Sailing from Sardinia to the Balearics 4 cabins 4 bathrooms

We sail with a maximum of 6 guests. Each of the 4 cabins has its own bathroom.

Sardinia, Corsica, Menorca and Mallorca. This trip is truly a highlight in our programme this year. It offers all the facets of cruising: four beautiful islands and, with the Lavezzi Islands and the Maddalena Archipelago, two magnificent small island groups. We will experience countless beautiful bays, picturesque Mediterranean towns, impressive natural harbours, fjords and offshore sailing with a night passage. We will have ample time to enjoy the summer night sky and listen to the sound of the bow wave. With the Strait of Bonifacio we will navigate one of the most spectacular sea areas in the Mediterranean.

The Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena Archipelago
The sailing trip begins in Olbia on Sardinia. Arrival day is Saturday. After everyone has taken their bunk, we stock up at the nearby supermarket. In the evening we enjoy the local specialities at a restaurant. After a relaxed breakfast on Sunday, the ship and safety briefing follows. At midday it's time to leave the harbour and set sail. We head for the Maddalena Archipelago, sailing along the famous, rugged and bay-studded Costa Smeralda. In the first few days we can hardly decide between the highlights of Sardinia and Corsica — the choice of beautiful bays is simply too great. In the evening we find a lovely anchorage and drop anchor. Swimming, snorkelling and then preparing something tasty in the galley — that's what a perfect evening at anchor looks like, and we let it wind down under the starry sky with a glass of red wine in hand.

The next morning we set sail again and explore the nearby Maddalena Archipelago. This small, nature-protected group of islands almost forms a sailing area in its own right. In the lee of the islands, sailing here is like sailing on inland waters, even in strong winds. We take a short break from sailing to spend an hour exploring the little town of La Maddalena and to eat a delicious Italian ice cream there.

Corsica
Then we head towards Corsica. We cross the famous Strait of Bonifacio, where the wind often increases by two Beaufort numbers due to the venturi effect. We call at the Corsican fortress town of the same name, dramatically perched high on white chalk cliffs. The narrow entrance is almost impossible to spot and the houses seem to hover above the abyss. Should we encounter a day of calm here, no one need be annoyed: it gives us the opportunity to visit the Lavezzi Islands, which belong to Corsica, something only possible in calm seas because of the countless offshore reefs. Here are some of the most beautiful bays and beaches in the entire Mediterranean. Bizarre granite rocks, emerald-green sea and bright white to pinkish shimmering sand, as well as unique vegetation of fragrant wild herbs, characterise the almost untouched Lavezzi Islands.

The Balearic Islands
Then comes our long passage towards the Balearics. Two hundred nautical miles lie ahead of us. That means we'll be under way for one day, one night and another day. We share the night watches under a magnificent starry sky, accompanied by the sound of the bow wave. Perhaps dolphins will visit us and with a bit of luck we'll catch a fish. On the eastern side of Menorca we call at Mahon, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The Genoese Grand Admiral Andrea Doria once said he knew only three safe harbours in the Mediterranean: July, August and Mahon. We wander through the winding and narrow lanes of Mao (as the locals call it), visit the fish and vegetable market beneath the cloister of a former monastery and enjoy the splendid view over the harbour from there.

In search of Menorca's most beautiful bay
The task for the next few days will be to find Menorca's most beautiful bay — and with such a large choice that's not so easy! Wherever we like it, we drop anchor, swim a few laps in the turquoise water around our boat or snorkel along the rocks, and then move on to the next one as the mood takes us. Whether we sail the south or the north of the island, we'll decide according to the weather.

The last stop on Menorca is Ciutadella. The old town of this truly beautiful little place nestles picturesquely against a long, fjord-like bay, where we moor in the town harbour. We stroll through the alleyways, sample the local gin and enjoy the balmy Mediterranean summer evening, before treating ourselves to an Iberian pig or suckling pig at our favourite restaurant there (an absolute dream — it sparked the renaissance of pork for us).

Off to Mallorca
Our final passage takes us to the northeast of the large neighbouring island of Mallorca, where our sailing trip ends in Alcudia. Over a final delicious dinner at our preferred tapas bar we let this wonderful sailing trip come to a close over Mallorcan specialities. One thing is clear to us already, though: Sardinia, Corsica, Menorca, Mallorca — we can definitely do that again…