LUXURY SAILING AROUND THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS

Your sailing area

Syracuse & Aeolian Islands

The city of Syracuse is a fascinating place to begin your skippered sailing holiday on board Kairos. Dating back some 2,700 years, this coastal city is known for its ancient ruins amphitheatres, monuments, archaeological sites and architecture, and was also the birthplace of the famous mathematician Archimedes.

Once settled aboard Kairos, set sail up the Sicilian coast, passing Etna Nature Reserve, where the magnificent volcano of Mount Etna looms high in the clouds. Anchor at the hilltop town of Taormina, where the cliff drops dramatically into the waters edge forming cliff side villages in picturesque coves. Taormina is also home to the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-­Roman theatre that is still used to this day and is well worth a visit.

On from Taormina sees Kairos sail through the Strait of Messina, known to be the home of the fascinating mirage of Fata Morgana and natural whirlpool linked to the Greek legends of Scylla and Charybdis. The currents of the Strait create a wonderful marine ecosystem and it is also known to be a key location for the migration of over 300 bird species.

Once through the strait, bear west toward the beautiful Aeolian Islands, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. These volcanic islands of the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north coast of Sicily are characterised by wild, unspoilt nature. According to Greek legend, the god of the wind, Aeolus, once lived here.

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From rolling green hills to seething craters, you will find a wide variety of unique natural landscapes spread across the seven main islands. In 2000 the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Regular volcanic eruptions of the Stromboli offer a true natural spectacle, and the volcanic mountains and Mediterranean landscapes are a true hiking paradise.

Although the island of Lipari has approx. 5000 residents, you will find yourself in a typical Sicilian village. With one of the most beautiful archaeological museums in Italy and a picturesque old town with many small shops that are perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Known as the Green islands, Salina was “rebuilt’ in the 1970’s as an agricultural mainstay. There are numerous vineyards, the dessert wine – Malvasia delle Lipari and, of course, the capers, which are considered to be some of the best in the world. Hikers can walk to the highest peak of the archipelago through a beautiful pine and chestnut forests.

The smell of sulphur lingers in the air as soon as you arrive onto the island of Vulcano. Until the 19th century, sulphur and alum were mined only a few meters from the quay. Today, souvenir shops, spas, hotels and bars line the harbour and for those that want to, you can wallow in the Sulphur mud. The highlight of this islands is certainly the two hour crater hike through the yellow Sulphur fumaroles.

Since ancient times the Stromboli volcano has been an orientation point for seafarers at night. The Stromboli erupts every 15-20 minutes and is a spectacular sight. Depending on the magma levels in the chimney, the lava fountains are thrown several hundred meters above the crater rim.

All voyages for Kairós

Kairós

Guest berths: 16 Rig: Bermuda Schooner

Offering guests a sailing holiday experience with luxury at the heart of everything she does, Kairós is a purpose-built charter vessel designed with the beautifully elegant lines of a classic boat. Spending her winters exploring Cape Verde, Kairos moves into the Med for the summer, offering sailing holidays in Croatia, Corfu and Italy.

This beautiful luxurious schooner was designed by Klaus Röder in 2007, who based his design on a classic yacht whilst keeping up with the modern-day schooners, built for performance sailing and guest comfort. Kairós offers berths for up to 16 guests, a total of six private en-suite double cabins with full walk-in shower cubicles, one twin cabin with a small wet room ensuite, and one small double cabin with a small wet room ensuite; these private cabins all have to air-condition. The well-appointed deckhouse has its very own small bar whilst below decks offers still more space to relax, from the saloon with its plasma TV to its very own library for relaxing while underway.

Built with luxury in mind, the outline on the deck is of teak and mahogany with plenty of space to sunbathe, read a book and enjoy the views. All the sails are electronically retractable, so there is no need to “learn the ropes” here! The crew are, however, more than happy for guests to get involved with the operation and sailing of Kairós as much as they would like!

An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into the warm Mediterranean waters, have a swim and climb back aboard with ease. Kairós also offers her guests the option of using her water skiing, wakeboard, tube riding and snorkelling equipment!

The professional crew consists of the Skipper, first mate, mechanic, bosun, cook and two stewards, so you will most certainly be looked after during your time aboard Kairós.

Cabins explained :
Deluxe Cabin: This cabin has one large double bed and an ensuite with a walk-in shower cubical.
Twin Cabin:  This cabin has two twin bunk berths with an ensuite toilet and shower wet room.
Small Double Cabin:  This cabin has one small double bed and an ensuite toilet and shower wet room. It is suitable for solo travellers or two young guests.

Read more about what to expect from life onboard here.

Deck plan

Life on board 

Our sailing holidays on board Kairós are ones of luxury, style and comfort while exploring sunshine destinations and unforgettable locations. A purpose-built charter vessel, Kairós was designed with the elegant sailing lines of a traditional classic boat and is perfect for couples or multi-generational families looking for a luxury adventure on the water.

Authentic Sailing Fun

Sailing with Kairós is certainly one of comfort and relaxation. Think of a boutique, intimate, classic sailing experience where nothing is too much trouble. Her dedicated and professional crew are highly trained and well-versed in a smooth sailing operation. 

She has an impressive sail area, and her rig is electronically operated with retractable sails, so there is no need to “learn the ropes” here! That being said, traditional pin and tails are still available if guests want a taste of authentic sailing. 

Although there is less focus on the “hands-on” sailing of Kairós, the Captain and crew offer interesting sailing talks and information briefs for guests during the voyage. Learn about the history of the boat, its sailing terms and even take a tour of the engine room if you fancy! Understanding these elegant classic vessels and feeling their power with the wind is truly an unforgettable experience.

Sleeping and Relaxation

Every space on Kairós is considered with the guests at the forefront of all design. From the spacious saloon, private ensuite cabins clad in tropical wood to the sweeping open decks with plenty of sun lounging spaces – the boat is certainly oozing 5* luxury.

The generously proportioned cabins have plenty of luggage storage, full-size domestic showers and air conditioning units. Kairós has six double cabins and two smaller twin bunks. All bedding, towels and a robe per person are included in the ticket price. The winds of the sea name each cabin, and this matches the allocated swim towel set for guests, so if you leave it drying on deck, a member of the crew will deliver it back to your cabin when dry. 

Daily cabin service is also part of the offering. A member of the crew will make your bed and freshen up your bathroom every day and if you want a towel change or full cabin clean, just leave the relevant sign on the cabin door! 

Eating and Entertainment

Although the day is punctuated by meal times, you certainly don’t feel like you’re running on a schedule. The relaxed nature of both the boat and the crew gives a perfect balance. 

Depending on the voyage location, the daily routine can change and is flexible, depending on the wishes of the group. Perhaps sit back and relax as the crew sets sails to another remote anchorage to enjoy a freshly cooked lunch and the onboard water toys! Or spend the morning swimming in a secluded bay or exploring an ancient port city before setting sail to a new location. 

Start the day with a rich buffet-style breakfast, then a light 2-course lunch at noon, coffee, tea, and cake in the afternoon, before finishing the day with a freshly cooked dinner. For every voyage on Kairós, guests enjoy a meal ashore at their own expense to really immerse themselves in the local culture and cuisine. Guests tend to go off in their own groups, but sometimes the crew can join in if guests are unsure of the best spots!

Depending on the mood of the group, the crew can arrange some light-hearted entertainment too – from local musicians over dinner to a friendly on-board music quiz (which is always amusing with international guests!) or even a wine-tasting session (at an extra cost).

Water-toys

For those water lovers with a sense of adventure, Kairós has many water-sport activities and equipment available for guests. Adult-size snorkelling equipment is free for guests to use. Water-skiing, wakeboarding and tube riding are all chargeable once on board. Kairós offers this at a moderate price and suggests an average of 10% of the voyage price to serve as a guide for consumption. The onboard currency is EUROS, and guests can open an on-board account, which can be paid at the end of their voyage.

Kit List

Kairos has plenty of storage space in every cabin but please consider bringing your items in a soft suitcase or bag as hard cases can be harder to store in your cabin. We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers. Below is a list of recommended items. These are not mandatory, and those who have sailed before may have their preferences!

The dress code is always casual – our only request is not to wear swimsuits at mealtimes!

• Light shoes/trainers (with good grip)
• Flip flips, sandals
• Swimsuits
• Lightweight clothes (t-shirts, shorts, trousers, dresses, cardigans etc)

It can be a few degrees colder out at sea, so please bring layers even if the forecast seems like a warm week!

• Windproof and waterproof jacket/coat

• Sun cream (please use reef-safe, eco products where possible) 
• Sunglasses and a sun hat/cap
• Small personal first aid kit and any medication you may need
• Personal wash kit (please use reef-safe, eco products where possible)
• Cash – EUROS
• Charging cables for personal devices
• EU 2pin adaptor for use in cabins
• A good book to read!
• Consider a small backpack/bag for onshore exploring.

What’s included

• Full Board* (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet), wash and swim towels and bathrobe per person
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Adult snorkelling equipment

What’s not included

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• Waterproofs
• *One meal is eaten ashore at the customer’s own expense
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses
• Water skis, wakeboard, tube-riding > Kairos offers this at a moderate price and suggests an average of 10% of the voyage price to serve as a guide for consumption.

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 not more than 12miles offshore.

*Please note passengers sailing on Chronos, Rhea or Kariós do not require personal accident cover, only health insurance. 

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals* on board are included in the price (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea) *One meal per week is eaten ashore at the customers own expense.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Meat eaters and vegetarians only please.

• Are there any added extras?

  One meal is eaten ashore at the guests expense. Alcohol and soft drinks are not included but can be purchased on board. Water-sports are not included.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Kairos has 6 Deluxe Double Cabins Ensuite (10m2), 1 Standard Double Cabin Ensuite (8m2) and 1 Twin Bunk Cabin Ensuite (8m2) (latter 2 cabins are really well suited to younger sailors and solo travellers).

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes, all cabins have portholes.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  All cabins have their own ensuite.

• Are bedding and towels included?

  All bedding, a hand towel, bath towel, swim towel and bathrobe is included per person.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  Yes, there is a hair dryer in each cabin.

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Kairos does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating/air conditioning onboard?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew! There will be an honesty box available at the end of your voyage (as a general guide, a 5-10% tip based on your ticket price)

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English is the common deck language but there will be international guests and crew.

• Is there WIFI on board?

  When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan. There is chargeable access to Starlink on all voyages. You can buy vouchers once on board if required.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, there are 2pin EU sockets throughout the boat so please bring an adaptor if needed.

• What is the currency on board?

  Euro's

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Kairos is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy. There is an admiralty ladder and there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not!

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  Yes, Kairos has water skis, wakeboard, tube-riding, snorkelling. For activities that require pulling with a dinghy we charge €1 per minute of use.

• 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 there an age limit?

  Yes. Minimum age of 5, and as long as the child can swim.

Travel Planning

From: Syracuse

To: Syracuse

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

GETTING THERE

Syracuse, Sicily

BY AIR

Catania Airport is a 1 hour bus journey from Syracuse, running hourly.

Flights go direct to Catania Airport from London Gatwick and London Luton with easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair.