Sicily suggested itineraries

The Sicilian island cruise commences with Favignana, a butterfly shaped island, part of Sicily's Egadi archipelago. As we approach its shores, we are greeted by the impressive Palazzo Florio. The Palazzo was built in 1874, year when the Sicilian industrialist and entrepreneur Ignazio Florio purchased the Egadi islands from their previous owner, the Marquis Pallavicino. Florio invested much time and money in Favignana, creating a major tuna cannery here and opening the island's important tuff quarries.

Lying to the rear of the Palazzo, the island's historic center gravitates around the Piazza Madrice and its Baroque Church. Favignana's main attraction are its beaches, the most impressive being the bay of Cala Rossa, with view of the island's old tuff quarries, and Cala Azzurra, where the soft white sand creates a dazzling contrast with the turquoise blue waters of the sea. A boat trip circumnavigating the island gives passengers the opportunity to admire Favignana's many sea caves and for divers to explore a seabed littered with archaeological remains.

From Favignana we head to Pantelleria, the black pearl of the Mediterranean, a mere 48kms from the African coast. A mass of dark volcanic rock rising up out of the clear blue sea, Pantelleria boasts some of the most spectacular rock formations, including the striking Arco dell'Elefante. Thanks to the island's volcanic origin, at Cala Gadir visitors are able to bathe in warm thermal spring waters flowing directly in to the sea. Pantelleria is also known for its Specchio di Venere, a small thermal lake the sulfurous mud of which has recognized healing properties. Inland, there are numerous examples of dammusi, the traditional island dwellings, with gardens often bordered by piles of stones, used to protect the fruit trees from the wind. On the fertile slopes of Pantelleria great expanses of vines can be seen, from which the locals obtain the grapes used to make their famous "passito" desert wine.

Part of a group of islands known as the Pelagian islands, Lampedusa is another jewel lying in the stretch of sea between Sicily and Africa. Much loved by divers, Lampedusa boasts any number of beautiful beaches and rocky outcrops from where to dive in to the clear blue sea. This is where to find the famous Isola dei Conigli (rabbit island), where the Caretta Caretta turtle habitually lays its eggs. The beach of Guitgia, the closest to the town center, is framed by the most stunning scenery. Cala Francese, Cala Croce and Cala Madonna are the names of just some of the other beaches where visitors to Lampedusa might choose to pass a day, enjoying the sun and sea of Sicily.

Another island of the Pelagian archipelago, Linosa is a small black rock which, like Pantelleria, has volcanic origins. Monte Vulcano, a volcano which has been extinct for thousands of years, dominates the island. Linosa is a favorite destination for scuba divers, its crystal clear waters home to an incredible variety of marine fauna and flora.