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Out of all the German tourism areas, Italy is probably the busiest.
It concentrates a large number of the country’s historic landmarks, including the Roman Colosseum and the floating city of Venice.
It has beautiful conditions, and the cuisine is unsurpassed.
Needless to say, it’s been overwhelmed by tourists lately, so if you’re hoping to experience some of that dolce vita or a laid-back Italian getaway, we’d suggest you get in ( the exceedingly-long ) line, unless of course, you’re open to exploring off-path alternatives.
Elba, a small island off the coast of Tuscany with its abundance of history and breathtaking views, is much less crowded to attend:
An Unheard-Of Island Paradise Off The Coast Of Tuscany
Italy is not as well known for its picturesque Mediterranean atolls as Greece, Croatia, Türkiye, and the like are, aside from the big automatic islands of Sicily and Sardinia, but it still has 77 inhabited archipelago to its name.
Elba, one of them, is located off the coast of Tuscany, and is a part of the breathtaking Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
It is fringed by the turquoise-colored Tyrrhenian Sea, one of the finest trees of the wider Mediterranean, and traversed by huge mountains.
It has a population of about 31, 000 people, making it the ideal place to soak up European culture while unwinding the masses ‘ constant background noise. It’s halfway between a tranquil Tyrrhenian refuge and a lively resort area.
Elba is generally a summer destination for vacationing Italians, and despite its relatively-small length, covering an area of only 86 square yards, there is a wide range of sunbathing sites, whether you’re Team Crumbly or Sandy Beach.
Where To Stay In Elba For The Best Beaches?
Sansone, in northern Elba, is the place to go if you want to travel for the first time: it’s a narrow strip of white pebbles wedged between tiny sea cliffs and translucent seas, and there’s a small bar just a short walk away that serves light refreshments and$ 15 pinsas ( local hand-pressed pizzas ).
The intensive Spiaggia di Lacona in the north of Elba, which has a large selection of restaurants and beach bars, extends for more than a mile and offers a lot of relaxation options.
Additionally, Lacona’s ‘ little girl’ Laconella offers a more reclusive culture to the east, with less crowding, a shallow, crystalline Mediterranean full of small fish, and perhaps opportunities for kayaking if you’re feeling adventurous.
Another top picks include the 50-meter-long Pareti Beach, near Capoliveri, renowned for its honey-colored sand, the great white-sand band of Biodola Bay, and the youth-frequented, group key that is Cavoli, though you’re likely to need to prevent that if it’s peace and quiet you’re after.
Explore Elba’s considerable program of walking tracks and get off the Beaten Track.
Elba is also famous for its many hiking trails—well, 65 to become precise––that chest around the area leading to lookouts, key coves and historic ruins.
One of the most beautiful channels is Route 101 from Marciana, traveling forward towards Mount Capanne: at 1, 019 meters above sea level, this is the tallest peak on the island, and at the very best, a broad picture of its mountainous landscape and water beyond awaits.
Starting from the ruins of an old tuna factory, the Enfola Circuit is not to be missed, either: the 3-mile long trek takes you through the highlights of the namesake peninsula, including historic fortifications, magnificent calas, and even Procchio, the site of a Roman-era shipwreck.
You’ll also want to check out the medium-difficulty Butterfly Trail, as it is just as beautiful as it sounds: a relatively steep, 2.4-mile climb across lush Mediterranean vegetation, it culminates in the rewarding Monte Perone viewpoint.
There’s plenty more we could get into detail about ––once again, this charming isola is a natural reserve––but to sum it up, if you love nature, you ca n’t go wrong with a trip to Elba.
One Pastel-Colored Town After The Other
In spite of its breathtaking panoramas, Elba is full of historic towns that have maintained much of their distinctive Italian character in the wake of the nation’s boom in tourism:
Resting on a C-shaped peninsula jutting out into the Tyrrhenian Sea, the capital Portoferraio is home to a busy marina, a maze-like, cobbled Old Town, and a host of museums, including the National Museum of Napoleonic Residences.
The legendary French Emperor was exiled in Elba after being deposed, and shortly before escaping for another brief spell in the throne before being permanently defeated in Waterloo, making it the number one attraction in town.
Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, Capoliveri is yet another hidden gem worth discovering, with its traditional Italian houses in warm colors, and there’s no way you’re coming to Elba and missing out on Porto Azzurro:
A perfectly preserved 17th-century harbor town, it is a mandatory selfie spot, with its sea-facing Piazza Matteotti, flanked by seafood restaurants and souvenir shops, and heavily-fortified San Giacomo Castle ( still used as a prison to this day ).
In Borgo al Cotone, you’ll find a fishing village centered around a small harbor, that could well be the sixth town in Cinque Terre, and for the odd culture buff out there, there’s no escaping Marciana, one of the oldest settlements in Elba, and a medieval commune on the slopes of a verdant Monte Capanne.
Elba Feels More Exclusive Than Other Italian Destinations
Elba is considered to be one of Italy’s most exclusive locations, and it goes without saying that all this stunning scenery and fascinating culture come with a price:
There’s not an abundance of budget guesthouses or hostels on the island, but if you’re keeping it under$ 160 per night, there’s still beachfront Park Hotel Napoleone in Portoferraio, where a single room will cost you$ 136 to book, or Hotel Villa Italia in Porto Azzurro, slightly above budget at$ 161.
Both hotels already include breakfast in their nightly rate, and they’re centrally-located in their respective municipalities.
When it comes to food expenses, Elba is about as expensive as other Italian hotspots, meaning it’s not Balkan cheap, but for the average American, it’s a steal of a deal: pizzas are between$ 12-15, more sophisticated pasta dishes are around$ 25, and fine dining can cost from$ 50 to upwards of$ 80.
How To Get To Elba This Summer
If you’re visiting Elba, you can either take the ferry from Piombino in the Tuscan mainland or take the flight into Marina di Campo Airport, which hosts flights from some other secondary European hubs, such as Mannheim in Germany and Bern in Switzerland.
The most popular choice is the latter, with one-way tickets starting at an affordable$ 19 for foot passengers, making the estimated crossing time of a Moby ship between Piombino and Portoferraio only blocking at 1 hour.
As connectivity improves and word gets out about Elba’s unspoiled beauty, chances are it wo n’t stay’ hidden’ for long.
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