Mediterranean Sailing in the Aeolian Islands

YOUR SAILING AREA

Discovering the Aeolian Islands

All voyages for Florette

Florette

Guest berths: 28 Rig: Brigantine

Florette is the last active, originally built brigantine in the Mediterranean and one of the last wooden windjammers that are still actively sailing. After nearly 50 years operating as a cargo ship and a world war, she was discovered by the Haynes family at the end of the 70s, lovingly restored to a charter vessel and returned to her original condition. She still remains in the same family, sailing and exploring the Mediterranean to this day.

Over the past 45 years, Family Haynes has been faithfully restoring and maintaining her charm with her traditional rigging and still set all her sails by hand.  As she was built to carry over 200t of marble deep sea, her construction is twice as strong as compared to a normal ship of her size. She is constructed with double oaked frames and up to 13 meters long, 14 cm thick ironwood planks (azobe). Her topsides are built in the finest mahogany. She was originally launched in winter of 1921 in Italy as a pure wooden sailing ship with no engine to serve as a cargo ship. She still runs cargo trips across the Atlantic today.

She has been equipped with the latest safety standards in accordance with EU guidelines for historic charter and sailing school ships and approved for deep-sea navigation.

Florette maintains a full ocean classification for historical sail training and charter vessel. She actively sails 6-7 months in the Mediterranean and spent last winter crossing the Atlantic and sailing in the Caribbean.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• HALF BOARD – All breakfast (includes tea and coffee), six meals (combination of lunch or dinner)
• Use of all facilities on board including snorkelling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, board games
• All bedding (pillow, duvet, bedding)
• All tender trips during the voyage, to and fro the boat
• Full crew, plus tuition

What’s not included

BOARD CASH (in EUROS please)

• €20 per person, per trip for water maker (unlimited water)
• €14 per person, per day for waste charge
  
• 6-7 meals ashore (at guests expense)
• Tea/Coffee/Alcohol (cash honesty bar)
• Wash or swim towels
• Use of sleeping bags for sleeping on deck (only if you want!)
• Domestic flights
• Insurance
• Crew and tour leader tips

EXTRAS?

Florette and her crew can organise extra activities for guests including things like wine tasting, BBQ evenings and pizza making nights. None of these are mandatory and will depend on the feeling of the group but once agreed, will be planned, costed and split between the guests. Florette runs a very fair ship and is transparent with any extra costs. All guests are responsible for recording their own usage/extras in their honesty tab which is payable in EUROS at the end of the trip.

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Not all meals are included. Breakfast is provided everyday and 6 meals are included in the price, which will be lunch or dinner depending on the itinerary. Lunch can be eaten ashore or extra meals may be offered but there will be an extra charge.

• Are there any added extra's?

  Soft drinks & alcohol may be purchased onboard.

• Are drinks included?

  Tea/Coffee is included at breakfast. All other drinks/alcohol can be purchased onboard with an honesty bar.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please ask at the time of booking.

• Are there any water toys?

  Yes, Florette carries Kayaks and SUP's for guests use - a buoyancy jacket must be worn.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  German/English

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  5x family cabins (double+single), 2x double cabins, 4x twin bunk cabins, 4x hammock bunks

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  4 toilets with 3 showers & 1 deck shower

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, please bring european adaptors

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is bedding included?

  All bedding is but towels are not. If you would like to sleep under the stars on deck, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Travel Planning

From: Vibo, Valentia

To: Vibo, Valentia

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

Getting There

Please note that both arrival and departure times can be flexible so please let us know if you will be arriving later/leaving earlier. Florette will remain in port for the first evening and will come back into port the night before disembarkation. 

By Air

Lamezia Airport (SUF) is the closest to the Marina. RyanAir offer direct flights from Stansted to Lemezia three times a week. Other flights from the UK normally require a change over in Milan or Rome which are available from London Heathrow, Manchester,  Birmingham, Bristol and some other regional airports. From either Milan MXP Milan BGY, or Rome (FCO) airports you can take an internal flight which is approximately 1hr 50 mins. Many low cost Airlines such as WizzAir, Easy Jet,  RyanAir and Italian ITA Airways offer these flights daily. 

Once at Lamezia Airport it’s a 30minute taxi ride to the Marina. There are registered taxi companies operating from outside of the airport. Please ensure you agree a price before getting in the taxi. 

By Train 

You can also choose to fly to Rome (FCO) or Naples (NAP) airports and head to the central station, there you take the train down to  Vibo-Pizzo Station, this is about 5-6 hours, with a short 10 min taxi ride to the marina from there. A beautiful, good value and a sustainable way to see the country.