Italy

Navigating the Tuscan Archipelago

Navigating the Tuscan Archipelago

Italy Whenever we move Berkeley East from place to place, to anchorages or marinas, on the mainland or around islands, there are many things to consider. Distance, weather, depth, protection, navigational hazards are just a few. Each passage, regardless of how short, is carefully planned prior to departure. And while we have cruising guides and […]

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When in Rome…

When in Rome…

Roma, Italy Since “The Adventures of Berkeley East” is a cruising blog, we only blog about things pertaining to Berkeley East, places that BE takes us, and experiences we have while sailing around the Med. So at the end of the season, when we stop living aboard BE, we also stop blogging. While we had […]

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From rocky horror to dead calm

From rocky horror to dead calm

Ponza, Italy During our college days, we were fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Actually, we still are. We own the DVD and soundtrack of this musical-comedy about transvestites from Transylvania. We know the words to all the songs and can’t help but jump to our feet to dance “The Time Warp,” which is […]

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Our little town

Our little town

Umbria, Italy Berkeley East has spent more time in Italy than any other country, including the United States. Given that Italia is a fairly small land, we find ourselves revisiting places, out of both necessity, and desire. And upon planning our trips to provision BE before setting sail, Umbria (just three hours by car) came […]

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No, this is not a homeless camp in California

No, this is not a homeless camp in California

Gaeta, Italy At first glance, one might think this is a photo depicting a way of life in “The OC,” but it is really the dock behind Berkeley East at her winter marina in Gaeta, Italy. After launching BE following her six-month hibernation on land, we moved her to a berth so we could complete […]

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The movie set

The movie set

Procida, Italy One of the things we enjoy most about Italy is the architecture. At first glance, towns often look like drab, unappealing boxes but at sunset, the dull and dreary come to life creating beautiful pastel paintings. But the island of Procida was a surprise. Its architecture is alive all the time with a […]

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Ciao Bella!

Ciao Bella!

Naples, Italy We had been anchored off Naples for four days, thinking about how many times we had heard it described as grimy, gritty and tattered. Just the week before, friends from home said it was too rough for their taste. Yet, there we were, in Italy’s third-largest city, and its beauty mesmerized us. Ciao […]

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And the sun sets on another great season in the Med

And the sun sets on another great season in the Med

Ischia, Italy October was quickly approaching, time to take Berkeley East into her winter marina. One more week afloat, what should we do? We have been known to cross oceans in just a weeks’ time, and from our position in Procida, Italy, we could easily sail to many places in seven days, and seven nights. […]

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It’s always summer in Capri

It’s always summer in Capri

Capri, Italy The Isle of Capri is one of the most visited places in Italy. Its breathtaking landscapes, sheer cliffs, rocky caves and deep blue water have been an inspiration to poets, lovers and travelers throughout the centuries. We were looking forward to seeing the island again, but this time in the “off season” rather […]

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