Upon arrival in Catania, Sicily, the island's second largest city marked by Mount Etna on the Ionian Sea, you'll be greeted by Victoria del Mar's Captain, who will escort you to the Riposto Marina, where you'll receive a warm welcome aboard the 163ft Victoria del Mar.
As you settle into your stateroom, Victoria del Mar embarks on a leisurely cruise through the Strait of Messina, the narrow passage connecting the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas that featured prominently in Greek mythology. Relax on the owner's deck with canapés and a refreshing cocktail as you take in the Sicilian coastline, punctuated by cliff-top villages and local sword-fishing boats using hand-thrown harpoons.
The charming port of Milazzo, on the northeastern tip of Sicily, will be your overnight destination. Dinner will be served under the stars on the sun deck, as the twinkling lights from this historic island city provide a romantic backdrop.
Enjoy a delightful breakfast of fresh fruit and the chef's fresh-baked pastries while underway from the main island of Sicily to the Aeolian Islands, a group of eight volcanic islands that is one of the best-kept secrets of the Italian coast.
Lipari is one of Sicily's most revered holiday destinations and, as the largest and most populated of the Aeolian islands, offers plenty of seaside harbors with bustling cafes inviting a respite for a luncheon of the day's fresh catch. The tiny island of Panarea, a less discovered gem, is home to Bronze Age huts as well as Hotel Raya, the 1960s hotel that still serves as the area's pulsating night spot. Enjoy a shaved ice refreshment as you tour the island by golf cart before returning to Victoria del Mar's anchorage for a gourmet dinner under the stars.
Adventure-seekers will love a visit to the famous Stromboli Island today, the tip of a vast underwater volcano whose black sand beaches and vibrant turquoise sea make for picture-perfect hiking. Spend the day exploring this captivating island and enjoying watersports in the crystal clear water on one of Victoria del Mar's many water toys.
Have your camera ready as the sun sets and your Captain slowly navigates Victoria del Mar around the island. Although considered safe, the Stromboli volcano is still very much alive and the night show can be spectacular.
After dinner, settle in for a movie selected from the state-of-the-art entertainment system as Victoria del Mar embarks upon an overnight cruise to the beautiful Amalfi Coast.
We'll arrive early on the Amalfi Coast this morning, and after breakfast you'll set out by tender to explore the charming coastal towns of Positano, Nerano and Amalfi.
Beachgoers will enjoy Nerano, which offers coastal paths to explore the town and enjoy beautiful sea vistas. For lunch, you'll head to Lo Scoglio da Tommaso on Amalfi, where the De Simone family has been delighting patrons since 1958 with plentiful dishes of the freshest local vegetables and seafood. Enjoy a stroll through the local shops or return to the yacht for an afternoon siesta and dip in the spa pool on the sun deck.
In the late afternoon, you'll disembark again for cocktails and dinner at the Michelin-starred Zass restaurant, located in the infamous cliffside hotel Il San Pietro di Positano. Here you'll enjoy delicious Amalfi-inspired cuisine and breathtaking sunset views.
Bid farewell to the Amalfi coast, as the enchanted island of Capri awaits your arrival today. A popular holiday destination since Roman times, Capri offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and history, culture and entertainment. An open-air taxi ride to Anacapri, a commune located at a higher elevation, offers spectacular views and an orientation of the island.
In the afternoon, visit the famous Blue Grotto, an underwater cave set off by a stunning iridescent sapphire blue light that must be seen to be believed.
Capri offers a wonderful selection of seaside restaurants. From the famed Il Riccio, located steps from the Blue Grotto to La Fontelina, at the base of the famous Faraglioni Rocks, to Da Paolino Lemon Trees, set in a magical lemon garden, the ambience and cuisine of Capri is one worth tasting.
Early risers may want to tender to shore for a morning island tour and hike around the island. There are plenty of paths and hiking routes for all ability levels, and a guide can be arranged to include everything from swimming and visits to archeological sites along the way.
The more leisurely will enjoy a morning cappuccino at a seafront café as the shopkeepers bustle about, preparing their boutiques for another day. Enjoy lunch on the waters edge at Da Luigi ai Faraglioni, a picturesque venue to enjoy the sea, good food, fine wine and great friends.
Dinner this evening will be held at the splendid Aurora restaurant, one of Capri's oldest restaurants that has celebrated the island's culinary traditions for over three generations. From its fine wine list to 100-year-old pizza recipe to its lively terrace, the evening will make for lasting memories. After a post-dinner digestif and moonlit stroll, retire to Victoria del Mar where you'll spend the evening in Marina Grande, the island's main port.
Take to the turquoise waters off Capri today for swimming, sunning and watersports within sight of the famous Faraglioni, the three iconic rock arches that rise up from the sea.
Enjoy a lunch of fresh local seafood prepared by your chef before retiring to the owner's deck with a good book as Victoria del Mar embarks on a late afternoon departure and overnight cruise to Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
After an early morning arrival, Victoria del Mar will anchor off of one of Porto Cervo's glorious beaches while you enjoy breakfast and a refreshing morning swim.
In the afternoon, shoppers will delight in a stroll along The Walk of Porto Cervo, where the world's most prestigious fashion houses offer their merchandise in charming luxury boutiques. Gourmands will also not be disappointed, as the Marina di Porto Cervo itself houses provisioners to delight the most fastidious foodie.
Dinner tonight will be at the famed private summer club Cipriani, with after-dinner entertainment and dancing enjoyed at Billionaire, the island's premier night spot.
Today you can choose to stay in port and continue to explore Porto Cervo or anchor off Cala di Volpe, for a day of watersports and a stroll around the famous resort. Reminiscent of a Sardinia fishing village, the charming Cala di Volpe resort offers romantic pristine beaches and inviting waters that may make trying out the on-site water skiing school a must.
Enjoy dinner onboard or head out for a suckling pig feast at the landmark restaurant, Ristorante Gianni Pedrinelli's, which specializes in typical Sardinian cuisine.
After a leisurely breakfast, Victoria del Mar will get underway for a day cruise to La Maddalena Archipelago National Park today. La Maddalena is a geomarine protected area consisting of a group of islands situated off the northeastern coast of Gallura, in the stretch of sea between Sardinia and Corsica known as Bocche di Bonifacio.
With the exception of La Maddalena, these islands are entirely deserted or scattered with small human settlements. Jet skiing is prohibited here, but the beaches and snorkeling will provide plenty of enjoyment and underwater discovery.
After a hearty lunch, Victoria del Mar will embark in the late afternoon for an overnight cruise to mainland Italy and the port of Portofino.
This colorful and picturesque coastal fishing village has made it a sought-after destinations for holiday makers and yacht charters alike. Cobblestone streets weave like mazes through the tiny town while the charming seaside cafes invite respite with a drink to watch the world go by. Enjoy a relaxing day exploring the port, browsing the boutiques and generally enjoying the Italian coastal lifestyle.
Return to Victoria del Mar for a gourmet dinner onboard prepared by your chef before retiring to the sun deck for lively conversation and laughter under the stars.
After a leisurely morning, embark on a 15-minute tender ride to San Fruttuoso, a stunning seashore monestary and 16th century watch tower that is only accessible by boat or by foot. The Abbey itself boasts a rich and interesting history, having been a monastery, a pirate's den, a humble fisherman home and later the residence of Princess of Doria. Offshore and submerged over fifty feet under the sea is the Christ of the Abyss statue, a larger-than-life bronze statue that has become somewhat of a pilgrimage site.
After lunch, tender to Portofino for late afternoon cocktails on the terrace of the Belmond Hotel Splendido before returning to the yacht for dinner and an evening cruise to St. Tropez.
Arrive early in the morning to the port of St. Tropez and embark after breakfast for a tour of this chic seaside town. Enjoy a café au lait and pastry at Le Senequier before continuing on to peruse the shops and boutiques.
Mid day, the yacht will depart from the port of St. Tropez for Pampelonne Beach for swimming, sunning and lunch at Le Club 55.
Depending on your mood, tonight you can enjoy a late dinner at the celebrity-frequented L'Escale or at La Villa Romana, the hottest reservation in the south of France.
Victoria del Mar will get underway early this morning and as you rise to enjoy a farewell brunch you'll be arriving in the port of Nice, where you'll bid a fond farewell to your crew and make plans for a speedy return.
Once ashore, take time to visit the olive gardens and Picasso and Matisse museums as well as the charming old town of Nice as you enjoy your last evening in this most romantic part of the world.
