The classic Italian Grand Tour around Naples, the Amalfi Coast and to Sicily aboard a luxury charter yacht /

New year, classic destination. Naples and the Amalfi Coast are at the heart of one of the most glorious areas in Europe to explore and perhaps that’s why they were a ‘must’ during the Grand Tours of the early 19th century. The vertiginous and winding roads along this stretch of coastline make traveling by luxury yacht a more relaxing and enjoyable way to travel.

Naples and Sorrento

Naples is the capital of the region and the port from which many charter holidays in southern Italy depart. The birthplace of pizza and home to countless ice cream parlors, this energetic city is chaotic, charming and marked by the towering presence of Mount Vesuvius. Before boarding your choice of luxury yacht, sample Naples’ unique hospitality at one of the many local or international restaurants, attend the opera at the oldest opera house in the world, Real Teatro Di San Carlo, or the browse chic designer shops.

Mount Vesuvius, the infamous volcano, forms the backstory of the region and the fascinating ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum have literally been frozen in time since the eruption of AD 79. Few archaeological sites offer such an intimate portrait of the past and are so moving and evocative.

After a day spent walking the cobblestones, recharge your batteries in one of the many local thermal pools that occur naturally as a result of the area’s volcanic activity. These ancient volcanoes form the basis of the landscape of the Sorrento Peninsula and yield the sheer cliffs that are so recognizable. On top of such a cliff is the seaside town of Sorrento, which has a long history with tourists starting with visits from Lord Byron.

It’s easy to understand why the romantic poets found inspiration here among the plethora of islands that punctuate the clear blue waters. Perhaps one of the most beautiful and popular islands is Capri, known for its Blue Lagoon which reflects the light from beneath the water creating a unique spectacle. The island has long been a chic weekend retreat for the residents of Naples and as such offers sophisticated restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Most charter yachts anchor outside the main marinas in one of the quieter secluded coves from where you can be escorted ashore in your own tender or local water taxi. Many restaurants offer exclusive moorings for yacht guests, so you can arrive in style and depart discreetly while enjoying beautifully prepared fresh seafood and a glass (or two!) of fine local wine.

The Amalfi Coast

More commonly known as the Amalfi Coast, the south side of the Sorrento Peninsula is arguably one of the most spectacular and glamorous stretches of coastline in Europe. Be sure to include the town of Positano in your itinerary as this is a postcard highlight. Don’t miss the chance to taste local wines at the cellar doors and enjoy freshly caught fish prepared according to traditional recipes. The town has some of the best restaurants with the best views in the area, including La Sponda, where they like to create a romantic atmosphere with candles that take three hours to light each night. “We think it’s worth it,” says the owner.

Travel along the coast to Amalfi Town and Ravello, where you can work up an appetite by exploring the winding streets, multicolored houses, and the Piazzo del Duomo, Amalfi Cathedral, and Villa Rufolo, the ancient Roman villa and main attraction in Ravello. Back on board, your chef has no doubt spent time exploring the local farmers’ market in search of the freshest ingredients to prepare your evening meal. Anchored in the bay you have the multicolored houses and large hotels as a backdrop and at night the landscape changes into a whole new view when it is illuminated with thousands of lights.

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The Aeolian Islands and Sicily

After the hustle and bustle of these popular coastal towns, a day cruise south to the Aeolian Islands offers time to simply enjoy the fun aboard your luxury motor or sailing yacht, be pampered by the crew or take a dip in the jacuzzi during sunset. These islands and their big sister Sicily also make a great gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean if you want to extend your charter further.

Also known as the Seven Sisters, the volcanic islands are best explored by sea, and each offers its own unique history and natural sights and sounds. However, they all have one thing in common: the clear blue waters make SCUBA diving or snorkeling a must and most yachts will be able to provide the best quality equipment. The larger islands, such as Lipari, have harbors with yacht moorings from which to explore the local towns, while others, such as Panarea, are much simpler and only allow Vespa scooters or small electric carts.

Despite being Italy’s largest volcanic island, Sicily is still relatively small and recognizable on any map as the ‘ball’ at the end of Italy’s ‘boot’ and dominated by Mount Etna. Steeped in history, the island pays homage to its diverse past with well-preserved monuments, churches and palaces from the Roman, Arab, Norman, French and Spanish civilizations that have inhabited the area. The cuisine on the island also reflects the diverse history and culture with influences from many of the residents over the centuries. Particularly famous is the Sicilian mulberry granita – a delicious semi-frozen mixture of water, sugar and locally grown fruit. Every summer, visitors can see large mulberry trees throwing their fruit on the nets placed under the branches.

Back on board, ask the captain if he can find one of the underwater fumaroles that release steam to create a natural bubble bath in the sea. An extraordinary way to complete a once-in-a-lifetime adventure aboard a luxury charter yacht.

While parts of Italy are year-round destinations, Naples, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily are best enjoyed from spring to fall, with May or September being ideal. In these times the weather is beautiful with temperatures between 20-25 ° C, plenty to do and less crowds than in July and August. However, if you charter a yacht you always have the advantage of being able to see some of the sights from the shore during busier months to avoid crowds. It is also worth considering that in the winter months many of the restaurants are closed for the season and options are only available in Naples and Sorrento or some of the larger towns in Sicily.

There are plenty of luxury yachts to choose from in Italy, but the best with the best crew are snapped up quickly. So don’t hesitate to get expert advice to guide you through the yacht charter process.

Trina Howes is a director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with outstanding yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.

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