Including its islands, Italy offers around 8,000 kilometres of coastline. Ideal for almost all kinds of water sports.
Liguria
Liguria is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and is about 1 hour by car from Milan. Travelling from Genoa coming from the direction of France, you can look forward to the “Riviera of Flowers” with sun, sea, sandy beaches, mountains and its culinary specialities. The best and strongest wind can be found on the Ligurian coast in spring, autumn and winter. This wind is perfectly suitable for sailing. But a fresh and mild breeze also makes sailing fun in the summer months.
Liguria stands out all year due to its mild climate, low rainfall and up to 300 days of sun. Most notably, the weather in Liguria is influenced by the close proximity of the mountains in the north and the sea in the south. A mild climate prevails all year round due to the climatic effects of the Gulf Stream and the protective mountains reaching a height of up to 2,000 metres. Temperatures below freezing are virtually excluded in winter. Summer is marked by pleasant temperatures. In July, for instance, the temperatures virtually never rise above 29 degrees, which is ideal for swimming, yet does not exclude sporting activities. Thus, one of Liguria’s special features is that viewed throughout the year, the temperatures are not subject to the great fluctuations that are experienced in other parts of Italy and Central Europe.
Elba
The Island of Elba, pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago, an island without borders: sea, beaches, green countryside, mountain villages, archaeological treasures, chestnut forests and much more. Elba is 223 square kilometres in size and its coastline measures 150 km. It is the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago.
More than one hundred beaches and bays with crystal clear sea water attract people to Elba with its light sand or shingle. Some beaches are isolated and peaceful, others are livelier. Everyone can find their own particular swimming paradise on Elba’s coast. Numerous, well equipped harbours and worthwhile destinations make Elba an almost perfect spot for sailors. The wind around Elba’s territory is almost always from a westerly direction. However, it can also blow strongly from other directions with the Mistral, Scirocco or as a thermal wind. Beginners prefer to cruise in the protected bays. If the weather is good, experts go on a sailing trip to Corsica.
Pictures Elba: www.infoelba.net
Source: http://www.elbalive.de/
Sardinia
Tempting names such as Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena endorse Sardinia’s reputation with its azure to emerald water and fabulous beach bays. For the most part these swimming paradises can only be reached by boat. What a luxury to discover the numerous, beautiful bays and drop anchor.
Almost 2,000 kilometres of coastline with crystal clear water, gigantic nature reserves, offshore islands and islets with sunshine guarantee as from the middle of May at the latest. In addition, the thermals around Sardinia bring us sailors favourable and consistent winds.
Source: www.palomare.de
Sicily
To sail around Sicily and the Aeolian Islands on a sailing boat or a yacht can turn your holiday into an ultimate experience. You will witness fantastic coast areas and crystal clear water. Simply combine your holiday around Sicily with one or the other shore excursion in order to visit the island’s historical sites or to relax swimming in one of the beautiful bays.
For the most part Sicily’s climate can be described as very pleasant and mild. The hot summer is an exception when it occasionally does not rain for months and when the heat makes life difficult for the population.
The islands in the Gulf of Naples
Capri
First and foremost, the small wonder of nature in the Gulf of Naples is known for its Grotta Azzura and the Faraglioni, two rocks that jut out of the azure sea. However, in addition to romantic bays and wonderful hiking trails, the island also has many historical places of interest.
Ischia
Since the ancient world, Ischia – “L’isola verde” – has been a popular health resort and holiday destination on account of its scenic attractions, numerous beaches and world-famous thermal gardens. Due to its hilly character and varied flora, it is also a popular destination for hiking. It is the largest island in the Gulf of Naples.
Procida
Procida is the smallest and most pristine island in the Gulf of Naples and, similar to Ischia, is of volcanic origin. Its harbour is particularly pretty and is characterised by colourful fishermen’s cottages with an Arabic influence. The small islet of Vivara, a WWF nature reserve, also belongs to Procida.
The Amalfi Coast
For hundreds of years, the “most beautiful coast in the world” was only accessible from the sea. That is to say that up until the first half of the 19th century it formed the most impassable area of the Sorrento peninsula. The forty kilometre road crossing through the places on the Amalfi Coast and linking Positano and Vietri was only built during the reign of King Ferdinand of Bourbon.
The so-called Costiera Amalfitana could well have sprung from a picture book and today constitutes a famous jewel in the region of Campania. Here too, nature has allowed a unique, fantastic sequence of characteristic landscapes to emerge that can hardly be described. One can discover splendid views, steep canyons, turquoise sea and lonely, romantic bays behind every rocky cliff. Every corner is a world on its own, a fantastic, inimitable world above the Mediterranean.
Source: www.portanapoli.com