SailSterling 2021 wine and catamaran tour launched, a perfect way to explore the Aeolian Islands

Boutique specialist travel company SailSterling has uncorked a catamaran tour to the Aeolian Islands, that includes visits to two of the region’s finest vineyards. It dubs the tour ‘a journey through fire, wind, sun and sea.’  The first departure date is August 28, 2021.

The trip sets sail from Capo d’Orlando Marina on the North Sicilian coast, takes in the volcanic islands of Vulcano and Stromboli, the UNESCO World Heritage island of Salina and the instagrammable islands of Lipari and Panarea. The seven-day experience repeats for five consecutive weeks.  

Guests will travel in a flotilla of five catamarans of differing sizes, each with a local chef and professional skipper.

As a (literal) taster, the luxury sailing tour operator invited TLR for a virtual wine tasting and outlined the itinerary, and it certainly sounds like a memorable trip, with a promising mix of exclusive guided tours and private dinners.

One of SailSterling’s partners for the tour is UK sparkling wine maker Herbert Hall, established in 2007, two British companies united by the same sense of freedom and independence.

Guests will sail in a flotilla of five catamarans of differing sizes, each with a local chef and professional skipper…

Line-of-sight navigation will build the excitement for each destination, and there’s personal time to explore the Aeolian Islands. A highlight for wine-lovers, the schedule features two exclusive private vineyard visits at the Tasca d’Almerita in Salina and the Tenuta di Castellaro in Lipari.

Says co-founder Richard Osei: “We have worked hand-in-hand with our Sicilian partners at the distinguished island vineyards, with the imaginative local chefs on board and with our hard-working crew”. Osei says the main challenge was transforming a recreational boating holiday into a luxury experience. 

“Our guests will be greeted on-board with a perfectly chilled glass of delicious sparkling wine, comfortable, their bags will then be whisked off to the cabins by our attentive staff. There will have enough time to mingle and get to know each other, before a full safety briefing on each catamaran.”

Included are a combination of restaurant and on board meals, wide selection of still and sparkling wines and soft drinks, two private vineyard tours with wine tastings and lunch/dinner. 

So just how involved do guests get in the daily operation of their catamaran?

“It’s very simple,” says Osei. “You can get involved in as much sailing as you wish. If that means taking the helm or helping out with the ropes during mooring, then I’m sure the skipper would greatly appreciate it. But of course there’s absolutely no requirement to do so. I know personally that I would be on the flybridge with a chilled glass of wine, just looking at the views coming into play.”

Prices start from £4,250 per person, based on two people sharing a cabin on the Lagoon 46 (also in the fleet is the Lagoon 42, 50 and 52F). The largest catamaran takes up to eight guests, with four double cabins, plus the crew.

For groups of six, there’s the option to charter a catamaran exclusively at £3,152 per person.  Flights to Sicily and transfers to and from Capo d’Orlando marina in Sicily are not included. 

For more, visit www.sailsterling.com