Multisport Expeditions

MULTISPORT EXPEDITION

Eight days by sailboat traveling amongst the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago with stops at some of the most beautiful and suggestive locations where you can trek, sea kayak, mountain bike and snorkel. The 50 ft sailboat has comfortable cabins furnished with shower and toilet, separate equipment storage, and an ever present skipper and guide. The cruise consists of a group of 8 people with single bookings available. The price per person is 580 Euro and includes 8 days aboard the sailboat with full-time skipper and guided tours in all activities, use of the kayaks and mountain bikes, round trip ferry tickets to and from Elba, and mini bus transfers. The cruise departs from Elba and the itinerary is based on wind and sea conditions. What follows is a description of a typical expedition.

MUTISPORT EXPEDITION IN THE TUSCAN ARCHIPELAGO
�Vela � Kayak � Mountain Bike & Snorkeling�

Day 1.
Isle of Elba Marina di Campo / Isle of Montecristo / Isle of Giglio Castello
It 8 am. We have an appointment in 30 minutes at the little port in Marina di Campo. Lucio, the skipper is awaiting us on board the No Problem for a multisport cruise in the Tuscan Archipelago.VOur mountain bikes are waiting to let us loose down a spectacular unpaved road surrounded by the flowering Mediterranean bush. After 10 kilometers streaking down the road with bumps, parabolic curves and dizzying spurts, we arrive at the port.Leaving the hill behind, we depart; the north-west wind pushing us towards Punta Calamita. On our yacht we navigate amongst the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago stopping at some of the most beautiful and suggestive spots where we can trek, sea kayak, mo untain bike and snorkel. Leaving the south-west coast of Elba , the sensation of well-being rises with the mainsail and we breathe deep taking in the priceless sensation of freedom that only the quiet music of sea and wind from a sailboat can give. The elegant vision of Montecristo appears on the horizon looking like a volcano, and reveals itself as a granite mountain. Montecristo is a truly untamed island. At 645 meters high its entirety is a natural reserve where disembarking and even navigation within a mile is prohibited; only two people inhabit the island. The temptation to take the kayaks and land is immense, but conscious of the importance of respecting the constraints, we resume sailing towards the Island of Giglio. In order to stay in shape, as soon as we arrive we offload the mountain bikes and hit the road towards Castello. Here we enjoy a glorious sunset from the defensive bastions before returning to the port.

Day 2:
Island of Giglio: Punto del Fenaio - Campese Beach - Cappel Rosso / Isle of Elba : Fetovia
We awaken slowly. Theres not much wind for sailing, but it's ideal for kayaking. We embark. Circumnavigating the island counter clockwise we slip by the wind smoothed granite. Paddling on we arrive at the small beach at Arenella and then to the lighthouse of Punto del Fenaio. We continue towards Punto delle Secche and then head in the direction of the Medicea Tower that marks the beginning of Campese Beach, the largest on the island. Passing the Punta del Faraglione, a light sea breeze blows at our backs. We arrive at Punta del Cappel Rosso and the second lighthouse on Giglio. The bitter landscape and lack of other human presence creates a haunting scene. Then on towards the west coast where the steep cliffs are interrupted by Caldane Beach. As we are landing we are surrounded by a group of tourist curious about our flotilla of kayaks. After a brief half hour respite we are off again and as we near the town the coast becomes more gentle and we see some vineyards. Finally, passing the cliffs of Scole, we arrive at port. It is 5 pm, and with kayaks back onboard, we set sail again back towards Elba. We sail for six hours to the bay at Fetovia, one of the most beautiful and famous in all the Medditerranean. By now it's midnight and we enjoy the quiet of the night as we make plans for tomorrow: a trip to Pianosa by kayak and mountain bike and an evening jazz concert.

       
Day 3:
Isle of Elba - Fetovia / pianosa  Cala Giovanna / Cala dello Zolfo / Galenzana
We raise the sail to set forth on our way to an appointment with the motorboat Domizia It's the only craft authorized to navigate the mirrored waters of Pianosa, a protected island under strict environmental constraints Having left the shores of Capo Poro we quickly transfer from sailboat to motorboat and head into the prohibited zone where the silhouette of the island takes on form and color. We enter the elegant and dilapidated port that immediately exposes the surreal and mysterious heart of the island Crossing the island on foot, and arriving at the splendid Cala Giovanna Beach we hit the kayaks and paddle on the fantastic transparent sea, heading north, to the west coast of Pianosa. We flank the lower coast rich with Juniper. Moving through the transparent waters we near small grottoes eroded by the sea until we come to the Esplanade of the White Rocks where the stormy seas have deposited dozens of logs now bleached by the sun. After 40 minutes we find ourselves nearing the Cliffs of Lancia where the white sea floor reflects the celestial blue sea. Passing Punta Maestra we enter the cove, Cala dello Zolfo and then head for Punta Marchese whose imposing promontory is surrounded by salt encrusted rocks. Going beyond the shoals that surround the Point, we enter the delightful bay of Porto Romano where the sandy sea floor hides the ancient ruins of Roman epochs. We paddle on along the coast to admire the three large natural arches formed by the eroding sea and calling to mind the monumental architecture of lost civilizations. After journeying four hours, we return to the beach of Cala Giovanna ( the only beach on Pianosa where swimming is allowed) where we partake of a refreshing dip in the crystalline water. After lazing about on the beach, we decide to take a bike trip. There are some mountain bikes jealously guarded in one of the abandoned cellars of the ex-penal colony. We take five of them and are off. The entire island , with the exception of the town, was a prison for many years. Crossing through the arch that delimits the sheltered zone, we begin to cover the southern side of Pianosa in the shade of the pine trees. Leaving the coast we forge ahead inland crossing the fertile plains used for agriculture when the penal colony was in activity. We pass the stalls, taking a road surrounded by dry stone walls up to the old maximum security prison. Its an imposing and distressing structure that has conditioned the some thirty years of prison history on Pianosa. Continuing westward, surrounded by the brush, a small cemetery for the inmates materializes like a mirage before us. Built on the opposite side of the island it remains a particularly touching and evocative place. Returning to the vicinity of the town and crossing the abandoned vineyards, we reenter the free zone. At 10 pm, we enjoy a jazz concert with the other few dozen people on the island as a huge cruise ship creates a moving backdrop. At the end of the show we head back out to sea and in 15 minutes we arrive at the Marina di Campo. It's 2:00 am when we finally return aboard the No Problem to rest in the pacific bay of Galenzana.

Day 4:
Isle of Elba - Galenzana- Grotte del Vescovo & Azzura - Fetovaia - Cala della Cotaccia
The day is as beautiful as yesterday and it's already hot. We decide to take the single kayaks and travel the southwestern part of Elba to visit the Grotta del Vescovo and the Grotta Azzura. In the bay of Fetovaia we boarded the kayaks and head off in the direction of Corsica. There's little wind and the sea is calm so we decide to do a little dolphin/whale watching; they are frequently seen in these waters. But alas not one sighting today. Slowly, we return towards Elba. After a lazy hour of sailing, we arrive at the splendid cove, Cala della Cotaccia. We drop anchor, and enjoy the setting sun dropping towards the horizon between Corsica and Capraia. In the quiet of the evening, the absence of wind and the full moon inspire us to take a moonlit paddle in the kayaks. This is one of the most beautiful tracts along the coast with granite cliffs that plunge into the sea creating fantastic figures. Everyone is in the water and the flotilla complete. The kayaks are silhouetted by the rays of the moon and create graceful reflections on the sea. Our senses are altered in the dark. Sounds are amplified. Even our speed seems faster as we listen to the rhythm of the hulls and paddles as we skim along the water. Back on board again, with muscles toned , we dig into a big plate of pasta. We spend the rest of the night in the Cala della Cotaccia.

Day 5:
Isle of Elba - Cala della Cotaccia - Grotta del Papa - Sant'Andrea - Marciana Marina
9:00am: the weather is similar to yesterdays. This morning we will take the kayaks to the Grotta del Papa and go snorkeling in the dark passages inside the grotto. After paddling for twenty minutes, we reach the grotto. The entrance is extremely narrow and difficult to pass through, but once inside the space is unexpectedly vast. The shadows and the multicolored layering of the rocks along with the movement of the water makes for a particularly evocative scene. The still water looks like a fantastically colored sheet of glass. In the dark channels we encounter transparent shrimp with fluorescent eyes and a giant conger with a wild-eyed stare. Marzia calls my attention with her torch and illuminates an enormous hermit crab with a spectacular amber shell that resembles an illustration out of an old Jules Verne. Leaving the grotto we warm ourselves in the sun and paddle on to the shallow waters of Sant'Andrea where we swim amongst the Saddled Bream and Sarago. Back on board we ready ourselves for another attempt at dolphin/whale watching. 1:00 pm: calm, flat and suffocating heat. A group of dolphins are coming towards us. Maila is the first to react by grabbing her camera in hopes of snapping a photo or two. Paolo smiles mockingly. They are too far off to be photographed decently. Finally around 6:00 pm the wind picks up, at first almost imperceptibly but then with gusto. The boat takes on a dynamic power and vital energy that is transmitted to the whole crew. We turn to the north and set off towards the Isle of Capraia and the port of Elbano di Marciana Marina where we will spend the night.

Day 6:
Isle of Elba - Marciana Marina - Monte Capanne - Poggio - Marciana Marina
7:00 am: Marzia, Maila, Christian and I are already on our bicycles. Lucio and Palo will join us on the summit of Elba in the early afternoon by way of cable car. From the port of Marciana Marina, we peddle up as far as the beginning of the cable cars and walk the rest of the way up. It is strange to think were on an island as the atmosphere is more mountainous; near the summit we encounter wild sheep on the craggy terrain. From the peak of the Archipelago, we enjoy the beautiful panorama from where we can see all the way to Corsica, the whole of the Tuscan coast, and all the islands of the Archipelago. Retrieving the mountain bikes we fly back down the hill. The initial turns are steep and narrow and the descent offers breath-taking views with a zoom effect as we speed towards Elba. We pass through the little village of Poggio with its granite staircases taking a fresh trail surrounded by ferns to arrive back at the port.

Day 7:
Isle of Elba - Marciana Marina - Viticcio - Portoferraio - Isola dei Topi - Palmaiola & Cerboli - Rio marina
9:00 am: We sail to the bay at Viticcio where we grab the kayaks and explore the spectacular Grotta dello Sbrufo. Passing Capo Enfola, we arrive at the white beach of Sansone where we board the No Problem. Now heading east past the Medici fortification at Portoferraio, we begin a cruise around the little islands: Isole dei Topi, di Palmaiola e Cerboli. In the evening, we return to the port of Rio Marina.

Day 8:
Isle of Elba - Rio Marina - Le Miniere - Fortezza gel Giogo & Monte Giove - Monte Calendozio - Capo Caldo - Punta Calamita  - Marina di Campo. 8:30 am: This morning we enter the Rio Marina Mineral Park on our mountain bikes. Eastern Elba has a mineralogical heritage of great geological and historical importance. The extraction of iron ore began with the Etruscans and carried on for more than two thousand years shaping the landscape we see today. We enter by way of an enormous extraction site and peddle down a red hued trail into the surreal atmosphere where we come upon the rusty carcasses of rusting bulldozers and excavators. We file down a technical road until we reach an old mining elevator and then climb up to the Fortezza del Giogo on Mount Giove. From here we have a fantastic view of the entire mining site. We head the hill, surrounded by the Mediterranean brush till we arrive at the covered power station . Peddling on as glimpses of the fantastic panorama fly by. The contrast of the blood red earth and the blue of sea and sky is breathtaking as we arrive at the Martian like village at the Monte Calandozio Mine where we let loose in this enormous mineral half-pipe. With our bikes sparkling with mineral dust, we return to the boat and head off toward Punta Calamita. We stop just off the Punta di Capo Caldo to snorkel in search of a school of Baracuda that are usually found in this area. After only a couple of minutes, we see them! They are fantastic specimens at about a half a meter in length, and all grouped together, they resemble a huge silver underwater blimp. Passing Punta Calamita, we find ourselves safely back at Marina di Campo where we finish our intense week of Sport & Nature amongst the Islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.