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 popular destination both for cruise participants and for yachtsmen. That is mainly thanks to the crystal-clear water around the islands, which tempts you to swim, snorkel and dive. The islands also boast a great many beaches. Elba alone is said to have 365 beaches, some of them made of black hematite sand. From a yachting point of view, the strength of the Tuscan Archipelago lies in its bays. In spring, autumn and winter, storms rage in the Mediterranean that deter most yachtsmen. The prevailing strong winds and waves come mainly from the Gulf of Lion (northerly and north-westerly directions) - the tramontana and the mistral. This dry, cold wind can be dangerous above all because of its force and speed. The islands, however, have dozens of bays where you can take shelter from these storms, whichever direction they come from. Storms here usually arrive with longer intervals between them, and in the periods in between a gentle, favourable wind blows. Thanks to this great number of safe anchorages, the area of the Tuscan Archipelago is suitable outside the summer season too, for less experienced yachtsmen, families with children or seniors. What is more, the climate here is favourable all year round. Even the winter temperatures stay 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