| Sicilian Sailing Odyssey details |
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Departures 2008: Private departures from May to October. Max six people in three cabins. Contact us for details!
Trip Price: Price depends on group size and dates, contact us for more details.
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights (*optional 2-day extension)
Departing from: Lipari, 5 p.m. Day 1 (or Naples)
Tour finishes: Lipari, 9 1.m. Day 8 |  |
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Your own private yacht!
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Salina Island, seen from Lipari
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The water is crystal clear
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A beautiful caprese!
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Hike the volcano of Vulcano
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The inside of your Jeanneau sailboat
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Hiking in the wildflowers
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Tantalizing fresh seafood
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Relaxing in a quiet cove
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Sicilian Sailing Odyssey |
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Sicilian Sailing Odyssey Itinerary
Preview - Come sail around the stunning Aeolian Islands of Sicily on board the "Vivanita," your own private Jeanneau "Sun Odyssey 49" sailboat. This archipelago of 7 small islands, just off the northern coast of Sicily, are a UNESCO World Heritage site for their importance to vulcanology – two of the seven islands are active volcanoes (Vulcano and Stromboli). In recent years it has also become one of the prime tourist destinations for travel-savvy Italians. Come enjoy picturesque seaside villages, the chic hideaway of Panarea, sample the luscious Malvasia wine of Salina, get away from it all in Filicudi, and climb the slopes of majestic Stromboli, the only continuously active volcano in the world!
We begin our trip in Lipari, the biggest of the islands. It is easily reached by ferry from either Naples or from Milazzo, on the northern coast of Sicily. We spend 7 nights aboard a luxury sailing yacht, all cabins with en suite bathroom, shower, and air-conditioning. We spend our days sailing the blue bays and beautiful coastline of this amazing archipelago, then put into port and explore the islands with a variety of walks, some challenging and some just breathtakingly gorgeous. Dinners are either on the ship – in the capable hands of Renato and Luciana, our Italian captains, cooks, and hosts – or else in port at some of the region’s finest local trattorias.
The islands, though close together, are all different. Lipari has a history that goes back 6,000 years to Neolithic times when a lively trade in obsidian put this tiny island on the map. Rich archaeological remains make this a fascinating place to start our trip. Nearby Vulcano used to strike terror into the hearts of the Greeks and Romans as the legendary forge of the god Vulcanus, whose workshop produced the weapons for Mars, the god of war! Now it’s one of the hot-spots of the Italian coast, offering an active volcano, open-air thermal pools which bubble into the Mediterranean, and a beautiful black sand beach. We visit the Bronze Age ruins on quiet Filicudi, then head to lush Salina, producer of grains, olives, and the sweet Malvasia wine. A short trip to Panarea takes us to what some consider the most beautiful island, with colorful houses and delightful restaurants. We end with formidable Stromboli, which spews glittering lava against the night sky as we undertake an evening hike.
The best way to see the islands is by sailboat, since many towns, trails and beaches are only accessible by sea. The rich history, amazing natural beauty, and luxury of our own sailboat make this the trip of a lifetime!
Day 1 - Saturday: Board the "Vivanita" at 5 p.m. and relax with a welcome cocktail. Take some time to settle into your cabin, then enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at the fabulous Buon Ricordo restaurant in the center of colorful Lipari. Dinner included.
Day 2 - Sunday: After breakfast on board, we have a visit of the unique Archaeological Museum, with its amazing collection of Neolithic and classical artifacts, and a walking tour of the historical center of Lipari. We return to the boat for a tasty lunch and then sail around the coast to the crystal waters of the Faraglioni di Lipari for a swim. In the late afternoon we’ll sail across the straights to the neighboring island of Vulcano, where we can explore the port and try a soak in the famous thermal mud baths. Dinner on board included.
Day 3 - Monday: Today after breakfast we take our first exciting hike: up to the crater rim of the volcano. You’ll have spectacular views over all of the Aeolian Islands, and get a peek into one of Italy’s four active volcanoes. We board our yacht again for lunch and a rest, then a swim in a quiet bay on the other side of the island. At 4 p.m. we set sail for a 3-hour trip to the island of Filicudi. We dine tonight at a local restaurant in the traditional fishing village of Pecorini a Mare. Dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: We explore the island of Filicudi today with a delightful walk around the Bronze Age ruins of Capo Milazzo. Have lunch on board and then set sail around the island, stopping for a swim and a visit of the Cave of the Monk Seal. At 4 p.m. we set sail for Salina, the greenest island of the archipelago and graced with acres of delicious malvasia grapes. At 8 p.m. we have a short sunset walk (3 km) to the village of Lingua for dinner at a seafood restaurant and then a sampling of the best granite in the world! Return to the boat by minibus or on foot. Dinner included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: Set out after breakfast at 9:00 for a walk to the delightfully picturesque village of Pollara, and the house that was used in the Oscar-winning movie "Il Postino." After our walk we return to the yacht for lunch in Berciato Bay, on the other side of the island. At 4 p.m. we sail for the tranquil island of Panarea, frequent haunt of Italy’s jet-set. We head into port and then enjoy a “free night” dinner, allowing you to have a romantic evening for two or else cut loose with the locals at one of the lively nightspots. Dinner not included.
Day 6 - Thursday: Wake up with a splash this morning! Try a morning swim with your coffee in the shimmering waters of Panarea bay. We then have a short walk to the panoramic Cala Junco. At 11:00 we reboard the yacht and head to Lisca Bianca for lunch and snorkeling. At 3 p.m. we depart for a two-hour journey to the amazing island of Stromboli. We embark on an evening hike to better appreciate the spectacular sight of the glowing red lava shooting out against the black night sky. Nature’s fireworks! At 10 p.m. we return for a late-night pizza at a local trattoria. Dinner included.
Day 7 - Friday: After breakfast and a refreshing swim, we sail to Ginostra for a lovely walk to visit a village only accessible by sea. We then have a two-hour sail to the Basiluzzo Reef for lunch and a swim. From the back of this tiny islet you can see the impressive wreck of a Roman ship! At 3 p.m. we set sail for Lipari, and at 6 p.m. we have a 2-hour walk to a special "agriturismo" for a fabulous last night's dinner. Dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday: Leave your sea-legs behind and return to the Italian mainland this morning after breakfast. Transfers available to Milazzo (in Sicily) or to Naples by hydrofoil. Breakfast included.
** Optional Extension ** - Add a few days to your trip and explore the beautiful and historical area around Naples. We’ll spend two nights in splendid Sorrento in a hotel perched high above the sea, then spend a day exploring the nearby Amalfi coast and a day in the world-famous ruins of Pompeii. We will make the journey from Naples to Lipari together by hydrofoil or ferry.
General Information
| Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate to easy. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. We will regularly be walking between 6-10 km a day (4-6 miles), which translates into about 2-4 hours of walking a day, with time reserved for exploring the islands, swimming, and sailing. A regular conditioning program consisting of walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 2 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are able to enjoy fully all that this wonderful trip has to offer. Weather: We have scheduled our departures to avoid mid-summer heat and crowds while still benefiting from an ample amount of sunshine. Temperatures generally range from 75° to 85° F during the day, dropping approx. 10 degrees at night. Some rainfall is possible on any of the departures requiring participants to arrive equipped with appropriate raingear (see Gear List).
Trip Cost includes: 7 nights accommodation on board the Vivanita yacth; 7 breakfasts & lunches; 6 dinners; bilingual guide(s); all transfers as noted in the itinerary.
Not included: round-trip airfaire; visa fees; insurance (compulsory on all trips); one dinner; alcoholic beverages; and spending of a personal nature. Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or Euro 200 (depending on the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit. Come join us! |
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