Palermo has a maritime heritage that stretches back to Phoenician traders and Greek colonists, and the city position at the crossroads of Mediterranean trade routes is visible in every layer of its architecture. A classic yacht arriving in the Cala harbour fits this history in a way that a modern motor yacht does not: the proportions are right, the pace is appropriate, and the vessel itself becomes part of the city waterfront as naturally as the painted fishing boats that still work out of the smaller harbours along the coast. Four classic yachts in the collection operate in Sicilian waters, carrying four to ten guests in three to five cabins and suited to a pace of travel that favours long mornings at anchor and deliberate passages planned around the wind. Weekly rates run from approximately 67,500 to 224,000 euros, with the advance provisioning allowance of around 30 percent covering fuel, food, berthing, and drinks. Classic yachts in this area benefit from the reliable Tramontane that makes passages between the Egadi Islands and Palermo comfortable reaches in settled conditions, and the shallow draft of most sailing classics allows access to the Stagnone lagoon near Marsala. The crew on each classic yacht brings knowledge of both the vessel characteristics and the historical ports of call, which is particularly useful in Palermo and Cefalù where the medieval city fabric rewards a knowledgeable guide more than a map. October is the recommended month for classic yacht charters in Sicily: warm enough for swimming, quiet enough to hear the evening bells from the cathedral.
