Aeolian Islands: get to know an enchanted land of beauty and perfection

Palermo
Start your Sicily yacht charter in Palermo. Spend the first night moored outside this fabled city and enjoy the night out discovering its stunning sites, such as the Cathedral or the Norman Palace, shop at the famous local markets and indulge in the fantastic local food, such as “arancini” (rice balls) and cannoli.

Alicudi, Filicudi
From Palermo you can embark on the Aeolian Islands yacht charter. Take a morning cruise to Alicudi, famous for its fantastic “granitas” (grated ice with syrup) and the presence of local donkeys. It counts about 100 inhabitants. On the same day you can get to Filicudi, a small island with a harbor and buoys available for boats. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the island offers some beautiful pebble beaches. Choose to circumnavigate the island before stopping for lunch and watersports, the waters around it are prefect for snorkeling and diving. Before leaving this beautiful yacht charter spot, make sure visit the Grotto of Marine Ox (Grotta del Bue Marino).

Salina
Next day take an early morning cruise to the greenest among the Aeolian Islands – the island of Salina, which is covered with lovely, verdant forest and vineyards. The rugged coastline offers some coves, which you can easily reach on your vessel. There you can spend a day on the beach and relax on board your yacht charter marveling at the beauty of the surrounding islands. In the small town of Lingua you can go ashore to taste the local granitas, and then head on a shopping tour of artisan boutiques to buy the Malvasia and the local capers. Salina is the only island of the Aeolian archipelago which has harbor facilities. If you go there during the off season, you can spend a quiet night in the harbor where you can stock up on both water and gasoline.

Lipari
On the fifth day of your Aeolian Islands yacht charter choose between several lovely islands to visit – maybe the wonderful Lipari? Lipari is the largest island of the archipelago and is also the most densely populated. Its interior is bleak and mountainous; the coast is indented with beautiful beaches perfect for an exhilarating swim. Do not miss the Acropolis, the Archaeological Park and the Archaeological Museum. Also, make sure to taste the specially treated sweet almonds – a famous local gourmet treat. Lipari offers spectacular sceneries such as obsidian flows that can be seen in the area of Canneto, or the dazzling pumice quarries that make the sea turquoise. Lipari offers many chances to anchor and shelter. You can stop here to spend the evening ashore, and anchor in the area of Sottomonastero or Marina Corta.

Vulcano
Make an early morning treat aboard your rented boat to the barren island of Vulcano, which is the most southern island of the archipelago. It is separated from Lipari by a sea channel, which is only 1.6 km wide and is less than 12 nm away from the northern coast of Sicily. It is an island formed by several volcanoes: Monte Aria, Vulcanello, and Gran Cratere, the latter is the only active one. The only safe bays of the island are Porto Levante and Porto Ponente. There you can find the “Pozza dei Fanghi” (Puddle of Mud), a natural thermal pool where you can test for yourself the power of the rejuvenating mud of the island.

Panarea
On the sixth day of your Aeolian Islands yacht charter you can visit Panarea, a timeless fashionable island, which attracts young people and celebrities. It was even dubbed – the Aeolian Capri. It is the smallest island of the archipelago, but also the most picturesque. The largest town is San Pietro, where you can find exclusive boutiques, restaurants and a lively nightlife. In Panarea you can explore the prehistoric village near Punta Milazzese, Punta Peppemaria, a promontory close to the natural thermal springs, the islet of Basiluzzo and the rocks of Lisca Bianca and the beautiful beach next to them. The sea and the islands are perfect for snorkeling. You can leave Panarea late in the evening heading to Stromboli, to admire the fascinating flow of lava from the sea.

Stromboli
The last island of the archipelago to visit with your yacht hire is Stromboli, with the islet of Strombolicchio. The Romans called it the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”: its volcano (among the highest in Europe) is always active and is therefore visible several miles away. Stromboli has beaches of fine dark lava sand. It is a quiet island, perfect for anchoring your charter vessel and enjoying a peaceful stay on the yacht, sunbathing and swimming. Do not miss Ginostra, the smallest port in the world, located on the south-west side of Stromboli.

Palermo or Naples
After bathing again in Stromboli, you can leave for Palermo or Naples, where your yacht charter in Sicily ends.