Cruising Sicily

[Falshator]

Thinking of including Sicily in our cruise of the Med, but have heard a few bad things- Theft, Extortion etc. Has any one had any experience there?

[athene]

Originally Posted by Falshator

Thinking of including Sicily in our cruise of the Med, but have heard a few bad things- Theft, Extortion etc. Has any one had any experience there?

Like most places in Italian waters, you need your wits about you. However, it would be a shame to miss Sicily, especially if you're prepared to hire a car and travel around a bit.

There's a lot of info about Sicily on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki (Sicily - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki) and elsewhere in this forum if you do a search.

[Jacques2]

Never had a problem in Sicily (where we sailed 7 or 8 times in the last 20 years)... They like tourists mostly when these tourists appreciate this wonderful island and behave in a adequate way (I mean : understand their culture)...
Have a good cruise.

[jckb]

There's a one page summary of the area, listing the most useful ports, marinas and things to see at Sailing Sicily, Malta and South Italy | JimB Sail . The east coast towns (Except Messina), Etna, and the Aeolian Islands are some of the great attractions of the Mediterranean. If transiting the Messina straits, obey the TSS rules and call the coast guard!

JimB

[ticia]

Hi. We are from Porto Dell'Etna, Riposto Catania. Our beautiful Jean Berret, is moored just alongside of this beautiful marina.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need info, although this will be our first summer on our sailing boat and have no sailing experience, I live in Sicily, Italy since 1977 (Australian/Italian citizen).

I honestly feel that you could have an exciting and relaxing time. My other half works at the Eolian Islands, the "seven sisters": expensive but breathtaking.

[boatman61]

I've never had any bad experience's on the S Coast.. and I usually stop at the 'Godfather's' home town...
I've generally found them friendly and hospitable...

[ticia]

I have! My very first experience to Giardini Naxos pier. We moored without problems, and stopped for a wonderful pizza at "La Lanterna", but when it was time to head back home, we got trapped within the mooring ropes and regardless of 3 efforts to free our propeller an SOS was required. It cost us "big" money to get out of that marina.
Never interfere with sicilian fishermens' buoys! Next time round, we'll just "pay" our way at private marinas at Giardini Naxos.... That's what I have learned from this bad experience.

[CharterCaptain]

Hi Ticia,
I am bringing a crew to sail the Aolean Islands the first week of June. Can you give me any recommendations for good anchorages or restaurants or places to visit?
Thanks!
Ron

[ticia]

At the time being, I don't have any info on anchorages sorry simply because we have no experience,yet! What I can tell you is that there's a private marina located at Pignataro, Lipari (only 2,5 km from the port of Lipari). Private piers are located in between and I am Learning from Jerry who works on the Island, that prices are from Euro 130,00 per day during in august (high season).
It seems that a high ranked sicilian restaurant at Lipari is "La Pulera", located just around the block of Lipari. "Filippino" on top of the monastery, is indeed popular. Prices are medium high.
Pasticceria "Subba" on the main Avenue at Lipari is the best you can get. Try the granita and gelato.

tricia

[CharterCaptain]

Thanks Tricia!
I think we'll be avoiding the expensive marinas but we"ll check out your cuisine recommendations!
I'll post back after my trip with my own suggestions.
Ron