The best of sicily
Palermo to Cefalu
33Nm @ 10knots 3H30
Cefalu to Salina
50Nm @ 10knots 5H00
Salina to Lipari
12Nm @ 10nots 1H15
Lipari to Stromboli
20 Nm @ 10knots 2H00
Stromboli to Panarea
10Nm @ 10knots 1H00
Panarea to Filicudi
22Nm @ 10knots 2H15
Filicudi to Alicudi
9 Nm @ 10 knots 1H00
Alicudi to Ustica
55 Nm @ 10 knots 5H30
Ustica to San Vito
36 Nm @ 10 knots 3H30
San Vito to Favignana
25Nm @ 10 knots 2H20
Favignana to Marettimo
12Nm @ 10knots 1H20
Marettimo to Levanzo
12Nm @ 10knots 1H20
Levanzo to Scopello
32Nm @ 10knots 3H00
Scopello to Balestrate
8Nm @ 10knots 1H00
Embarkation in palermo
Palermo may have its hidden treasures, but this trip is more about quiet anchorages and life in the slow lane. Close to the Punta Raisi airport lies the miniature boat basin at Terassini from where you are just a tender ride away from your yacht waiting close by at anchor. After several hours pleasant cruising westwards, you’ll arrive at CalaFredda, on the island of Levanzo.
Cefalu
Beautiful Cefalù offers a rare combination of tourist attractions: one of Sicliy’s finest beaches side-by-side with one of its greatest Arab-Norman architectural masterpieces. The squares, streets and churches of this medieval town are so postcard-pretty that it’s no wonder director Giuseppe Tornatore chose to set parts of his much-loved film Cinema Paradiso here. You won’t be alone in admiring Cefalù’s honey-hued stone buildings, mosaic-adorned cathedral and dramatic mountain backdrop; during summer, holidaymakers from all over Europe flock here to relax in resort hotels, stroll the narrow cobbled streets and sun themselves on the long sandy beach. The town is perfectly suited to slow, pedestrianised exploration. The little port is lined with fishing boats and populated with fishermen who can be observed maintaining their boats, mending their nets and discussing the day’s catch. The lungomare (seafront promenade) is popular for the passeggiata (evening stroll), as is the main street, Corso Ruggero.
Salina
Beautiful Cefalù offers a rare combination of tourist attractions:one of Sicliy’s finest beaches side-by-side with one of its greatest Arab-Norman architectural masterpieces. The squares, streets and churches of this medieval town are so postcard-pretty that it’s no wonder director Giuseppe Tornatore chose to set parts of his much-loved film Cinema Paradiso here. You won’t be alone in admiring Cefalù’s honey-hued stone buildings, mosaic-adorned cathedral and dramatic mountain backdrop; during summer, holidaymakers from all over Europe flock here to relax in resort hotels, stroll the narrow cobbled streets and sun themselves on the long sandy beach. The town is perfectly suited to slow, pedestrianised exploration. The little port is lined with fishing boats and populated with
fishermen who can be observed maintaining their boats, mending their nets and discussing the day’s catch. The lungomare (seafront promenade) is popular for the passeggiata (evening stroll), as is the main street, Corso Ruggero.
Lipari
The largest of the Aeolian Isalnds, Lipari has a vibrant port, pebbled beaches and in interesting archaeological museum. Visit the he white-washed Cave di Pomice, a dramatic canyon made up of pumice stone.
Alicudi / filicudi
Travelling east towards Alicudi, you’ll cruise close to the shoreline on your superyacht and marvel at the dramatic ridges and fissures formed by volcanic activity and eroded into fantastical shapes. A few miles further east at Filicudi you can stop for lunch and enjoy a swim. It’s well worth breaking out the snorkeling gear to explore the Grottadel Blue Marino (Cave of the Monk Seal). Sadly the monk seals are long gone, but the luminous show of reflected sunlight is among the best found anywhere.
Stromboli
Continuing northeast, you’ll be able to spot Stromboli’s billowing puffs of smoke emerging through the Mediterranean haze. Active for thousands of years, Stromboli is a mariner’s natural beacon, perpetually spewing rock and ash that tumble 3,000 feet and finally crash into the sea with great explosions of spray. In return for some strenuous exercise, the climb up Stromboli will stay etched in your memories for a lifetime. After a two-and-a-half hour ascent, you arrive at the crater’s edge just after dark. The sight and sound of an active volcano roaring and belching plumes of fiery lava is beyond the imagination.
Vulcano
For those who lack the will or stamina to climb Stromboli, the easier hike to Vulcano’s less dramatic Gran Cratere can be reached in an hour from the anchorage of Porto di Ponente. If you don’t mind the stench of sulphur and long to re-live your childhood by frolicking in the mud, try the pools at the water’s edge, with their reputed therapeutic benefits. In the afternoon, you’ll anchor beneath the hulking Castello, built in the mid-1500s after Barbarossa’s murderous rampage, from where you can explore the bustling village of Lipari. The excellent collection in the Aeolian Archaeological Museum is a must for anyone interested in Mediterranean history.
Ustica
By the time you’re breakfasting on the luxury yacht on day three you’ll be well on your way on the 70-mile passage to Ustica – one of the most remote spots in the Mediterranean. It may be hard to get to, but this island is well known amongst the diving fraternity. Ustica is the tip of a sunken volcano, green and fertile, with spectacular grottos and exceptionally clear water, drawing thousands of scuba divers each year. Local dive guides can lead you on a magical underwater archaeological tour to view ancient Roman amphorae and evidence of nautical activity since the beginning of recorded history.
Favignana
By the middle of the morning on your second day you could be enjoying the sights at the village on the island of Favignana, just a few miles south of Levanzo. The outdoor market close to the harbour has fresh fruit and vegetables and you can pick out the best catch of the day direct from the boats of the local pescatori for your chef to turn into a wonderful lunch or dinner…
Marettimo
With no roads or cars, Marettimo, just a few miles west of Favignana, is the wildest and least developed of the Egadi Islands. From the superyacht anchorage at CalaManione you can spend a leisurely afternoon swimming, exploring the grottos by tender or hiking the trails that criss-cross the island. An easy walk with panoramic views begins at the base of the Bourbon fort at Punta Troia. After an hour’s hike to the village, reward yourself with a cold drink from one of the tiny outdoor restaurants before returning to the yacht by tender.
Levanzo
Spend a comfortable night in this snug anchorage after exploring Levanzo’s Grotta del Genovese with its amazing 6-10,000-year- old cave drawings depicting Sicily’s most ancient industry – tuna fishing. Levanzo is the smallest of the three Egadi Islands, off the western coast of Sicily. The island’s little port is hugely picturesque; a small cluster of pale square buildings huddled around a little harbour of an amazing blue. The island used to be agricultural – grain was produced here, and you can still see lines of dry stone walls dividing overgrown fields, terraced hillsides and small stone shelters.
Scopello
Scopello is a tiny village, with an incredibly scenic bay. The faded old Tonnara (tuna fishery) is close to some faraglioni (rock towers in the sea), and an old defensive tower atop the cliffs make this bay a popular spot. A walk uphill to the Hamlet Will bring you to the baglio, the headquarters of the agricultural estate and s nice stop to have a quiet drink.
Balestrate
Scopello is a tiny village, with an incredibly scenic bay. The faded old Tonnara (tuna fishery) is close to some faraglioni (rock towers in the sea), and an old defensive toThe Sicilian coastal town of Balestrate is situated on the Golfo di Castellammare and has two beautiful sandy beaches, one of which extends all the way to Castellammare del Golfo, a famous seaside resort with a quaint harbor. Disembark here and take a short taxi ride to Palermo airport.wer atop the cliffs make this bay a popular spot. A walk uphill to the Hamlet Will bring you to the baglio, the headquarters of the agricultural estate and s nice stop to have a quiet drink.