Islands of Plenty Part Two: A Sicilian Itinerary

Day 8: Taormina

It’s an early start for on day eight of our Sicilian itinerary as, anchored off the beautiful Isola Bella, we take you in BLU-EYZ for an awesome bird’s-eye view of Taormina as we head towards the summit of Mount Etna. We’ll fly high enough over the crater rim to see the molten lava of Italy’s largest and most active volcano.

Landing on the southern flank, we have arranged a horseback ride up to the summit to witness first-hand this Herculean wonder of nature. At the crater rim, you will see the table laid and some familiar faces — your chef has prepared a Voluptuous Volcanic Barbeque with vignole soup as a starter, followed by venison vol au vents baked in vine leaves and a dessert of handmade Viennese whirls dripping with homemade vanilla ice cream. It’s another unique, unforgettable PrivatSea experience.

A dusty, sedate descent takes us back to your transport back to Taormina, where a clifftop suite awaits at the world-famous Villa Ducale, a special place for special people where pure luxury has been taken to new levels by the warm, caring staff. Dinner will be on the terrace, offering spectacular views of the crystal-clear waters, where your yacht is anchored, and the colossal Mount Etna. The crew will collect you from the beach and the starlit night will be spent gently bobbing under the cliffs of Taormina.

Soar over Mount Etna’s peak smoking above the Sicilian landscape

Marvel at the sunset on board a Riposto cruise, as it paints the sky over the Mediterranean

Day 9: Riposto

This morning, ashore again after breakfast, your guide will escort you to Taormina’s imposing 10,000-seat Greek amphitheatre, where Romans and Greeks have enjoyed performances since the third century BC.

Back on board, we weigh anchor for the short cruise to Riposto. As the last line secures us to the dock, three classic cars used in The Godfather trundle towards the yacht, ready for a day devoted to the film as a Sicilian itinerary wouldn’t be complete without homage to this blockbuster! A short drive up the Sicilian hills brings you to the exact location of the wedding in the movie. Your invitations will be carefully checked by armed guards as steel gates slowly creek open to allow you into a square where a complete re-enactment is taking place and you are the guests of honour at the wedding breakfast. As you feast, the scenes from the film will be re-created, with the actors serving and sharing the same menu, staying true to the authenticity of the film. An abundance of food, wine, song and laughter with traditional Sicilian hospitality will really make you feel part of “The Family”.

The evening will be spent relaxing on board with a light supper served on the sundeck.

Head to the Valley of the temples of Agrigento to see the bronze statue of Icarus at the Temple of Concordia

Day 11: Agrigento

After a calm overnight cruise navigating the southern coast of Sicily, we drop anchor just off the beach at Heraclea Minoa, considered one of the best beaches on Sicily. This morning is for relaxation with all the water toys available. Lunch will be served on the yacht’s own “Raft Beach Club”, secured between the beach and the yacht, with a smorgasbord of freshly caught lobster, sea bass and shellfish.

Afterwards, BLU-EYZ is made ready for your next aerial adventure to Agrigento. Renowned for its Valley of the Temples, its startlingly preserved structures include the magnificent Temple of Concord, built in 440 BC. The return flight will have you admiring Sicily in the light of the setting sun out of the right-hand side of the aircraft as you gracefully touch down back on board.

This evening, we have booked the whole terrace at II Re di Girgenti, overlooking the floodlit Valley of the Temples, to enjoy traditional local food at its best. Once back on board, we weigh anchor for the overnight cruise to the island of Favignana. Your crew will set two tuna lines from the aft deck.

Day 12: Favignana

Our overnight passage may well have included catching bluefin tuna, which will be prepared for you today. As the anchor splashes into the turquoise waters of Cala Rossa, the crew will prepare the motorised kayaks for a morning of exploring the coastline. The island of Favignana is famous for its caves of calcarenite rock, bluefin tuna and exceptionally clear waters. Your crew will have set up a barbecue on one of the rock ledges, metres from the lapping waves. The table laid, a chilled Vinudilice rosé wine with a hint of apple is the perfect match for a lunch of chargrilled tuna steaks, served on a bed of rocket and cherry tomatoes, sprinkled with parmesan and drizzled with olive oil.

Later that afternoon brings us into the ancient port of Trapani, where your guide will escort you to the base of the Erice Cable Car. At more than 700m above sea level, the views from the top are breathtaking and cannot be missed on a Sicilian itinerary.

You will be guided around Trapani’s two castles, Pepoli and Venus, as the sun slowly sets over the azure Tyrrhenian Sea.

Dinner tonight will be served at Capricci and will be selected by the chef from a seasonal menu of locally sourced Sicilian fare. Relax and await the culinary delights and surprises presented at your table.

The small island of Favignana is famous for its caves and blue clear waters

Observe the enchanting wildlife at Monte Cofano Reserve

Day 13: Cornino

On your penultimate day, we will be heading towards Cornino, a sheltered anchorage where the visibility of the water extends 30m to the sea floor. We are in one of Italy’s most protected nature reserves, Monte Cofano Reserve, so today is really about getting back to nature. We have arranged a 4×4 tour to explore the flora and fauna that is as diverse as the island’s history. From eagle owls and Griffon vultures to the aquamarine lake and the Butterfly House, there is something here for everyone.

Dinner tonight will be served on the sundeck with 1,000 candles softly glowing on all four decks. The menu will be a culmination of all the flavours you have experienced in the past two weeks. Cooked on our teriyaki grill and served by the whole crew, washed down with the sweetest limoncello, the tastes and aromas of Sicily will come alive tonight.

Day 14: San Vito Lo Copo

We arrive at your last day on board, we hope you have enjoyed your Sicilian itinerary. For the crew, it has been an absolute pleasure to have you as their guests for the past two weeks. We hope we have exceeded your expectations and shown you the finest that these magical islands have to offer, and you leave with memories that will last a lifetime.

Bring your trip to a close by taking in the rustic coastline of San Vito Lo Copo