"You will see a royal city leaning against an steep hil,l superb in men and walls, whose appearance alone indicates her as the Lady of the Sea."

Francesco Petrarca

Genoa

Our sailing vacation in Liguria starts from Marina Porto Antico in the heart of Genoa (1), in which the atmosphere of a Maritime Republic is still kept vivid. On these waters the Ligurians reached lofty heights in the art of navigation, and it is still exciting today to glimpse from the sea the facades of a thousand colors, the cobbled streets, the piers with the bustle of fishermen and the nets spread out in the sun.

Its labyrinthine "caruggi" make up Europe's largest historic center in which one could spend days immersing oneself in the typical scents and flavors of port cities.

Points of interest within walking distance of our berth include Italy's largest aquarium, the cathedral of San Lorenzo, a medieval Gothic masterpiece, or the delightful fishing village of Boccadasse, now incorporated into the city area.

Paradise Gulf

A few hours of sailing away, we will find Camogli (2), an ancient village with a glorious seafaring past. The seafront promenade is a succession of cheerful colorful little houses, small stores and bakeries that give off a delicious scent of fresh focaccia bread; at the end of the village stands the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Dragonara Castle that protect the small fishing harbor with its 16th-century charm.

The route then takes our sailboat into the heart of the Portofino Marine Protected Area. We can moor the catamaran in the buoy field in front of Punta Chiappa and watch a spectacular sunset over the sea from the terrace of Stella Maris, a typical restaurant nestled in the park.

Hidden in a fjord lies theAbbey of San Fruttuoso (3), a thousand-year-old monastery whose origins are now legend. Accessible only by sea or via a winding path, the church offers a unique backdrop for bathing and exploration. At a depth of 12 meters rests the Christ of the Deep, a 2.50-meter-tall bronze statue, an stunning sight for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

Gulf of Tigullio

A short distance away lies Portofino (4), the true pearl of Liguria, where the big fashion names have taken their place among the alleys. You can enjoy the atmosphere from the famous "Piazzetta", or reach the church of San Giorgio after a short walk that provides wonderful views of the Ligurian Sea.

Next to the marina opens the Bay of Paraggi renowned for its crystal clear water and guarded by two scenic castles.

One possible catamaran mooring is the delightful port of Santa Margherita, the center of nightlife and shopping in Liguria, perfectlysheltered in all weather conditions

Further afield awaits us Sestri Levante (5), whose historic center overlooks two gulfs, the Baia delle Favole, perfect for a restorative bath, and the Baia del Silenzio, where one of the most beautiful views of Liguria can be enjoyed from the catamaran.

The Cinque Terre

A catamaran vacation in Liguria cannot fail to visit the Cinque Terre, hamlets suspended in time between sea and hill.

We start with Monterosso (6), close to the historic terraces planted with vines and olive trees, wrested from the mountain by the sweat of the brow, and continue to Vernazza, perhaps the most picturesque with its small fishing port and steep stairways.

Corniglia, the only landlocked village of the five, watches us from the top of the promontory with low houses typical of the hinterland, while Manarola offers postcard scenery with its thousands of colorful facades.

Finally Riomaggiore (7), connected to the others by the famous Via dell'Amore, represents the archetypal Ligurian village perched on the hillside. One can get lost in the alleys dotted with small stores, enjoying the typical Ligurian focaccia or juicy local lemons.

Gulf of the Poets

Our sailing vacation in Liguria ends in the Gulf of Poets, a huge natural harbor that is home to the city of La Spezia.

The first sight in the gulf will be Portovenere (8), where St. Peter's Church looks almost like a fortress overlooking the sea. The splendid waterfront promenade is a succession of stores and inviting little restaurants. The whole village is permeated by a romantic atmosphere, which bewitched even the poet Lord Byron, to whom the cave of the same name overlooking the Cinque Terre is dedicated.

Just in front of the marina stands the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, of extraordinary naturalistic value. You can indulge in a nice swim under the high cliffs in Cala della Fornace with a unique view of the Scola Tower, a beautiful example of military architecture.

The entire gulf is dotted with typical villages: Fezzano and Le Grazie in the west are almost untouched by mass tourism, and are a viable alternative to more emblazoned destinations; in the east we find Lerici, with its harbor full of fishermen's goiters dominated by the large medieval castle and the hamlet of Tellaro, a small gem unknown to most that will be able to win your heart among its stone alleys, in a riot of colors and scents that are unmistakably Ligurian.

Catamaran Charter in Liguria

The following catamaran is available for your boating vacation in Liguria:

Charter info in Liguria

• When: Throughout the fall/spring period from September to May.
• Catamaran: Lagoon 42 and Lagoon 40
• Prices: Pricelist.
• Where: Boarding from the Marina Porto Antico (Genoa).
• Duration: Weekly cruise with embarkation on Saturday at 6 p.m. and disembarkation on the following Saturday at 9 a.m., or weekend formula.
• Crew: Possibility of catamaran charter in Liguria with skipper.
• Reservations: email to info@mistralsailing.it or call the number +39 347 949 8966 (Luca)

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