Catania Tropea Lipari Palermo

My next crew Shirani and Kurt arrived August 4th 2012 evening, and we went to the fishmarket for the traditional dinner at Osteria Antica. Next morning we sailed north to Taormina and anchored again south of the railway station. From Taormina we sailed north tacking through Messina Strait and finally moored at a bouy near the harbor of Scilla and visited impressive Castello Ruffo. 

Next day we continued further north, rounded Capo Vaticano and moored at Tropea Marina. In the evening we climbed up to the old City and enjoyed the medieval buildings, bought the famous red onions, and had a late and traditional dinner at Osteria del Pescatore. On August 8th with weak northerly winds we sailed west to Stromboli, where we looked at the vulcano late at night and anchored as usual northeast of the village. Next day we sailed via a swimming-stop at Panarea to Lipari, where we anchored south of the city, visited the castle, and had dinner at Kasbah. In the morning we continued to Vulcano, and moored at Marina Nautico Levante. 

Late afternoon we climbed up to the crater, smelled sulfur, and looked over all Aeolian Islands from the summit. I ruined my boots on the hot surface, but made it back to our boat finally. On July 11th we sailed southeast to Milazzo and moored at Marina Nettuno, where my old crew left and my daughter Sophie came on board and we had a welcome dinner at Al Bagatto. 

Next day westerly winds brought us back to Stromboli, where we joined an excursion to the summit of the vulcano in the evening. After a 4 hours climb we looked down in the glowing crater, experienced smashing explosions and rains of vulcanic ash. Climbing down through fields of ash, which was like skiing in snow, we arrived on board after midnight. We motored to our usual viewing place at the foot of Sciara del Fueco and enjoyed some more explosions with a good glas of Nero d'Avola. After some sleep at anchor north of Stromboli village we spent a day of rest at anchor in Zimari Bay south of Panarea. 

After sunset we anchored east of Marina Corta, Lipari and had a good dinner at Kasbah. Early on August 16th we sailed west to Palermo and spent the night at anchor in Mondello Bay. Next day afternoon we moored in Palermo at SalPancore and had dinner at Cibus, 

After a day visiting the markets and sights of Palermo we waited for two more crew-members to continue our cruise.





This cruise took 13 days with 83 hours sailing a distance of 375sm. You may download our track in gpx-format or view it directly on Google Maps.