Imagine paddling turquoise Mediterranean waters on a small-group women’s kayaking tour in Italy, far from the crowds of Cinque Terre and the usual American tourist trail. On Elba Island, you’ll experience an authentic side of Tuscany where most visitors are Italian or European, English is not always spoken and a local guide opens the door to the island’s culture and communities.
Each day, you’ll paddle a different stretch of coastline—and no two days will feel the same. One morning may take you beneath dramatic red iron cliffs; the next, you’ll glide alongside white granite escarpments rising above water so clear you can watch fish swimming beneath your kayak.
You’ll explore sea caves, circle tiny islands and pass beaches made of millions of smooth, rounded stones that click together with every ebb and flow of the tide. Along the way, you’ll land in the harbors of seaside villages, walk beneath medieval fortifications and wander cobblestone streets lined with inviting shops and cafés.
Your home for the week will be a simple, family-run beachfront hotel, where evenings begin with beautiful sunsets and end with Italian dinners that last for hours—as they should.
This is a quieter, off-the-beaten-path Italy that few North American travelers experience.
View the complete itinerary linked above and imagine yourself discovering the hidden coast of Elba Island by kayak.