Naples to Palermo
8 days Luxury Yacht Charter Experience
With ancient archaeological sites, stunning coves to be explored and the modern-day luxuries of fine dining and indulgent five-star hotels, this itinerary along the Italian coast, taking in the volcanic islands of the Aeolian archipelago, will ignite the imaginations of guests both young and old
NAPLES TO SORRENTO
DAY 1
Embark in Naples, a lively and vibrant city, full of wonderful historical and artistic treasures with narrow, winding streets with small shops.
Cruise towards Sorrento for lunch and swimming. The Sorrento peninsula is a cosmopolitan combination of colours and flavours, with secluded coves and offering breathtaking views overlooking the sea. There are several towns along this coast, including the most famous, Sorrento, which is perched atop the cliff' s edge, with some properties built into the rock, facing the sea.
This charming town has a medieval and classical history, much of which is still evident in the Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
CAPRI
DAY 2 & 3
A funicular takes you up to central Capri in a few minutes and in the heart of town, the famous Piazzetta square is a bustling hotspot day and night, packed with cafés. Overlooking this busy scene is the Baroque dome of Santo Stefano. On the slopes of Monte Solaro is the second town of the island, Anacapri. Here you can visit the Villa San Michele, home of the Swedish physician Axel Munthe, the excavations at the imperial villa of Damecuta and of course, appreciate the magnificent view from the top of the hill.
We recommend dining ashore under the lemon trees of the famous restaurant "Da Paolino".
Day 3, in the morning, do not miss Capri' s main attraction, the magical Blue Grotto. This wonderful sea cave is flooded with a brilliant blue light, thanks to a unique influx of sunlight. Once inside, you will be able to enjoy the amazing show and the enchanting atmosphere that it offers you.
Then, you will enjoy a nice day of relaxation in Marina Piccola and great lunch in one of the beach restaurants. Overnight passage to the Aeolian islands.
STROMBOLI ISLAND
DAY 4
You will awake to a breathtaking view of Stromboli' s volcanic crater.
A private and guided excursion for the climb to the top of Stromboli can be organised. Stromboli has several wonderful black sand beaches and interesting small creeks which are surrounded by a long-cooled lava flow, shaped by the sea.
PANAREA
DAY 5
Cruise to Panarea, the smallest of the seven island Aeolian chain. Surrounded by beautiful reefs, the sea is designated a national park and you can enjoy some great snorkelling. On the southernmost tip of the island, the bay of Cala Junco is a geological wonder and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The rock in the foreground is made of columnar basalt.
LIPARI
DAY 6
A morning cruise will take you further south towards Lipari, the largest and most populated of the Aeolian islands. The island has the biggest town of the archipelago, also called Lipari, and the pretty streets offer an enjoyable afternoon perusing boutiques and sampling the delights of local trattorias. The ancient citadel overlooks the historical centre and the historic acropolis is now home to the archaeological museum.
This is a very important museum in Europe - with its collection of prehistoric finds, classical and maritime artefacts. Inside the fortress area you can also visit the Cathedral, the Norman cloister and archaeological park.
VULCANO ISLAND
DAY 7
Next to Lipari, Vulcano takes its name from the considerable volcanic activity that has taken place over thousands of years. It is possible to hike up to the crater, where sulphur smoke makes for incredible scenery, and the path towards the peak is a pleasant walk of about 45 minutes, taking you past volcanic boulders with a black and sandy soil underfoot - mostly compounded volcanic dust.
As you climb you can admire the islands of Alicudi, Filicudi, and Salina, and from the top it is possible to distinguish the shapes of all seven islands, as well as the Vulcanello Peninsula.
Looking to the south, the northern coast of Sicily and mount Etna can often be seen.
FILICUDI
Day 8
Filicudi is one of the smallest islands of the Aeolian archipelago. Its typical vegetation of ferns, from which it derives its name, covers most of the island including the highest peak, Fossa delle Felci. Fossa delle Felci is an ancient and extinct volcano which has a view to the southeast including the peninsula Capo Graziano, where the remains of a prehistoric village have been found.
Here, modern archaeology has brought to light the remains of a circular hut village, dating back to the Bronze Age. Explore beautiful open sea caves, such as the Grotta del Blue Marino.
Cruise to nearby Punta del Perciato, a lava promontory where the sea has opened a natural arch. Reach the Canna, an imposing basalt cliff standing 70m above the sea, and why not dip beneath the waves with a scuba dive to see the abundant marine life.
PALERMO
Day 9
Head to the northern coast of Sicily for disembarkation in Palermo.
