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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in the Aeolian Islands and Sicily with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in the Aeolian Islands and Sicily with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS AND SICILY
DISCOVER THE “AEOLIAN ARC” AND THE “LIGHTHOUSE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN“
As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily boasts an experience worthy of any sailor for a yacht charter beyond compare. With a rich history and stunning surrounds, Sicily is ideal for any traveler who wants a taste of the past and a beautiful Italian island experience.
Because it features an array of different shore types, Sicily has many experiences to partake in for those coming via yacht. On the north and west shores, you’ll cruise to stunning views with high cliffs jutting up from the water. On the eastern coasts, the land lies lower and provides beachgoers and those aboard yachts panoramas beyond compare.
Centrally-located, Sicily is also ideal for yacht charters because it connects the east and west portions of the Mediterranean. With a vast coastline that features many indents, it provides safe havens for anchoring while the reliable north-westerly winds make for phenomenal sailing. To top it all off, the yachting facilities and harbors here are all prime for the elegant yacht charter lifestyle.
Step onto dry land, and you’ll be enthralled with the local foliage. Resplendent olive trees, winding grapevines, and unique Sicilian plants and trees like oleanders, dwarf palms, agaves, hibiscus, and almond trees line the area like something out of a movie. Along with dramatic rugged rocks from the volcanic base the island was founded from, it sets the stage for a truly epic visual awakening, making for a peaceful place to anchor.
All around Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, you’ll find the massive national park. Tourists love to explore it, and once you dock your yacht charter, you will too. Perhaps you’ll even have the chance to see a flamingo!
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BEST TIME TO VISIT AEOLIAN ISLANDS AND SICILY
The official tourist season for the Aeolian Islands starts on June 1st and finishes on August 31st. If you want the best weather, you should set sail on your yacht charter anywhere from May to October.
In summer, it’s an ideal time to explore the gorgeous beaches of the Aeolian Islands, though you’ll need to share it with all the other tourists. It’s much more crowded during this time. If you’d rather have more of this land to yourself, visit in spring or early autumn, especially if you enjoy hiking. The temperatures are lovely, perfect for discovering the nature to be found on these little islands.
In the late spring of May to June or early fall of September to October, the temperatures are just lovely, lingering in the 70s for comfortable exploration of the temples, unwinding on the beach, or hiking without overheating. However, these times are also popular for visitors, making it the most expensive points of the season to visit too.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: MAY TO OCTOBER
TIME ZONE: GMT + 1
LANGUAGE: ITALIAN.
CURRENCY: EURO (EUR)
REASONS TO VISIT
LIPARI
STROMBOLI
STROMBOLI CRATER
NIGHT HIKE IN STROMBOLI
SALINA
PANAREA ISLETS
ALICUDI
GETTING TO AEOLIAN ISLANDS AND SICILY
It’s easy to get here with the three airports which you’ll find in Catania, Palermo, and Trapani. From there, those main ports you’ll want to go for your yacht charter are located in those three airport cities plus in Messina too. Each of these is the respective capital of their provinces. Messina, however, is the busiest one because there is a ferry that connects to the mainland of Italy as well as other spots in Sicily. It’s also the same place where Mediterranean cruise ships come to port.
Since the distance from Messina to the Italian mainland is a mere 3 miles (5km), it’s a beautiful place to be though. Getting there by ferry from the nearest port in Rome, Civitavecchia, is much cheaper than flying. In the region of Calabria which is the southernmost tip of the boot-shaped country, it’s a nice place to start out on your sailing excursion via a yacht charter. There are three main airports to discover therein Crotone, Lamezia Terme, and Reggio.
WHERE TO STAY IN AEOLIAN ISLANDS AND SICILY
Anchor your yacht charter in this part of the world, and you’ll be pleasured with many hotel options. Some are very luxurious options, while others are comfortable bed & breakfasts, rooms to rent, holiday apartments, or even villas. There’s a range that fits any budget and need, plus you can arrange a pickup at the port for almost all of them.
To be certain of your accommodations, it’s easy to book hotels or bed & breakfasts online. It’s wise too since some of the hotels are closed during the winter. In spring, early summer, or autumn, you will likely find the most competitive rates. If you’re planning to go yachting here any time in June through August, you must book your accommodations plenty of time in advance to ensure you get what you’re looking for. Rental properties are ideal for long-term stays on the islands, which will make your yachting adventures through these Italian islands even more memorable.
WINING AND DINING IN AEOLIAN ISLANDS AND SICILY
Aeolian cuisine is a dream come true for seafood lovers. There is much fresh fish to enjoy, including tuna, clams, sardines, anchovies, prawns, and swordfish. Fresh fish goes amazingly with the local wine, known as the ‘nectar of the gods.’ A must-try is the Malvasia di, Lipari. You’ll find the fish made famously with caponata, a side dish of eggplant, olives, capers, celery, and tomato sauce with olive oil. In fact, eggplant, which is often called aubergine in these parts, replaces meat in many pasta dishes. Raisins, herbs, capers, garlic, and seeds are used to accentuate the flavors.
Beans like fava, chickpeas, and lentils are also highly featured, not to mention nuts like pistachios that hail from Mount Etna, and citrus like blood oranges where Sicily is most noted for their growth. Inland, the farming of sheep brings with it delicious canestrato cheese. Meanwhile, cakes and sweets are often used during festive times. Giggi, which is a typical carnival sweet and vastiduzze, which is made from raisins and almonds and served during the Saint Joseph festival, are also popular. But spicchitedda, made from boiled wine with cinnamon and cloves, is what you’ll find during the Christmas holiday season.
Sicilian wines have transformed over the years, going from uneventful to artisanal. There are many divine wines to discover here, and a holiday in Sicily aboard a yacht charter is an ideal time to venture to the vineyards where you’ll have the chance to sample complex reds, brilliantly fruity whites, and plenty of dessert wines. Moscato Passito di Pantelleria and Malvasia di Lipari, particularly from Salina, are among the best to try.
