Every time I step onto a sailboat, I feel a special kind of freedom. The sound of the wind filling the sails, the salty breeze on my skin, and the endless blue horizon ahead — it’s pure magic. This week, I spent a full day at sea, sailing with my good friend Andrea on his boat, and it reminded me once again why I love life on the water.
Andrea’s sailboat has become my go-to escape when I want to disconnect from the routine and reconnect with nature. It’s not a luxury yacht or a high-performance racing machine — and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s real, it’s authentic, and it gives you that raw connection with the sea that you don’t get with a motorboat. No engines, no noise — just the wind and the waves.
Smooth Sailing at 6 Knots 🌬️🌊
We set sail early in the morning from the port of Savona. The wind wasn’t particularly strong, but it was steady enough to give us a nice cruising speed of about 6 knots. Just enough to feel alive, to feel the boat slicing through the water with a gentle rhythm. If you’ve ever been sailing, you know the feeling: it’s meditative and exhilarating all at once.
We didn’t have a set route — just a general plan to head toward Varigotti, one of the most beautiful coastal spots in Liguria. We wanted to take our time, enjoy the journey, and let the wind decide how fast or slow we’d get there.
Fishing, the Slow Way 🎣🌞
Of course, no day at sea with Andrea would be complete without a bit of fishing. We set up the trolling lines and cruised slowly, hoping to catch something fresh for lunch. And luck was on our side! A few decent-sized albacora (little tunas) took the bait, and before long we had a nice catch cooling in the icebox.
There’s something deeply satisfying about catching your own food and cooking it right there. But this time, we saved the fish for later and opted for a Ligurian classic for lunch…
Pasta al Pesto, the Sailor’s Fuel 🍝🌿
Lunchtime on a boat has a special flavor — especially when you’re hungry from the wind and sun. Andrea prepared one of my all-time favorite dishes: pasta al pesto. For those who don’t know, pesto is a traditional Ligurian sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmigiano, and olive oil — simple ingredients, but full of character.
We cooked it onboard, using the tiny kitchen (or “galley,” as sailors say), and let me tell you: nothing tastes better than pasta eaten with the view of the open sea and the scent of basil mixing with salty air. We paired it with some cold water and a few smiles — perfection.
A Swim in Paradise 🏖️💦
After lunch, we dropped anchor near Varigotti — a picturesque coastal village known for its turquoise waters and golden cliffs. The sun was shining, the water was warm, and it didn’t take long before we jumped in for a refreshing swim. No stress, no phones, just floating in the sea with the sun on our faces.
It’s in moments like these that I feel most alive — not chasing speed, not chasing goals, just being in the moment.
Back to Port, Full Sail 🏁⛵
As the afternoon passed, we raised the sails once more and headed back toward Savona. No engines, just the wind doing its job. The boat glided smoothly, cutting through small waves, while we shared stories and talked about future adventures.
There’s a special kind of silence that comes with sailing — not the absence of sound, but the presence of peace. It’s the silence that allows you to hear your thoughts clearly, to feel your heartbeat in sync with the motion of the sea.
Already Counting the Days…
By the time we docked back in Savona, the sun was dipping low, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. I stepped off the boat tired, sun-kissed, and completely recharged. Days like this remind me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place, and how much joy simple things can bring: a friend’s boat, a homemade lunch, a dive into the sea.
I already can’t wait for the next sailing trip. Until then, I’ll hold onto the memories and keep chasing that feeling of freedom.
