Woke up at 9:30am on the boat. We ate breakfast on deck as we sailed away from Bonifacio and over to Lavezzi island (about 2 hours with solid winds for the sails). There were a good number of other boats, around which discharged guests explored the island’s various beaches and coves.

I later took a solid 40-minute swim from our boat to a nearby beach. Some others went by dinghy to beaches further afield. I figured I needed some exercise to keep from getting fat on this Mediterranean island tour! At least I could then justify the occasional afternoon gelato to hold me over until dinner at 9pm. Read the rest of this post »

Today we entered Bonifacio’s (Corsica) dramatic harbor, considered one of the top 10 harbors in the world. Impressive cliffs and the old town surround the natural harbor, where a couple dozen yachts are moored. Reminds me a bit of St. Tropez, but with a town set on a hilltop and far more dramatic views. There’s something for everyone – sightseeing, vistas, swimming, shopping, eating, and more.  

I meandered through the port area (mostly restaurants and bars) and then climbed the stairs to the city, perched atop the cliffs. This town goes back centuries and it’s a charming pedestrian-only labyrinth of small streets and alleys – also some terrific restaurants with amazing Mediterranean sea views from these cliffs. It’s possible to take stairs down to the sea but you need to hike back up, so save energy! Read the rest of this post »

It’s day three, and we just entered the harbor area of Bonifacio, Corsica, after sailing two hours across very bumpy seas (a lot of wind and some water splashes across the deck – needed to move positions to avoid getting soaked)!

Now we’re at the port of Bonifacio in southern Corsica (which is French owned), where Napoleon Bonaparte was born. The harbor is filled (with too many fancy boats!) and we can’t berth there until tomorrow. So, we’re going to anchor nearby and go for a swim at a beach. A lot of wind today though; should die down later. We rescued two women in a dinghy whose motor gave out – the rough seas had been tossing it about. Read the rest of this post »

A group of 14 friends and I decided to charter an antique sailboat to run along the coast of Sardinia, an enchanting island 120 miles west of the Italian peninsula. Italians are rightly proud of Sardinia as it offers some of the most fantastically beautiful beaches in the world (and certainly in the Mediterranean). The island has been famous since the 1960s as a jet-set destination.

Our small luxury yacht, the Kairos, tours different parts of the Med and Aegean during summer. Some weeks it does Sardinia and Corsica (our itinerary) and other weeks it goes to the French Riviera and the Greek Islands. There are 9 guest cabins (room for 18 people, plus 4 or 5 crewmembers including a captain and chef). Loads of other private yachts ply the waters off Sardinia, but none has sail masts quite as large as the Kairos’s. And sailing, rather than motoring (which Kairos can also do) is a fun way to travel. Read the rest of this post »