Forte dei Marmi has long drawn those who appreciate elegance with discretion, and a classic yacht charter from this northern Tuscan port brings that sensibility to the water. The town sits between the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps and the Ligurian Sea, with a marina well-equipped for yachts of significant length and a social scene oriented around quality rather than spectacle.nnClassic charter yachts in the Italian fleet range from restored wooden ketches of 20 metres to grand staysail schooners and traditional motorsailers exceeding 40 metres. What unites them is craftsmanship: teak decks, varnished brightwork, canvas-covered deckhouses and the particular sound of wind in a gaff rig or the low note of a displacement hull at cruising speed. Each vessel carries its own character and a crew who understand it.nnCharter rates for classic yachts vary considerably by vessel age, size and specification, with most falling between 79,000 and 250,000 euros per week. The advance provisioning allowance of approximately 30 percent adds to the base fee and covers fuel, provisions, berthing and crew gratuity. Booking early in the season allows access to the best vessels, which are often reserved years in advance.nnFrom Forte dei Marmi, classic itineraries favour the coastline north toward Porto Venere and the Gulf of La Spezia, a setting long associated with Romantic-era sailing and the haunt of Byron and Shelley. Portovenere, the anchorage at Le Grazie and the approach to Lerici along the Gulf of Poets remain among the most atmospheric passages on the Italian coast.
