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Elba
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Elba... A corner of paradise for those of us who enjoy the sea. The island is easily reachable by ferry from Livorno or Piombino in a short span of time. |
| Cavo |
Getting off in Portoferraio, one can immediately head for the tip of the island which faces the mainland. On the way we pass the remains of the fortifications at Volterraio erected in the XIth century above the ruins of an Etruscan temple, with a panorama over Portoferraio and a mining town, Rio nell'Elba. Along the winding road, passing at the base of monte Serra (422m) we reach Cavo on the Piombino channel. A few kilometers due south, Rio Marina has a minerology museum that traces the geological and economic history of the island. |
| Porto Azzurro |
Second biggest port of the island, Porto Azzurro is nestled in a narrow gulf protected from many a wind; an obvious place to build a fort, as accomplished by Philip the IIIrd during the XVIIth century.
 Further inland, Capoliveri is positioned on a natural terrace 150m above sea level, thus gifting a wide panorama over the gulf of Stella. |
| Marina di Campo |
Pursuing the course on the south side of the island, we reach Marina di Campo and the gulf carrying the same name. From here to the western edge of the island, the landscape juggles between inlets, beaches, pine forests and vineyards reclaimed from the hillsides exploiting the dry walls technique. |
| Marciana |
 Decidedly inland, Marciano offers - aside from its romanic S. Lorenzo church and a XIIth century fortress - a picturesque excursion to the Madonna del Monte Sanctuary (630 m) and its archeolgical museum of prehistorical, Etruscan and Roman artifacts, finally leading to the summit of Monte Capanne (more than 1000m above sea level), the highest point on Elba. The seaside town of Marina is famous for a number of its beaches. |
| Portoferraio |
 Aside from its importance as a port town, Portoferraio has its points of interest, such as the forts and the palazzina dei Mulini, home to Napoleon's during his first exile. Now what ever possessed him to return to the battlefield ? |
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