Our routes 2021

Last year we had decided to sail to Greece and spend a few years there. A week before setting off a friend from Salina, an authentic Sicilian that we jokingly nickname ‘Spic and Span’ or ‘Shining’, said: “Why go to Greece, when you can stop at the Aeolian Islands. You’ve got sun, fantastic sea, 7 wonderful islands, and the food… but why am I bothering to tell you about it. Plus, Sicily is full of history and is a unique part of the world”. So we changed our destination.

The priceless freedom to change our minds, and we were right to do so.

For your sailing holidays, the stunning Aeolian Islands are the perfect place. Seven sisters, each highly fascinating with a strong character. The perfect holiday. Seven islands with only a few sailing hours between them, each one offering something different and unique. A dip into Sicilian beauty and culture.

Vulcano

Right next to Lipari, and just off the Sicilian coast, Vulcano Island is dominated by the Gran Cratere at the top of the cone that emits sulphurous fumes. If you climb the crater, be prepared to enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of the Aeolian Islands. The island is famous for its fine beaches and mud baths (therapeutic for the skin).

Favourite moorings:

  • North East: Port of Levante, a small bay opposite the village of Vulcano and the natural mud baths;

  • Nord West: Port of Ponente with its black sandy beaches, created by centuries of volcanic rock erosion;

  • South: Cala Gelso, the first bay coming from the coast where you can down anchor.

The name of the island derives from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire that lived inside the volcano (Hephaestus is the equivalent for the Greeks), in charge of manufacturing all the weapons for the gods.

Lipari

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands. Owing to its volcanic origins the island is covered with obsidian and pumice stone. One of our favourite attractions are the white beaches, stretches of deep blue sea with a milky-white coast. Lipari boasts some excellent restaurants and clubs for a great nightlife.

Favourite moorings:

  • The white beaches, stretches of turquoise water at most 10 metres deep;

  • Marina Corta, opposite the monastery and old town of Lipari;

  • The Faraglioni, an isolated bay where at night few yachts are anchored, which contributes to the pleasure of mooring.

Salina

Salina is green and hilly. Its vegetation is particularly abundant and it also has small coves and promontories, such as Pollara, an attractive bay which owes its origins to an extinct volcano. It is perhaps one of the most suggestive mooring places of the Aeolian Islands.

While at Salina, go and visit Lingua and above all you must go to “Da Alfredo” and try the famous Pane Cunzato.

Favourite moorings: Pollara, tiny bay to the north of the island, surrounded by high cliffs of tuff stone.

Panarea

Panarea is an island that enchants visitors. It is the smallest of the islands, from which you can enjoy a marvelous view of Stromboli on the horizon. It is considered the coolest island of the seven sisters and is the islands where VIPs hang out. Dotted with restaurants and nightclubs, it offers plenty to do at night. The sea around Panarea is stunning. However, for our tastes it is the one we favour less, precisely because of the nightlife and confusion, but undoubtedly the sea is well worth the visit.

Favourite moorings:

Lisca bianca and Lisca Nera, where we moor between two rocks that are about a mile from the island. Great for swimming, above all because you can see the natural underwater fumaroles bubbling to the surface.

Cala Milazzese, lying to the south of the island, a white beach surrounded by greenery.

Stromboli

Stromboli is the most remote of the islands, and has an active volcano that erupts every 15 minutes. Stromboli’s eruptions are truly unique and spectacular. You can climb to the top of the island and watch the eruptions from above, or watch them at night from the sea. Stromboli’s village is typical traditional, Sicilian, white architecture.

Alicudi e Filicudi

Alicudi and Filicudi lie to the west of the archipelago and are slightly off the beaten tourist track, especially Alicudi. However, both are charming and offer some interesting mooring places where you can eat at your leisure some great local food, such as stuffed aubergine rolls, freshly caught calamari, fish or squid, washed down with plenty of Sicilian wine. The western part of Alicudi is completely uninhabited and spectacular, rugged, steep cliffs plunge into the sea.