After Pisa, we passed by the Apuan Alps, a mountain range in northern Tuscany that reach 2,000 meters high. The mountains appear snow covered but it’s the Carrara marble seen on the mountian side. It has been used for buildings and sculptures since ancient Rome times.
We made our way to an anchorage in a bay just south of Lerici and anchored under a castle wall. Picture perfect and a nice calm night for a change. Most of the boats left in the early evening leaving only 4 overnight.
The next day we sailed by Cinque Terre starting at Porto Venere and going north. These villages are postcard perfect. We could see from the water that these villages were teeming with tourists so we decided not to anchor to go ashore. We spent the night in Chiavari and stopped for a swim (28 degree water) before entering the port.
We looked into spending the night at Portofino however at 450 euros a night for a mooring ball we decided to pass. It is a beautiful village and is on the bucket list of many sailors.
We continued onto Genova. The harbour is huge with many cruise ships. It was a 20 minute entrance to the marina. We docked right in the porto antica next to a Pirate ship and an Aquarium.
We spent a very hot day wandering around Genova. Google maps (not our friend) got us lost a few times in the narrow streets but we made it to the top for a great view. A fun city! Many piazzas and old buildings in old Genova. Garibaldi street is where the wealthy families of Genova built their mansions. Most so them are now banks. The Deutche bank was closing but allowed us to the atrium which housed a fountain and lovely sculptures and paintings. We just had to lock up when we left. We had takeout of fresh fried fish and calamari from one of the old sciamadde shops near our boat.
After two great nights in Genova, we sailed on and anchored the next night at Capo di Noli (south of Malpasso) and and the next night at Capo Santa Corse (near Alassio). The later was the most uncomfortable night of our trip. The direction of the winds differed from the direction of the large swells. We had to use the gimbal stove for dinner at anchor! Nice landscape and good swimming.
Sanremo was our last Italian port. It was more of a city than town with more people and traffic than Genova. Everyone drives a motorcycle in Italy which is the preferred mode of transportation. The harbour was on the outskirts of Sanremo. Went to the fish market but not early enough as only one vendor left but were able to get some fish for that nights dinner. We first met a Dutch boat here which we would meet another two times. The nights are finally starting to get cooler – mid August.
Arrivederci Italia – Bonjour la France!
