For eight days this summer, BANG! became our home as we moved through the emerald waters of Sardinia and the limestone coastline of southern Corsica. Sheltered anchorages, long lunches ashore, afternoons spent in the water: this stretch of the Mediterranean gave me two destinations I’d wanted to see for years.
I spend a good portion of my life researching destinations around the world, but somehow this was my very first visit to both Sardinia and Corsica. The more I planned our route, the more excited I became to finally see these legendary islands for myself. I traveled with my husband, Gil, RTLM’s CFO, along with three other couples who have become our favorite travel partners over the years. You know the kind, the friends who can laugh through missed turns, linger over long lunches, and somehow make every trip even better than the last. I’ve always believed there’s something magical about seeing the world from the water.
Sure, yacht travel is private and maybe just a tiny bit bougie, but honestly, it’s the ultimate way to experience a coastline like this. There are no schedules to race, no buses to catch, and no crowds to navigate. Instead, your biggest decision is whether to claim a sunny spot on deck with a good book, sneak in an afternoon nap, pour another glass of crisp Vermentino, dive into the impossibly blue Mediterranean, challenge your friends to a card game, or convince yourself that a quick workout on the top deck somehow balances out the three-course lunch you just enjoyed. It’s travel at its very best – unhurried, beautiful, and shared with people you love.
Our route ran from Porto Cervo through the Costa Smeralda, Tavolara Island, and the La Maddalena Archipelago, across the Strait of Bonifacio into Corsica. Each anchorage gave us a different read on these islands, the kind you miss entirely by land.
Trip Overview
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Yacht: BANG!, a 114-foot Benetti
Route: Porto Rotondo, Tavolara, La Maddalena Archipelago, Porto Cervo, Bonifacio and the southern coast of Corsica
Day-by-Day Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Porto Rotondo, settle aboard BANG!, first evening on Sardinia’s northeastern coast
Day 2: Cruise to Tavolara for a morning swim, continue along the Costa Smeralda to Poltu Quatu
Day 3: Explore La Maddalena, swim at Spiaggia Porto Palma, evening in port at Poltu Quatu
Day 4: Full day at anchor at Cala Spalmatore, water toys and tender excursions around La Maddalena
Day 5: Morning at Cala Coticcio, afternoon in Porto Cervo
Day 6: Cross the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica, afternoon at anchor in the bay of Sant’Amanza
Day 7: Tonnara Beach in the morning, arrive in Bonifacio, explore the historic citadel, evening in port
Day 8: Breakfast aboard, disembark in Bonifacio
Meet BANG!
Our home for the week was BANG!, a 114-foot Benetti from the Classic 115 series. She sleeps up to ten guests across five cabins, and her tri-deck layout gives generous outdoor living space alongside private quarters, well suited to families or groups of friends traveling together. The sundeck, with its Jacuzzi, became our default gathering spot before dinner. The swim platform put the sea within reach all day, and the water toy collection (SeaBobs, an electric Fliteboard, wakeboards, paddleboards) kept the more adventurous among us occupied.
The crew made the entire week feel seamless. Every detail behind the scenes was taken care of, allowing us to settle into life on the water almost immediately. Before long, it felt less like we had chartered a yacht and more like we had moved into a floating home with the world’s most talented hosts.
It would be no exaggeration to say that our incredible French crew quickly became friends. They anticipated every need before we even thought to ask, mixed cocktails worthy of their own destination bar, and somehow managed to serve meals that rivaled, and often surpassed, our favorite restaurants on shore.
By the end of the week, the line between crew and guests had delightfully blurred. One evening, after finally convincing them to let us pour the wine for a change, we all gathered on deck to cheer on France during the World Cup. It was one of those wonderfully unplanned moments that reminded us the best memories of any trip often have nothing to do with the itinerary at all.
Porto Rotondo, the Beginning
After two wonderful pre-yacht nights at the stunning Hotel Pitrizza in Porto Cervo, it was finally time to make our way to Porto Rotondo, where we boarded BANG!, met the crew who would soon become our friends, and settled in with rosé Champagne and canapés before casting off into the Mediterranean.
Within our first swim, we realized this wasn’t going to be just any beach vacation. The water was astonishingly clear, cool, and so salty that you could float for what felt like hours. Why couldn’t life always feel this unhurried and uncomplicated?
Then came lunch. Chef Jérôme wasted no time setting the bar impossibly high. His first meal was one of those unforgettable introductions that instantly made us realize saying goodbye in just seven short nights was going to be much harder than we’d imagined. Course after course, he turned beautifully simple Mediterranean ingredients into dishes that rivaled any restaurant we would visit during the week. We were in very, very good hands.
Tavolara and Sardinia’s Northeastern Coast
Our first full day on the water began at Tavolara Island, where we headed ashore for lunch at Ristorante da Tonino. If the name sounds familiar, yes, this is the island made famous by Anthony Bourdain, and Tonino is affectionately known as the King of Tavolara.
Tavolara is a dramatic slab of limestone that rises almost straight out of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Seeing it in person quickly confirmed we’d made the right decision by skipping the guided hike to the summit! Sometimes simply admiring a place from the water is adventure enough. Instead, we opted for a much more relaxing way to burn off lunch with a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area. It was impossible to resist.
Back aboard BANG!, we cruised north along Sardinia’s spectacular northeastern coastline. One of the things that surprised me most about seeing Sardinia by yacht was how different the island feels from the water. The busy beach clubs and glamorous resorts fade into the background, replaced by rugged granite headlands, hidden coves, and tiny beaches that seem to exist just for passing boats. As the afternoon unfolded, the sea shifted through every imaginable shade of blue and emerald, making it abundantly clear how the Costa Smeralda, or Emerald Coast, earned its name.
That evening, we arrived in the marina of Poltu Quatu, tucked between the Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena Archipelago, where we wandered ashore for some shopping and a relaxed dinner.
The Islands of La Maddalena
We dropped anchor at Cala Spalmatore before continuing to Cala Coticcio on Caprera, often nicknamed the “Tahiti of Sardinia.” One look at the powdery sand and impossibly clear water, and it’s easy to understand why. As the afternoon crowds drifted away, the bay became wonderfully quiet. Paddleboards came out, books were opened, naps were taken, and no one seemed to be in any hurry to do much of anything. That’s one of the gifts of yacht travel – slowing down becomes part of the itinerary.
By late afternoon, Porto Cervo appeared on the horizon. Developed by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the 1960s, it became the heart of the Costa Smeralda and remains one of Europe’s most glamorous yachting destinations.
Once on shore, we took a taxi to the nearby impossibly charming village of San Pantaleo, one of those places that instantly makes you want to stay awhile. The piazza buzzed with locals gathering for aperitivo, while the surrounding lanes were filled with beautiful independent boutiques showcasing local designers and artisans you simply won’t find anywhere else. The ladies went a little crazy in the shops, while the guys settled into the piazza with a cocktail, and before long we were all doing a little of both.
We reunited for dinner back in Porto Cervo before wandering the marina with gelato in hand. And yes…we did exactly what everyone does there. We admired one spectacular superyacht after another, shamelessly wondering who owned them, where they had come from, and whether they might have room for eight more guests.
Crossing to Corsica
Leaving Sardinia behind, we crossed the Strait of Bonifacio into Corsica. It’s a surprisingly short passage, but the scenery changes almost instantly. The soft, rounded granite landscapes of Sardinia give way to dramatic white limestone cliffs, and the coastline takes on an entirely different personality. It’s hard to believe two islands separated by just a few miles can feel so wonderfully different.
We spent the afternoon anchored in the beautiful bay of Sant’Amanza, where we headed ashore for a long, leisurely lunch at a wonderfully vibey beach club with delicious food, flowing vino, and the kind of genuinely warm service that makes you want to linger. A few hours disappeared effortlessly from the comfort of our beach loungers before reality set in.
Eventually, the crew had to call and ask if we were actually planning to come back to the yacht. (It was nice to be missed!) As tempting as it was to stay put, there was never any chance we’d miss one of Chef Jérôme’s dinners. By this point in the week, we had learned that every meal on board was an event, and we happily made our way back just in time for another unforgettable evening.
Bonifacio from the Sea
After morning swims at the stunning Tonnara Beach, we made our way to Bonifacio. Arriving into Bonifacio by sea is every bit as spectacular as everyone says it is. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the most memorable harbor entrances I’ve experienced anywhere in the Mediterranean.
As you approach, towering white limestone cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, with the medieval town perched impossibly along the edge. You can’t help but wonder how on earth anyone decided this was the perfect place to build a city.
Then, just when it seems there couldn’t possibly be a way in, the captain turns toward what looks like little more than a narrow slit in the cliffs. Within moments, you’re gliding through the natural harbor, and it’s like entering another world. The open sea disappears behind you, replaced by a peaceful inlet lined with fishing boats, elegant yachts, bustling cafés, and the colorful waterfront below the ancient citadel.
Seeing Bonifacio from the water gives you a completely different appreciation for the town. Looking up at those massive cliffs, you realize just how precariously the buildings have stood for centuries. It’s one of those rare arrivals where everyone instinctively stops what they’re doing, grabs a camera, and simply takes it all in.
Once in the port, we were awe-struck observing the fascinating skills of the captain and the entire crew dock the yacht in what appeared to be a narrow spot between two other yachts. (This gave a brand new appreciation of what “All hands on deck” really means!). Upon docking, we climbed the steep steps into the narrow streets of the old town, peeked into the little shops and cafés, savored famous Corse charcuterie and excellent Corsican wine, and yes, more gelato, all while taking in the views of the harbour below, every bit as breathtaking as the arrival itself.
Dinner that evening at the beloved, family-run Stella D’Oro was simply the icing on the cake. Thanks to Chef Jérôme, who is friends with the family, we arrived feeling less like first-time visitors and more like long-lost friends. Before the evening was over, we’d met what seemed like the entire multigenerational family. Cousins and uncles whisked us to and from the restaurant, stories were shared, glasses were raised, and we experienced the kind of genuine hospitality that simply can’t be manufactured.
Tip: Do not miss a morning hike up to Campo Rumanilu, a protected natural path that takes you along the cliffs of Bonifacio to its various lighthouses, with views that will bring tears to your eyes and make you grateful for the opportunity to see such a place!
Life Aboard BANG!
As much as the destinations shaped the week, days ran on the sea’s schedule. Breakfast was served on deck while we cruised toward the next anchorage. The hours between destinations went to swimming, paddleboarding, reading, or watching the coastline change.
Gastronomic Greatness
Chef Jérôme built each menu around fresh local ingredients, drawing inspiration from both Sardinian and Corsican cuisine. Breakfasts ranged from tropical fruit, yoghurt and homemade granola to eggs cooked to order with fresh pastries and breads. Lunches were lighter, often featuring grilled fish, seasonal salads and Mediterranean vegetables, while dinner became a multi-course affair showcasing freshly caught seafood, regional specialities and local wines. Dining on board never felt repetitive, with each meal reflecting the destination and the pace of the day.
Why Explore by Yacht?
Sardinia and southern Corsica are made for yacht travel. Hidden coves, deserted beaches, tiny harbors, and crystal-clear anchorages are often inaccessible by road, making the journey every bit as memorable as the destinations themselves.
Eight days aboard BANG! gave us a perspective on these islands that simply wouldn’t have been possible any other way. We settled into the relaxed rhythm of life at sea, waking each morning somewhere new without ever having to pack a suitcase or think about logistics. The beauty of yacht travel is that someone else worries about all of that.
Before you ever step aboard, you’ll complete a preference questionnaire covering everything from your favorite foods and cocktails to how active you hope to be and how much time you’d like to spend ashore versus on the yacht. From there, the crew takes over. The captain continuously adjusts the itinerary based on weather, sea conditions, and your group’s interests, ensuring every day unfolds exactly as it should.
Our crew seemed to know what we wanted before we did. Because they knew our group loved to work out, Josh had the fitness equipment waiting for us each morning. When we wanted to swim, he kept a watchful eye on currents and boat traffic, then had paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and the tender ready the moment inspiration struck. Melanie somehow always seemed to appear with the perfect cocktail at just the right moment. She quickly learned that margaritas and Negronis were favorites, and I have a feeling she practiced both before we ever arrived.
Meanwhile, our cabins seemed to magically reset themselves twice a day. Beds were made, towels refreshed, laundry quietly disappeared only to reappear folded and fresh, and every little detail was handled without us giving it a second thought.
And yes…I’ll admit it. There is something undeniably wonderful about waking up each morning aboard your own private yacht, exploring some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. For one unforgettable week, it becomes your floating boutique hotel, your favorite restaurant, your private beach club, and your front-row seat to places few people ever experience this way.
We chartered a yacht in the Greek Isles two summers ago and honestly thought it might be a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. Instead, it has completely changed the way we think about travel. This trip only confirmed it. I have a feeling our little group has officially ruined ourselves, because instead of saying, “That was amazing,” we’re already asking, “Where should we sail next?”
Journey Highlights
- Swimming in the protected waters around Tavolara and Caprera
- The granite islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago
- Entering Bonifacio through its narrow natural harbor beneath towering limestone cliffs
- Sardinia and Corsica from the water, with access to coves and anchorages beyond the reach of the road
- Chef Jerome’s spectacular cuisine, on repeat!
Best Time to Visit: Late May through September, for warm weather and favorable cruising conditions. June and September stand out, with pleasant temperatures and fewer yachts than peak summer. Beginning of the season gives you the freshest and most eager crews, as they are just getting back to work and excited for the season ahead.
Ideal For: Couples traveling together, special birthday and anniversary celebrations with the ones you love most, family and multi-generational travel
For an expertly guided travel experience, Resort to Laura Madrid offers full-service itinerary planning for a select group of clients. We keep our client list intentionally small to ensure every journey receives the care and attention it deserves. Please click here for more information.
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