Travel activities
WINERY VISITS AND WINE TASTINGS
Across the territory of the Aeolian Islands, you will have the opportunity to take part in some unforgettable wine tastings and discover the local wine culture and have the chance to dive into the ancient wine traditions of this wonderful archipelago, where numerous archaeological finds of wine amphorae testify how winemaking is deeply rooted in the local customs. The volcanic soils and exposure to the sea breeze that characterize the Aeolians create the ideal conditions to obtain wines with good character. Besides the two native varieties of the Aeolians, Malvasia delle Lipari and Corinto Nero, other common varieties found on the islands include Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, Nocera, Inzolia and Catarratto.
Here some of the best wineries: Fenech, Hauner Winery, Cantine Colosi, Tenuta di Castellaro, Tasca D’Almerita, Cantine Stevenson.
SCUBA DIVING IN THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS
The Aeolian Islands are a paradise for divers of all levels, offering a huge diversity of sea beds, vegetation, fauna, reefs, caves, craters, corals and more with more than 20 different diving spots around the seven islands. Starting from Lipari, there is the possibility to reach all of the islands with a fast boat and everything, from equipment to a scuba diving instructor, can be rented in Lipari Islands, the main starting point. There are in fact many diving centers to help you discover the amenities of the islands guiding you in half day dives and night dives.
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM IN LIPARI
The Aeolian archaeological museum is dedicated to its founder Luigi Bernabò Brea, thanks to whom today we can take a dip in the past through elements and finds. The visit is recommended for everyone: not only for enthusiasts and history lovers but especially for families with children, if you do not mind spending an “alternative” afternoon among excavations and exhibition halls. The museum is located at the top of the fortress of Lipari Castle, next to perfectly visible archaeological excavations, and is composed of several pavilions and retraces about 7500 years of history, starting from the Neolithic up to the present day. Reconstructions of prehistoric huts, obsidian fragments, ceramics, vases, jewels, amphorae recovered from the bottom of the sea, and figured terracotta that excites young and old along the visit itinerary.
COOKING LESSONS: SICILIAN CUISINE
Get your private cooking lesson from the onboard chef. Learn how to prepare real italian’s noodles from scratch, make one of the typical sauces and present it on a dish, like a real chef. Surprise everyone with your new cooking skills!
Travel organizer tips
Do I need to have sailing experience to book a cruise ?
Guests on board are not expected to have any sailing experience, or a license.
The captain, and any other crew present, will take care of sailing maneuvers, moorings and anchoring. Still, if you are interested, you can ask to help the captain with some easy task either to set the sails, during mooring and anchoring (for example using the remote to throw or weigh the anchor) or even taking the helm while safely out at sea. All in the spirit to have some fun and participate in everyday life on board.
Seasickness, what to do ?
Our recommendation is to be careful on the start of your holiday: do not spend time inside the cabin while the boat moves, go outside to take some fresh air, look at the panorama and stay still as much as possible, so your body will get used to the movement and the next days you will feel good! If this does not work then there are some things you can do to minimize the effects. Ginger: raw, candied or brewed in a tea, is a cheap and delicious remedy. Sea bands, elastic bracelets that put pressure on a point that is believed to relieve nausea. And finally medication, as there are a number of drugs available from your doctor that can help soothe the nerves in your inner ear or suppress the brain’s response to seasickness.
How do I get on board from the airport ?
If the offer for transport is not already given with the logistic information upon completing the booking, then the best way is to contact Intersailclub staff. For shared cruises sometimes a taxi transfer can be organized for all the guests arriving in the same airport at similar times, so as to divide the costs of a car or taxi. For private cruises, it is alway best to organize the transfer in advance, so as to avoid last minute high rates at airports. Finally there are always some public transports options to reach the embarking point and Intersailclub can help you interface with the trip organizer, to give you good advice on all available options.
What happens on a typical day on board ?
Every day will be quite different from the other, as the beauty of being on a boat is just this! No two days will be the same. The boat moves along an itinerary that is partly decided by the captain beforehand and partly influenced by the weather. Sometimes the boat will be anchored in a bay and sometimes moored in a marina. If you want to go on land, you will either be brought by the captain with the dinghy (a small rubber boat, with engine) or simply step down on the pontoon. Enjoying some local life, going on a shopping spree, eating in the local restaurants, participating in local activities (winery visits, trekking, biking, cooking classes and more) and generally sightseeing is a fundamental part of your sailing holiday just like swimming, sunbathing and relaxing on board in those moments when going to land will not be practical.
What do I put in my luggage ?
The available space for luggage on a sailing vessel is limited. A soft canvas luggage is the best solution, since it can be folded and stored at the bottom of the wardrobe. No need to bring with you too many clothes, you will mostly use swimsuits and some light clothes for when you will step on solid ground, perhaps something special for a night out. Just don’t forget your sunscreen (30 , at sea the sun hits harder!), a hat, sunglasses, flippers, swimsuits galore and a beach towel, some earbuds for music and to bring something that will keep you warm, because even during summer at night it gets quite cold at sea!
Should you need to bring with you more luggage, for any reason, then contact the staff to help you organize proper storage for it.
Can I bring my children on board ?
The answer is yes…for the most part! For shared cruises, children are allowed on board from 9 years old onward, as smaller children might be difficult to handle among strangers and influence the experience of the other guests negatively. For this reason still some shared cruise organizers might not accept young people under the age of 14.
For private cruises, there is really no limit to the age of small children on board and the general consensus is that small children on board, alway have a fun time.
If bringing a child on board, especially from 1 to 6 years old, you might want to invest in a safety net, which is put around the railings by the trip organizer for a fee, and diminishes the risk of slipping from the deck into the sea. For the same reason always take care to have on board life jackets appropriate for the weight of the child, they are not given by default, so either buy your own or ask for them as an extra.
