Rhea sailing in the Med with Chronos in the background
Italy Sicily Cerfalu
Chronos guests onboard at sunset drinks on deck
Palermo, sicily, Italy
Guests enjoying meal on board SC Chronos Rhea
Rhea anchored Mediterranean
VIEW GALLERY

Discover Italy’s Aegadian Islands on a Luxury Sailing Holiday

Embark: Vittoriosa, Malta22 May 2027, 18:00
Disembark: Mondello, Palermo29 May 2027, 10:00
Vessel: Rhea
Where: Malta/Italy
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Group Size: 26
Activity: Level 1
i
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Berths available
Prices from
£3,100.00€3,500.00
per person
Board type: Full Board
Ticket options & book

Discover the Mediterranean islands off the coast of Sicily with the luxury classic yacht Rhea.

Join luxury yacht Rhea for a sailing holiday through the western Mediterranean from Malta to the Egadi islands before heading to the ancient city of Palermo on Sicily. The Egadi Islands are a group of small islands located off the western coast of Sicily. With crystal clear waters, secluded beaches, and charming fishing villages, these islands are a perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful and idyllic getaway.

This voyage is perfect for those looking for a more intimate sailing experience, with relaxation, luxury, and on-shore exploration at the top of their holiday list. No sailing experience is required, and guests are welcome to get involved with sailing or simply relax on deck as the coastline changes. 

 

  • Fully crewed sailing yacht
  • Island hopping & onshore exploration
  • Private en-suite cabins
  • Water-sports
  • Full Board
  • No experience needed
decorative underline

Need some help?
Talk to the team

Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592

Sail area

YOUR SAILING AREA

Sail from the historic Maltese city of Vittoriosa, where Rhea will leave the limestone harbours and historic fortifications behind and set a north-westerly course into open Mediterranean waters.

The tiny island of Ustica sits off the north coast of Sicily, and if the winds are in favour, we will endeavour to sail here. White-washed harbour villages line the crystal clear waters, which are perfect for swimming and snorkelling as the area is a protected marine reserve. The island also has a fascinating prehistoric village and Roman settlement forts.

The route leads toward the Egadi Islands off Sicily’s western tip. Favignana and Levanzo are known for clear water, pale limestone cliffs and quiet anchorages that invite time to swim, snorkel and explore ashore. Small harbours and laid-back island life offer a gentle contrast to the open-water passages between landfalls. Rocky cliffs and outcrops bathed in Italian sunshine roll into crystal clear water, where snorkelling and enjoying onboard water sports are a must! Wander the sleepy harbour villages and enjoy the relaxed Italian lifestyle with coffee in the beautiful piazzas.

From the islands, the voyage continues along Sicily’s coast to Palermo. Approaching the harbour, Mount Pellegrino rises behind the city, marking arrival in Sicily’s lively capital.

Palermo offers a lively contrast to the islands, with historic streets, markets and cafés providing a rewarding place to step ashore. With its 12th-century architecture and a Cathedral that houses royal tombs, Palermo is a great finishing point for your luxury sailing holiday aboard Rhea. Visit the huge neoclassical Teatro Massimo, known for opera performances, and wander the narrow, labyrinthine streets in search of Sicilian foodie treats.

*Please note that the route is not guaranteed and can be subject to change due to the weather and tides.

Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Rhea will spend a few hours sailing each day before making time to explore ashore. On distance sailing voyages/travelling between islands, there will be more time on the water.
Nightwatches?
There may be opportunities for guests to get involved with night watches but it is not expected or mandatory!

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 12 miles offshore.

Sailing with Rhea 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. 

Getting Involved

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, there are still traditional pin and tails if guests want to have a taste of authentic sailing. Her crew are always on hand and happy to discuss sailing operations with guests. 

Although there is less focus on the “hands-on” sailing of Rhea, 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 Rhea 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 class and style.

The generously proportioned cabins all have plenty of luggage storage, full-size domestic showers and air conditioning units. Versatile beds mean cabins can be made from a comfy double to a sharing twin, and even a three-bed family cabin, as needed. Each cabin is named after the winds of the sea, and this matches the allocated swim towel set for guests. If you leave it drying on deck, a member of the crew will deliver it back to your cabin when it is dry. 

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

Dining Aboard

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 vary and be flexible according to the group’s wishes. Perhaps sit back and relax as the crew set the sails for another remote anchorage to enjoy a freshly cooked lunch and the on-board water toys! Or spend the morning swimming in a secluded bay or exploring an ancient port city before setting the sails for a new location. 

Start the day with a rich buffet-style breakfast, then a light 2-course lunch at noon, and coffee, tea, and cake in the afternoon. Finish the day with a freshly cooked 3-course dinner aboard and on the final night of the voyage, enjoy an authentic Captain’s dinner. For every voyage on Rhea, 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!

A typical Day

Generally, after breakfast, Rhea will spend a few hours sailing to a new destination where guests can either explore ashore or swim from the boat. Guests can go ashore usually every 1-2 days. On her longer passages and Ocean crossings, she will spend consecutive days at sea. 

Water-toys

For those water lovers with a sense of adventure, Rhea has a multitude of water-sport activities and equipment available for guests on her standard voyages (not crossings/passages). Stand-up paddle-boards and adult-size snorkelling equipment are free for guests to use. 

Water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, QubaRS dinghy sailing, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable once on board. Rhea 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 onboard account that can be settled at the end of your voyage.

Sample menu

Please note that this is an example of what you may be served.

LUNCH 

Starter

  • Quiche Lorraine 
  • Bresaola carpaccio

Main Course 

  • Fettuccine Alfredo, parmesan cheese & Italian herbs 
  • Chicken Caesar salad, parmesan cheese, avocado & croutons 

Dessert 

  • Fruit salad, lime juice, vanilla & cinnamon 
  • Yoghurt ice cream – coconut, mango 

DINNER

Starter 

  • Mozzarella,  tomatoes & fresh basil 
  • Soup   – Coconut, zucchini & ginger

Main Course 

  • Swordfish Provençale, oregano & dry Vermouth 
  • Beef Burgundy, mushrooms, carrots & herbs 

Dessert 

  • Crème brûlée 
  • Chocolate mousse tart with wild berries
  • Full Board* (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and filter coffee and tea)
  • All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet), bath and swim towels per person
  • Full crew plus tuition
  • Marina and fuel fees
  • All tender trips to and from the boat
  • Lifejacket
  • Adult snorkelling equipment
  • Stand-up paddle-boards

What’s not included

  • Alcohol and soft drinks
  • Waterproofs
  • *One meal is eaten ashore at the guest’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 skiing, wakeboarding, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable once on board. > Rhea offers this at a moderate price and suggests an average of 10% of the voyage price to serve as a guide for consumption.

Please consider travelling as light as possible. There is no storage for rigid/hard cases. Please pack your items in a soft bag or rucksack, something that can be packed flat or rolled up. Ones with wheels are fine, but no rigid cases, please.

We recommend a travelling-light approach with lightweight, easy-drying layers. Below is a list of recommended items. It can be a few degrees colder out at sea; please bring layers, even if the forecast seems like a warm week. These are not mandatory, and those who have sailed before may have their own preferences!

  • Flight tickets
  • Identification cards: Personal ID card and/or passport, driver’s license recommended 
  • Money: Cash, credit card
  • Personal medication
  • Sun protection gel, after-sun/sunburn lotion, sunhat or equivalent
  • Glasses, sunglasses
  • Your favourite book!

Bed linen, bath and beach towels, life jackets, and snorkelling equipment, including fins, are on board.

CLOTHING

Dress on board is casual during the day (T-shirt and shorts) and smart-casual in the evening and at the Captain’s Dinner. Swimwear is not permitted during meals or below deck. Please observe the local customs for shore excursions. 

  • Swimwear (a swim towel is provided)
  • T-shirts, polo shirts, blouses and dress-shirts (also long-sleeved)
  • Long trousers for the journey and excursions to the shore, one or two long trousers and shorts for the dinners and the visit to the restaurant
  • Shorts/dresses
  • Trousers and shorts are recommended for women due to the steep stairs and boat transfers.
  • A light pullover or a fleece for the evenings
  • Wind-/rain jacket and a cap
  • We ask that you wear anti-skid sport/boat shoes/trainers on board.
  • Bring a pair of flip-flops or sandals for visits to the beach
  • For trips to the shore, we recommend you wear sturdy shoes/trainers
  • FOR CROSSINGS ONLY Sailing waterproofs – recommended only for crossings and the Azores in spring/autumn
  • FOR CROSSINGS ONLY Sailing/rubber waterproof boots are advisable for the crossings and the Azores in spring/autumn.

Travel Documents

  •  Please assume full responsibility for checking and verifying any passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements for the country/as required.

From: Vittoriosa, Malta

To: Mondello, Palermo

GETTING THERE 

Vittoriosa, Malta
BY AIR:

Luqa Malta International Airport is a 25 minute bus journey from Vittoriosa. Alternatively, a taxi ride is about 7 minutes.

Flights go direct to Luqa Malta International Airport from London Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol, Leeds and Nottingham with Jet2, Malta Air and Ryanair. 

Rhea

Guest berths: 26 Rig: Bermudan Ketch

Our sailing holidays on board Rhea are ones of style and comfort while exploring sunshine destinations and unforgettable locations. A purpose-built charter vessel, Rhea was designed with the elegant sailing lines of a traditional classic boat but has been paired with all the comforts and luxuries of a modern yacht. Along with her sister yachts, Chronos and Kairos, Rhea spends her summers island-hopping in the Mediterranean and her winters in the Caribbean.

Built with ultimate comfort in mind, Rhea is lined in teak and mahogany, with plenty of space to sunbathe, read a book, and enjoy the views. All her sails are electronically retractable, so no need to learn the ropes here. The professional crew are, however, more than happy for guests to get involved with the operating and sailing of Rhea as much as they would like!

Designed by Klaus Röder, who based his design on a classic yacht whilst keeping up with the modern-day ketch, Rhea has been built for performance sailing and guest comfort. She is perfect for those looking for a more relaxed sailing holiday while appreciating her fine sailing lines. From couples to solo travellers, she can also suit older families. 

Relaxation is at the forefront of guest experience, from the attention of the crew to the space inside the boat. An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into the warm waters, have a swim and climb back aboard with ease. Rhea also offers her guests the option to use her water skiing, wakeboarding, tube riding, kneeboarding, banana boat, kayak, snorkelling & dive equipment, and even a sail dinghy.

The deckhouse offers its own small bar, whilst below decks offers still more space to relax, with a generous saloon. Her private cabins, offering both double and single beds, all have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

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

Deck plan

VEN-Boat_Plan-RHEA (1) More about Rhea

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?

Rhea has 3 Standard Double Cabins Ensuite (11 m²) and 10 Deluxe Double Cabins Ensuite (12-13 m²) all sleeping 2 people.

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 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, Rhea 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. Life jackets are provided. Children 5 and under are required to wear one at all times on deck.

How do I get on and off the boat?

Rhea 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!

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.

What water-sports can I do once aboard?

Rhea has a multitude of water-sport activities and equipment available for guests. Stand-up paddle-boards and adult-size snorkelling equipment is free for guests to use. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, QubaRS dinghy sailing, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable* once on board. * Free on Deluxe Plus voyages only

Is there an age limit?

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

Voyage
Set Sail
Days
Cost p/p
1 Aug 2026
8 days Days
FULL
8 Aug 2026
8 days Days
£3,655.00€4,300.00
15 Aug 2026
8 days Days
£3,655.00€4,300.00
22 Aug 2026
8 days Days
£3,320.00€3,900.00
17 Oct 2026
11 days Days
£2,315.00€2,700.00
8 Nov 2026
9 days Days
£1,980.00€2,300.00
17 Nov 2026
8 days Days
£2,485.00€2,900.00
24 Nov 2026
23 days Days
£6,720.00€7,800.00
18 Dec 2026
11 days Days
£4,450.00€5,250.00
29 Dec 2026
8 days Days
£3,305.00€3,750.00
9 Jan 2027
11 days Days
£4,440.00€5,050.00
19 Jan 2027
9 days Days
£3,790.00€4,300.00
27 Jan 2027
11 days Days
£4,440.00€5,050.00
6 Feb 2027
12 days Days
£4,700.00€5,350.00
17 Feb 2027
11 days Days
£4,440.00€5,050.00
27 Feb 2027
8 days Days
£3,360.00€3,800.00
6 Mar 2027
8 days Days
£3,360.00€3,800.00
13 Mar 2027
11 days Days
£4,530.00€5,150.00
23 Mar 2027
22 days Days
£6,050.00€6,900.00
14 Apr 2027
8 days Days
£1,890.00€2,100.00
5 Jun 2027
8 days Days
£3,360.00€3,800.00
12 Jun 2027
8 days Days
£3,360.00€3,800.00
19 Jun 2027
7 days Days
£2,750.00€3,100.00
26 Jun 2027
5 days Days
£2,150.00€2,400.00
30 Jun 2027
4 days Days
£1,800.00€2,000.00
24 Jul 2027
8 days Days
£3,620.00€4,100.00
31 Jul 2027
8 days Days
£3,790.00€4,300.00
7 Aug 2027
8 days Days
£3,790.00€4,300.00
14 Aug 2027
5 days Days
£2,150.00€2,400.00
18 Aug 2027
4 days Days
£1,800.00€2,000.00
21 Aug 2027
8 days Days
£3,790.00€4,300.00
28 Aug 2027
8 days Days
£3,790.00€4,300.00
11 Sep 2027
8 days Days
£3,620.00€4,100.00
18 Sep 2027
8 days Days
£3,995.00€4,500.00
25 Sep 2027
8 days Days
£3,995.00€4,500.00
9 Oct 2027
8 days Days
£3,995.00€4,500.00
16 Oct 2027
8 days Days
£3,995.00€4,500.00
23 Oct 2027
8 days Days
£2,580.00€2,900.00
9 Nov 2027
9 days Days
£2,060.00€2,300.00
17 Nov 2027
8 days Days
£2,670.00€3,000.00
24 Nov 2027
22 days Days
£6,920.00€7,900.00
15 Dec 2027
8 days Days
£3,360.00€3,800.00
22 Dec 2027
8 days Days
£3,450.00€3,900.00
29 Dec 2027
9 days Days
£4,440.00€5,050.00

Ticket options & book

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