We stopped in Milazzo to drop off one of our crew.
Originally, the plan was just to stock up here — the anchorage, right in front of a massive oil refinery, didn’t make the town seem particularly inviting. But, as I’ve discovered so often already, there’s always room for a second impression!

Milazzo surprised me with a quiet charm — maybe because I have a soft spot for crumbling Italian palazzi, orange trees lining the streets, and an old castle offering sweeping views. Up until then, we had been covering miles so quickly that there was hardly time to register where we were before setting off again. Sitting in a Sicilian bar, sipping a caffè freddo and eating a brioche, I suddenly thought: Wow — we’re in Sicily!

Milazzo also gave us our first real taste of how traveling with children changes your perspective. Never in my life would I have thought to step into a Museum of Illusions if it weren’t for our young crew, restless to get off the boat and do something different. But what a delightful surprise it turned out to be — a playful collection of optical tricks and mind-bending displays that had us all laughing and marveling. It was far more fun than I ever expected!

Slowly but surely, the holiday mood began to settle in — helped along by a wonderful pizza dinner and a ride on the Ferris wheel that evening.

The next morning, we made the short hop across to Vulcano, where we spent the afternoon lazing on the beach in the shadow of its beautiful — if slightly smelly — mountain. Another day of laziness was exactly what the crew needed before being subjected to their “horrible mother’s” plan: a 6 a.m. wake-up call to climb Vulcano. It was tough to get out of bed, but oh, was it worth it!

Reaching the top was an unforgettable experience — standing at the edge of the crater, watching wisps of smoke rise from vents that lead directly to the inner of our planet. What an awe-inspiring reminder of the earth’s power! The boys, of course, were most excited by something else entirely: gleefully tossing rocks into the crater and watching them disappear into the depths.

We left the “smelly eggs” behind and continued on to one of the most unique anchorages in the Aeolian Islands — right in front of the old pumice mines of Lipari. Clear water, crumbling ruins, floating rocks… and, in the distance, Stromboli. What a scene.

Our next stop was Salina. The island itself is lovely, with lime trees, striking sea views, and waters in shades of deep teal. But there’s one thing that outshines it all: Bar Alfredo, with its unforgettable granita and outstanding pane cunzato. Truly the perfect way to spend a weekend — it doesn’t get much better!

But, as with all good things, our time in the Aeolians had to end. The world is wide, and there are many more miles to cover. So, off we go on a two-night passage. Sardinia, here we come!