Italy

[vc_row][vc_column width= »2/3″][vc_column_text]SICILY, the history of this island is rich and varied, and can be analyzed in terms of its successive invasions by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish. Sicily is famous for its beautiful natural sites, mount Etna and the impressive coastlines of its islands and islets. Santa Agata de Militello and Portorosa are ideal starting points for the very nearby Aeolian Islands, but they also offer many other routes for week-long cruises. A mere three hours of sailing and you find yourself in the middle of an archipelago of seven islands. See the smoke and fumes of Vulcano, the white beaches of Lipari, and the slopes of Stromboli. Sailing along the coast to the east, you can explore numerous bays between Cape Orlando and Messina. Beyond the Strait of Messina, a memorable ascent of Etna, the highest volcano in Europe, can be organized. If you decide to head west, three hours sailing takes you to the famous port of Cefalu and further, to Palermo, capital of Sicily. In the West of Sicily is Marsala, a beautiful and quiet town best known for its wines, from where you can either go north to visit Egadi; or south to Pantelleria: islands of volcanic origin. Marsala is a good starting point to make the 120 nm crossing to Malta and then Tunisia.

WEATHER. The usual summer winds are from the North West, sometimes veering to the West, and only occasionally backing North East.

SARDINIA. In the north, at the base of Portisco, located on the beautiful « Emerald Coast, » the marina is part of a natural creek. The Maddalena archipelago is natural park dotted with unique beaches. In the West is the virgin island of Asinara, and to the East is the coast of the Gulf of Orosei, a habitat for monk seals. During these cruises, there are plenty of well-equipped moorings where you’ll enjoy a dream vacation in an environment of rare quality. In the South, Carloforte is the only inhabited village on the island of San Pietro. In this pristine area, it is still possible to take part in the old way of tuna fishing, called « Mattanza. » Tunisia is only 110 nm to the south.

WEATHER. Typically Mediterranean weather with an average temperature varying little during the year. Excellent sailing conditions for almost nine months.

TUSCANY, between the Tuscany coast and the islands of Elba, Puntone and, a little further north, Castiglioncello, for a cruise that will take you to the islands of Montecristo, Gigilo or to Corsica and Sardinia.

WEATHER. Prevailing winds in summer are from the West or Northwest with southeasterly winds around Capraia, Elba and the coast until you reach Giannutri. Periods of flat calm can occur, and in spring and fall, local gusts can be strong near the islands but are of very short duration.

GULF OF NAPLES. Naples and Procida, the islands of Capri, Ischia and Pontine… some 100 nm south of Naples is Agropoli where you can visit the various anchorages of the Amalfi coast and those of the Cilento and the islands in the Bay of Naples. You can also depart to the Aeolian Islands from here.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width= »1/3″][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width= »2/3″][vc_button2 title= »Download our brochure about Italy » align= »inline » style= »rounded » color= »sky » size= »md » link= »url:%20http%3A%2F%2Fatelier.cigalecommunication.fr%2Fpointdamure%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F05%2Fitalie.pdf|title:Brochure%20Italie|target:%20_blank »][/vc_column][vc_column width= »1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]