Santa Maria Di Leuca to Genova 23

The crossing from Othonoi to Santa Maria Di Leuca lastet a full Day. We left at 7 in the morning and arrived in Santa Maria di Leuca at 8 in the evening. The Ionion sea was choppy to rough. Leaving Othonoi the wind was 12 to 16 knots falling to zero after midday, picking uop later after 3 in the afternoon and getting to overe 25 knots after 5.  We had this quiet often so in Italy.

We stayed two days in Santa Maria di Leuca. We were on anchor just at the entrance to the harbour, infact, a perfect anchorage. We wanted to be in the harbour but were instructed to wait there ubtil confirmation that we could come. Promptly a flotilla came and so we staid right there. A nice place hot in summer and again this food! We left early and quite late a Ciro Marina. Not that it is a prime stop but again in the late afternoon the wind and waves were very high and strong so we were more than happy to be safe for the night. Very friendly port people we paid 50 Euros for teh night. 7 30 in the morning we had three guys from the Guardia di Finanzia on board. So we left the next day for Porto Crotone to haul out Kanasta for a month before the next step of our journey.

For one month Kanasta stood in drydock in Porto Crotone. The fees were at the Marine 2900 Euro/month in dry dock 700 Euro/month. Porto Crotone was hot and there was a train going direct to Lamezia Terme for the flights. So in a way a good solution. From Porto Crotone we sailed to Rocella Ionica. A really nice harbour with a good athmosphere, clean and well maintained. The people were and also very interesting things to see, a castle and old greek villages

From Rocella Ionica we sailed as close to the Messina straight and stopped overnight at Bova Marina. A absolutely stunning family opend a new flield with boe's, called Boe Club dei Saraceni. For Kanasta we paid Euro 50 for the night. Antonito and Antonio were helping us at the boe with two small craft and even drove us to the best restaurant in Bova.

Then the next day the street of Messina. To the port Sicilly with it's Etna fuming and so was the street of Messina. Under engine, all sails down, we had a few rough hours. Always on the look out for those ferries crossing really fast.

At the entrance of the street, Melito di porto salvo you see half a dozen of shipwrecks lying on the beach. Then going into the straight we had 30 knots against us, a rough sea, we got wet and we had a few really bad hours. Some ferries are jet driven! Those once are really fast. We anchored for the night at Protea. Good anchorage just in front of the Port entrance. Just let ehough space for the small motorboats leaving from the beach.

Leaving Protea we saw the Stromboli from far a beautiful sight that will us coming back soon to visit those aeolian Islands. Cetraro was our next stop. Well maintained small harbour used mainly bvy locals. A fishery right there and a Restaurant, family run, just at the end of the harbour towards town. The food was a delight. The next morning we woke up just next to a rather big vessel of the Italian army.

Palinuro what a name and what a nice Bay. Perfect sandy groungs, just in summer, during the day, a quite busy place. Still a perfect stop and protected through a small island in front of this bay. 

Capri. A must after sailing the Amalfi. We ankered straight in front of Marina Grande. Do it southerly and have some distance to the local motorboats which are used to ship tourist around this small Island. The harbour is busy but has a certain charm. Upwards it's getting posh, exclusive and more pricy. The beach clubs are just splendid. 

From Capri to Gaeta. Passing just close to Ischia with it's Castle. Gaeta a really beautiful medieval town and a well protected bay just in front of town. We ankered just opposit the cathedral and there is a concrte mole where you can savely put your dinghy, what a plaesure. In Gaeta they serve a speciality. A pie filled  with the sun of southern Italy a real delight.

Our next stop Rome. Exactly Nettuno. An old town to die for. Thick protecting walls, leading into Piazzas full of restaurants where people dine, laugh and enjoy there evenings. Also the Marin itself made a well run impression. Supermarkets etc. are in walking distance and a lively beach. Italy at it's best. Protection is rather bad so check the weather but a must.

Orbetello with Porto Ercole. Probably the nicest place we saw in Italy next to Elba.nIf you haven't been there go. The bay is an absolute picture peerfect place. Flush green with the two citadels. Beaches perfectly maintained.

Elba our next destintion. In fact we visuited Elba twice this year together with Capraia. Elba is a forgoten gem. Since almost 20 years tourism is on the decline. Our Luck! Tall multi story appartment or Hotels? Nope. Elba has survived and house prices are going up at a staedy rate. If you like nature, hiking, mountainbiking...go for it. Porto Azzuro has a very well protected bay. The first time I counted over 80 sailing boats in the bay and at night all the masts witgh their lights look like candles. Marina di Campo, was our next stop, lesser protected but also a nice town to hang around, Marciana Marina, smaller and less protected..and lots of bays fr swimming in between.

From Elba to Porto Venere cinque terre. So close to Genova where Kanasta will stay for a good year. Porto Venere is very well protected. jut be aware that this is a very old harbour. You can anchor easely but there must be chains and plenty of stuff lying on the bottom so don't take risks there by going to close to the shore. Tourist boats will shake you early but you can't gvet it all. Going to Porto Venere is a nice. The old town is beautiful, the restaurants alongside the harbour are very touristic and strangely the fist one, just when you getv to the harbour is the cheapest and the best....