MEDSAILORS ITALY | Sailing the Aeolian Islands

Cannoli. Arancini. Gelato.

If these three words haven’t convinced you to visit Sicily already, keep on reading to discover the highlights of the Aeolian Islands and what the MedSailor’s Italy route has to offer!

Spiaggia dell’Asino (Pizza Beach)

On the south side of Vulcano lies Spiaggia dell’Asino, a black sand beach equipped with its own restaurant/bar that serves piping hot pizza and super strong drinks. Dance the night away under the stars, and enjoy a sunset, midnight or morning paddle in this secluded cove.

Lipari

Enjoy lunch and a swim in the turquoise waters off Acquacalda Beach, a small village and pumice quarry full of abandoned buildings.

The setting is divine, and it’s a great way to work up an appetite before docking at the port and exploring all the bakeries, gelato shops and restaurants on offer! There are also some neat cathedrals and churches to wander through, and alleyways full of cats 😻

Stromboli

A definite highlight of the trip, hike to the summit of this active volcano and watch lava erupt every 10-15 minutes, up close and personal! You can also see the eruptions on a clear night from the boats, but nothing quite beats conquering the climb, walking through sulphur and ash, enjoying arancini at the summit, and ‘skiing’ down the volcanic sand in the pitch black, headlamps and all 💪🏻

Panarea

Providing a welcomed respite from the rough seas, the protected bays around Panarea are perfect for a swim stop.

Salina

Hire a scooter or a car and explore the island of Salina. Whether you’re after some wine tasting, cannoli hunting, taking a dip at the stunning Pollara Beach, or a hot land shower, Salina has got you covered! Take a stroll through the colourful streets and end your day with a lovely meal at Mamma Santina.

Vulcano

Swim under the impressive view of Vulcano’s smoking crater and enjoy your final night with the gang. There are also mud baths to explore should you enjoy the smell of sulphur and the outdoor spa experience.

What to pack

• Plenty of swimsuits, SPF, beach towel and a trusty cap
• Sea legs for those choppy days out at sea. If you need to buy tablets locally, the most effective way to communicate ‘sea sickness pills’ is to say “boat” and mime swaying on the ocean (100% success rate!)
• A few warm layers for the summit of the Stromboli hike (e.g. merino layer, light fleece and windproof jacket). Comfy hiking boots, socks and headlamps are available for hire, and you will be given a helmet (and eye goggles if you wear contact lenses to protect them from the ash, sulphur gas and sand)
• Insect repellant
• BYO drinks, snacks and games
• And finally, some sweet beats and your dancing shoes – or simply feel the sand beneath your toes at Pizza Beach 🙂

Food

Ready to carb-load? The Sicilian cuisine is heavy on seafood pastas and pizzas, accompanied by a large wine selection. My favourite had to be the on-the-go, deep fried risotto balls (arancini), with flavours ranging from the traditional ragù, to vegetarian options such as mushroom, spinach and cheese. For a sweet treat, the locals have nailed their pistachio desserts, whether you opt for a gelato or semifreddo. The ultimate treat in my opinion though, are the cannoli – tube-shaped pastry shells filled with ricotta cream – delizioso!

Weather

As the Italy sail season spans the end of summer, expect some cooler evenings and bring along some light, long-sleeve layers. Be prepared for changes in routes/activities as Mother Nature has her own idea of what’s to come! Rest assured, the skippers will park up in bays that are as calm as possible, and change the itinerary to better suit the forecast. If all else fails, you have a boat-full of new friends to hang out with on those rainy days, just keep the snack corner well stocked! 🙂

Extra tips

The Italian’s enjoy their pennichella, an afternoon rest or nap period (more commonly known as a “siesta”) between the hours of 1pm to 4pm, so expect quiet streets and shops to be closed.

For a live action recap of our sail week, check out the video below and stay tuned for the upcoming blog post and pics of our road trip around the main land of Sicily. Happy watching!