Il Cotone, the historic port of Marciana Marina

Sea Kayak Italy and California Canoe & Kayak have teamed up to offer an 8-day 7-night sea kayak exploration and land-based tour of the picturesque and historic island of Elba, Italy.

You can see Portoferraio from the ferry

2010 trip dates:

September 6-13
September 13-20

Cost: $2149
(Airfare to Italy and transportation to Elba Island not included; call us for travel info.)

The coastline is perfect for kayaking!

Trip includes:
" Seven nights at the Hotel Yacht Club (or equivalent three-star hotel) in Marciana Marina. Fee set for double occupancy and includes breakfast. (Single supplement is 10 Euros per day to be paid upon arrival.)
" Four to five days of kayaking. Land-based activities include hiking and excursions around Elba, including towns, markets, and historic sites.
" Ground transportation by private car from and to the ferry in Portoferraio, and to kayaking and hiking destinations.
" Closed-deck kayaks and gear, including paddle, wetsuit, PFD, spray jacket, paddle float, spray skirt, and dry bag. (Wetsuits are optional; the water is warm!)
" Double kayaks available.
" One certified guide for every six clients.
" Six dinners are, either in special local restaurants, or at the home of our Italian guides Gaudenzio and Anna Paola. For dinners on your own, participants have the option to join the group in explorations of the restaurants and cuisine of Elba, or dine separately.

Our trip starts from the protected harbor at Marciana Marina

View Elba photos from our 2008 trips!

About the staff:

Barbara Kossy, our American representative with Sea Kayak Italy, will accompany the group as a general guide, and cultural and language interpreter.

Gaudenzio Coltelli grew up on Elba, has paddled there for 30 years, and seems to know almost everyone on the island. He was the first kayaker to make the crossing from Corsica to Elba, and is a past record holder for fastest circumnavigation of the island. He is also a graduate of sommalier school!

Please call or email us if you have any questions about the trip, or traveling in Italy.

Live Elba webcam!
(Click on the British flag for English at the Elbalink website.)

The California Canoe & Kayak Elba trip is featured in the book,"100 Places Every Woman Should Go in Italy". www.susanvanallen.com

More Great information at www.sites.google.com/site/elbaislandkayaking

TRIP ITINERARY

Where granite meets the Mediterranean Sea

This is a probable itinerary, as the actual day-to-day activities will be determined by daily weather and marine conditions and the desires and abilities of the trip participants. The kayaking excursions vary in length from 2-4 hours, with breaks on shore for rest, swimming, and picnicking. Participants may want to contact a travel agent to arrange for staying overnight in Rome or other cities in Italy the night before and after our itinerary begins, as there are additional travel days required to and from Elba.

Note about meals: Breakfasts are included in the cost of the trip, starting on Day 2; lunches are not included but it's easy to buy everything you need for a great picnic on the beach. Two dinners are included, either at the home of Gaudenzio and Anna Paola or in special local restaurants. For dinners on your own, participants have the option to join the group in explorations of the restaurants and cuisine of Elba, or dine separately.

Day 1 :
(Breakfast is on your own today. ) From Rome or other Italian location, you will take a morning train to the ferry terminal at Piombino (about 3 hours by train); the boat trip takes aboat 1 hour. Ferries depart approximately every 30 minutes, and cost about $US 7. Upon arrival in Portoferraio, you will be greeted by our guide for the week, Gaudenzio Coltelli. He will drive you to your hotel. We will gather tonight to meet the other members of the group. Request a bag lunch for tomorrow's paddle, if desired; it will be prepared by hotel staff. Local delis are a great way to shop for our picnic lunches, and Barbara can help folks with choosing convenient and delicious meals, as needed.
Dinner is on your own.

Day 2 :
(Breakfast at hotel. Buy picnic lunch at local deli, or pick up bag lunch from hotel staff.)
8:30 AM, Marciana Marina open air market. Don't miss this weekly market!
11:00 AM Meet on the beach near the kayaks. We will fit the gear to the paddlers and have an introductory course. Paddle to Isoletta Paolina (about 1 hour) and beyond. Picnic on beach. Paddle back to Marciana.
Late afternoon: Return to hotel, dinner on your own.

Day 3 :
(Breakfast at the hotel. Bag lunch from hotel, or picnic lunch from local deli. Lunch is also available in San Adrea, today's destination.)
Paddle to San Andrea area, and farther west; return to Marciana Marina.

Day 4 :
(Breakfast and lunch as usual.)
Today we will transport the kayaks on a trailer and drive to the south shore of the island for our paddle.

Day 5 :
(Breakfast and lunch as usual.)
Explore the historic hill town of Marciana Alta, hike Monte Capanne (Elba's highest peak), optional dinner Ristorante Osteria del Noce - famed for its contemporary interpretation of traditional Elba cooking.

Day 6 :
(Breakfast as usual; lunch will be available today from a local restaurant.)
Today, we will explore the island's west coast, dominated by the coves and cliffs of the Monte Capanne National Park.

Day 7 :
(Breakfast and lunch as usual.)
We will put the kayaks on the trailer and explore the island's south shore.
Goodbye dinner at Gaudenzio and Anna Paola's.

Day 8 :
(Breakfast at hotel.)
Travel Day. Staff will drive you to the ferry for the trip back to the Italian mainland, and homeward bound connections.

For more information about the itinerary, you can email our guide Barbara Kossy