On this two-week trip you’ll explore Sicily’s west coast and its islands. From unwinding a few days in Cefalù to sailing out the Egadi Islands on board a private sailing yacht and snorkelling and diving in crystalline water, you’ll make the most of this beautiful coast. After 7 days on the water embark on a cycling adventure along the south-west coast passing the Salt Route and all the way down to the impressive ruins of Selinunte where the temples stand on a high plain overlooking the sea and are flanked by golden beaches.
DAY 1-3 CEFALU’
Flying either into Palermo or Catania airport you’ll privately transferred to your hotel in Cefalù.
Just outside the town, Le Calette Hotel is set amidst lush gardens and its own cove. Make the most of the hotel’s private beaches, from the rocky beach with a bathing platform to a little wild cove at the end of a path amidst prickly pears and steps carved into the rock, to the wide sandy beach of Cefalù that can be reached by the hotel shuttle.
In the afternoon stroll in town for the ice cream ritual or opt for a horseback ride through the woods of the Madonie Nature Reserve. Soak up the atmoshere of medieval villages and step into a farm producing the very unique Manna which, in this case, does not come from Heaven but from the ash trees of these woods.
On day 3 we’ll drive you to Trapani harbour stopping along the way in Palermo for a fun cultural discovery of the town. Riddles, clues and symbols placed here and there by the “Genius of Palermo” will make children discover the fascinating thousand-year history of this city. After testing first-hand why Palermo is number 5 in the world for the street food, continue your journey to Trapani harbour where you’ll be welcomed by your captain aboard your sailboat and home for the next 7 days.
Take a stroll in the old town, dine on local cuscus and stay overnight on board before sailing off tomorrow morning.
SET OFF ON YOUR 7 DAY SAILING ADVENTURE
Kick off your adventure early in the morning and sail out to the butterfly-shaped island of Favignana, the main of the three Egadi Islands off the western coast of Sicily.
Think 3 small islands for locals and long-stay regulars surrounded by a protected marine reserve. If the strong colours of the Aeolian Islands are the deep blue of the sea and the black of its volcanic earth, the Egadi Islands are definitely turquoise and you’d never stop swimming and snorkeling in the aquamarine waters of Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra.
FAVIGNANA ISLAND
Rich in marine life and with a number of remains and shipwrecks, these turquoise waters have been the theatre of one of the most legendary battles in the history. The final battle of the first Punic War was fought here in 241 BC and many artifacts still lie on the seabed.
Go ashore to the Stabilimento Florio to see a trove of amphorae and rostrums and get a real sense of the fascinating history of local “mattanza”. An ancient method of catching giant bluefin tuna during their spring migration from the west coast of Africa, la mattanza was carried out in Favignana until 2007.
Being mostly flat, cycling is the most popular way to get around the island and we’ll provide you with rental bikes.
MARETTIMO ISLAND
Soak up the sun and chill on the deck while sailing to Marettimo and its dramatic coastline. Named the Dolomites in the sea, sharing the same rock of the famous Italian mountains, Marettimo has precipitous dolomitic cliffs plunging into the sea and several spectacular grottos to swim in.
Almost untouched by tourism, this fishermen island is an authentic hideway and offers some serious opportunities for hiking to Roman ruins and along scenic trails winding through the Mediterranea macchia.
Make your way to the Bar Tramontana for a granita and dine at our favourite restaurant. With the menu dictated by what the fishermen have found in their nets, dining in Marettimo is all about fantastic seafood. Don’t miss the lobster soup if available.
LEVANZO ISLAND & ZINGARO NATURAL RESERVE
The day after you’ll sail to the little picture-postcard island of Levanzo. After snorkeling in its clear waters, take an ice-cream at the boat dock and go far back in history to the Cava del Genovese to see the graffiti and the rock paintings dating back to the Palaeolithic.
After jumping from the rocks that surround most coves and to feasting on local tuna, you’ll sail to the coast and your next ports of call will be the white sandy beach of San Vito Lo Capo and the enchanting bays, coves and crystalline waters of Lo Zingaro natural park.
BIKING DAYS
After a week of sailing and a leisurely day on the coast, it’s time to cycle down the south-west coast.
Having your bags transferred for you throughout the itinerary, you’ll ride along the panoramic Salt Road dotted with salt pans, windmills and salt houses -mountains of salt-covered with tiles – , taste local wines at a historic winery and stay overnight in a cosy hotel in the town of Marsala with plenty of nice spots to dine nearby.
Tomorrow’s ride will take you cycling through the historic centre of Mazara del Vallo looking very much like an Arabic medina, all the way down to the impressive ruins of Selinunte where the temples stand on a high plain overlooking the sea and are flanked by golden beaches. What a sunset!
Your home for the final 3 night stretch of this trip will be a refined wine resort set between the vineyards and the sea and belonging to Sicilian wine’s producers Planeta family. Take a dip in the pool and unwind over a delicious dinner washed down with Planeta’s awarded wines.
During your stay make the most of the long coastline of sandy beaches, wild lilies in the sand and waters awarded Blue Flags for over 20 consecutive years. The private Planeta beach club is at 10 minutes drive from the resort.
On your final day take a circular ride to explore the rolling vine-covered hills of the wine country of Menfi and, pedalling along a cycle path made out of a disused railway line, step into a winery to taste some of the area’s finest wines.
The present itinerary and the suggested accommodation are just examples to give you an idea of what your customised trip may look like. Get in touch to design together your very own trip to Sicily.
when to go
Jun-Oct
transport style
Private Driver / Self-drive
length
13 nights
with WHOM
Family
where will you stay
Cefalù, Le Calette
Just outside the town, Le Calette Hotel is set amidst lush gardens and its own cove. Make the most of the hotel’s private beaches, from the rocky beach with a bathing platform to a little wild cove at the end of a path amidst prickly pears and steps carved into the rock, to the wide sandy beach of Cefalù that can be reached by the hotel shuttle.
Sail Boat
From clear waters to strong winds, the Egadi Islands are perfect for true sailors and those seeking pristine nature. Thanks to “great wind and sailing conditions and a race course area among the most beautiful maritime settings in the world” Trapani has been one of the venues for the 32nd America's Cup. Our fleet at the Egadi Islands features mainly highly performing monohulls perfect if you’re looking for that sense of wind and waves, like Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 519 16 m and Beneteau Oceanis 45 14 m. Alternatively, you can as well set sail on top-notch catamarans for unparalleled comfort and good sailing performances like Lagoon 52 16 m.
MENFI, La Foresteria Planeta
Belonging to Sicilian wine’s producers Planeta family and arguably one of Sicily's prime wine hotels, La Foresteria Planeta Estate stands between the vineyards and the sea. The private beach club is at 10 minutes drive from the estate and the colourful and refined individually decorated rooms have all a private terrace.
About FAMILY Way of Travel
Splashing in a turquoise sea in the morning and finding potsherds on a archaeological trek amidst Greek temples in the afternoon should get the whole crew on board. Still in doubt? add a couple of active volcanoes as giant playgrounds.
Two more reasons, a serious one: you’ll be in expert hands who have been dozens of times with their families to all these places. A less serious one: no one more than Sicilians “love The Family”!
