Docked at the T-dock of Livorno’s free port, we found ourselves right in the heart of the action and it didn’t take long to fall for this smaller, quieter cross between Venice and Milan. We wandered past the striking Monument of the Four Moors, a dramatic nod to Livorno’s seafaring legacy – built in...
Today we said a heartfelt addio, amico mio to Buzz, who’s been more than just crew these past weeks. Joining us for a second summer aboard Kora (last year through Spain and Portugal), he brought not only his steady hands and sailing know-how, but friendship, laughter, and true companionship. We’ll miss him deeply, and...
We sailed toward the famed jewel of the Italian Riviera – Portofino, with its pastel buildings curving around a sapphire cove and bobbing superyachts crowding the harbor like paparazzi at a red carpet. Tempting as it was, the harbor was jammed, so we made the sailor’s call: a respectful glide-by and onward to the...
Arriving in Genoa, we were greeted not by the historic heart of the city but by a marina near the airport, thanks to fully booked berths closer to the old town. No complaints, though: wide Med mooring spots, super helpful marineros who ferried the slime lines to the bow by tender, and a very...
Some days don’t need many words. Just time spent sailing with a little breeze and the rhythm of life at sea. Today was one of those slow, sun-warmed days spent coasting lazily along the Ligurian coastline. The Med shimmered in every shade of blue, boats of all kinds dotting the horizon: sleek motor yachts,...
Traveling to Sanremo, the site of Karen’s very first trip to Europe back in 1997, when she attended SPIE Europe to present a talk on light-activated adhesives, was always going to stir some nostalgia. Our first day was lovely: we wandered the winding alleyways of La Pigna, the medieval old town perched above the sea. But...
We set off for a sunny, stunning sail along the Riviera with glass-blue water, postcard-perfect coastline, and sailboats dotting the horizon. Unfortunately, the breeze didn’t do much at around 5 knots for most of the trip, so we motor-sailed most of the way into Menton. The glassy morning seas, however, did turn Kora’s deck...
If med mooring were an Olympic sport, Doug just took gold!🏅Sliding Kora into a tight slip in the sparkling Port Vauban. Entering the tightly packed marina we were surrounded by multi-million-dollar mega yachts, but Doug navigated the narrow fairways like a seasoned pro. One wrong move, and we’d be writing checks for more than...
The day started with a splash – literally – as Buzz took a quick dive to free a rogue bit of rope wrapped around our port propeller. Cool, calm, and collected, he had it sorted out in no time. With that handled, we raised sail and cruised toward Cannes in a breezy 16 knots, basking in...
Arrived in Fréjus, a lively harbor town where seaside restaurants buzz with energy and the scent of fresh seafood floats on the breeze. Marina Fréjus is a tight and bustling harbor, and Doug handled it like a pro, cooly maneuvering Kora into our fairway (twice!) while letting other boats shuffle in and out. As we drew closer...
