Famed as the star of the show in the film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’, Positano lies on the charmed shores of the Amalfi Coast in Italy.  Steeped in myth and legend, the history of the town is heavily referenced by the major Mediterranean civilizations from over the centuries and the success of the region as one of the most import Italian Maritime Republics from the 9th to 13th century opened the towns up to influences from the East. Examples of Moorish architecture and its alluring beauty can be seen all over Positano and the pastel colours of the buildings in the misty haze of dusk are what makes this town so romantically inspiring.

Positano is the jewel of the Amalfi Coast, but the coast is a treasure chest overflowing with exquisite destinations and chartering a yacht on this coast is becoming more and more trendy as foreign visitors realise its attractiveness, the Italians have known this for centuries, the Romans first coming here to build their luxurious villas out of Rome, so now is your chance to experience life like an emperor!

Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’, the world famous book where Darwin outlines his theory of evolution and natural selection that now underpins much of our modern understanding of the natural world and our own development.  Darwin was travelling on board the HMS Beagle as a naturalist and gentleman’s companion to the captain, Robert Fitzroy, when he encountered the Galápagos Islands, his findings there of unusual and unique species would later inspire his theory and book and lead to a lifetime of fame and distinction.

The Islands are still wild and inspiring today, supporting endemic species such as the blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and Giant Galápagos Tortoises after whom the islands are named (galápago means saddle in spanish).  All tourism in the area is regulated to protect the natural ecosystem that abounds there and tourism is essential to help sustain the economy and preserve the islands’ charm. Unfortunately the hotels and restaurants that arrive to cash in on the tourism are now straining the local environment to its limit and threatening the very reason people choose to visit the Galápagos. The best and least environmentally damaging alternative is on board a yacht, just as Darwin did.

Some information courtesy of the Guardian online and Wikipedia