Sicily, one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean and the largest Italian island, joins together three seas: the Ionian, the Tyrrhenian and the Mediterranean Sea. Through the long and turbulent history of this island, Sicily had many masters and was influenced by many nations. The Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Byzantines and Normans, and all of these nations had left distinctive cultural impacts that make Sicily an unique place to sail. There are few towns on the island that combine blending effects of so many cultural influences and one of them is the town of Tonnarella.
Why choose Tonnarella?
Tonnarella or Tonnarella di Furnari is a village located on the Tyrrhenian coast, along the provincial road of the same name, on the island of Sicily. Being a volcanic island, the highest point of Sicily is the still potentially active volcano Mount Etna. Recognized all over the world as a place of pristine natural beauty, Sicily has more than 60 natural reserves and 7 marine protected areas. The cleanliness and clearness of the sea surrounding Sicily is rarely so well experienced such as Tonarella, an excellent place to charter a yacht and plan your dream cruise.
What to do and see on your yacht charter in Tonarella?
When visiting Tonarella, there are plenty of historic sights to see and attractions to experience, like the nearby Catania Cathedral or the Garden of Villa Comunale. There is always an option to hike on Mount Etna and also to visit numerous Greek archaeological sites, like amphitheatres, temples or colonnades. Around the old town, the Monument al Pescatore will sure capture your eye, located in Piazza del Pescatore, the main square in Tonarella, where visitors can find everything from locally grown produces to souvenirs. Hungry from sightseeing, everyone eventually indulges in famous Tonarellan pastries and sweets. With marzipan and ricotta being the base for famous desserts like cannoli, it will come as no surprise that every sailing vacation in Tonarella will be remembered as sweet. On the other hand, the heat of the summer sun will surely force visitors to seek refreshment in Granita di Limone or Marsala, a local wine served best when slightly chilled. Coast-wise, Tonarella is superbly positioned as a base for planning an island hopping, chartering adventure! Around Tonarella, many secluded coves and bays offer peace, quiet and joy of the atmosphere of serenity. Beaches with white sand and blue waters warmly embrace tourists to swim and dive in this Mediterranean paradise. The Aeolian Islands, a nearby archipelago, is of the same geomorphological descent as Sicily, meaning volcanic rock. The rich soil there provides nourishment for many different types of plants and animal life and magical places like Stromboli are definitely worth a visit.
Sailing season - When to charter in Tonarella?
When visiting Tonarella, bear in mind that the hottest months are August, July, and then September, with mid to late August having the highest yearly temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius during the day and 25 degrees at night. The best time to visit would be from April to June and then again from September to October, when sailors can expect nice and stable weather with moderate temperatures of land and sea. In addition, there are far less tourists and the prices of all services are cheaper. Contrary to Autumn and Spring, the Summer is always more crowded, hotter and more expensive. It is best to avoid traveling to Tonarella and Italy in general in August, when Italians take parts, sometimes even the whole month, for vacation, meaning most of the shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, marinas and sights are closed completely during that time.