The island of Elba, the largest of the seven sisters in the archipelago, is full of wonders for the visitor as it once was of iron and granite. Iron may have been its main feature in the past, as you can see in the museums and exhibitions, but now it is the sea. The panorama has been replaced for the many hidden inlets and the sand glinting with different colours due to the different minurals in the earth, from turquoise stones to red and then black, and finally the white of the beach of the Argonauts, the mythical Greek travellers.

There are many isolated bays and the rocky sea-beds are magnificent with constellations of intense colours from coral seaweed, horny coral, sponges and rich marine flora where octopuses, lobsters and moray eels find shelter. Your sense of smell will also be used much with the unmistakable fragrances of the Mediterranean flora and tasty tuscany kitchen accompanied by the Elban DOC wines, such as White Elban, Aleatico or Ansonica. 

The other smaller islands in the archipelago are lands where nature reigns undisturbed. It would be possibly to sail from one to the other. Set off from Argentario and head for the island of Giglio and you will discover the quiet south side immersed in nature and silence and visit tourists resorts and the village of Giglio Castello. Or you could visit the basaltic rocks of Cala Rossa, one of the most fascinating spots on Capraia. It is a volcanic island, the most northern island in the archipelago and has practically no beaches. After having been a penal colony for over one hundred years, it is visited by many diving fans, attracted by the sea-beds under the transparent waters and the many caves. The other pearls in the archipelago share the same fate.

 

Such as Pianosa, ten square km of jagged rocks and plains and the imperturbable calm and absolute stillness. Gorgona is still a penal colony and can only be visited with organised, authorised tours. Montecristo is quite another story. This paradise island has been declared a biogenetic natural reserve by the European parliament and as such can only be visited by one thousand peaple a year. At the end you can reach the little old harbour of Giannutri and spend some unforgettable time there by the cliffs moulded by nature and among the mosaics of the magnificent Roman villa.