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cliffsides) and Elba has better beaches than the Tuscan coast, according to Mrs Coni. ‘A great advantage is that you can drive from one side of the island to the other in 10 minutes so it’s hard not to have a sea view at any point.’ You won’t find glamour-seeking


Russian or Asian buyers, she says, but there is a strong contingent of German owners as many came dur- ing the Second World War, fell in love with the island, returned to buy villas and have now left them to their children. ‘The children [of the origi- nal owners] are among the vendors on the island very keen to sell now,’ adds Mrs Coni. Many of these properties, along


with those under Austrian, Swiss, British and Dutch ownership, are on the more international south coast; the north coast offers a greater number of beautiful properties, historically owned by middle-class Italians. This year, thanks to the plunge in


the Euro, the island has seen British interest increase and, with prices at the bottom of the market (30% down since the 2008 peak), it’s a good time to consider Elba, although there’s a limited supply of property. ‘There are perhaps 30 or 40 properties for sale on the island at most and it’s a choice of a farmhouse at €850,000 to €2 million or a waterfront home for €1 million-plus,’ says Rupert Fawcett of Knight Frank. ‘But you’ll get much more for your money than on the Costa Smeralda or Côte d’Azur.’ Most current property hunters on


Elba have €1 million to €2 million to spend, according to Sotheby’s—no more than pocket change on the Riviera’s St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or Sar- dinia’s Porto Cervo—but the demand for waterfront or pieds dans l’eau houses outweighs supply.


FOR SALE €2.6m


Marciana Marina Just a few steps up from the sea and boasting its own private dock, this is a clifftop four-bedroom, four-bathroom property with separate guest- house and multi- ple terraces. Sotheby’s International Realty (00 39 02 870 78300; www. sothebysrealty. com)


Four or five hubs attract particu-


FOR SALE €1.2m


Santo Stefano Recently restored four- bedroom farm- house in a tranquil, undeveloped area of oak woods within easy reach of Portoferraio. Knight Frank (020–7629 1058; www. knightfrank. com)


lar interest: on the north coast are the only major town on Elba, the main ferryport, Portoferraio, and one of the island’s six marinas, Marciana Marina. This pretty tuna- fishing village is popular with yachties for its prestigious sailing school and beachfront properties close by sell for €2 million to €10 million, with owners including the Trussardi fashion dynasty. One of the very best properties on Elba is located here and is for sale right now, at €11.5 million. There is a small demand for apart-


ments within Portoferraio (quality properties cost from €250,000 to €700,000), but, although it’s very handy for the ferry and the island’s main shopping outlets, overseas buy- ers prefer to be a short drive away, tucked amid the olive groves and vineyards, if they can’t be next to the sea, says Mr Fawcett, who adds that the occasional vineyard property comes up, too. In the south, the main magnets are


the large, sandy bay and fishing village of Marina di Campo (where La Pila airport is located) and the medieval hilltop town of Capoliveri amid ancient vineyards. The south coast also boasts the island’s best beaches, the highly popular Cavoli and less busy Zuccale (see box). Although the ferry from Piombino


runs all year round, the island is very quiet in winter. However, the temp-


www.countrylife.co.uk/international


erature doesn’t drop much below 10˚ and there’s a population of German retirees who spend half the year on Elba and might wish to enjoy a chal- lenging but snow-free round of golf on the undulating nine-hole course that enjoys panoramic views across the rocky coastline.


NEED TO KNOW


 Elba is reached by an hour-long ferry from Piombino (after flying into Pisa or Florence) or there are direct flights by Intersky into the La Pila airport at Marino de Campo from Germany/Austria or from Milan and Lugano via Silver Air


 There are six marinas as well as several sailing schools, of which Marciana Marina is the most exclusive


 Don’t-miss restaurants include Le Ripalte in Capoliveri, Capo Nord in Marciana Marina and La Caletta in Porto Azzuro


 Fabulous beaches include the famous Cavoli near Marina di Campo, Zuccale near Capoliveri for wild seclusion or Sansone for crystal-clear waters


 Must-buy local specialities include the famous Acqua dell’Elba floral scent, Locman watches made at Marina di Campo and Marina Sala cashmere


Country Life International, Summer 2015 27


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