RESORT 4 STELLE AD ISOLA D'ELBA
HOTEL DÉSIRÉE
Discover the island of Pianosa, setting out from the 4-star Désirée Hotel on Elba Island
Outings and adventures in the heart of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park
For short stays on Elba Island, Désirée Hotel offers one-day trips to the island of Pianosa, a former penal colony and a treasure trove of biodiversity. The distinctive characteristics of this islet and the sea around it have earned Pianosa the protection of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
One of the islet’s main features, from which its name is derived, is that it is almost completely flat (piano in Italian), making it easy to explore both on foot and by mountain bike.
It is almost completely uninhabited, and nature is the undisputed ruler of the islet. Stretches of sandy coastline and cliffs, protected by Mediterranean shrub, provide rare sea birds such as Audouin’s gull and the peregrine falcon with a quiet nesting environment.
The unspoilt rocky seabeds around the island are the ideal habitat for a large variety of fish, including dreamfish, dentex, red mullet and sea bream, as well as lobster, amberjack and grouper. Since 2013, this paradise can be explored with diving sessions regulated by the National Park.
The biodiversity and history of Pianosa
A unique place, embraced by nature
Moving away from the coast, it’s not uncommon to have a magical close encounter with dolphins, loggerhead turtles and the more timid monk seals.
Another interesting aspect of Pianosa, in addition to its rich nature, is the islet’s ancient and more modern history, of which traces can be observed that include the ancient ruins of Roman baths and early Christian catacombs, as well as a maximum-security prison. Pianosa is famous for having been a penal colony from 1856 to 2011. Inmates that served part of their sentences here included Sandro Pertini and mafia members that played a part in the terrorist attack on Falcone and Borsellino.
Désirée Hotel will be happy to provide guests with full details on the best way to reach Pianosa and spend a quiet day exploring the island.