Founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century, Messina lies near the top north east corner of Sicily. It's another wonderful Italian city filled to the brim with historical sites and religous buildings. A stop here wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Duomo, the city's main Catholic church, constructed by a renowned protogé of Michelangelo. Standing alongside you'll find the impressive Bell Tower with its impressive clock mechanism. In the piazza lies the Fontana di Orione, an ornate fountain with detailed sculptures. For an example of fine Norman architecture, the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani is another example of the incredibly impressive, historical buildings that grace this wonderful city.
Milazzo is known in Italy as the gateway to the Aeolian Islands. It has maintained an important strategic position since its settlement over 2,500 years ago, with its historical charm still maintained, it makes for an interesting stop on your Sicilian charter.
Stromboli is the northernmost island of this archipelago, which can be easily reached from mainland Sicily or from any of the other Aeolian Islands. It is the only island in the world with a permanently active volcano that juts sharply out of the sea, making it a unique charter destination. Because of the small size of this remote island, land transport is not available, making it an idyllic, unspoilt destination, excellent for exploring.
Panarea is the ideal destination for a luxurious island getaway. Everyone has heard of Capri, but in Italy however, the locals know of Panarea. During the summer, VIPs, actors, and Italy's affluent youth flock to this glamorous little island for yachting vacations, romantic getaways, and late-night parties. Even though Panarea has a rich history, including the remains of a Bronze Age village, tourism has not affected it much and it is still an authentic destination.
Lipari offers an excellent choice of beaches and anchors for family charters, along with beautiful churches and museums to please lovers of history & culture. One will also find a delicious choice of local cuisine from the world renowned chefs in the lovely restaurants on the island.
Part of the Aeolian islands, Filiculi has several small villages and very fertile soil, with grapes, olives, grains and vegetables all grown here. The island is also of great archeological importance as it was a thriving site of production and trade, around 2000 BC. Capo Graziano houses the ruins of over 30 oval huts from that period. With only 300 residents on the island it is a delightful escape and a peaceful place to set anchor in one of the many quiet coves.
Cefalu is situated on the north-east of Sicily's coast and is about 70 kilometers from the eastern edge of Palermo, while Catania is about 180 kilometers north-west. A charter from Cefalu is often considered as part of a Sicilian route as it is one of the undiscovered gems of the Mediterranean. Cefalo has a great beach and old, winding medieval streets, with lovely restaurants overlooking the rugged coast, serving lovely southern Sicilian cuisine. Cefalu is home to an impressive Norman cathedral with its Byzantine mosaics and imposing twin towers, making it one of the most impressive in Europe.
Palermo, Sicily's capital, is a beautiful, historically rich Sicilian city with wonderful architecture, culture and gastronomy. This ancient European city has existed here for almost three thousand years and during that time, it has been influenced by various cultures. It is particularly noted for it's Norman architecture, churches and palaces. Palermo has numerous points of interest that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Palazzo Reale with the Cappella Palatine, the Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti and the Cattedrale di Palermo to name just a few.
Between Palermo and Trapani lies Castellammare del Golfo, a charming seaside town on Sicily's northwestern coast. The historic fishing port is situated underneath steep mountain slopes, with a beautiful curved harbour at the foot of a narrow headland topped with a castle. The town is dominated by its castle, which over time has been influenced by all the cultures who dominated Sicily over the centuries, including the Normans, Arabs and Swabians who all modified it. Lying just outside the town you'll find sea caves with frescoed walls dating back to the early Christian period and beautiful beaches for which Sicily is so well known.
The western coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea is home to many treasures and San Vito Lo Capo is one of them. Summer travelers and sailors fall hard for this corner close to Palermo thanks to the wide sandy beaches and clear blue seas. San Vito Beach is a sight for sore eyes with its white sands and soft waves sitting beneath the shadow of the impressive Monte Monaco.
An impressive Blue Flag beach, it stretches on for almost 3km and offers plenty of pretty spots for sipping a Sicilian wine and watching the light change colour. Pay a visit to the nearby Tonnara del Secco with its old ruins and tales of gigantic tuna. Take the tender to Bue Marino’s Cove to see why it was awarded the most beautiful cove in Italy. Back on land and there’s a nearby nature reserve to visit to stock up on the sweet scents and sights of flora and fauna.
Trapani is a charming seaside city situated on Sicily's west coast and serves as the perfect base from where you can embark. It is also where the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas meet, which is best viewed from the Ligny Tower located at the end of the Viale delle Sirene (Boulevard of Mermaids!). Its elegant old town is known for its museums, including the Museo Regionale Agostino Pepoli which is one of the finest art museums in Italy. You'll also come across fine, baroque architecture along the narrow, winding streets, not to mention fabulous seafood and "busiate" pasta in one of the many superb restaurants.