7 days in Sicily on a yacht

Breathtaking landscapes, turquoise waters, and the intense scent of the Mediterranean scrub make Sicily a beloved yachter destination. The island preserves the proofs of its glorious history, a melting pot of cultures where the Orient and the West meet to create a unique atmosphere.

The island has long been one of Europe’s main tourist destinations. In the 18th century it was the final stop of the Grand Tour, the journey abroad that young aristocrats took to perfect their knowledge.

 

Renting a luxury yacht is the best way to make an unforgivable tour of Sicily

We recommend a 7-day yacht tour to discover Sicily’s most evocative spots and experience the magic of this island’s history, fine-sand strands, exclusive venues and… a touch of glamour!

Sicily on a yacht: Taormina (1 day)

“Taorminais a landscape where you find everything on earth that seems made to seduce the eyes, the mind and the imagination.” Guy de Maupassant

The first day of our yacht tour of Sicily is spent in Taormina. This “piece of paradise on earth” (Italian Journey, 1787), as Goethe called it, houses an extraordinary Greek-Roman temple where dramatic and musical performances were once performed. In Roman times naval battles and gladiator fights were performed here, while today this evocative place enthralls spectators from all over the world with prestigious performances like ballets, opera, plays and concerts.

After taking a stroll along Corso Umberto I, the town’s elegant shopping hub, you simply must stop in Piazza IX Aprile and have a drink on the panoramic terrace overlooking the sea with old buildings in the background that have preserved all their charm.

Worth visiting is Chiesa del Varò, built in the first half of the 1600s. On the altar at the foot of its single nave are a papier-mâché statue of the Grieving Mary and a work by the baroque painter Giovanni Tuccari.

If you love nature make a brief visit to Isola Bella, perhaps in the afternoon, just before dining in a renowned restaurant. The isle’s fame is due to its unique configuration. Once the property of the Bosurgi family and Lady Florence Trevelyan, a British dame, it now belongs to the Sicily Region. Made into a Regional Nature Museum in 2011 it the home of many charming species of Mediterranean vegetation.

Sicily on a yacht: the most beautiful beaches of Eastern Sicily (2 days)

After the day in Taormina, enjoy a relaxing break in the heart of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Eastern Sicily boasts extraordinary strands of white sand, caressed by azure waters and the intense light of the South. Experience the regenerating power of the sea on our mind in these enchanting locations. A recent study by Michigan State University  has demonstrated that the sight of large blue spaces and the thousand hues of the sea can reduce sensorial stimuli and increase our feelings of psycho-physical wellbeing.

Sicily on a yacht: the Aeolian Islands (2 days)

A yacht tour of Sicily must include a stop in the Aeolian Islands. This archipelago of seven volcanic islands is one of Sicily’s most beloved tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

Lipari is the biggest island, while Panarea is the smallest, trendiest and most chic one. Vulcano is known for the beneficial effects that its muds of sulphurous water, rich of hydrogen sulfide, have on the skin and articulations. Stromboli is an active volcano, while fans of cinema history love Salina because it was the backdrop of Massimo Troisi’s film Il Postino (“The Postman”). The less crowded isles of Filicudi and Alicudi are closest to Palermo and the destination of tourists looking for wild nature and total relax.

Have you read our tips on how to discover the Aeolian Islands on a yacht?  If you love snorkeling remember that the archipelago is one of the 4 top snorkeling sites in Sicily! 

Sicily on a yacht: Palermo (1 day)

Palermo is an onion states the title of Roberto Alajmo’s masterpiece by the same name, describing the atmosphere, colors, and scents of the city – its soul. A complex soul that surprises with its details, unexpected views, and many impressions piled layer by layer and ready to be discovered.

In Palermo visit the Cathedral begun in 1185 and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Turned into a mosque by the Saracens, it was restored to the Christian cult by the Normans. Strolling around, the eye rests on the charming Fontana Pretoria featuring allegorical statues representing mythological creatures and Palermo’s four rivers: Oreto, Kemonia, Papireto and Maredolce.

Discover a gem of Byzantine art at Palazzo dei Normanni, or the Royal Palace: the Palatine Chapel with the imposing dome of Christ the Pantocrator. The location of Sicily’s Regional Assembly, the building was once, when Palermo was the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, home to kings and viceroys, as well as Europe’s oldest royal residence.

After dinner head to Teatro Massimo Italy’s biggest opera house and Europe’s third after Paris’ Opera and Vienna’s Staatsoper, with lots of exciting performances!

Sicily on a yacht: Sciacca e Pantelleria (1 day)

Sciacca is the last stop of our recommended seven-day yacht tour of Sicily. This small town, renowned for its excellent ceramic and majolica manufacture, boasts an old-time charm derived from a century-long history of conquest and domination. Besides enjoying an artistic and cultural tour, golf enthusiasts love the town’s Five-star Resort.

Save time for an afternoon stop on the nearby island of Pantelleria, featuring the calm Lago di Venere, a lake sitting inside the local volcano, and famous Archeological Park.

 

 

Pantelleria is the last stop of our seven-day yacht tour of Sicily: one of many possible itineraries along the coastline of this wonderful island.

 

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