Sailing the Aeolian Islands

A week of slow sailing through the wild beauty of the Aeolian Islands—seven volcanic jewels adrift in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just off Sicily’s northern coast. Sleep aboard a beautifully restored wooden gulet, explore hidden coves and black-sand beaches, dine barefoot on deck beneath the stars, and awaken each day to a new island on the horizon.

This is island life at its most elemental—wind, salt, sun, and stories.

Sailing the Aeolian Islands trip Highlights

  • Sail the Aeolian archipelago aboard a private, hand-restored wooden gulet
  • Live comfortably on board with six double en-suite cabins—sleep under the stars, if you wish
  • Discover the distinct character of each island—from fiery Stromboli to lush, wine-rich Salina
  • Dine on fresh, seasonal Sicilian food prepared daily by your private onboard chef
  • Swim in crystal-clear waters, dive from the deck, and explore secret beaches
  • Hike volcanic trails, visit poetic villages, and feel the raw power of the earth beneath your feet
  • Relax under dark skies and lava-lit horizons—this is the Aeolians at their most magical

need to know..

All our itineraries are suggestions and will be designed around your personal needs and requirements

Guide price

From €500 per person, per day, including accommodations and curated experiences

Best time

June to September—warm seas, starry skies, and steady sailing winds

Perfect for

Families, close friends, sea lovers, and travelers drawn to elemental adventure

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival – Etna Foothills & Welcome Dinner
Fly into Catania and settle into the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. Enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner and sip local wines as you prepare for the voyage ahead.
Stay: Monaci delle Terre Nere – an elegant country estate where nature and design meet on Etna’s fertile flanks.

Day 2

Set Sail – Salina
Board your private sailboat and cruise north toward Salina, an island of vineyards, wild capers, and gentle hills. Hike quiet paths, sample the island’s famed Malvasia wine, and enjoy your first night anchored in a secluded bay.
Stay: Aboard your private sailboat

Day 3

Filicudi
A wilder island where donkeys still navigate narrow paths and artists find solitude. Meet a local poet, swim in azure waters, and grill the day’s catch over beach coals.

Stay: Aboard your private sailboat

Day 4

Vulcano
Approach the island of Vulcano at twilight, watching smoke curl from the crater and lava shimmer in the dusk. Bathe in thermal waters, hike to the rim of the volcano, or simply admire the view from sea.

Stay: Aboard your private sailboat

Day 5

Stromboli by Starlight
Sail toward Stromboli, the island of fire. At nightfall, witness one of the world’s most active volcanoes erupt against a dark sky—a raw, unforgettable spectacle.

Stay: Aboard your private sailboat

Day 6

Wild Waters & Secret Shores
Spend the day diving from the boat, exploring uninhabited beaches, and savoring the rhythm of life at sea. Optional hikes and snorkelling excursions available, or simply let the islands unfold at your own pace.

Stay: Aboard your private sailboat

Day 7

Day 7: Return to Catania
Disembark and return to Catania, your soul a little lighter and your heart full of salt air and island stories.

Ready to Sail the Real Sicily?

This itinerary is just the beginning. Let Alberto and the Cognoscenti Travel team design your dream voyage through Sicily’s volcanic isles—slow, personal, unforgettable.

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