Aeolian Islands Family Yachting
Aeolian Islands Family Yachting, Italy
Family Sailing is an all-inclusive sailing holiday. Yachts sail in a fleet of two to four vessels allowing guests to enjoy the most beautiful archipelagos of the Mediterranean Sea from the comfort of a modern luxury boat whilst at the same time providing fun and games for the children. This innovative concept offers a crewed sailing yacht designed with families or groups of friends in mind, with a separate boat exclusively for activities and sailing classes for the younger guests on board. This way while the adults will have a chance to explore and enjoy the best of the Aeolian archipelago in peace, the children under the watchful eye of dedicated childcare professionals experience an adventure of their own having fun and navigating by themselves. The choice of boats, the attention given to each single detail, the short transfer times, the sheltered bays and the sailing (which we only do if the weather is pleasant and the wind just right) make for an unforgettable Family Sailing experience.
THE BOATS
You may choose between three different types of vessels, which accommodate 8 -10 PAX. Boats are rented entirely, cabin only bookings are not accepted.
- 4 cabins - 14 mtr. Sailyacht max 8 pax, equipped with: 4 double cabins, 3 bathrooms with shower Separate crew cabin
- 5 cabins - 15 mtr. Sailyacht max 10 pax, equipped with: 4 double cabins and 1 cabin with twin bunk beds 3 bathrooms with shower Separate crew cabin
- 4 cabins - 13 mtr. Catamaran max 8 pax, equipped with: 4 double cabins, 4 bathrooms with shower Separate crew cabin
ALL BOATS ARE EQUIPPED WITH
- Fine linens and bath towels
- Hairdryer
- Bathroom amenities
- 1 outdoor shower with hot water
- Beach towels
- Large beanbags and hammock on the bow
- Bluetooth audio entertainment
- Wi-Fi (available with 3G coverage)
- Tender with outboard engine
- Welcome kit with sarong, raincoat, hat, sunscreen, after-sun cream and Crossing The Sea T-shirts for children
Extra on request on selected boats
- Air conditioning & 220V generator
Food
Italian cuisine is always a crowd pleasr and we offer you a truly gastronomic experience made from the best ingredients and flavours with everything sourced fresh and in season. Dishes are prepared aboard and offer you a chance to sample traditional Italian cuisine with a touch of modernity to please even the most discerning of palates. You will be sent a form for you to specify your tastes and preferences before departure to ensure the meals are always delicious and to your liking. Children have a special menu designed with them in mind. Our professional crew will be ready at any time of the day to prepare a healthy snack or drink on request.
Activities for Children
There is a 14-meter boat dedicated to our younger sailors aged 5-14 with a skipper-cum-sailing coach and animators. Every morning after breakfast (the exact time depends on that day’s schedule) the kids will make their way to their boat to pass the day learning to sail and playing games. Children eat lunch and dinner and can even help preparing meals in the galley on their daytime boat. During the daily sailing transfers, they will also take turns co-steering the boat. Games and activities on board, in the sea and on the beach include water sports, exploring the islands, treasure hunts, board games and stories. *If the instructor feels a child is unable to participate comfortably in an activity involving swimming, swimming aids and buoyancy devices will be provided. Alternatively, the instructor may also suggest the child tries an alternative activity with the chef or hostess.
ALL INCLUSIVE FORMULA
- 7-night stay on your choice of sailing yacht
- 6 breakfasts on board
- 6 light lunches (on board or on an exclusive beach)
- 4 dinners (on board or in a tavern) *
- snacks and soft drinks, wine and spirits **
- daily maid service and boat reorganization
- linen/towel change midweek
- port and fuel taxes
- excursion in Salina with quads bikes, scooters or by car
- transfers to and from the cellar on the plateau of Lipari
- children's entertainment throughout the day on the deidicated kids entertainment boat at the Kid’s Club
- availability of games and sports equipment on board including SUP, sea-scooters, masks and fins
*To allow you the freedom to enjoy each island we visit by yourself, dinners in Panarea, Stromboli and Salina tavern are not included. If you do not want to leave the boat your hostess will gladly prepare you a simple meal aboard.
**Alcohol and spirits are included, subject to moderate consumption: 24 bottles of wine and 4 bottles of local spirits per boat per week.
Excluded:
• airfares
• airport transfers
• insurance
• water sports facilities at the centre - water skiing, canoeing and banana boat ride
• gratuities and tips
Safety for children aboard:
- certified lifejackets flotation arm bands
- safety nets on the guardrails of the boats that house children under the age of 5
Sports equipment and games:
- Fins, masks and everything needed for snorkelling on every boat
- 2 SUP boards
- 2 sea-scooters
- Fishing equipment
- 3 dinghies with oars for children
- Inflatable Bigmouth and Sunnylife Water guns
- Board games (cards, Checkers, Chess, Scrabble)
- DVD with a selection of films
The outdoor collection:
- Geometric designer sunshades
- Oversized beanbag pillows
Get ready to explore the Aeolian Archipelago!
Embark and disembark: Portorosa Marina, North Sicilian coast.
Saturday
The journey begins by meeting your Skipper, the children meeting their instructors at the Kid's Club and then, at 5 pm., you set sail from Portorosa. Sailing begins along the northern coast of Sicily, to the island of Vulcano. After a welcome dinner of traditional food on the beach, you will spend your first night under the stars at cape Asino.
Sunday
A relaxing breakfast on board and a first morning swim before sailing towards Lipari where you will spend a peaceful morning on the beach at Punta Levante with crystal clear waters. The children swim, play and start to get comfortable with life at sea. The crew will set up a private beach for the adults where they can relax in the shade of the designer sun cloths and enjoy a snack and a drink. In the afternoon, you will sail to the island of Panarea to spend the night in the harbor in front of the picturesque village of San Pietro. While the little sailors will hoist the pirate flag on the fleet, the adults will be free to make the most of one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous nightlife spots.
Monday
After breakfast you will head off to explore the deserted islets of Basiluzzo and Lisca Bianca. After lunch you will sail onto Stromboli. Stromboli is the perfect volcano, at dusk you can chose to hike to the top to admire it from the peak or spend the evening in the cozy atmosphere of the village below. Afterwards, everybody will meet on board to circumnavigate Stromboli toward the ‘sciara di fuoco’ and admire the eruption from the sea.
Tuesday
After a morning of relaxation on the beautiful black sands of Stromboli beach for the adults, and a volcanic treasure hunt for the youngsters, you will sail to Salina. The bay of Pollara awaits with its crystal clear waters and the chirping of the cicadas to welcome you. Here you will be experience a truly beautiful sunset and dinner aboard under the stars. The bravest of the guests, adults or children, can take the chance to have a night swim in a sea of light.
Wednesday
An excursion day to explore the island by scooter, quadbike or car (in case you’ve managed to get yourself into holiday mode so totally that you can’t bear the thought of walking). The excursion captures the essence of Salina, taking you to the most intimate pockets of nature on the island and to see the most stunning views from the best vantage points. In the evening you are free to continue exploring and to get to know the island's gastronomy, it will be hard to pick where to eat when you see the choice of impeccable restaurants and dishes waiting for you.
Thursday
Today you will turn the bow to sail towards Lipari. Here you can take a dip in the turquoise waters of the fascinating post industrial site of the Pomice quarries. Later in the day when the sun eases off a little, you can venture through the streets of the beautiful village of Lipari, the proud capital of the archipelago. Watching the sunset from the terraces of a beautiful cellar on the plateau of Lipari the day will end with a farewell dinner. The view spans the archipelago and Sicily giving you a magnificent backdrop for the evening. Sit back and enjoy knowing that the children will be entertained at their own dedicated kids party.
Friday
After breakfast you will sail to Vulcano, to enjoy a morning of swimming in the sea at the pool of Venus. Later in the afternoon, you will experience a sulphur spa or explore the volcanic craters. Dinner will be served aboard to give you a chance to see the lights of the island parade, while sailing back to the Portorosa marina in Sicily.
Saturday
Time to pack and bid farewell the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. In the morning you will checkout and disembark. The crew will wish you a safe onwards journey, but don’t worry, we are sure we’ll see you again next summer…
*The planned itinerary may vary depending on the wind and sea conditions