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- 4 days Duration 4 days
The Portofino Area is a wonderful place to experience the unique landscape. From your sea kayak you will reach places only for a few people.
Quick Details
Elba Island Kayaking Experience
Join me on this adventure exploring Elba Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea. With this vacation package, you discover exquisite beaches, hidden coves, superb Italian cuisine, and great Italian wines. Elba is the perfect destination for your food and wine tasting kayak tour in Tuscany.
Given the nature of the trip, anyone with a good level of fitness (e.g. being able to walk for 5 miles every day) can participate.
16/17 year olds are welcome if accompanied by their parents or guardian.
Itinerary
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Pick-up at Pisa airport and transfer to accommodation on the Island. We start the week by meeting and greeting everyone at a get-together on the first evening whilst enjoying our first taste of wine.
We get to know everyone very quickly as we only take a maximum of six people. We have a chat about the weather forecast for the week and make a provisional plan of how the trips might go.
Dinner: Resort restaurant
Night: Resort in Bagnaia
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After tasty breakfasts, we enjoy two days of relaxed paddling on warm, crystal-clear water.
We keep an eye on the weather, and if the conditions are not good for your paddling ability, we enjoy the views from the vineyards, hiking between the Medieval Villages.
Lunch: Packed lunch
Dinner: Resort restaurant
Night: Resort in Bagnaia
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After breakfast, we visit Napoleon’s house in Portoferraio, the main village of the island, followed by lunch in a local restaurant.
In the early afternoon, you are free to spend time shopping or relaxing on Ghiaie Beach. The late afternoon sees us guided by a local winemaker on a sumptuous food and wine tasting in the vineyard.
The most unforgettable way to enjoy sea views of Porto Azzurro is through your glass of wine!
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Resort restaurant
Night: Resort in Bagnaia
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After breakfast, we again decide which of the 90 miles of coast of Elba Island we’ll enjoy today, caround the Tuscan Marine National Park and enhancing your paddling skills.
Each day ends with a smile after dining at a local restaurant with handcrafted food and local wine.
Lunch: Packed lunch
Dinner: Local restaurant
Night: Private villa or hotel
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After breakfast, we have our exclusive transfer to Pisa airport.
More
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Your accommodation will be in double room with en suite in characteristic hotels and bed and breakfast located in quite areas with great sea views where you will be able to rest and relax in company with friends and a local glass of wine.
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You take total advantage of being in the country that’s arguably the food capital of the world.
Lunchtime: we take a break from kayaking/hiking where it’s just strolling distance to a village taverna or a market providing fresh, seasonal produce. Not included.
Dinnertime: We will dine in local restaurants tasting local hand made dishes and wines. Included.
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- Swimsuit
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water flask (refilling water wherever possible helps us reduce the amount of plastic bottles used)
- Lightweight towel
- Old trainers or water shoes
- Light clothes easy to dry (no cotton) as well as some long-sleeve rash vests
- Rain jacket. It is good to have in just in case.
- Mosquito repellent
- Waterproof camera (optional)
- Waterproof case for your phone, passport, cards, and cash
- Any medication needed
- Remember to bring your smile!
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One major difference between Italy and some other cultures, such as the USA, is the subject of tips. Italian workers in the tourism industry earn a living wage that is not reliant on tips to bring their wage up to a reasonable level. It’s not that they are insulted if you tip them, it’s just that it is not a requirement to do so. If you feel that you have received good service, it will be seen as very nice of you to show your appreciation by leaving a tip.
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I have no kayaking experience; is this trip for me?
Anyone with at least moderate fitness can participate. We only require you to be confident in getting wet for an unexpected swim.
Once on the beach and when you are properly fitted into your kayak, you are given a full safety briefing and basic introduction to paddling technique. On the water, we paddle as a group. You learn to paddle by doing it under the guide’s coaching tips. We will be kayaking for around one hour, at a relaxed pace, before the first stop.
I am an experienced paddler; will I find this trip challenging enough?
It depends on what challenges you. As an experienced paddler, you will be free to roam always in a safe ‘chatting distance’. While the less-experienced will swim and relax, you might prefer to practice your roll or improve your rescue and paddling technique.
Where do we go?
We discuss the paddling itinerary together on our Saturday meeting.
Where and if we will be able to paddle will depend on strength and direction of the wind. If the sea conditions are not safe, we enjoy the views while hiking the island!
Are vegetarians welcome?
Every meal will be local, therefore it will be mainly fish and seafood-based dishes.
There are always different options; just let us know.
Are non-paddling partners welcome to join the tour?
Yes. They might need an independent kind of transportation.
What is there to do on Elba Island besides paddling?
Hike one of the many walking trails in and around the villages; climb the 1000 meter hight of the Monte Capanne; go to a different beach every day, from colorful pebbles to black sand to granite rocks; hire a mountain bike, scooter, or car; take some photos or draw; go shopping!
