Sicily & Aeolian Islands Yacht Charter Guide

Sicily

Sicily is Italy's largest island with a land area of 25,706 sq km (9,925 sq miles), as well as being also the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Because of its strategic location (latitude 38 degrees north), Sicily has been invaded countless times over the centuries, by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards. Each of the occupiers left behind their cultural influences that have blended to give Sicily a personality as distinctive as its Arabic-Norman architecture of the Middle Ages.  A visit to Sicily is an experience to be treasured.

The Aeolian Islands

Rising out of the Tyrrhenian Sea, some fifteen miles off the Sicilian coast, The Aeolian Islands - Lipari, Salina, Stromboli, Vulcano, Panarea, Filicudi and Alicudi — with their black beaches of volcanic soil, and dazzling clear light, have everything to make your yacht charter an unforgettable experience.

The history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is recorded back at least 5,000 years and traces of the presence of man can be found in the form of prehistoric villages, ruins, excavations, pottery and tools. The setting over time is a volcanic one, “Fire above and below” is how one writer describes their ambience,  "baking under the constant glare of a Sicilian sun."

Colourful fishing boats line lively ports, filled with charming cafes, bars and restaurants.  While the islands’ interiors offer the most varied and contrasting landscapes and scenery, their crystal clear water bays, coves, active volcanoes, isolated reefs, white painted houses, and archaeological sites are unmatched for beauty and drama.  Their food and wine are simply extraordinary, and some of the islands offer the rare experience of an almost vehicle-free environment.

Sailing here is away from the normal highly populated tourist tracks. Although Italians have been holidaying in the Aeolian islands for years, the rest of the world is only just now awaking to their charms.

Climate

The mild Mediterranean climate makes this a paradise during early spring as well as late autumn and allows an extraordinary range of activities.