The Egadi archipelago, in ancient Aegates, includes three main islands, Favignana (the largest), Levanzo (the minor) and Marettimo, and the islets of Formica and Maraone off the coasts of Marsala and Trapani. The clear waters and the fascinating coasts, the small hills, the bays, the caves and the particular appeal of the tonnara (one of the few survivors in Sicily), make the Egadi a popular tourist and seaside destination.
Favignana is the largest of the islands of the archipelago. Famous for the open-air tuff quarries, both inside the island and on the coast. The island has inspired, with its colors, its nature and its coasts, the travels of many artists and explorers. Today it is frequented by a lively tourism especially in the summer, when the transparent waters and the richness of the natural caves along the coasts show themselves in all their beauty.
Levanzo is fascinating for its simplicity. Inhabited by just over two hundred people and made up of a small group of houses, it allows an immersion in pristine atmospheres such as the Grotta del Genovese.
Marettimo is the most mountainous and verdant of the three. Rich in suggestive caves reachable only by boat, such as those of the camel, the crib and the bombard. It is still a little visited island due to its inaccessible nature, a peculiarity that makes it difficult but at the same time very seductive. Defined by many the "Pearl of the Mediterranean" for the intense and clear blue of its waters. Today Marettimo is part of the Egadi nature reserve which is the largest natural park in Europe. PROGRAM:
Saturday
Boarding from the port of Marsala from 18:00, accommodation on board and briefing on the operation of the boat systems and life on board.
Sunday
Around 09:00, after having breakfast, we will leave the moorings, our route is Levanzo where we can cool off with a nice refreshing bath in one of the rocky coves that characterize its coasts. In the evening after dinner we can let ourselves be lulled by the waves between chatting and laughing in company or go down to town with the tender.
Monday
After waking up and having breakfast with the enchanting Levanzo to fill our eyes with beauty, we can choose, for those who want it, to walk to the Genovese cave , where graffiti and drawings dating back to the Paleolithic are preserved, when the Egadi they were still one with Sicily.
At the end of the excursion we return on board for a peaceful sail up to Marettimo , where we will have lunch. Marettimo is still a little visited island due to its inaccessible nature, a peculiarity that makes it difficult but at the same time very seductive.
Tuesday
After spending a quiet night in one of the bays of Marettimo, we make arrangements with someone from the place to go and visit and learn more about this beautiful island by visiting some of the hundreds of caves on the island. In fact, they can only be reached aboard small local boats. Do not miss the Grotta del Camel and the Grotta del Presepe , unbeatable caves of crystal clear water.
For those who love walking Marettimo offers trekking routes that start from the town to get to Cala Maione and reach Punta Troia along paths immersed in the Mediterranean vegetation, which thins out in several places to let the gaze wander over the entire archipelago.
On our return by boat we can choose the most beautiful bay for a regenerating dip, before relaxing with an aperitif at sunset. We return to the port for an evening in the charming village where you can choose to dine among the best restaurants of the Sicilian tradition.
Wednesday
With the favor of the god of the winds, we will head for Favignana . Ancient Aegusa is the largest of the islands of the archipelago. Characteristics of the island landscape are the open-air tuff quarries , both inside the island and on the coast.
Thursday
We have become quite expert in boat movements and navigation, so that in the morning we reserve a sail up to one of the Favignana coves that we will choose based on the wind conditions of the moment. In fact, you can choose to shelter in the north of the island as for example in Cala Rossa , famous for the color of its turquoise waters if we have winds from the south, vice versa, with winds from the north you go to the south of the island infested with bays and inlets one more beautiful than the other. Favignana is a true paradise, both from a landscape and a naturalistic point of view.
Friday
We can dedicate ourselves to discovering the Favignanese hinterland. After breakfast, anyone who wants to can visit the Tonnara that belonged to the Florio family, one of the oldest Sicilian tuna traps and certainly one of the most important, beautiful and best preserved in the region, where the famous slaughter may be held from April to June. Or head towards the mountain for a short walk to the former traffic light, an ancient sighting post for the navy now in disuse, to see Favignana in all its splendor. Alternatively, it is possible to rent a bike or scooter for a tour of the island.
After spending a few hours inebriated by the scents of the island, we return on board for the last sail to Marsala where our cruise will end.
Disembarkation is possible either on Friday evening or the next morning before 08:00