage of smaller but equally equipped marinas such as Chiavari, Lavagna, or Rapallo.
What attractions you can’t really miss?
As we said, Cinque Terre is a group of very characteristic and colorful medieval villages, each with its own unique characteristics. It is therefore really worth visiting Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
You will certainly be enchanted by the beauty of these places which have been declared a national park and a UNESCO heritage site since 1997.
What is the ideal length of a tour here?
By dedicating at least one day to each village, a week-long sailing holiday will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of these places.
No. 5: Puglia
Puglia is a southern region that forms the “heel” of the “Italian boot”. It is the Italian region located further east and overlooks both the Adriatic and the Ionian seas.
It is famous for the hilltop villages with their characteristic white plaster reminiscent of the Greek islands, for the countryside with an ancient flavor, and for hundreds of kilometers of the Mediterranean coast with a long list of beaches.
Bari is the capital, a lively port and university city, while Lecce is known as the “Florence of the South” due to its Baroque architecture. Alberobello, on the other hand, is the home of the Trulli, traditional stone buildings with a characteristic conical roof.
How to get here?
The best way to get to the coasts is through Bari international airport, connected to all major European airports, and then reach your embarkation port by car.
Which ports to sail from?
As mentioned for Sicily and Sardinia, Puglia is also a very extensive region and it is, therefore, necessary to plan your starting point and final landing place based on the type of itinerary you prefer to adopt.
In the Gargano area, north of Bari, we recommend Vieste marina, a very characteristic town with truly magnificent landscape views. If you prefer to choose a port further south, our advice falls on Bari, Brindisi, or Gallipoli.
What attractions you can’t really miss?
Puglia, from north to south, offers its visitors a magnificent coastline made up of white beaches and the Caribbean Sea. If you are looking for this type of holiday, the most famous places to sail are certainly Gallipoli, Vieste, and Santa Maria di Leuca.
If you are also eager to visit historical places, you will not be disappointed, starting with Alberobello and its iconic Trulli or Castel del Monte and its infamous octagonal-shaped medieval castle.
What is the ideal length of a tour here?
A complete Puglia itinerary can’t last less than 14 days.
Contact now YBH Charter Brokers:
You can contact us by sending an email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or by phone, calling +39 33436 00997, available also on WhatsApp for both calls and texting.
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