Sicily’s Volcanic Voyage

Perfect for your first sailing trip. No experience is needed – our experienced skippers will show you everything you need to know. Live the sailor's life on board, become part of the crew, learn the basics of sailing and discover why so many people fall in love with life at sea after just one trip.

How challenging is the trip?

• We cover approximately 130 nautical miles over the course of the week.
• During the day, we are usually underway for 3 to 6 hours (including stops for swimming).
• No sailing experience is required for this trip.
• Being able to swim freely for 20 minutes is a must.

This trip is right for you if the following apply:

• You are motivated to get involved in the daily sailing routine as part of the crew. This includes, for example, the actual sailing, meal preparation, and tidying up and washing dishes after meals.
• A one-hour walk (optional) up the crater on Vulcano should not be a problem for you.

Your Crew:

• We sail in a flotilla of 1 - 3 yachts, each with 8 - 10 participants
• Sailors from all over the world (on-board language is English).
• Approximately 80% of participants are young professionals between the ages of 27 and 33.
• Specially trained JTC skippers from our Skipper Academy.

Harmonious Distribution:

• 50/50 gender mix (with full occupancy up to 2 weeks before the start of the trip).
• The ratio of singles, couples, and small groups is balanced.
• For a group of more than 4 people, you should book your own yacht and skipper.
• We'll match you with the crew that best suits you.
• If you have any preferences, please let us know in the booking form.

Crew Chat:

• Right after booking, you'll receive access to our crew chat.
• Say "Hey Crew 😍🤙" and exchange information about the journey!

Tour operation:

• All dates will be confirmed starting from the second booking.

Depending on the date, you can book one of the yacht standards listed below. All standards have everything you need to sail safely with your crew and experience the vacation of a lifetime. The standard equipment of all boats includes, for example, a fully equipped kitchen, bathing platform, audio system, and a dinghy with outboard motor. The yachts and catamarans of the Classic Plus class are generally newer, offer more space per person, and may have additional extras for more comfort on board.

Easy payment:

• Deposit: 30% of the tour price upon booking.
• Final payment: 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
• Payment methods: Bank transfer, Credit card, ApplePay, AndroidPay, Klarna.

Reserve 5 days at no cost:

• Simply choose 'reservation' in the booking form.
• Reservations are possible until 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
• If you don't book, the reservation will automatically expire after 5 days.

Cooking or Dining Out:

• We usually prepare our meals on board ourselves.
• On some days, we have the opportunity to eat out ashore in the evenings.
• When cooking, we can form teams of two, so that each person takes turns cooking/washing up. However, everyone usually helps out anyway.

Advance Preparation:

• Our groceries for the week will be ordered online in advance and delivered to the marina on the day we arrive.
• Before the trip, we’ll therefore have a video call to discuss meal and drink planning. The JTC skipper will organize the call.
• There is a very small supermarket on site where we can pick up any last-minute essentials if needed.
• Midway through the week, we’ll stop at a marina where we can stock up on fresh food and drinks.
• If you have any food intolerances or allergies, please let your crew know in advance (during the video call) so they can be taken into account when planning the shopping.

Arrival:

• Airport: Catania - Fontanarossa
• Our marina: Marina Portorosa
• You can take this bus directly from Catania Airport to Portorosa Village without needing to transfer. Here is the route on Google Maps.

Check-in:

• Your crew will meet at 1:00 PM at a café; the specific location will be announced in the crew chat.
• Please notify your skipper if you are arriving late.
• We will depart from the starting marina on Sunday morning.

Check-out:

• At the end of the trip, we are scheduled to arrive at our final port on Friday around 5:00 PM.
• We will spend the last night in the marina and disembark on Saturday at 9:00 AM.

How do I book my flight?

• Ideally, you should book a flight that gets you there in time for the initial meeting at the café (or arrive the day before—you’ll be more rested and will likely have the chance to meet some of your fellow sailors the evening before).
• For your return flight, it is best to depart no earlier than 12:00 PM on Saturday so you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast with your crew after the week's sailing. If that isn't possible, you can book a return flight departing from 7:00 AM onwards on Saturday.

What should I pack?

• Most crew members travel with carry-on luggage only.
• You should definitely use a soft bag; a hard-shell suitcase takes up too much space in the bunk.
• Important for sustainability: Biodegradable personal care products (shampoo, sunscreen, etc.).
• You should bring a sleeping bag for nights spent sleeping outdoors under the stars.
• Towels, pillows, pillowcases, wool blankets, and mattress sheets are provided on board for almost all trips.
• You do not need to bring cash for the crew kitty; once there, you can pay by card or withdraw cash.

Climate

• Warmest months: July & August
• Average temperature: 27°C during the day, 26°C at night
• Average rainy days: 2
• Coldest month: February
• Average temperature: 13°C during the day, 12°C at night
• Average rainy days: 8

Mobile reception & electricity

Mobile reception:

• Generally good network coverage along most of our route.
• Depending on the specific bay, weather conditions, and the day's leg, there may occasionally be no signal.
• No roaming charges (though fees may apply depending on your provider).

Electricity:

• Smartphones and other small devices can be charged on board via the 12V socket.
• In most ports, other devices such as cameras and laptops can be charged using shore power (220V) while docked.
• It is still a good idea to bring a power bank.
• Currency, prices & tips

Currency:

• Payments are made in Euros.
• Cashless payment via credit card is possible.

Prices:

• Dining out: Approximately 20 to 50 euros per person.
• Grocery prices vary depending on the shop, location, and available selection. Tipping:
• Average tip: 5–10%.

Culture

• The Lipari Islands are of volcanic origin and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Due to its central location in the Mediterranean, Sicily was highly sought after and frequently occupied in ancient times and the Middle Ages.
• Regional cuisine typically features fresh fish, capers, citrus fruits, and sweet Malvasia wine.

Safety

• Italy is considered a safe country for solo travelers.
• Keep important documents and cash secure.
• It is recommended to carry a printed or digital copy of your documents.
• Be aware of the general risk of pickpocketing.

Entry Requirements & Vaccinations

For EU citizens:

• A valid national ID card or passport.

For other nationalities:

• Please check the Federal Foreign Office website for current entry requirements before booking.

Vaccinations:

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry.
• Your routine vaccinations should be up to date in accordance with the Robert Koch Institute’s vaccination schedule.
• If you have questions, consult your general practitioner (or a tropical medicine specialist).