Sail along the famous boot of Italy. Many of you may have visited Northern Italy, and you will notice the difference in food, customs, scenery and lack of tourists. We will visit volcanoes, hot springs, charming harbors, ancient towns, temples, and Byzantine castles.
Your trip starts in Naples, a city with a distinctive vitality. “A man who has seen Naples, can never be sad,” said Goethe. And what’s more, Neapolitan pizza is amongst the best in the world! Then you’re off by ferry boat to the island of Procida where you’ll begin our charter. Your first port of call will be the stunningly beautiful Isle of Capri, dominated by 589-metre-high Monte Solar. You will have the opportunity to take the funicular from the marina up to Capri town or take a boat ride to the famous Blue Grotto.
Your route will continue south to the Aeolian Island of Stromboli, and you might plan a night sail to best view its almost perpetual eruptions of fiery lava. Visit Lipari and the well organized museum and castle. Some of the ruins date to 1700 BC. You may wish to rent a car or moped to tour the island and explore.
Just south of Lipari is the island of Vulcano, known for its warm mud baths and hot springs. This island has had several names throughout history, including Hiera, Thermassia or Terasia. It was highly respected by the ancients because Vulcan, the god of fire, had his workshop here. Climbing the Gran Cratere up to the caldera is a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Salina to the northwest is the most fertile of the Aeolians and is the home of the wonderful, light Malvasia wine. You might try a pasta dish with locally caught fish garnished with excellent capers grown on nearby Lipari.
Sail south to the exquisite medieval town of Cefalu on the northern coast of Sicily. We had a delicious local delicacy called “figgies” – possible the “original,” but truly superior, inspiration for our own fig newtons. The route will continue westwards with the next and final stop in Palermo.
SAMPLE 1-WEEK TYRRHENIAN SEA ITINERARY
Procida to Procida
Day 1
After breakfast, check out of hotel and transfer to the Naples ferry dock for trip across the Bay of Naples to the island of Procida. There will be time to do some provisioning if you wish before the boat check-outs at approximately 5.00 PM. Stay aboard the yacht this first night.
Day 2
Sail to the island of Ischia (said to be a corruption of insula – simply “the island”), the largest island in the bay of Naples. Its volcano causing the Greek colony to evacuate in the 5th century BC. In mythology, it was believed to be the home of Typhoeus, a hundred-headed monster said to be the father of Hydra. The harbor is well sheltered and surrounded by houses painted white and rose.
Day 3
After breakfast, set sail for the island of Capri arriving in time for lunch. This island has had as residents Emperor Augustus of Rome, his successor Tiberius with his reputed orgies, as well as many Greeks. From the Blue Grotto to Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michelle, there is plenty to see. The island is famous for its vodka-like Limoncello and lemon-scented perfume.
Marina – Water – Showers –Restaurant in ANACAPRI “Il Solitario” tel.39-081-837-1382
Day 4
Further down the Amalfi coast lies Agropoli dominated by a crenellated old lighthouse and medieval town. Perhaps take a taxi to visit the spectacular temples at Paestum or the sandy beaches to the north of the town.
Marina – Water
Day 5
It’s a short sail back to the mainland village of Amalfi, which was a major naval power in the 11th century. Amalfi’s navigation tables, the Tavole Amalfitane, formed the world’s first maritime code, governing all shipping in the Mediterranean for centuries. In the piazza there is a statue to Flavio Gioja, who in the early 14th century popularized the newly introduced compass from China.
Marina – Water
Day 6
Sail back to Procida in time to check in this afternoon. Take a taxi ride around the town and island and enjoy a last island dinner.
Day 7
You may sleep aboard and take the early ferry back to Naples.
