[ENG]Linea delle Isole. Itinerary 1

We have arrived at the port of Palau.You can begin disembarking, thanks again.

We are about to arrive at the port of Palau, the starting and finishing point of our excursion today.We hope you had a wonderful day with us, discovering the wonders of the La Maddalena Archipelago.On behalf of the entire Sea Star staff, thank you for sailing with us today.We hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and hope to see you back on board soon.

We have just left the island of La Maddalena behind us and are now skirting the island of Santo Stefano.During this stretch of navigation we can observe some of the buildings on the island. Soon we will see the former Valtur holiday village, located in the area called Baia del Pesce. Immediately afterwards, the monument dedicated to the battleship Roma, an Italian Navy ship sunk in 1943 during the Second World War. If you look up towards the highest part of the island, you will also notice Napoleon's Fort, a historic fortification built at the end of the 18th century. Continuing our sail, we will continue along the island of Santo Stefano, gradually approaching Palau.

Welcome to the island of La Maddalena. On the left is the most historical part of the city, where you will recognise Piazza Umberto I, also known as the Red Square, where the Town Hall is located. It is from this square that Via Garibaldi, the island's main street, develops. To the right, however, is Piazza Comando, another large square that is a popular meeting point for residents and visitors. As for the return time on board, the departure time will again be clearly indicated on a sign displayed on the quay. Have a lovely stroll in the historic centre of La Maddalena and a pleasant stay on the island.

Still on our left is the port of Cala Gavetta, the oldest and most historic port of La Maddalena. Here you will also find the historic city centre, the heart of island life, where you will soon have free time to stroll through the streets, do some shopping or stop at one of the local bars or ice-cream parlours.

To your left is the area of La Maddalena called Padule. If you look up through the trees, you can see a now abandoned house. This is Villa Weber, known for being the place where Benito Mussolini was held prisoner for a few days in 1943, after his capture following the fall of the fascist regime.

Still on your left we can see Nido d'Aquila. However, if you look up towards the highest part of the island, among the rocks you will notice a black and white structure called the Guardia Vecchia (Old Guard). It is a meteorological and maritime traffic control station, located in one of the most scenic spots on the island.

On your left you can see La Madonnetta. This place is named after a statue of the Madonna that, according to local tradition, was found in the sea by some fishermen. From that moment on, the Madonna became the patron saint of the island's fishermen, and to this day this spot is still very dear to the local community. An ancient granite quarry, the French Quarry, is located slightly further on. If you look closely at the rock, you can still see the marks of the cuts made in the granite, evidence of the work done here in the past. The mined granite was then transported and used in different parts of the world.

If you look towards the island of La Maddalena, you can see some houses with red roofs. This area is called Villaggio Trinita, once inhabited by American military families, who were present in the archipelago until 2008. For many years, La Maddalena hosted a US military base, linked to NATO activities in the Mediterranean. With the closure of the base in 2008, the island gradually regained its mainly tourist and naturalistic vocation.

We are now leaving Porto della Madonna and heading towards La Maddalena, the next stop on our tour. 

Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions, it will not be possible to make the swimming stop at Porto della Madonna. We are therefore continuing our itinerary by heading towards La Maddalena.

Ladies and gentlemen, we will now make a stop for swimming from the boat here at the Porto della Madonna, one of the most picturesque spots in the archipelago. The stop will last approximately 30 minutes. For those who wish to swim, we will open a ladder at the rear of the boat to facilitate entry and exit from the water. Please note that, for safety reasons, diving is only allowed from the lower deck, on the sides of the boat. Or you can enter the water using the stern ladder.  Please be extremely careful: always stay in the immediate vicinity of the boat and do not stray too far. Again for safety reasons, only good swimmers may swim here. Enjoy your swim!

In front of us is the Porto della Madonna: a beautiful sea lagoon with very shallow waters and extraordinarily crystal-clear waters.  It is famous for its incredible shades of colour ranging from turquoise to deep blue, which is why this place is also known as the 'Natural Swimming Pools'.

Welcome back aboard the Sea Star. We have just left the island of Santa Maria behind us and are now sailing towards the Porto della Madonna, also known as the ‘Natural Swimming Pools’. This is an extraordinary stretch of water enclosed between the islands of Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria. During this stretch of navigation remember that the bar on board is open and we invite you to use it. In addition, our chef will be preparing Nutella crepes for those who wish to enjoy them. Crepes can be booked directly at the bar.

Welcome to the island of Santa Maria. In a few moments it will be possible to disembark from the boat via the bow gangway to reach the beach. Regarding the return time on board, you will find the departure time indicated on a sign displayed on the quay. Please be punctual: the boat will have to leave the berth to allow other boats to moor. See you back here at the indicated time. Thank you!

Facing us is the island of Santa Maria, located at the northernmost tip of the La Maddalena archipelago, a stone's throw from the Strait of Bonifacio on the border with Corsica. It is one of the few islands still permanently inhabited, retaining a peaceful and authentic atmosphere. Here you will find a beautiful beach of pale sand, washed by crystal-clear, shallow waters, some of the most popular in the archipelago. There is also a small church on the island dedicated to Santa Maria and a lighthouse, a landmark for navigation in this often windy stretch of sea. A simple and charming place, where nature takes centre stage.

We now leave the Pink Beach behind us and head towards the island of Santa Maria. We continue our sail through some of the most beautiful and crystal-clear waters of the Archipelago, discovering another splendid stop on our excursion.

In front of us you can see the famous Pink Beach, here on the island of Budelli. It is famous for its unmistakable colour, due to the presence of a microorganism, Miniacina Miniacea, which lives in seagrass meadows and, mixing with fragments of shells, mollusks, and granite, gives the sand its characteristic pink hue. Since 1994, the Pink Beach has been a fully protected area, Zone A of the Park: it is therefore forbidden to walk on the beach, swim there or moor. In recent years, the National Park of the La Maddalena Archipelago has introduced guided tours on special wooden paths, to allow visitors to admire the archipelago up close in an environmentally friendly way. This form of protection was required because, in the past, many visitors took the sand away, endangering its characteristic colour, which was slowly disappearing.

In front of us we can see three islands: Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria. To the right is the island of La Maddalena. In the distance, towards the left, you can also make out the coast of Corsica, which is French territory. The stretch of sea we are about to cross is known as the Strait of Bonifacio. This name derives from the French town of Bonifacio, which in turn was named after Marquis Bonifacio II of Tuscany, a nobleman of Bavarian origin who was prefect of Corsica in the 8th century. In about ten minutes we will arrive in front of the island of Budelli, where we will make a short photo stop to show you the famous Spiaggia Rosa, the Pink Beach.10- PINK BEACH

Still looking left, you can see Cala Connari, a small, picturesque inlet with clear, turquoise waters, typical of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. This cove is named after the Connari,a small fish very common in the archipelago, which are traditionally cooked fried and eaten whole, becoming one of the typical dishes of the area. Soon, again on the left, we will see the last beach on the island of Spargi: Cala Ferrigno. This area is characterised by rocky coves and Mediterranean shrub, and is also the starting point of several hiking trails leading to the northern part of the island.

To your left you can see Cala Granara, one of the most striking beaches on the island of Spargi. It is famous for its turquoise waters, fine sand and the lush Mediterranean shrub that surrounds it, creating a natural landscape of great beauty.

We now leave Cala Corsara behind and continue sailing along the coast of the island of Spargi, where some of the most fascinating beaches in the archipelago can be found. The first one we encounter is Cala Soraya, a true pearl of white sand framed by pink granite, with a crystal-clear turquoise sea.

Welcome back aboard the Sea Star. We hope you had a wonderful time on the island of Spargi. In a few minutes we will serve lunch on board to those who have booked it. Our staff will move between the tables to serve you and, as always, the bar will remain open for those who wish to purchase sandwiches, snack, drinks or coffeeThe staff of the Sea Star wishes you bon appétit.

Welcome to the island of Spargi. We are in Cala Corsara, at the Zavagli quay, one of the most beautiful, striking spots on the island. In front of you, you will find the first beach then, continuing along the path, you will come to three even bigger beaches, so you can choose your favourite place to relax and enjoy the sea. When disembarking, please watch your head and avoid making sudden movements; our staff will be on hand to offer assistance. A special sign indicating the time of return to the boat will be displayed on the quay when you disembark. Please read it and ensure you are punctual. The boat must leave the berth on time to allow other boats to moor. See you back here at the indicated time, thank you. For those who wish to do so and have not yet done so, please book your lunch at the bar before geting off the boat. Have a wonderful stop and enjoy your time in Spargi.

Here are some simple guidelines to help you enjoy  your day. Please do not leave litter on the beaches. On your return to the boat, you can dispose of any waste in the containers provided on board. Please also remember that it is forbidden to smoke on the beaches and to feed wild animals, in order to protect the natural balance of this wonderful park. One final guideline: please return to the boat at least five minutes before the departure time indicated by the staff. In a few minutes we will arrive at our first stop on the island of Spargi. Once there, you can get off the boat, make your way to the beach and enjoy the crystal-clear seawater in this beautiful spot of the La Maddalena Archipelago.

Now some information on our position. On our left you can see the Punta Sardegna Lighthouse. Continuing along the coast, clockwise, we find Cala di Trana and Porto Pollo, well known for its wind, which is ideal for sailing sports.  And finally we reach the northern point of Sardinia with Santa Teresa Gallura. Ferries depart from Santa Teresa Gallura connecting Sardinia with Corsica, and we will have the chance to see these later on during our sail. Meanwhile, enjoy the panorama of the Gallura coastline that accompanies us along this first part of our journey.

On our left is Porto Rafael, a small seaside village in the municipality of Palau, near Punta Sardegna, at the northern tip of Sardinia.Porto Rafael was founded in the early 1960s by Rafael Neville, Count of Berlanga. Neville was a Spanish nobleman, and the son of film director Edgar Neville and Ángeles Neville y Rubio-Argüelles. According to tradition, he was deeply struck by the beauty of this coastline after seeing it in a dream. That inspiration gave rise to an exclusive village, with whitewashed buildings, little squares, and sea views set among Mediterranean scrub.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome aboard Sea Star. We have just left the port of Palau and are sailing into the heart of the amazing La Maddalena Archipelago, one of the most beautiful and unspoilt locations in the Mediterranean. Ahead of us, you can already see the beautiful island of Spargi, famous for its crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches. And in fact it is here that we will make our first stop of the day, where you will have time to relax and bathe. Looking instead to your right, you can see the island of Santo Stefano and, a little further on, the mother island of La Maddalena, which we will visit later in our excursion. The archipelago is now a Protected National Park, world-famous for the purity of its waters and its natural landscapes. Please also note that you can book lunch directly on board. You can make a booking by asking our staff, as they pass among you, or by going to the bar at the bottom of the boat. The staff are at your disposal for any information you may need.