To experience Italy is one thing.  Experiencing Italy aboard a Luxury Yacht it simply something else.  This central Mediterranean country’s beautiful culture and scenery come to life as you enjoy the many different aspects of Italy, including restaurants, history, art, and the friendly Italian people, from the comfort of a magnificent Sailing or Power Boat.

Deciding where to charter in Italy can be a little daunting.  With Naples just slightly north of the Amalfi Coast  which stretches for 32 miles mainly from Sorrento to Salerno, and remains a place of rare and incredible beauty, to Portofino, Sardinia, Venice, the choice is never ending, with all destinations providing spectacular coastal villages, cuisine your palate will never forget, shopping to satisfy the most ardent shopper or for those looking to escape the hype and enjoy the rugged mountains or golden sands that disappear into oceans of blue, then Italy has it all.

7 Days in Sicily

Day 1:  Palermo

A city offering so much culture and excitement that it is always nice to allow the guests the chance to explore before leaving port.  It might even be a nice idea to spend the night in port with either dinner on board or dining ashore at one of Palermo’s fine restaurants.    Palermo is located in a wide bay underneath the limestone baulk of Monte Pellegrino.

Day 2:  Ustica

The tiny volcanic island of Ustica is a quick 3 hr hop and offers unspoiled sea beds that are protected as a natural marine reserve.  Cruise around the island, enjoying the numerous grottos along the coast, then drop anchor near the town, which houses quaint restaurants and cafes and an underwater archaeological museum.

Ustica is a paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers, offering some diving highlights including the delicate fan-like red gorgonias, the rainbow-colored sponges at Grotta dei Gamberi, and the archaeological artifacts at Punta Gavazzi.  After a beautifully prepared meal by your own private chef, sleep peacefully as the boat cruises overnight to Lipari and the Aeolian Islands.

Day 3 & 4:  The Aeolian Islands

A diverse mix of unusual topography, the Aeolian Islands are a fascinating place to explore.  Enjoy the natural springs on Panarea, the smallest of the archipelago, and which offers guests a relaxing mud bath, or the diving centre La Gorgonia on the island of Lipari, where dive expeditions to such famous Aeolian Island dive spots as Punta Castagna, Capo Grosso, Capo Grillo and Pietra Menalda, are a divers delight.

Once again cruise across to Stramboli, the “Black Giant,” one of the few constantly active volcanoes in the world, and enjoy another incredible dinner whilst watching the nights sky light up with volcanic eruptions.  Anchor overnight near one of these islands.

The next day gives guests an opportunity to see the lava formations on Vulcano, or continue scuba diving.  For those that would rather choose a relaxing afternoon soaking up the sun, anchor in a remote bay near the island of Lipari.  Lipari’s town is a nice place to get off the boat and stretch your legs as you meander through the narrow streets.

Day 5:  Portorosa

Heading back to the Sicilian coast, Portorosa has one of the most modern and efficient marinas, Marina di Portorosa.  Gorgeous swimming pools surrounded by lush vegetation, wide beaches, good shopping centre, the fashionable tourist harbor of Portorosa offers a great base for getting out and exploring the surrounding areas.

Day 6:  Historic Taormina

Leaving Portorosa early in the morning and cruising for 5 hrs around Sicily’s northeast coast toward Taormina, a city that clings to the cliffs high above the spectacular eastern coast.  Anchor in 30 ft of water just off the island in the bay of Taormina.  Tender the guests ashore to Giardini for a trip up the hill to the city.

Taormina has everything to offer from cobblestone piazzaz, elegant shopping and outdoor cafes, including the Greek theatre which has Mount Etna as a backdrop in the distance.  Excellent shopping or an excursion to Mount Etna are the choices of the day.  A beautiful place for guests to sample and savor authentic Sicilian cuisine in one of the many stunning restaurants.

Day 7:  Messina

After breakfast head out for a 2 hr cruise to the port of Messina, the setting for Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”  Messina is a historic port, however, the harbor is boulder filled and a challenge to most navigators.  The Strait of Messina is once again a good fishing destination offering a large variety of fish, including tuna, moon fish, red picarel and grey mullet.

For guest drop-off the next morning, it is best to depart port early and head for Siracusa where a proper yacht marina is about 45 min – 1 hr drive from the airport.