Pearl from the necklace of Venus - Elba

Published on: 2014-11-20

Author: Ken.G

Elba is the largest of the Tuscan Islands Archipelago. It is older than Rome, and in the past it was famous not only for its beauty, but also for its little poetic activity - iron ore was mined on its eastern coast.

According to the legend, during the sea bath, Venus's neck fell off a necklace of pearls that scattered over the waters of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas. In this way, they created one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the region. One of the pearls of the necklace of the goddess of love is Elba, today known as the island of Venus. It is hard to believe that Napoleon was sent to her as a punishment.

Take the ferry to Napoleon

Venus was the goddess of love and beauty. No wonder that the island with which legends connect it, also stands out for its extraordinary beauty. Elba's sandy beaches, romantic bays, charming towns and the eternal greenery of Mediterranean flora delight all who come here. To get here, you need to take the ferry in the port of Piombino , separated from Elba by a 12-kilometer strait.

The ferry leaves every hour and we get off in Portoferraio, the main town of the island. It is situated on a headland with steep slopes, surrounded on three sides by the sea. Its main attractions include numerous forts and the building in which the famous exile lived, i.e. Napoleon's House .

Apart from Portoferraio , ferries also run to Cavo (the journey takes 35 minutes) and Rio Marina (45 minutes). If we did not transport our own vehicle on the ferry, it will be most convenient to rent a bicycle or a car on site. It is true that you can use local buses, but they do not reach all the places worth exploring during your stay.

Attractions of Elba

At Napoleon's order, wonderful, evergreen gardens were established, with the scent of jasmine and mimosa, spicy underlined with a hint of rosemary. He lived in Villa dei Mulini (Palazzina dei Mulini), to which a steep path leads uphill. The villa impresses above all with the views from the terrace and the collection of volumes - Napoleon has gathered over 2,000 of them. Being here, it is also worth visiting the living room with Empire-style furniture and the Baroque bedroom.

The garden surrounding Villa Napoleonica di San Martino is exceptionally beautiful (because it tempts with exotic plant species). Today, a museum is located in a small palace, approx. 5 km from the city.

The old town of Portoferraio has several points of value for lovers of sacred architecture, including the Church of San Rocco and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. It catches the eye with wrought iron balconies, decorative arcades and atmospheric squares, to which lead narrow, winding stairs. After a stroll through atmospheric alleys, you can sit down in one of the many pubs and relax.

Camping on the island of Elba

On such a beautiful island, finding accommodation will not be a problem for anyone, regardless of whether they like a hotel with comforts or are looking for a position for their camper. The campsite Ville degli Ulivi (Campsite Village) is 30 meters from the long sandy beach of Marina di Campo, the largest resort on the island. It offers guests accommodation in mobile homes and double and triple rooms in a beautiful villa. It has numerous places for tents and pitches for campers hidden in the shade of pine trees. The campsite has a swimming pool and wellness center. You can play here, among others in beach volleyball and tennis.

We will pay from 7 to 15.50 euro per night for an adult. For a place for a vehicle - from 9 to 19 euros. The great location of the campsite allows easy access to the attractions of the nearby resort. I must admit that partygoers will not get bored here. In addition to the vast beach , Marina di Campo tempts with a view of the picturesque bay and a wide range of entertainment.

While in Elba, try the "stoccafisso alla riese" (spicy cod dish) and the local wine. The ancient Romans already appreciated them. Apart from Elba Rosso and Elba Bianco, Moscato, Rosato and Aleatico are excellent. You can take a bottle of one of them with you as a souvenir.

Pearl from the necklace of Venus - Elba – image 1

Pearl from the necklace of Venus - Elba – image 2

Pearl from the necklace of Venus - Elba – image 3

Pearl from the necklace of Venus - Elba – image 4

Ken.G

A writer by profession, a passion of a cat. One day he will see what is behind the Urals - good to Vladivostok. So far, when he can, he enjoys the sun of the countries of southern Europe. And it's also fun;)

See more publications by this author

Enjoyed reading this article? Share it!

Also read

Places to visit

Green Elba

Today it is hard to imagine that exile to a beautiful island covered with Mediterranean vegetation can be a punishment. For Napoleon, however, it was quite painful, given that he was an ambitious person and, if he could, he would control several places at once, instead of being stuck on a piece of land surrounded by water. Meanwhile, it is enough to get to know this piece of land to envy the French emperor more than sympathize. Elba is the largest of the Tuscan Islands archipelago and the third largest island in Italy. It is situated on the border between the Mediterranean and the Ligurian Sea, and is approx. 10 km away from the coast. The long (almost 147 km) coastline attracts thousands of people every year for whom vacation in Italy is the time of sunbathing. There are beautiful beaches with golden sand and rocky, unfriendly to bare feet. The first group includes, among others Marina di Campo , Fetovaia or Cavoli, and to the second - Capo Bianco and Le Ghiaie. There are many steep cliffs on Elba, natural obstacles preventing you from reaching the wildest places by non-sea routes. The island teases the tourist this way, both tempting and demanding. The persistent ones are rewarded with views of picturesque coves, colorfully colored cliffs and lush greenery. Elba is also a place with the atmosphere of a fishing village. It is loved by divers, both beginners, who can explore, for example, the Pomonte wreck, lying on the bottom at a depth of 10 meters, as well as professionals. They prefer places like Capo Stella , where smooth-skinned moray eels swim between the red coral. On land, tourists spend their time equally interesting - on excursions, mountain climbing and a number of other activities (including a cable car trip to the top of Monte Capanne).

Places to visit

Levanto - where the waves hit the hardest

Levanto is an attractive town located in the Italian province of La Spezia. Thanks to its small size, it provides both residents and visiting tourists with the opportunity to relax peacefully. Not everyone knows that the town is famous for the strongest waves in Italy, which means that sometimes it is not so quiet here. Levanto is located approximately 60 km from Genoa, while the provincial capital, La Spezia, is approximately 20 km away. It has a nice, extensive bay, partially protected on the south side. Ironically, the tongue of land, which serves as a shield against sea wind attacks, is also the cause of strong waves, sometimes 3-4 meters high. They form mainly in the central part of the bay's waters - its heart. Angry waves are a tasty morsel for daredevils who come here to face the elements and, like a wild horse, try to tame one of them using a surfboard or a sail. When the strongest waves are formed, surfers come to Levanto from all over Europe. Many people planning to spend an active camping holiday in Italy consider this part of the Ligurian coast also because the water here is warm and very clean. We cannot forget about the advantages on land. Levanto boasts a long, sandy beach and lots of greenery - the surrounding areas are densely covered with olive and pine trees.