13 days cruising on a luxury yacht from Malta to Italy

Upon arrival at Malta airport, a host from your luxury yacht will welcome you to the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta’ Malta), an archipelago which is situated centrally in the Mediterranean, and covers just over 300 kilometers in land area. With a lovely range of harbours and anchorages you could easily spend seven days just exploring Malta by superyacht.

It is one of Europe’s smallest and most densely populated countries with a 2008 estimate of 413,609 people. Maltese is the national language and a co-official language with English. The Euro is their currency.

Throughout history, Malta’s location has given it great strategic importance and a sequence of powers including the Phoenicians, Romans, Fatimids, Sicilians, Knights of St. John, and the French and British have all ruled the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a Republic in 1974.

Malta is known for its world heritage sites including the Megalithic Temples which are the oldest free-standing structures in Europe. Valletta, the capital city offers shopping and unequalled Maltese ambiance.

After a night of rest, motor about one hour to Comino Island or anchor on the beautiful beaches of Gozo. Historically, this beautiful island has always been distinct from mainland Malta; different milestones, traditions, happenings and topography have distinguished the Island both on a national scale and as a travel destination.

A lower population density and the slower process of urbanisation have contributed to conserving the Island’s characteristic aura of a slow pace. Comino Island is all about reviving, relaxing, and the finest sustenance. While you sleep, the crew will make an overnight run to Siracusa 85 NM or 8.5 hours away.

Siracusa (Syracuse) is located near the southeastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast. It is built on an ancient Greek settlement founded by the Corinthians in 734 BC. Some of the ancient sights to see in Syracuse are located in Ortigia (Ortegia), the medieval city’s historic centre.

The Temple of Minerva, Teminite Hill, an archeological park near Viale Teracati and Via G. Emanuele Rizzo and the Temple of Apollo, or Artemis will round out your visit to the area that once rivaled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world.

Your yacht will leave early morning to make a leisurely 49NM (4.9 hours) run up the eastern coast to the historic town of Taormina, which clings high above the cliffs. The best way in is to drop anchor just off the island. If you’d like, spend the afternoon in picturesque Taormina which is built on terraces that cascade down to the sea.

If you choose a walking tour you will pass cobblestone piazzas, elegant boutiques for your shopping pleasure and outdoor cafes en route to the spectacular Greek Theatre.

Mount Etna rises majestically in the distance to create a stunning backdrop for the ingenuity of the Greeks.

For the more adventuresome guests, a trip can be organised to explore Mount Etna while others shop in beautiful Taormina.

Sicilian cuisine in one of the many restaurants in Taormina or take advantage of dining aboard your yacht this evening, reflecting on the day’s adventure and relaxing under the stars will lend the perfect end to a perfect day.

After a sail of 70NM (6.36 hours) from Taormina, the Lipari Group of Islands rise with grandeur from the Tyrrhenian Sea where you can spend the day cruising the largest group of the Aeolian Islands.

You may opt to have fun in the sun with the many water sport activities or motor to Vulcano and view the fantastic lava formations.

A shore visit via tender will give you an afternoon of leisure while you meander through Lipari’s, the largest island’s narrow streets.

While you sleep, your yacht will effortlessly carry you on the wings of the sea for 81.78NM (7.5 hours) to Palermo.

Palermo’s architecture is compelling and eclectic. This Sicilian port and capital has been the seat of power for several ruling cultures. Each of those cultures has left its own mark on the architecture of the city.

The St. Francis of Assisi church was built between 1255 and 1277 and represents a medieval incarnation of church architecture. Outside the city of Palermo is the Ruins of Solunto, one of the oldest Phoenician settlements on the island. Palermo is the most conquered city in the region. With each and every culture that arrived, the food underwent a change as dramatic as the architecture. Today, Palermo enjoys some of the most distinct foods anywhere. Aside from all the local dishes, you can usually find the sources of those long ago influences in their purest form.

In the centre of the city there is pizza! It is here that visitors will learn that pizza isn’t necessarily what most people think.

Sfincione is the local pizza dish. It contains no cheese and has different toppings than American pizza.

In an early morning departure, your yacht will travel 34 NM (3.5 hours) from Palermo to Ustica small island that is only 9 kilometers across. There is a regular ferry service from the island of Ustica to Palermo, Italy.

In 1989, at the major Ustica town of Faraglioni, excavations unearthed what was a large prehistoric village dating from the 13th century BC. The foundations of 300 stone-built houses were discovered, and the defensive walls of the settlement are among the strongest fortifications of any period known in Italy.

The current population boasts 1,330 people. The main industry is scuba diving due to the island’s volcanic geology. Your day will consist of relaxing, exploring, water sports, and enjoying!

During the night you will be lulled into bliss by the rhythm of the sea as you travel 88NM (8 hours) to visit more of the Lipari Islands.

You will awake this morning to find yourself tucked between the toe of Italy’s boot and Sicily. You will motor passed Strombili, the “Black Giant”, which is one of the few constantly active volcanoes in the world with a view from the sea that is unforgettable.

The afternoon can be spent anchored in a remote bay near the island of Lipari, where you can relax, sunbathe, and take a light lunch or how about travelling to Panarea, the smallest island of the archipelago, where you can relax in a mud bath created from a natural spring.

During the course of these two glorious days you will explore, eat, drink and be dazzled by the sights and sounds of the sea amid these remote treasures of the Mediterranean.

The journey under the stars will be from the Lipari’s 125NM (11.5 hours) to Positano.

Positano is known as “the Gem of the Divine Coast of Amalfi” and is one of the highlights of a private cruise or luxury yacht charter in Italy. It is located at the southern foot of Monti Lattari or the Milkmen Mountains. Your yacht will remain at anchor near Positano all day where you can gaze at the town that rises vertically from the steep incline of the mountains, which originates from the sea.

Water sports, shopping, basking in beauty; your imagination for the day is the limiting fun factor.

On your command, your yacht will whisk you to the Isle of Capri which is 10NM (1 hour) from Positano.

Capri is a breathtaking area of natural beauty in the Bay of Naples where you will be able to enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruise along the coast of the island where it is possible to reach parts of the island that are completely inaccessible by other means.

Discover Grotta Bianca, the natural Arch, the Faraglioni rocks, and the Bay of Marina Piccola.