Elba (Cruise Royal Clipper Part 3)

We docked at the port of Portoferraio on Elba, which was secured by powerful Medici fortifications in the 16th century.

We took a tour that led us through the island in the footsteps of Napoleon. The Emperor of the French went into exile on this French island after his Russian campaign in 1814.

First, we visited Villa San Martino, Napoleon's summer residence.

Today, there is a gallery built in 1851 by Anatoli Demidoff right in front of the house. Demidoff was married to Napoleon's niece, but he had more admiration for the uncle: While the marriage did not last long, he continued to collect Napoleonic memorabilia in this gallery.

On the way, we had time to stroll through the port city of Porto Azzurro.

At Elba's oldest winery "La Chiusa," which was also visited twice by Napoleon, we tried some wines and local specialties.

In the afternoon, we explored Portoferraio on our own. Unlike at home, there are also mountains here along the coast, which made the city tour a bit challenging...

Nevertheless, we climbed the stairs to the Forte Stella fortress. There, you can admire an 18th-century lighthouse.

We were scolded by some seagulls as we approached the walls because they were nesting there. We also saw young birds on some rooftops, guarded by one parent.

We also passed by the "Villa dei Mulini," Napoleon's second residence on Elba. Unfortunately, it was closed on Tuesdays, so we could only admire it from the outside.

We also only saw the mighty walls of the Medici fortifications from the outside because it was time to return to the ship.