5-Night Elba & Giglio — Tuscan Island Short Break
Route Overview
The Route
Day 1 — Livorno: Embarkation
Board at Livorno and sail immediately south towards Elba. Arrive at Portoferraio in the late afternoon — Napoleon's harbour town with its Medici fortifications and extraordinary views from the fortress walls. Welcome dinner at a portside restaurant with the best fritto misto in Tuscany.
Day 2 — Elba: Full Day
Explore Elba by sea and by land — the Napoleon museums at Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino, the Aleatico wine estates in the eastern hills, and an afternoon anchored off the extraordinary white quartz beach at Cavoli. The water on Elba's southern coast rivals Sardinia in clarity.
Day 3 — Elba: Porto Azzurro & Capoliveri
A morning in Porto Azzurro — the Spanish fort, the bay and an excellent market in the old town. Afternoon at anchor below Capoliveri, the most beautifully situated village on the island, before sailing east to Pianosa for a glimpse of the former maximum-security prison island (now a national park, landing restricted).
Day 4 — Giglio
The island of Giglio — colourful Porto Giglio harbour, the medieval Castello village above and some of the finest diving in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The marine park around Giglio has recovered remarkably since the Costa Concordia salvage operation; abundant marine life including grouper, barracuda and moray eel. Overnight in Giglio Porto.
Day 5 — Giannutri & Return
A morning at Giannutri — Italy's most southerly Tuscan island, entirely uninhabited. The ruins of the 1st-century Roman villa above the sea, crystal-clear water over the reef, and complete silence. Return passage north towards Livorno for a final dinner ashore.
Day 6 — Disembarkation
Farewell breakfast before disembarkation at Livorno. Pisa International Airport is 30 minutes north; Florence Airport is 60 minutes east.