Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a great spot to rent a bicycle and go for an island spin:
Rent Procchio
( 335 7567764;
www.rentprocchio.it
;
mountain bikes per day €10)
, with a stand on the main street, has the wheels
and all the info on itineraries. West from Procchio, the road hugs cliffs above
Spiaggia di
Spartaia
and
Spiaggia della Paolina
, beautiful little beaches requiring a steep clamber down.
Relais Baia Bianca
( 0565 209 69 916;
www.baiabiancarelais.com
;
La Biodola 16; d €110-240; Apr-Sep)
A picture-
perfect manicured garden with pea-green lawn and wooden decking walkways is the only
thing separating this trio of dazzling white, designer chic apartments from the sand. The
much raved-about address of the moment, each self-catering apartment has its own
(dazzling white) sun-verandah by the water. Find it on the golden sandy beach of La Biod-
ola, northeast of Procchio.
There's a minimum stay of seven nights in June, July and September, and a 14-day
minimum in August.
SELF-CONTAINED
€€
Hotel Hermitage
( 0565 9740;
www.hotelhermitage.it
;
La Biodola; half-board per person €130-235; summer;
)
If James Bond were to parachute onto Elba in a tuxedo, he'd land on the tennis
courts here. One of the island's truly luxurious hotels, this is a gorgeous retreat with infin-
ity pool overlooking the sea, golf course just over the fence, beauty centre and many other
spoil-yourself treats. Find it in the seaside hamlet of La Biodola, northeast of Procchio.
LUXURY HOTEL
€€€
Marciana
POP 2190
From Portoferraio, cruise 18km west along the coast to
Marciana Marina
, an attractive re-
sort which, unlike typical cookie-cutter marinas, has character and history to complement
its pleasant pebble beaches. From here it's a twisting 9km inland to Marciana, the island's
oldest and highest (375m) village crowned by a much-knocked-about fort (closed).
It's a joy to meander Marciana's stone streets, past arches, flower boxes and petite bal-
conies to drop-offs revealing views of the coastline below. But the highlight is the short
half-day walk from the village to the most important site of pilgrimage on the island.
