RHAPSODY IN BLUE

Soak up Sicily’s incomparable seascapes on a full-day cruise to the Aegadian archipelago from Trapani. Aboard your private speedboat you will set sail for Favignana and Levanzo, two sleepy fishing islands, set in crystal-clear waters and blessed with idyllic coastlines, where time seems to stand still.

Just a few miles off the western coast of Sicily, the Aegadian archipelago is made up of three islands, two islets and a handful of rocky outcrops and sea stacks scattered throughout a protected marine area. Vast underwater meadows of oceanic posidonia, an endemic Mediterranean marine plant, provide the perfect breeding place for an extraordinary variety of fish and cetaceans as well as Caretta Caretta sea turtles and the rare Monk seals.

As the archipelago’s etymology suggests, the islands have been inhabited for hundreds of years. Hailing from the Greek term Aigatai, meaning “goats”, the name indicates that a large number of these animals must have grazed freely on the abundant vegetation that thrived here, thus providing ancient Greek settlers with a livelihood and a source of nourishment. No doubt the Romans, too, would have been drawn to these shores. Amphorae and pottery shards lie on the bottom of the sea, at a depth of 27 metres, tragic evidence of a shipwreck just off Levanzo in the 1st century BC. These deep, brooding waters also preserve the memory of one of the most famous naval battles of the ancient world. In recent years ruins of rostra and helmets have been retrieved from the seabed, marking the fateful spot, where, in 241 BC, the Romans defeated the Carthaginian fleet and thus put an end to the First Punic War.

Despite a thousand-year-long history, the islands have retained a distinctive atmosphere and timeless, magical appeal, offering contemporary visitors a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of modern-day Sicily. A miraculous mix of unspoilt nature, isolated coves, submarine archaeological treasures and an impressive range of deep-sea wildlife are factors that contribute to the enduring popularity of the Aegadian archipelago with scuba divers, snorkelers, nature lovers and marine adventure-seekers.

Meet your skipper at the port of Trapani, hop aboard your private boat and enjoy an unforgettable day at sea. You will cruise along the islands’ shorelines, bathe in limpid waters and drink in the Sicilian landscape in all its glorious technicolour. A stop for a leisurely stroll in the small village of Favignana is also on the schedule. Your skipper will enrich your experience by pointing out the most striking natural features and recounting anecdotes and curiosities about life on the archipelago, from the long-standing tradition of tuna fishing to the culinary specialities that are typical of this stretch of coast.

Relax to rhapsody of the rippling waves and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze as you float along the Mediterranean’s myriad shades of blue.