RESORT 4 STELLE AD ISOLA D'ELBA
HOTEL DÉSIRÉE
Boat tours with Désirée Hotel, 4-star hotel on Elba Island
Sailing the crystal-clear seas of the Tuscan Archipelago
Dominated by Elba, the Tuscan Archipelago is made up of a large number of islands, islets and banks emerging from the sea. Désirée Hotel invites guests to explore them in sailboats moored in Marciana Marina, or in a dinghy that can be hired directly on the hotel’s private beach, with the aid of a skipper if necessary.
Legend has it that each of the seven main islands that make up the Tuscan Archipelago was created by pearls that fell into the sea from Venus’s necklace, and that hidden away in each of these little gems, each with their own unique history and geological features, are a series of natural and archaeological treasures just waiting to be discovered.
Sailing out from Marina di Campo, guests can reach the island of Pianosa, an authentic Caribbean-style paradise along the Tuscan coast, inhabited almost entirely by extremely rare species of marine flora and fauna, which live here undisturbed thanks to the protection offered by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
South of Pianosa, the island of Montecristo, to which visits may be booked, is famous for being the setting of events in the life of Edmond Dantès, the title character of the novel by Alexandre Dumas. This granite island, completely uninhabited and with sparse vegetation, is a protected nature reserve, surrounded by clear seas. Its wild, insidious nature makes it suitable for trekking activities with expert guides.
The smaller islands, unique gems in the Archipelago
Giglio, Giannutri, Capraia and Gorgona
As you continue down towards the southern part of the Tuscan coast, you will come to the islands of Giglio and Giannutri. On the former, Giglio Castello is listed as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. At an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, it enjoys splendid panoramic views and the chance to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets over the Archipelago. Giglio is the most densely populated of the seven larger islands, and is famous both for its social life and for the enchanting nature that bursts into bloom in spring.
The little island of Giannutri, with its distinctive shape, represents the half-moon shape of the constellation of islands that make up the Tuscan Archipelago. No tour of the island would be complete without a stop to admire the marble remains of the Roman villa, or a regenerating dip in one of the little bays.
To the north, the tour of the islands around Elba ends with the wild, unspoilt Capraia, with its winding trails through thick Mediterranean vegetation, the Castle and the typical local cheeses and liqueurs, which visitors can enjoy as they listen to age-old tales of pirates and the battles that took place here, and the little island of Gorgona, a former agricultural penal colony. There is still a prison facility in operation on the island, which is thus subject to numerous restrictions. Only part of the island is accessible to visitors, who can be accompanied by tour guides on visits to the remains of a Roman villa, the ancient fortress looking down onto the sea, the Medicea Tower, the former agricultural penal colony area and a little beach surrounded by thick woodland.