FAQ's
Aeolian Island Sailing and Cultural Excursion
👍This tour is a good fit for you if…
You love adventure, being on and near the water, being immersed in mother nature, you’re active and physically fit, you love exploring, are able to pack light, can go with the flow, get along well others, and are OK with the relatively close quarters that a private yacht of 46 feet entails.
👍What this tour is and is not: This is a sailing cruise, not an ocean-liner cruise such as one offered by Carnival Cruise Line, et al. We will sail and live on the boat which has limited space and privacy. Total occupancy: 9 people, including tour hosts and captain.
❓ Is it a 2-person minimum booking?
⛵The tour is costed to encompass 6 guests. Because of the limited number of sleeping cabins on the boat, we don’t have the option of offering a single supplement. To reserve a room for one person only, it would be necessary to book the entire 2-person cabin (at double the per-person cost). Note: the bed is full size and cannot be re-configured to accommodate 2 people sleeping separately in the room.
❓ Which airport in Sicily should I fly into?
⛵ The tour commences from the port of Portorosa (just north of Messina on Sicily’s northern coast), which is located equidistantly from the airports of both Catania and Palermo. All things being equal, Catania is a more user-friendly solution in terms of traffic and navigability.
❓ Should I arrive a day or two ahead of the start of the tour?
⛵ If you can, it’s a great idea; that way you can start the trip zenned out and relaxed 🙂 You could stay in Catania, Taormina, Naxos, or Portorosa. All are interesting places (from which you could arrange a private shuttle transfer). Check-in on the boat is Saturday afternoon at 3 PM.
❓ Is ground transfer from the airport included, and how do I get to Portorosa?
⛵ Ground transfer from the airport is not included. Transfer options:
Door-to-door transfers are the easiest way. Taxi transfers can be arranged from/to the following airports to Portorosa*: [Prices subject to variance in fee and availability]
Catania Airport:
1-4 persons €175
5-8 persons €200
9-12 persons €270
Palermo Airport:
1-4 persons €120
5-8 persons €200
9-12 persons €240
Reggio Calabria Airport:
1-4 persons €190
5-8 persons €220
9-12 persons €350
“Rome2Rio” Search engine for ground transfer connections and more
Renting a car: Might be a cheaper option than private shuttle/taxi. We have good experience with Hertz as well as Europcar
✔TIPS: If you elect to rent a car to arrive in Portorosa,
Definitely reserve/spend the extra money to have a GPS included with your rental; your phone apps (assuming you are able to access to them in Sicily) might not get you there – ours didn’t the first time.
✔If not comfortable with manual transmission (standard in Europe) request automatic.
After you have reserved the car, contact us for navigation advice; the coordinates to get there are a bit tricky.
✔Our yacht company in Portorosa has parking available at Euro $35/week. You must book that in advance: info@Sunsail.com https://www.sunsail.com/yacht-charter/mediterranean/italy/aeolian-islands
✔Public transport: Portorosa isn’t the most convenient area to reach on public transport. You could cobble together a combination of public transport, but it would be arduous (4+ hours, multiple transfers, lots of legwork, and ascertaining/coordinating all the connections)
✈From Catania airport by bus from the airport to Messina railway station, and then by train to Barcellona-Castroreale. Finally, by taxi to Portorosa, which costs around €40.
From Reggio Calabria airport buses are timed to coincide with national flights for transfers from Reggio Calabria airport to Messina railway station. From Messina to Portorosa you can catch a train to Barcellona-Castroreale. Finally, by taxi to Portorosa.
✈From Palermo airport by taxi, metro, or bus from the airport to Palermo railway station, and then by train to Barcellona-Castroreale. Finally, by taxi to Portorosa.
❓ We plan on taking a train to Rome (or perhaps Naples, then Rome) after the sailing tour. Do you know how long it takes to get to Messina (where the train station is located) from Portorosa?
⛵ Portorosa to Messina by car or private shuttle is 45 min. The fast train from Messina to Rome takes 7 h. 24 m., usually with one change.
❓ What and how should I pack?
⛵We highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt, and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive after you do.
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on the yacht. See How to Pack for a Sailing Trip; https://settebelloexcursions.com/how-to-pack
❓ The Boat
⛵ See About the Boat; https://settebelloexcursions.com/about-the-boat
❓ Passport and visas
⛵Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.
🛂Passports are required by all visitors to Italy except for citizens from the following countries, who may enter Italy with a National Identity Card:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary.
✔Generally, no Visas are required for stays less than 90 days. Tour organizers cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt please contact your Embassy for full details.
✔Please note country entry/exit requirements are subject to change. Please check http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html for the latest information before you leave.
✔Tour organizers are not accountable for any requirement changes.
❓ Customs and immigration
⛵ Before leaving the airport in Italy, you will have to clear Immigration and Customs. There is no departure tax payable.
❓ Currency:
⛵The euro is the currency used throughout Italy💶.
❓ Banks:
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 8:30am-1:30pm and 2:30-4:00pm; Closed Sat & Sun.
ATMs (called bancomats) operational 24 hours a day.
There is an ATM directly at the entrance to the Portorosa tourism village.
In Lipari and Salina there are many banks and ATMs. On the other islands you’ll find ATMs only.
❓ Credit cards:
MasterCard, Visa, and Eurocheque cards are widely accepted throughout Italy.
Traveller’s checks are accepted in major Italian cities and tourist areas, however not in some very small establishments and outdoor markets.
❓ General Info:
⛵Language: The official language in Italy is Italian.
✔Tipping: Tipping in Italy is not a common practice as in the U.S. A gratuity is included in prices at restaurants, bars, and cafes. If you’d like, a small €1-2 or a round-up tip may be left. You may also leave a small tip for the chambermaid in hotels at the end of your stay if desired. In general, Italy is not a tipping culture, and locals tend not to tip. Tour bus drivers and tour guides appreciate but don’t require a tip at the end of their service (whether a day, a week, etc.) and it should truly be based on quality of service rendered. Gratuity for our Italian skipper is included in the cost of your tour.
🛌Hotels in Portorosa:
🛎Corallo Residence – located inside the village resort and only 500m from the tour departure point.
🛎 Portorosa Residence – small apartments for rent
🛎 La Camerlia – agro-touristic hotel with a restaurant approximately 1 km from the Portorosa Village Resort
🛎 Valtur Portorosa – hotel with a full range of high-standard services, including outdoor equipped swimming pool overlooking the Portorosa Marina (outdoor parking and parking garage, several restaurants and bars)
🍕Restaurants:
✔ Gorgonia
✔La Conchiglia
✔La Pergola
✔ Caracalè
✔ Pit Bull Steakhouse
🔌Electricity: The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. Electricity in Italy is 220 Volts and uses the standard European 2-pin plug. In order to use electronic equipment that is 220v you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter. Electronic devices (phones, computers, videocameras, tablets, etc. will switch automatically to a different current when plugged in using a 2-pin plug adapter.
🛩Drones: The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-italy/
