Sailing in Italy

Sailing is a very popular activity in Italy, because it offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. There are many secluded bays and coves, old fishing villages and beautiful coastlines. This is why it attracts tourists from all over the world.

A brief overview of the history of sailing:

Sailing is an ancient practice that has been used for transport, trade and exploration for over 5,000 years.

The first documented case of boat building is in Egypt around 4200 BC with the construction of planking boats. These early boats were not fast or manoeuvrable enough to be considered sailing ships in the modern sense, but they could still sail against the wind. The first modern sailing boat was built by Colin Archer in 1787 and named 'Aeolus' after the Greek god who personified wind and air.

This ship had a triangular sail with a rotating mast that allowed it to move upwind when there was no experience of wind on the part of the sailors at the time.

Sailing on Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Lake Garda's proximity to the Alps makes it an ideal place for sailors of all levels. Travellers find it an unforgettable experience to take a boat ride through the deep blue waters of the lake.

For sailing enthusiasts: there are many hidden beaches on Lake Garda where you can enjoy a day by the sea.

Sailing on Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is a lake located in northern Italy. It is the third largest lake in Italy after Lake Garda and Lake Como. It is also one of the most beautiful to sail on. There are several sailing competitions held on this lake, all of which are very popular.

The first Italian yacht club and one of the oldest in the world was founded in 1858. Its headquarters are located in Belgirate, on the Piedmont shore, 5 km from the famous tourist destination of Stresa. The Regatta Society 1858 organises each year the sailing rally "Garibaldi's Red Shirts". The gathering owes its name to the fact that it was in Belgirate that Donna Adelaide Cairoli, an Italian patriot, together with the women of the village, prepared the uniforms, the red shirts, for the Expedition of the Thousand in 1861. A piece of Italian history that the Regatta Society 1858 remembers every year.

Sailing on the Ligurian Riviera

The Ligurian Riviera is a coastal region known for its beautiful beaches and coves, often listed among the best in Italy. The coastline features steep cliffs that provide visitors to the area with excellent views of the waters below.

Sailing on the Taormina coast

Sailing to discover the Bay of Spisone, the Bay of Mazzarò, one of the most beautiful bays in Sicily, with its crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches. It also has much to offer in terms of underwater life, such as an abundance of corals and shells, and the beautiful Isola Bella, home to one of Sicily's most famous attractions: the Grotta Azzurra, which can be reached by boat.