Blue Piers

01/01/2022

03/12/2021

Another excellent sailing brand present at Genoa Boat Show was Italia Yachts. ⛵
Models on display were the largest in the range starting from 34 feet: 14.98, and 15.98, respectively 50 and 54 feet. These are boats at a very high level of design, both external and external.
Italia Yachts, also if having only ten years of life, is a shipyard that, in this short time, has conquered a prominent position in its market. They say about themselves: "We design stylish yachts to sail fast, safely and comfortably in all weather," or to put it differently, "Italia Yachts produces real sailboats, not simply boats with a sail upon them." 😃

Therefore, the main guidelines are two: 🔴first of all, strong attention to navigation needs. For example, the deck equipment is positioned and sized for easy use, even in a small crew. The loads on sheets and winches are carefully studied, as well as the points of passage of running rigging to leave surfaces cleared of tops. Stowage spaces are generous, and emergency equipment is positioned to be used effortlessly. The cockpit is among the largest in their respective length categories, with wide and deep benches, flat and comfortable sunbathing areas. The platform that can be opened on the classic stern allows easy access to the sea as well as an easy ascent by boat.
🔴Secondly, the style of the shipyard is oriented towards luxury craftsmanship, with very close attention to detail, comfort, and safety. The rounded corners and the lack of sharp edges, the use of high-quality fine materials, and the handcrafted finishes have become a distinctive signature of the brand.
The ergonomics are designed to ensure ideal comfort even during navigation, and every aspect is respectful of the rules of the art of building sailboats. The interior doors have curved profiles. The handrails are positioned in all the necessary points, and each room has several opening hatches to ensure perfect ventilation.
The storage spaces are always abundant and well accessible, obtained in the furniture built with first choice woods worked in a horizontal vein. The upholstery can be chosen from a wide range of high-quality fabrics and leathers to give a personalized look to the boat.

The images of the exteriors are ours. Pictures of the interior and part of the description are from the site https://www.italiayachts.it/.

22/09/2021

🏃 Let's start with the world of sailing. ⛵️
The presence of Italian shipyards at Genoa Boat Show is always attractive. Beautiful boats "Long Cruise" version of Cantiere del Pardo: Grand Soleil 42 LC, Grand Soleil, 46 LC, Grand Soleil 52 LC

21/09/2021

🔴➡️ The 61st Genoa Boat Show ended today. ⬅️🔴
As always it was a big party with lots of boats and lots of visitors.
Starting today, we'll publish some pictures of the boats on display for those who could not come—wishing you to be there for the next edition in 2022.

10/09/2021

👉 Are you ready? 👈
As every year, the Genoa Boat Show ("Salone Nautico") is about to open 😃.
The largest boating fair in the Mediterranean starts on September 16th.
⛵️ Here you can find all the news on sailing boats, motorboats, ribs, and accessories for pleasure boating. 🚤
Also, you can admire yachts that are design masterpieces.
Reaching Genoa is very easy; the city has an international airport. ✈️
Otherwise you can land in Milan and reach it by train. 🚆 The fair is just a kilometer away from the Genova Brignole railway station by feet 🚶.
The Boat Show will close on September 21st. 🔚
Remember to have a valid Green Pass (EU Digital COVID Certificate) 😷 and a ticket you must buy online (18€). 💰
As usual, you can find useful links in the first comment.

21/07/2021

Have you seen the latest Disney - Pixar movie📽?

Luca, as it is entitled, is set in a picturesque Ligurian seaside locality 🌅 with a fictitious name.. but not too fictitious. In fact, the name Portorosso meaning “red harbour” is very reminiscent of Monterosso “red mount”, which is an existing town 🏘 along this wonderful coast.

And if you look carefully 👀 at the framings you will notice that the Pixar-designed village looks a lot like Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre.

The Cinque Terre is a sequence of 5️⃣ villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) perched on a steep stretch of coastline. It is a national protected area 🚫 as well as being considered a world heritage site since it is a marine 💦 park with unique characteristics. Discover it in the movie and then come 👣 and visit it in person... you'll love it even more! You can also come in winter ❄️, the climate is very favourable.

And don't forget to taste the Sciachetrà, a raisin 🍇 wine which is only produced there.

17/07/2021

On the eastern extremity of Liguria, between Lerici and Porto Venere, lies one of the largest and most beautiful natural havens in the Mediterranean: the Gulf of La Spezia, also known as the Gulf of Poets📜.
This name derives from the passion of several giants of 🌎international literature for this place, where they spent part of their lives. Indeed the beauty of this 'amphitheatre 🏟of waters' attracted authors such as Dante, Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, Charles Dickens, Virginia Wolf and others.
The beauty of the surrounding landscape 🌅 is matched by remarkable nautical infrastructures. For yachtsmen who want to enjoy the wonders of the Ligurian Riviera, there are various mooring ⚓️ options. These include Porto Mirabello, which is directly connected to the city of La Spezia and is a modern 🆕 facility also suitable for MegaYachts, and Porto Lotti, further east, which is just as modern and hospitable.

La Spezia is easily accessible from Genoa, Parma, Pisa International Airport and is not far from Milan.
Links to harbours in the first comment 👇

14/07/2021

If one night 1500 years ago 🔙 you found yourself sailing near Porto Venere ⛵, a light in the darkness would have allowed you to spot the island of Tino and to avoid collisions. Then you should have thanked 🙏 Abbot Venerio, who at some time in his life decided to retire there as a hermit. Although he lived in isolation, he was willing to be of service to seafarers by lighting a fire 🔥 every night on the summit of the islet.
Later on, a lighthouse was built 🏗 on the same site and many years later a further, even larger one was erected. They are still in use and make navigation in the Gulf of Poets more secure.
The hermit Venerio is still commemorated today as a saint 😇, the patron saint of the Gulf of La Spezia and the protector of "fanalisti", namely the keepers and maintainers 🛠 of lighthouses!
Saint Venerio is celebrated on 1️⃣3️⃣ September. On this day a procession in which the statue of the saint is transferred by sea from La Spezia to ➡️ the island of Tino takes place. It is permitted to visit the island only on this occasion by following the procession. In fact, throughout the rest of the year it is not accessible ⛔ as it is currently a military base.

12/07/2021

Venus was the goddess born out of sea 🧜‍♀️. Nowhere better to build a temple 🏛 to Venus than here, where the waves of the sea crash against the rocks guarding the entrance to the ‘Gulf of Poets'?
Now the temple is gone, replaced by the beautiful church ⛪️ of San Pietro. However the town still bears the name of the goddess and is in fact called Porto Venere.
Its strategic position between the Gulf, the Cinque Terre and the small archipelago that includes the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, makes it a precious gem🔹 of the Ligurian coast.
📍 Here too you can find equipped moorings, such as the marinas of Porto Venere, Le Grazie and Marina of Fezzano. From here you will be able to explore 🗺 the Ligurian coast and the archipelago with its various mooring areas.
Don't forget that you are in the middle of a Natural Park🌿. So enjoy nature and be respectful of it!

For links, see the first comment below 👇

26/06/2021

The Gulf of Poets by boat ~ Lerici

23/06/2021

You can encounter dolphins 🐬 in almost any sea in the world, but if you don't want to waste time looking for them, either make an appointment 🔍 or come to the Ionian Sea. Here in the Gulf of Taranto, along the stretch of sea between cape Alice in Calabria and cape Meliso in Apulia, you are more than likely to sail ⛵️ in their company. This is the northernmost part of the Ionian Sea, the deepest sea in Italy 🇮🇹.

16/06/2021

Let's go back 🔙 to the Adriatic sea to discover another beautiful port that has been Blue Flag since 1️⃣9️⃣9️⃣0️⃣. We are talking about Pescara, a pretty town served by an airport 🛬 (Aeroporto d'Abruzzo), a railway station 🚉 and the motorway🚗. The Marina is located in the city centre and is among the largest in the Adriatic, providing berth for 850 boats between 6 and 50 metres. It can be a pleasant pit-stop for sailing the Adriatic, but also an excellent solution for long stays.
Mooring in Pescara gives you the chance to explore Abruzzo, an Italian region offering much opportunities in terms of natural attractions 🤩, both along the coast and inland, with gentle hills 🌅 rising up to the Gran Sasso massif⛰.Obviously you can find a good variety of gastronomic specialities of this area based on fish 🐟along the coast and on products derived from sheep 🐑farming inland. More information can be found on the sites mentioned in the first comment.👇
Have fun!

11/06/2021

If you choose to explore🔎 the Italian sea, you already know that it is not only beautiful but also clean. However, if you want to be sure that the coastline where you want to moor is clean and healthy, you can do so in a blink of an eye😎.
You can consult the Water Portal 🌊 of the Italian Ministry of Health at the following URL:
http://www.portaleacque.salute.gov.it/PortaleAcquePubblico/mappa.do?lang=en
Then simply type in ⌨️ the name of the town where you wish to stay and you will find all the information you need ✅ to enjoy the swim! 🏊‍♀️

08/06/2021

Would you like to live on an island without feeling lost in the middle of nowhere? 😍
In Italy there is a small island for sale, complete with historic villa 🏚 (in need of renovation) that sits in a river but near a lake.... Curious, isn't it🤔?
It is called Isola Viscontea and it is located in Lecco in the Adda river, but almost on the lake.
You would be living in the city, sleeping on your own private island ⛔️🏝 and sailing in one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy.
Close to Milan and Bergamo airports and almost bordering with Switzerland🧀… it could be an intereseting bargain!
👉 Have a look at the sale ad, the link is in the first comment.

04/06/2021

What we are presenting today is another Blue Flag marina along the Tyrrhenian coast. It is located in the shelter of Argentario ⛰,, a splendid promontory surrounded by the sea and connected to the coast by two✌️ long sandy beaches and the central isthmus of Orbetello. A unique landscape, not least because of its marine environment 🐠 and mild climate 🌞 , making it an ideal holiday destination all year round.
All along the Argentario coast, high cliffs alternate with suggestive coves and wild isolated beaches, touched by a crystal-clear sea. It offers countless different diving 🤿spots: walls, caves, shoals and wrecks in a sea full of life. On land you will find opportunities for trekking 👣 through Mediterranean vegetation🌿, an excellent golf course 🏑or simply shady pine forests that make these areas particularly peaceful 🧘‍♀️, relaxing and well accessible.
The port of Cala Galera is within easy reach of Rome (150 km) and Florence (200 km) and from the marina you can quickly cruise to some of the most beautiful islands 🏝 in the Mediterranean such as Giannutri, Giglio, Formiche di Grosseto, Montecristo, Elba, Corsica and Sardinia.
The port has 670 berths ⚓️ for boats from 6 to 50 metres, 60 of which are reserved for transit . The depth at the quay ranges from 3.5 to 6 metres.

27/05/2021

Are you looking for 👀 a harbour in the heart of the Mediterranean, well equipped and easy to reach? Then the marina of Brindisi is the right place for you.
It is another of the 2021 Blue Flag ports, immersed in the beauty of the peninsula of Salento and overlooking the waters 🌊 that separate the Adriatic from the Ionian Sea. It is positioned in the most sheltered and protected bend of the commercial port of Brindisi and halfway between the island of S. Andrea and the 'Forte a Mare' castle 🏰.
It has a capacity of 638 berths for boats from 6 to 35 metres and the seabed ranges from 3 to 11 metres.

All the main services are available: fuel dock open H24, toilets, showers🚿, concierge service, car parking🚗, garage, shops, bar, restaurant🍝, berths with water and electricity, laundry service, WIFI system and assistance h 24.
The airport is in close proximity and connects the main European cities with regular flights, making it extremely easy to get to whenever you want.

22/05/2021

The possibility of a direct purchase from the previous owner should not be excluded either. In that case, you can also carry out the search 🧐 via non-specialised sales portals, such as subito.it or seconda mano.it. Unfortunately it is not uncommon to come across advertisements written by professional operators through unofficial channels or, on the contrary, others that are not very detailed ❓ because the seller is unable to provide accurate and complete information . That's why an effective, although much more laborious, method is to walk🚶 around the docks and read the sale notices posted directly on the boats or on the notice boards in the nautical clubs. Of course the process will take much longer ⏳, but it has the advantage that you can see the boat in person. And most importantly, it is much more fun!! 😉 You might want to consider this if you are thinking of spending a few holidays at sea and cruising around a few harbours before buying a boat of your own.

19/05/2021

Sardinia is known worldwide 🌏 for its sea and beautiful beaches, making it one of the most popular destinations 📍 for sailors and yacht owners.
Marina di Porto Rotondo was named Blue Flag 2021 as one of the best harbours on the island 🏝 . It is located in the north-eastern area of the island and benefits from a beautiful natural bay. The entire area has been designed in a distinctive Mediterranean style.
Not surprisingly, it is one of the most appreciated locations for the international jet set and an excellent starting point for discovering 🔎 the natural beauty of the hinterland. Inside the harbour there are berths for a maximum of 650 boats, while the superyachts up to 80m in length ↔️, can moor in the outer area. The docks are also well equipped with all modern facilities. Porto Rotondo is easy to reach, as it is only 20 km away from Olbia airport, which offers regular flights to major European capitals, including London, Berlin and Amsterdam 🇪🇺

17/05/2021

FEE - the Foundation for Environmental Education - has recently released the list 📋 of Blue Flags 2021. Among them there is also a selection of the best Italian harbours 😎. Let's have a look at some of them, starting now with Ancona! ⬇️
Ever since the days of the maritime republics, this city has always been in symbiosis with the sea and it is still home to some of Italy's leading shipyards 🔝 such as CRN, ISA Yachts and Cantiere delle Marche.
The natural harbour is protected by the slopes of Monte Conero⛰, one of the few high spots on the Adriatic coast and it surrounded by a stunning landscape 🤩.
The marina which has been awarded the Blue Flag is called Marina Dorica, a modern set of piers and facilities that provides berths for 1️⃣2️⃣ 0️⃣0️⃣ boats, up to 20m in length. The docks are equipped with water, electricity and access to travel lifts and to a fuel station. The water depth ranges from 2.5m to 4.5m.
The city centre 🏙 is less than 3 km away and the Falconara Airport, which guarantees regular connections 🛬 with London 🛫 is only a little further.
Ancona is also the capital of the Marche region. Its wonderful hinterland characterised by rolling hills and ancient villages is waiting to be discovered. In summer every town organises a festival💃, called a 'sagra', as an opportunity to taste local gastronomic specialities. After a day at sea, the best way to end the evening 😋

13/05/2021

As with any high-value property, it is a good practice to carry out an assessment 📋 of the actual state of preservation and maintenance of the boat before proceeding with the purchase 💵. There is a specific professional figure for this type of assessment and it is called a boat surveyor.
These professionals are qualified and enrolled in dedicated registers 📖. When buying or selling a second-hand boat, they are asked to provide a report - called an appraisal - certifying ✔️ the condition of the boat and indicating any maintenance work 🔧 that needs to be done. This evaluation allows them to determine whether the price quoted for the boat is appropriate or should be negotiated 🤝.

09/05/2021

Have you ever tried a Spritz? 🍹
While this cocktail is considered the symbol of the Italian 'aperitivo', it does not originate from an Italian tradition. It was born during the years of Hapsburg domination in the area of Lombardy and Veneto in the 1️⃣9️⃣th century. In fact, Austrians did not like the strong taste of wine and often asked to dilute it by sprinkling it with sparkling water.
This explains why the name of the drink derives from the German word 'spritzen', which means to sprinkle 💦. From that moment on it entered into common use, giving rise to Italy's most famous drink with all its variations .
If you are planning to visit Italy sooner or later 😏, give it a chance! You won't regret 😉

07/05/2021

Would you like to moor ⚓️ for free in Italy's most iconic maritime city?
From May 29 to June 6 Venice will be hosting the 2021 edition of the Boat Exhibition and visitors are offered up to 3 nights 🌌 at affiliated marinas. You will thus have the opportunity to enter the historic heart 💓 of the city called 'the Arsenale' where the event takes place.
The excellence of Italian 🇮🇹 and international 🌏
shipbuilding will propose the exposure of more than 220 boats from 15 to 42 meters. Significant attention will also be given to innovations in the field of environmental 🌱sustainability with the display of 34 electric boats and in the same period Venice will be the setting of the "e-regatta", the first "full electric regatta" ⛵️⛵️⛵️
If you are a boat enthusiast you will have the opportunity to satisfy your curiosity and to enjoy some relaxation among the Calli - as the streets are called - to end the day.
In addition, a good fish dinner 🍽 cooked according to the traditions of the lagoon will help you figure out whether you are more fascinated by the architectural wonders or the futuristic profiles of modern yachts! 🚤

04/05/2021

⚠️ Turning to maintenance yards is another good option to consider. In fact, it is not uncommon for those who take their boat in for repair 🔧, for annual maintenance or winter ❄️ lay-up, to leave it in storage and eventually decide to have it replaced.
Although this kind of offers can occasionally be found on websites 🌐, often it is necessary to visit the shipyard to find out available opportunities🧐.
This option can be very convenient if you do not have binding needs and if you are not looking for a specific model. You might come across some good bargains! 😎

02/05/2021

The Adriatic Sea is the shallowest sea in Italy, therefore the richest in fish. It is a kind of large inlet of the Mediterranean that stretches from Veneto🍷 to Puglia🍝
The coast is mainly low and sandy that is why it attracts thousands of tourists⛱ every year. The main points of high and rocky coast are the promontory of Conero, near Ancona and the one of Gargano, further south in Puglia. Just in proximity of the Gargano emerge the beautiful Tremiti Islands 🏝.
Along its 900 km of coastline many marinas offer a mooring point and stop over for cruising in a north-south direction or to sail towards Croatia 🇭🇷 In fact it takes just a few hours by motor boat to reach its coast from Ancona.

Let's discover them together! 🙌

30/04/2021

The highest lighthouse in the Mediterranean (77 meters) is located in Genoa. They call it "the Lantern"🏮 and it is the symbol of the city's port, as it has watched over it for centuries⏳
Genoa is the third maritime republic we're writing about since it has competed with Venice 🛶 for supremacy on sea routes for a long time. A single post is not enough to recount all the events that this lighthouse witnessed, but at its feet much of the history of the ancient and modern world took place.
👉 And still today, Genoa attracts many visitors every year with a great exhibition dedicated to the best of international nautical world. The city has excellent connections not only by sea 🌊 but also by land 🛤 ( it is only 150 km from Milan) and by air ✈️ with its international airport. A few steps from the center you can find a charming marina where you can stop to visit the city and from which you can head for wonderful routes to explore the Ligurian Sea, such as Portofino or the so called "Cinque Terre".
But we'll talk about these stunning places another time 🔜

28/04/2021

A good alternative if you are considering a second-hand 👐 boat is to address to new boats retailers.
As a matter of fact, as in the world of car 🚗 dealerships in order to sell a new boat a dealer has to withdraw a used one from the purchaser💰.
Therefore, you can often find great opportunities 🙌 Often they are advertised on online buying and selling portals such as Mondialbroker and Inautia 💻

25/04/2021

He had only added some spirit.
The long journey by ship 🌊 did the rest.
When in 1773 John Woodhouse loaded 50 barrels of good Sicilian wine 🍷 to bring it to England 🇬🇧 he did not know he was about to invent Marsala.
Its name derives from the city 🏢 where this fortunate journey originated and where today are still located 📍 its centenarian cellars.
By mooring at the port of the city you will be able to reach them for a visit and obviously enjoy a taste! 😉
For more information check out the links in the comments below 👇

23/04/2021

As in other countries, in Italy 🇮🇹 there is a professional figure who manages the buying and selling of boats, namely the Broker, who is here defined as the Maritime Mediator 🤝 In order to be able to work as a Broker, it is necessary to pass an exam 📚 on nautical mediation which covers both commercial and non-commercial matters. In fact, the recent reform on the Recreational Boating Code has envisaged the introduction of a specific figure for the non-commercial sector, called the Recreational Broker. Although this reform was signed in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣, a qualifying exam for this specific role has not yet been developed. The figure that best resembles it is the mediator specialized in yachting 🚤 There are many of them and their role is to keep relations with buyer and seller, protect their needs and try to reach the optimal meeting point for the satisfaction of both 💯!
For this activity they are remunerated by both parties with a percentage commission on the sale price.

21/04/2021

⌛️In the past, the city of Pisa was situated on the sea🌊, and between 1.000 and 1.400, it dominated the commercial routes of the Mediterranean💪.
Over time, the sea has receded, but despite this, mooring at the new port ⚓️(www.portodipisa.it), you can rest in the shadow of the famous Leaning Tower just ten kilometers away. ❗
Also located nearby are the international airport✈️, which connects the city with the main European destinations, and railway station 🚆leads easily to some of the Italian pearls: Florence, Genoa, Rome. The Tyrrhenian coast near Pisa is low and sandy, inserted in a regional park with beautiful natural attractions.
⛵️Sailing north or south, you can find higher and more varied coasts in Liguria or after Livorno. When moving away a bit, you can reach the beautiful Elba Island or other smaller islands such as Gorgona and Capraia.🏖