Sicily – Ustica – Arbatax – Palau – Sardinia
Day 1: Sicily’s northern coast, with steep mountains dropping into the sea, fertile lemon and orange groves and varied beaches, is among the island’s most beautiful regions. Arrive in Palermo, embarkation and reception with champagne at 6pm. We introduce the ship and give a preview of the expected journey. Palermo, the capital of Sicily with 750,000 inhabitants, is a city you can either love or not, but in any case fascinating – and a story in itself. We will anchor nearby, west at Porto Arenella.
Day 2: In the morning, we raise anchor and sail west along Sicily’s northern coast to Trapani. Beautifully situated in the far north-west, on a headland. Trapani is a lively coastal town with a picturesque old town and breathtaking views of the Egadi Islands ahead. Trapani, by the way, combines the best of Sicily: sunshine, beaches, history, culture, food and wine.
We might also sail through to Sardinia at night and anchor off Kap Carbonara, the narrow peninsula in south-eastern Sardinia. Again, the two small islands off the coast, Isola Serpentara and Isolei le Cavoli, offer the panorama of a lighthouse island.
Day 3: Today we sail further along the east coast, perhaps making a stopover in Villaputzu. This picturesque coastal town, located on the north coast of the Flumendosa, is surrounded by Mediterranean maquis and rugged cliffs. For beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts, Villaputzu’s ‘Porto Corallo’ resort on the Costa Rei is a real highlight.
Day 4: A longer sailing trip takes us along the beautiful coastline and we enjoy life on board. The port town of Arbatax and the quiet village of Santa Maria Navarrese invite us to stay in the marina, while we quietly admire the famous red cliffs of Capo Bellavista near Arbatax from the sea. We might also take a coastal walk to the rock Pedra Longa, right by the sea, accessible by a beautiful path from Santa Maria Navarrese.
Day 5: A beautiful sailing trip takes us further to the Gulf of Orosei, with paradisiacal beaches, secluded coves and mysterious caves. Near the steep cliffs, we will go snorkelling by dinghy, for those who wish to do so. The Gulf of Orosei, a roughly 30-km-long inlet on Sardinia’s east coast, is characterised by a gigantic limestone massif and the foothills of the Supramonte, whose up to 400-metre-high slopes drop steeply to the sea. The gorges lead through limestone coastal formations and empty into sandy bays by the sea. Here lie some of the island’s most beautiful bays, accessible only by boat.
If possible, we visit the impressive stalactite cave Grotta di Ispinigoli, with the gigantic cave accessible by a steep staircase. In the centre is a 39-metre-high stalagmite that reaches from the floor to the ceiling, the so-called ‘Spina in Gola’ (thorn in the throat). The largest stalagmite in Europe, for which we allow ourselves a local tour.
We might also visit Dorgali, which forms terraces along the slopes of the Supramonte. The village is a centre for high-quality handicrafts, such as woven carpets, ceramics, leather and crochet. Wine, cheese and local olive oil can also be sampled.
Day 6: We still fully enjoy the picturesque landscape of the Gulf of Orosei and explore the rocky coast at Cala Gonone with numerous caves. We also pass the famous Grotta del Bue Marino, using our own dinghy. Cala di Luna, for example, is a beautiful white-sand beach surrounded by rocky cliffs on both sides. In the 1970s, hippies and freaks discovered this paradise and spent both summer and winter there. Today, it is also a meeting place for freeclimbers.
Day 7: The coastal region above the Gulf of Orosei, from ‘Baroni’ to Olbia, is scenically diverse. The beautiful long dune beaches and Sardinia’s most beautiful cliffs are among the best areas of the island. Posada, a striking spot with a village and ruined castle in the national park of the same name, catches our attention. The climb is worthwhile, the village is charming and you imagine yourself in the Middle Ages. In the square, we enjoy the atmosphere and the beautiful views over the orchards and vineyards, with mountains in the background stretching to the horizon. We might also take a trip to Santa Lucia, where the white sandy beach invites a stroll along the water. A small, quiet fishing harbour and the square with an original bar are also among them.
Day 8: We sail up past the charming villages of St Teodoro and Budoni to the island of Tavolara, which lies in the Gulf of Olbia. The island is almost 600 metres high, 4 km long and 1 km wide, and its imposing limestone plateau sticks up proudly. To the west, a small headland extends into a sandy beach. It is a wonderful place to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters or explore the island on foot. Perhaps a leisurely swim at the southern steep coast attracts us. A cosy fish restaurant, a family-run business with a nice beach bar, invites you for a refreshing drink.
Day 9: In the morning, we sail along the famous Costa Smeralda and past the famous Bear Cap, Capo d’Orso, to the Maddalena Archipelago – considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and a national park since 1997. We might make a visit to the picturesque town of La Maddalena, a charming Mediterranean town of 12,000 that invites you to stroll around. Depending on time, we sail to our beautiful anchorage near Palau, Spiaggia Sciumare. Check-out is at 3pm. We will be happy to help you with transfers to Olbia airport.
This itinerary proposal is a non-binding suggestion; destinations are determined by the captain depending on wind and weather conditions. Changes and errors reserved.
