Italian Volcanic Island Exploring & Sailing Onboard a Luxury Yacht

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: 14 Rig: Bermuda Schooner

Luxury yacht Kairós offers an unforgettable sailing holiday experience in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. A purpose-built charter vessel designed with the beautifully elegant lines of a classic boat, Kairós gives guests the ultimate luxury sailing experience with 5* service and private ensuite cabins. She spends her winters in Greece before sailing in Croatia, Corfu and Italy during the summer months.

This beautiful schooner is the creation of Andreas Steidle-Sailer a passionate sailor and visionary with a love of classic yachts. He realised that sailing on board beautiful classic yachts was often only accessible to the super-rich and wanted to create an opportunity for anybody to be able to sail in luxury on a modern yacht with classic lines. He teamed up with 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 cabin charter berths for up to 14 guests. She has six private en-suite double cabins (all named after iconic classic yachts) with full walk-in shower cubicles and one small double cabin with a wet room ensuite. All her cabins have full air conditioning, teak interior finishes, and full-size double beds. There’s a bar and navigation station in the midships, and below decks, she has a large saloon area with comfortable leather seating and dining.

Built with luxury in mind, the deck’s outline is 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!  An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into the warm Mediterranean waters, swim, and climb back aboard easily. Kairós also offers her guests the option of using her paddle-boards, snorkelling and water sports equipment too!

Read more about what to expect from life onboard here.

The crew service is unquestionable 5* and generally will consist of the Captain, first mate, deckhand, chef and two stewards. 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.
Small Double Cabin:  This cabin has one small double bed, an ensuite toilet, and a shower wet room. It is suitable for solo travellers or two young guests.

Deck plan

More about Kairós

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 but has been paired with all the comforts and luxuries of a modern yacht. Along with her sister yachts, Rhea and Chronos, Kairós spends her year sailing the Mediterranean from Corfu to Croatia and Italy.

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 is highly trained and well-versed in smooth sailing operations. 

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! Her crew are always on hand and happy to discuss the sailing operations with guests. 

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 boat’s history and 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 certainly offers a luxury experience.

The generously proportioned cabins all have plenty of luggage storage, full-size domestic showers and air conditioning units. Kairós has six double cabins and one smaller double ensuite (great for younger couples or solo travellers). All bedding, wash and swim towels are included in the ticket price, which can be changed as often as needed by the crew. Kairós cabins are named after the owners’ love of classic boats of course; each cabin is given a different classic boat name (Eleanora is his favourite!). 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 crew member 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 give 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 set 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 sails to a new location. 

Start the day with a continental 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 group’s mood, the crew can arrange some light-hearted entertainment, too—from local musicians over dinner to a friendly onboard 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

We recommend travelling light 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! We recommend you bring a foldable bag or a soft collapsable suitcase since hard cases are difficult to store in the cabins.

• Flight tickets
• Identification cards: Personal ID card and/or passport, driver’s license recommended
• Money: Cash, credit card
• Personal medicines
• Telephone card, mobile phone (please make sure your phone is set up for international roaming)
• Sun protection gel, after-sun/sunburn lotion, sunhat or equivalent
• Glasses, sunglasses
• Your favourite book!

CLOTHING

• Swimwear
• T-shirts, polo shirts, blouses and dress shirts (also long-sleeved options)
• Long trousers for the journey and excursions to the shore, one or two long trousers for dinners and visits to the restaurant
• Shorts/dresses
• A light pullover/fleece/cardigan for the evenings.
• Wind/rain jacket and cap
• Soft-soled trainers (We kindly ask you to only wear anti-skid sport/boat shoes on board.)
• Flipflops or sandals
• For trips to the shore, we recommend you wear sturdy shoes/trainers
• Sailing boots are only advisable for the crossings and Azores in spring/autumn.

Bed linens, bath and beach towels, life jackets, diving goggles and fins are all provided on board.
Dress on board is casual during the day (T-shirt and shorts) and sporty-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. We want to point out that it is generally a little cooler on the water than on land.

Sample Menu

Please note that this is a sample menu only. The chef works on a rotation basis and out of a small galley to host everyone and any dietary needs. 

Breakfast – buffet style

• Scrambled eggs, bacon, cheeses, meats, breads, preserves
• Yoghurt, fresh fruit, nuts, berries, seeds, & cereals

Lunch 

• Orzo salad
• Calamari and avocado salad
• Scallops with pea puree

Dinner 

• Greek salad starter

• Pea mash, sauté vegetables and chicken fillet with mushroom sauce
• Baked salmon fillet, rice and sauce vegetables with hollandaise sauce 
• Beef Wellington

Dessert

• White chocolate berry mousse pudding 
• Dark Chocolate pudding
• Lemon sorbet 

What’s included

• Full Board* (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet), wash and swim towel 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 added to your account on board. Water-sports are not included.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Kairós has 6 Deluxe Double Cabins Ensuite (10m2) and 1 Standard Double Cabin Ensuite (8m2) (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 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, Kairós does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating/air conditioning onboard?

  Yes each cabin has its own easy to use system.

• 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?

  Kairós 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, Kairós 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.