MAFWeiss
Well-Known Member
well folks, good news... here is Part 2. The bad news, there are so many photos, there will have to be a part 3! But as an extra bonus... the images are larger!
Co-incidentally the first few days of my travelogue - covering the southern Tuscan coastline - is an area featured also in the latest February issue of MBY.
Monday 4th August we set sail to make the 85 odd nms from Viarregio to our next port, the very chic marina at Punta Ala where we were booked to spend two nights. Passing the busy port of Livorno we had to dodge round a few enormous tankers and container ships who were taking no prisoners. We stopped for lunch at the very pretty bay of Porto Baratti... highly recommended.
Porto Baratti
We chose not to stay at the new Marina di Scarlino since Italian friends of mine who holiday each year close by, said that there were not many facilities there and it was rather soulless. Whereas from what we experienced at Punta Ala, the place was buzzing with multiple restaurants and shops.
Gentileschi in Punta Ala
And for those of you who like ''Spot the boat'', my very beautiful niece Nadine!
We had a very enjoyable time with our meeting up with our Italian friends, who we took out with us to one of the pleasant bays bordered by pine woods just a bit further south.
The Master and Commander cooling off
On Wednesday 6th August, with the weather perfect, we embarked early in the morning on the longest day's sailing yet attempted. 180nm from Punta Ala to Gaeta. The scenery down to Monte Argentario was very beautiful, then as after that the coastal plains north and south of Rome were monotonously flat until we approached Gaeta.
The flat coastal plains of Latina
The wife at the helm, looking towards the beaches of Saubadia and Monte Circeo
At last, after some ten hours sailing we arrived at the historic port of Gaeta.
This stunning sunset over Gaeta was a wonderful omen for the following day... and our arrival on the Amalfi coast
Thursday 7th August and the excitement and anticipation of this final leg of our great trip was tremendous. Yet again we were blessed with a beautiful day.
Sailing away from Gaeta
Our first sight was of Ischia
Then the iconic sight of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples... what an amazing feeling it was. I could not believe it...had to almost pinch myself.
We then sailed by Capri before heading up along the coast past Positano to Amalfi, where we had booked two nights in the 'marina' run by the Coppola (sic!) brothers, before finally arriving at our new home in the Marina d'Arechi in Salerno.
The beginning of the Costa Amalfitana
Amalfi on the day of our arrival
We had made it!! Just to think, that such a dream from a standing start could been achieved within two very short years. WOW!!!! Sitting in a cafe in front of the cathedral with a celebratory drink, I could not have been happier.
Sorry shipmates but I will have to stop here for today, but I promise that part 3 will be well worth the wait, as I have some FABULOUS photos to share with you.
Co-incidentally the first few days of my travelogue - covering the southern Tuscan coastline - is an area featured also in the latest February issue of MBY.
Monday 4th August we set sail to make the 85 odd nms from Viarregio to our next port, the very chic marina at Punta Ala where we were booked to spend two nights. Passing the busy port of Livorno we had to dodge round a few enormous tankers and container ships who were taking no prisoners. We stopped for lunch at the very pretty bay of Porto Baratti... highly recommended.
Porto Baratti
We chose not to stay at the new Marina di Scarlino since Italian friends of mine who holiday each year close by, said that there were not many facilities there and it was rather soulless. Whereas from what we experienced at Punta Ala, the place was buzzing with multiple restaurants and shops.
Gentileschi in Punta Ala
And for those of you who like ''Spot the boat'', my very beautiful niece Nadine!
We had a very enjoyable time with our meeting up with our Italian friends, who we took out with us to one of the pleasant bays bordered by pine woods just a bit further south.
The Master and Commander cooling off
On Wednesday 6th August, with the weather perfect, we embarked early in the morning on the longest day's sailing yet attempted. 180nm from Punta Ala to Gaeta. The scenery down to Monte Argentario was very beautiful, then as after that the coastal plains north and south of Rome were monotonously flat until we approached Gaeta.
The flat coastal plains of Latina
The wife at the helm, looking towards the beaches of Saubadia and Monte Circeo
At last, after some ten hours sailing we arrived at the historic port of Gaeta.
This stunning sunset over Gaeta was a wonderful omen for the following day... and our arrival on the Amalfi coast
Thursday 7th August and the excitement and anticipation of this final leg of our great trip was tremendous. Yet again we were blessed with a beautiful day.
Sailing away from Gaeta
Our first sight was of Ischia
Then the iconic sight of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples... what an amazing feeling it was. I could not believe it...had to almost pinch myself.
We then sailed by Capri before heading up along the coast past Positano to Amalfi, where we had booked two nights in the 'marina' run by the Coppola (sic!) brothers, before finally arriving at our new home in the Marina d'Arechi in Salerno.
The beginning of the Costa Amalfitana
Amalfi on the day of our arrival
We had made it!! Just to think, that such a dream from a standing start could been achieved within two very short years. WOW!!!! Sitting in a cafe in front of the cathedral with a celebratory drink, I could not have been happier.
Sorry shipmates but I will have to stop here for today, but I promise that part 3 will be well worth the wait, as I have some FABULOUS photos to share with you.
