Amalfi Coast & the Aeolian Islands

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site; looking at it from the privacy of your yacht, you immediately appreciate why. Its unparalleled beauty, rolled into centuries of remarkable history, never fails to stun. Don’ t be surprised if you find yourself cruising in the close company of dolphins; they are frequently sighted here! Enjoy the sunshine and inviting waters, ideal for swimming; nothing is bluer than the sea around the Blue Grotto. If you feel like a bit more excitement is the order of the day, everything you need is on board and your crew will help you to it: skis, wakeboards, jet skis, masks and snorkels. From the water, gaze at the imposing Monti Lattari, whose goats are responsible for fluffy Italian mozzarella. Finally, take a walk around the famous limestone Blue Island, Capri, one of the most glamorous destinations on Earth. Enjoy local recipes, taking advantage of everything provided by the sea, at authentic Le Grottelle, where the Capri natives hang out when not cooking at home. Finish your night with a tangy local limoncello and sample the sweet caprese cakes in the graceful Piazzetta at the heart of the medieval town. 

One of three active Italian volcanoes and one of the eight Aeolian Islands (also a UNESCO World Heritage site), Stromboli, with its fiery charm, is a mythical place; the Romans called it “The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. Eruptions take place every few years or decades, but you can hike up to one of the old craters and experience a marvel you will never forget: standing on the mouth of a volcano. Stromboli does not boast exclusively of geological charm, but also of azure waters with rich life, black lava beaches and pristine villages. The volcano is equally impressive from afar. You can appreciate it while relaxing on your sun deck or while having a light lunch prepared by your chef, with the freshest of materials. 

Panarea, the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, feels like stepping out into the past, with a twist from the future: no cars, just electric taxis; and, of course, vespas. Walk the picturesque narrow streets, admire the villas owned by Italian families going back centuries (the beautiful names of Visconti, Borghese), and, after taking a necessary power nap on your yacht’ s wonderfully comfy beds, dance the night away at the famous open-air disco Raya. Perhaps the most surprising thing about Panarea is its perfectly balanced combination of down-to-earth Italian living with a gracefully glamorous, exclusive side. 

Salina’s claim to fame is that the film Il Postino was shot there, but it is as beautiful in real life as it is on celluloid. Approaching it from afar at cruising speed, you will feel its quiet magic immediately. It has lush vegetation, great opportunities for walking and fantastic restaurants with candid fare. In the Bar da Alfredo, you can cool off with the world’ s greatest granita ice cream, made without ice, but solely with fresh, seasonal fruit. You will spend the night in Lipari, the biggest of the Aeolians and transport hub for the entire island system. Not to be missed is the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano, housed in the 15thcentury castle complex that dominates the island. It contains spectacular archeological artifacts, with items dating as far back as the Neolithic age. Round off your stay with a visit to the Tenuta di Castellaro wine estate, whose vineyards are cultivated according to the traditional Etna alberello method. Here, history is everywhere; even inside your glass.

Vulcano Island, population 715 people, is well known for its soothing Laghetto di Fanghi. In other words, its sulfur hot springs, mud baths and fumaroles, great for your skin, your breathing, your muscles and everything in-between. You can also hike to the island’ s quiet volcanic crater and marvel at the spectacular views of the surroundings. As you might have already surmised, the word "volcano" derives from the name of this island, and from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Vulcano ‘ s wonderfully sheltered harbor is perfect for a good night’ s sleep, before the next day of voyaging that awaits you. 

Filicudi and Alicudi are the most western of the Aeolian Islands and, as such, they are also the less touristic; they are veritable natural paradises. Their rocky coasts and diaphanous waters, the smells of capers, fennel, mint and oregano that grow everywhere, the donkeys of Alicudi and their prehistoric villages, take you back in time, offering a kind of relaxation unequaled in contemporary times. These two gems provide the perfect backdrop for a bit of withdrawing from the rest of the world! With your yacht at anchor just off a secluded beach, you can have dinner under a spectacular canopy of millions of stars and wake up the next day for a morning swim without another soul around. 

The journey to the charming and popular port village of Cefalu, located 70 km from Palermo, marks your arrival to magnificent Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea. So many histories and peoples cross over in this one place: the ancient temple of Diana, the ruins of the Norman castle, the Duomo cathedral, the medieval washhouse, the 13thcentury Palazzo, are all part of the same mosaic. Once you have absorbed as much history and culture as you feel like, walk languidly along the medieval streets, have an aperitivo in theEnoteca Rosso Rubino and taste the amazing ancient recipe of pasta al taianu: pasta with meat, fried eggplant, pine nuts, raisin and pecorino cheese baked in a large crock. If you can eat some more, try the creamy cannoli siciliani, a heaven for the taste buds. 

Located in the Trapani Province, Castellamare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo are scenic maritime towns, boasting marvellous beaches with soft, white sand and sparkling blue waters. Along the stretch of coast from San Vito Lo Capo to Castellammare del Golfo, you can find the Zingaro Nature Reserve, 7 kilometers of incredible nature. After you have swum, walked or hiked, and are in need of delicious sustenance, try the couscous delicacies of San Vito Lo Capo, which even holds a September festival for its favorite dish. Before going out to eat, have an uplifting cocktail on deck, to increase the anticipation for dinner! 

Levanzo, Maretimmo and Favignana all belong to the Aegadian complex (Isole Egadi, or “the islands of goats”). They are almost unsung heroes of the Mediterranean holiday experience. Tiny, beautiful Levanzo is intimate and simple, in the best of ways, with quiet swimming interrupted only by the cawing of seagulls. The Grotta del Genovese, a cave with Neolithic paintings and Palaeolithic graffitos, is surely one of the most impressive spectacles of the area. But if you just want to swim and eat, we understand! 

Marettimo's dramatic coastline has caves, green mountains and cliffs and, underneath, rich marine life waiting for those who love to dive and snorkel. It is part of the Egadi Island Marine Reserve, one of the largest in Europe and it is the wildest and most remote of the island complex. No touristic hubbub here: just amazing landscapes, incredibly fresh seafood, and all the peace and quiet you could wish for. Trust your captain to know all the area’ s marine secrets and most impressive views of the landscape; he will chart daily journeys that you will never forget. 

Favignana, the largest Egadi Island, is celebrated for its geologically marvellous caves of calcarenite rock ("tufo" in Italian) and the ancient fishing technique of tonnara, which, even if no longer used, makes bluefin tuna the area’ s grand culinary specialty. You can rent a bicycle and roam around the island before you settle in one of the typical fish restaurants.  A wonderfully quirky feature of the island is The Garden of the Impossible (or Villa Margherita Hypogeum Gardens), a surreal creation by a local woman who planted a paradise inside the Favignana caves. 

Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is the last stop of your journey. Approaching it while languidly cruising on the Tyrrhenian Sea is an experience as powerful as walking its streets: the colors of the coasts are luscious, and man-made civilization both complements and contrasts nature in spectacular ways. Palermo is the proverbial cultural melting pot: Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and ultimately Italians have all been part of its history. This incredible variety can be seen and felt everywhere: architecture, art, archeological sites, music, street markets and mouthwatering food stalls. Even for a day, walking around and taking in the vibrant atmosphere will reveal a city that is unique as it is complex and rich.  Indeed, Palermo is a place that will make you even more passionate about travel and new experiences.