La Grace summer 2020

La Grace spent the summer of 2020 in the area of the Tuscan Archipelago, mostly around the island of Elba.

The Tuscan Archipelago is a favourite destination for cruise passengers and yachtsmen alike. That is mainly thanks to the crystal-clear water around the islands, which invites swimming, snorkelling and diving. The islands also boast a great many beaches. Elba alone is said to have 365 of them, and some are made of black haematite sand.

From a yachting point of view, the strength of the Tuscan Archipelago is its bays. In spring, autumn and winter, storms rage in the Mediterranean and deter most yachtsmen. The prevailing strong winds and waves come mainly from the Gulf of Lion, that is from the north and north-west — the tramontana and the mistral. This dry cold wind can be dangerous above all because of its strength and speed. The islands, however, have dozens of bays where you can shelter from storms, whichever direction they come from. Storms here usually arrive with longer intervals between them, and in between a gentle favourable wind blows.

Thanks to the many safe anchorages, the Tuscan Archipelago is suitable outside the summer season as well, for less experienced sailors, families with children or older people. On top of that, the climate is favourable all year round. Even winter temperatures are around 20 ˚C.

Besides the beautiful setting, visitors and tourists are also drawn by the historic little towns and picturesque harbours. According to the UNESCO website (2016), the area of the Tuscan Archipelago contains 30 prehistoric sites, a great many Etruscan sites connected with the mining past of these islands, and several Roman monuments. Examples of these monuments are: the Villa Romana delle Grotte in Portoferraio, the Roman ruins in the harbour on the island of Giglio, and the Vigna Vecchia and Capel Rosso sites. Among the best-known monuments are the Baths of Agrippina on Pianosa and Volterraio Castle, which towers on a conical hill above Portoferraio. According to the Info Elba website

Source: the Info Elba website.