The crown jewel of Eastern Italy is, of course, Venice, a perfect hub for a luxury yacht charter. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers old world elegance and beautiful canal-lined streets steeped in history. With many charms, this city is the perfect spot to enjoy a thoroughly rounded charter. A sailing vacation in Venice is thought of as one of the most picturesque sail-ins of the world. Your yacht can dock close to the action too near the famous St Mark’s Square. Then head off to explore the delights including the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Square, the Basilica and many other top attractions.
The Venetian lagoon also boasts a few islands to explore too: try Murano – made famous for glassblowing; Burano – famed for tempting fine dining cuisine and artisan lacemaking; and Torcello – most of this island is a National Park, be sure to visit the Seventh century Cathedral of Saint Maria Dell’Assunta to see the 11th and 12th century Byzantine mosaics. Other places of interest in Eastern Italy are Trieste-located close to the Slovenian border – this city offers more beautiful architecture, fine cuisine and more of an Eastern European flavor. Heading south from Venice are the cities of Ravenna and Rimini. Rimini was made famous in the 1960s and 1970s as a part of the hippy movement.
Today, although very tourist heavy it does have a fantastic beach lined with bars and fine gelatos.
Destinations: When booking a yacht charter in Italy on the Adriatic side, top destinations include Venice and Ancona.
Eastern Italy – Top Marinas
Venice Yacht Pier. Located right in the center of Venice close to the Grand Canal and St Mark’s Square this marina offers the perfect base to explore the city and surrounding islands. Ravenna – Marina di Ravenna is located on the Adriatic Coast near the charming city of Ravenna with its sandy beaches, designer shopping and top night scene. Ravenna/Venice Yacht Pier.
Eastern Italy – Top Anchorages
Puglia Coastline. Otranto is a charming walled city. Ask the captain to drop anchor, take the tender ashore and explore its delights. Otranto in Puglia Yacht Pier.
Western Italy Yacht Charter: Draped in History
Draped in history, Italy’s western coast offers a yacht charter that feeds the mind. Here in the Italian Riviera, visit cobblestoned cities, idyllic islands, rolling vineyards and rural villages where time seems to have stood still. Stretching from the island delight – Sardinia across the Tuscan Archipelago and Tyrrhenian Sea, to the mainland and the captivating capital city of Rome, north past the quaint island of Elba up to Livorno, this stretch of coastline is one of the most popular cruising grounds in the world.
Sardinia
Starting in Sardinia – the second largest island in the Mediterranean, this elegant island is a fusion of up-scale areas such as the Costa Smerelda – a private yacht charter Italy’s favorite haunt, sleepy fishing villages and a beautiful coastline such as along the National Park of Archipelago della Maddalena. Some of the finest sailing experiences can be found just off of the coastline of Sardinia such as Porto Cervo, and in particular cruising the stretch between Golfo Aranci to Baia Sardinia.
Rome
The capital city of Italy has benefited from an injection of elegance within the superyacht world, with the 2014 fall unveiling of Italy’s newest marina: Roma Marina. Located in the historic port of Civitavecchia, and under the alluring gaze of the ancient Roman Fort Michelangelo, Roma Marina cost in the region of €1.1 million and can currently accommodate larger superyachts with its 230m face dock and 14 superyacht berths with upscale restaurants and boutiques nearby. Being only a 45-minute drive into the center of Rome too, Roma Marina is set to attract the world’s largest yachts. Once you arrive in the city, set about exploring the sites including the Coliseum and Vatican, only two of the plethora of spectacular Roman must-sees on your yacht charter to Rome.
Head north on your sailing vacation and anchor off the charming Tuscan Island of Elba – made famous for harboring French Emperor Napoleon in 1814 during his exile.
Destinations: During an Italy yacht charter along the Italian Riviera, take in sights famous here like the Cinque Terre, Portofino, San Remo, Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia, Tuscany, Elba, Viareggio, Livorno, Capraia, Gorgona and Giannutri.
Western Italy – Top Marinas
Porto Cervo. Sardinia. One of the most popular spots to head to while on a yacht charter in Italy is Porto Cervo. Roma Marina – Built in 2014, visit Rome’s new luxury superyacht marina located only 45 minutes outside the bustling town.
Western Italy – Top Anchorages
Capraia. This tiny island located between Elba and Sardinia is one of the finest anchorage spots due to its sublime diving opportunities. Gorgona and Giannutri have both been designated as UNSECO World Heritage Sites sitting in the Tyrrhenian Sea and part of the Tuscan Archipelago and is the perfect place to drop anchor and enjoy the environment.
