The Island of Elba - Porto Azzurro
Elba, about 10 km
from the Italian mainland, is one of the greenest
and most beautiful islands in the
Mediterranean. It is the third largest
in Italy (after Sicily and Sardinia) with an area of 224 sq km. The
pure air, mild climate and plentiful water account for Elba's richly
varied vegetation.
The scenery changes constantly: 150 km of
coastline, with wide sandy
beaches, girdle steep cliffs and
romantic bays, where crystalclear water
invites you to all kind of aquatic sports - sailing, windsurfing, swimming,
and diving.
In the mountainous interior, Monte Capanne (1019
meters above sea
level), the highest point in Elba,
offers you an ideal place for excursion.
It can be reached either on foot or by cable car.
Elba is not only famous for its beauty but also
for the hospitality of its
inhabitants, for its good wines,
and for its excellent cooking, which
specializes in fish and seafood.
Besides a great number of recreational
activities, Elba offers many sites
of cultural interest. Napoleon's stay (1814-15) has left many traces
and represents a
highlight of Elba's interesting history.
The school is situated in Porto Azzurro, a small
picturesque harbour
town on the island. Porto Azzurro, with its azure coloured
harbour, is a very charming
village. Directly on the seashore,
its "Piazza" is surrounded on three
sides by all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafés and gelaterias. Under
plane-trees you can find park-benches; opposite, yachts are bobbing up and down on the water and the atmosphere of the
warm
summer-nights is unique. Even today
the medieval Spanish fortress
dominates the village; a visit to the nearby sanctuary Madonna di
Monserrato takes you on an inviting walk through a wild and scenic
valley.
In the vicinity of Porto Azzurro you will find a
number of small, quiet,
sandy beaches and beautiful rocky
cliffs. |
