There’s no denying that Italy has one of the greatest touristic appeals of all
Mediterranean countries. This is especially true for sailors. Apart from the fact that Italy lies right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it’s also a country with a long and fascinating history, huge cultural potential and which boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines and islands – regions like
Liguria and
Tuscany or
Sardinia and
Sicily.
General Info
Italians have a reputation for flawless taste when it comes to fashion, architecture and design, but they have also been blessed with scenic countryside that is worth seeing at least once in your life. Though not as developed as it once used to be the Italian yacht charter industry still manages to attract large numbers of pleasure cruisers and yachting enthusiasts to its marinas every year.
Because in yacht charter Italy you’re never more than 1 hour away by car from the coast, sailing is a favorite pastime and you’ll find many marinas along the Italian shores. For a skipper, Italy is a great destination because it affords all kinds of coastline, from rocky cliffs in the north to low-lying beaches in the south.
Yacht charter Italy also has some inland sailing opportunities at the famous Garda Lake, or Lago di Garda as the locals call it, a large body of water deep in the Alps. This place has an uncommon beauty which is why many millionaires have chosen to buy property here, turning its shore into fancy neighborhoods.
On the western shore, a Veneto state presents an even more interesting shoreline of an intricate pattern, similar to a labyrinth, which culminates in the famous city known to lovers everywhere as
Venice.
Truly marvelous sailing regions are the
Aeolian islands in the
Tyrrhenian Sea, magnets for all skippers worth their salt and famous holiday resorts with great sceneries and unmatched sailing potential. The real adventure is to sail from harbor to harbor from cove to cove and find all the gems the Italian coastline has to offer by yourself.
If that doesn’t tempt you, then maybe the chance to eat some truly authentic dishes during your yacht charter cruise in Italy. A real Italian pizza or maybe homemade pasta with fresh sea food served with a bottle of locally grown wine alone could be worth the price of a sailing trip to the peninsula. Holidaymakers who come to Italy fall in love with the native cuisine that offers many healthy yet tasty recipes that you can make yourself at home.
Law & Order
In order to
charter a yacht in Italy you need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid skipper’s license. Most licenses are recognized in Italy but make sure you carry it with you at all times when sailing.
Permits are mandatory for anyone who wants to take their own yacht or a charter more than 6 miles out at sea. This also applies for motor boats and motor yachts with an engine power greater than 40HP. If you’re thinking of chartering a yacht in Italy but you’re not sure of the necessary documentation, don’t hesitate to contact one of the local operators to answer all your questions beforehand.
The Italian yacht charter fleet is large enough to meet all demands and varied to fulfill every taste. Most yachts are new and fairly new, with a few old ones that have been refitted for modern use. Mooring though is another story, as in some places you’ll find it difficult to find a spot to overnight your yacht. This happens mostly during the high of the summer season, between the months of June and August and in the most popular harbors.