SICILIAN SCUBA DIVING, THE MEDITARRANEAN

The Aeolian Islands cannot really be described in general as every one of the eight islands; Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea, Basiluzzo, and Stromboli, have their own characteristics that distinguish them from the others. They do however have common characteristics. The eight islands bathe in the same crystal clear water, with an underwater world of sea-life, colours, and archaeological treasures constituting an Eldorado for divers and swimmers alike. Born from volcanic eruptions, the islands' stone formations, beaches, and caves making the journey from land to sea are simply spectacular. This natural phenomenon makes amazing viewing both from land and sea. There is no point denying that the full splendour of the islands is best experienced by boat. Although the beauty of the Aeolian Islands is most immediately evident in the sea, the land itself holds many a treasure. As the islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times and due to their importance as strategic posts on the trade routes between Europe and Africa, archaeological treasures can be found here. The Aeolian Archaeological Museum on Lipari portrays life as it was led on the islands in former times, as well as invaluable artifacts from ships that have sunk outside the islands. Although the Aeolian museum shows the most comprehensive collection of Aeolian Article and life, traces of former times can be found on all the other islands as well.

THE SCUBA DIVING IN SICILIY

Although the Mediterranean is considered to be a lot less spectacular than most other major diving destinations, the myriad characteristics of the Mediterranean underwater world actually compare very favourably to most tropical waters.

Rocky and sandy beds, volcanic and limestone rocks, grottoes, walls, reefs, wrecks and archaeological sites, as well as colourful sessile life and pelagic species are all on display, without forgetting the mild temperatures and the clear waters. It also has the added bonus of being easily accessible for the whole family.

THE REX SICILIAE I - SICILIAN LIVEABOARD

The Rex Siciliae I is a luxurious Sailing ship of Turkish origin, called "Caique", of 24 meters, it is endowed with the maximum comforts both technological and logistic, the best that its category can currently offer.

Caique ketch (unusual thing above the stern has a bridge like a veranda, type yacht) that characterizes it not few, ample spaces sun suit, veranda to stern with couch and table, ample cafe with dinette, kitchen endowed with all the comforts, possibility of barbeque, TV, DVD, plant surround and conditioned air in all the environments (even in the crew cabin to bow), sweet waters (6000 litters tanks, warm and cold).

4 double cabins of which two shipping one, that of stern and that of bow (real suites 5x4 meters), bath in enormous room with shower, conditioned air, in the two shipping cabins also was a mini-bar and couches in skin. The shipping cabin of stern has ample glass door on the sea, the other two cabins they are situated in the corridor, also them enormous and with bath and shower in room, around 2 x 2 meters, excluded the bath, air condition.

Every cabin has insides in mahogany and skin, and of illumination with halogens small lights with regulator of intensity; the cabins of the corridor finished up in mahogany have a sleeping berth, even if to use such term would seem limitative for the standard of these, they measures in fact 80 centimetres x 2 meters, and they are systematized above the double bed with a system of pull out binary.

Sees the greatness of the suites on application it can also be furnished a closable bed (like camping bed), or additional mattress.

In conclusion this Caique will have a capacity of 10 people, with spaces and environments that cannot be found in other actual Caiques in Italy.

The endowments of the Sailing ship (other information)

Endowments of board: Autopilot, radar 48 colour miles, GPS, compass, 2 radios VHF, chart plotter, wind meter.

Motorization: Motor 1999 Caterpillar, regularly checked, 545 hp, insulated motor cabin for a perfect acoustic isolation, generating from 16 KVAs, water heater.

Tanks: 1 from 6000 litters for fresh water, 1 from 3500 litters for the gas-oil, 1 from 1500 litters for the black waters.

Crew: Commander with 30 years of experience at the Islands Eolie, refined cook in her kitchen, one or two sailors. The cabin crew is found to bow, also it with bath, shower and conditioned air.

The whole boat is endowed with certification CE (Institute Giordano) therefore endowed with all the accessories fireproof and safety foreseen by the law. In conclusion this Caique will have a capacity you entertain 10 people, with spaces that cannot be found in other Caiques currently in Italy.

Recreational activity : For the impassioned ones of snorkelling it will be an unique occasion to admire the white sands of the crystalline backdrops Eoliani swarming of a rich sea fauna. DIVING can be organized with cylinders in collaboration with experienced diving of the place, the Sailing ship is gifted also of TV to the plasma, plant surround, DVD, CD and radio, with diffuser inside and external to the yacht.

SICILIY PROGRAMME ITINERARY

Programme and Itinerary
In the program it is suitable both the lunch and supper for completeness, naturally the everything is to suit for the choice in contractual phase with the client, if in fact he wants a service of half or complete pension, scuba diving etc the client will point out on the beginning of the week to benefit for all through the cruise .

The cruise has beginning with departure from the harbour of Lipari (Me) and it will have the following program:

Saturday:
Reach the embarkation of Lipari in the first afternoon, cocktail of welcome on board and beginning of the cruise. Free evening in the city.

Sunday:
Breakfast to board; departure to the exploration of the fascinating and sour coast west of Lipari. Lunch on board and bow toward the harbour of Santa Maria di Salina. Supper on board and overnight stay.

Monday:
Breakfast on board, navigation along the south coast of the island of Salina, harbour to the picturesque little harbour of Rinella. Lunch on board. Standstill for a bath in the splendid scenery of the bay of Pollara and departure for Filicudi. Supper on board and overnight stay.

Tuesday:
Breakfast on board, circumnavigation of the island of Filicudi, and standstills for the bath before and after lunch in the characteristic points of this marvellous island. Departure for Alicudi, supper on board and overnight stay.

Wednesday:
Breakfast on board, circumnavigation of the island of Alicudi, and standstills for the bath before and after lunch in the most beautiful places of the island. Departure for Salina, exploration of the north coast with the characteristic suburb of Malfa and arrival to Panarea. Supper on board and overnight stay.

Thursday:
Breakfast on board, walked in the alleys of Panarea to the discovery of boutiques and prehistoric sites or sea tour in crystalline waters between islets and sea sulphurous. Departure for Stromboli, supper on board and overnight stay.

Friday:
Breakfast on board, circumnavigation of the island of Stromboli and standstill for the bath. Lunch on board, departure for Lipari and, after supper, free evening in the city.

Saturday : breakfast on board, unloading within 9,30 am in the harbour of Lipari.

The program is to consider as planning; it will naturally be subordinate to the weather conditions and relative decisions of the commander for the safety of all embark ones.

THE WEATHER IN SICILIY

Without a doubt the best time, not only for scuba diving, but in general for a trip in Italy is june and especially september. Also in may, october and in other months of the year you can dive in Italy but the weather could not be so fine and it would be more difficult to find an open Dive Centre. For example, even if many Dive Centres are open all the year, it could be difficult particularly for a single diver to book a dive trip in winter. In july and expecially august there is a tourist invasion so the life of the poor scuba diver could be very difficult: hotel rates go up, trains are extremely crowded and reservetions are a matter of necessity.

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