Travel - Isle of Elba: Enjoy beautiful beaches, history, adventure

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Standing on the deck of the ferry, the wind blowing and the sun glinting off the crystalline water, I caught my first glimpse of the island of Elba - the coastline is densely forested in some places, with pebbly beaches and steep cliffs in others, and my first thought is "Who wouldn't want to be exiled here?"

Elba is a place I have always wanted to visit, since I first read Alexander Dumas' epic novel, "The Count of Monte Cristo." While the island plays a fairly small role in the book, it has always been a fascination of mine and I've always been curious about the beautiful island where the emperor Napoleon spent 10 months in exile. The emperor's two villas are a must-see for any history enthusiast, with period furniture left from Napoleon's brief stay on the isle and incredible views.

In addition to being the famous location of Napoleon's exile, the island also has a rich history dating back thousands of years. You can easily get a guided tour of the island, which will take you to Etruscan fortifications, Pisan towers, Medicean fortresses, an archeological museum, ancient sanctuaries and churches and much more.

If history is not really your thing, there is still plenty to entertain you on the largest island in the Tuscan archipelago. For those interested in swimming and sunbathing, the island has 147 kilometers of coastline with some of the most beautiful and varied beaches I have ever seen, some with golden, black or white sand and others with pure white pebbles. You can choose to join the throngs of German and Italian tourists on Elba's most popular beaches or you might try exploring, there are plenty of gorgeous secluded coves around the island if you are willing to make the hike.

For the more adventurous, there are also plenty of water sports available on the island, from sailing and scuba diving, to jetskiing and kayaking. There are even horseback riding tours available, which is one of my personal favorites.

Once you've had your fun and are ready to relax and enjoy a bite to eat, make sure you try some of the island's fresh seafood - their specialty. We enjoyed some spaghetti frutta del mare and fresh fried calamari right on the beach.

To get to Elba, you can take a six- to seven-hour train to Piombino, or drive the 5 and a half hours from Aviano. Once in Pionbino, you will find several ferries available to take you to Elba's main port, Portoferraio. From there, the choice is yours, the island has plenty to offer.