Cruising info for Siracusa, Sicily - from our visit in 2009:-
Anchorages - We ended up anchoring in 4 different spots, 2 in the southern bay and 2 in the north. The 2nd spot in the north was closer to town to get out of the swell but when the winds eased the coastguard asked us all to move back out so I have only given the one they were happy with. The one given in the south is good for night arrival if a southerly is blowing.
Siracusa South ... 37 02.427N 15 17.509E dropped 8m settled 13m, totally sheltered in southerly
Siracusa North ... 37 03.556N 15 17.316E 9m mud good holding. We took our dinghy into the marina and locked it right by the Marina office, they didn't mind
Internet - Dongle now working, We bought it in Brindisi, it is an unlocked one (should be able to use any country with any providers sim card) Dongle cost 89E, 100hours access 15E using WIND, (can get smaller amount but I had paid for 100hours when arriving in Brindisi thinking I would be using it for all the time in Italy) Vodafone offer one month or 3GB's for 25E we thought the 100hours was better for us. Then paid another 15E for connection or something that we couldn't understand THEN another 2 lots of 5E in Brindisi trying to get it to go, then another 5E in Siracusa when I was told to wait 24hours before using it, and now it goes!!! Not sure how long unused credit will last.
Money - Several ATM's in town
Provisions - The morning market is excellent, fresh produce, fish and seafood (snails if it rains!!) also olives, cheeses, breads and butcher. Head straight ahead from the marina exit towards sea on the other side. Go past big ruins on your right, turn right and then left. Supermarket, small but adequate - turn right before/at ruins (same ruins as in previous directions!) and go up the main street. Think it's first lane (maybe 2nd) on left, about 2nd shop in on left, no sign outside. You can see the Carrefour sign lit up at night from the anchorage but its hard to get to without a car.
Formalities - Coastguard came around every couple of days. The first time they asked where we had come from and where our next port would be. No paperwork needed . Still not completed any in Italy.
Sightseeing - Rented our car from Hollywood Rentals, cheap and cheerful. Turn left out of marina entrance, then 1st right and they are on the first corner on the right. The Fiat Panda was 70E for 2days weekend rate including only 200kms (all companys same limited mileage and yes, this was the cheapest around by far) Our so extra miles cost 52E and fuel 22E, not so bad between 2 couples. Certainly not a cheap way to see Mt Etna but cheaper than staying in the marina in Riposte. Visiting Mt Etna - the cable car and bus combo was 51E per person (eek!) Only cable car 30E. It's a huge walk from the carpark - you would want all day, and it's still a big walk from the top of the cable car. Charge for a halfday in the carpark was a couple of euros.
Additional info from our return in 2010 below:
Internet...the continuing saga - There are NO unlocked wifi signals in Italy. Our Simcard from last year was still active so another 15Euros was paid to allow 100 hours access for a month, plus 5Euros to get credit back on the Sim (still have no idea why this is needed!). We waited until the next morning before using it and all was well. What we have since learnt is that it did not activate 30 days from this new date, it was from our "anniversary" date of when we first topped up last year so we only ended up getting about 8 days for our 15Euro, oh well. The other thing that is a good idea to do to speed the activation up is once you have paid your 15Euro, put your Sim in a phone and text 100 SI to 4033 or if you have bought the 50 hours for 9Euro text ORE SI to 4033. You will receive a confirmation back immediately advising it is being processed and will take up to 48 hours. Do not use it until you receive the next text which reads Gentile cliente, La informiamo che la promozione è già attiva. Per maggiori informazioni visiti il sito www.155.it then you can dongle away to your hearts content. WIND does not have great coverage but it seems the best plan for your money. We have been told that the cheaper Vodafone plan allows a maximum of one hours internet access per day, if you go over this it uses up your balance very quickly, but the more expensive plan allows 5 hours per day. I am not sure if they have other plan options.
Cruising info for Naxos:-
Anchorage:- 37 49.657N 15 16.415E 8.5m sand
Internet:- Dongle working, WIND signal
Money and Provisions:- ATM, Bank and Conad Supermarket on seafront in Naxos
Sightseeing:- The main road runs parallel to the seafront a couple of blocks back, next to the railway line. Morning buses to Taormina 0920 0950 1020 1050 1150. From Taormina to Castelmolo 1145 1245 1415. 5.60Euro return per trip (cheaper to buy return). There are also day trips available to Mt Etna from Naxos.
Cruising Info for the Aeolian Islands:-
Anchorages - The Italian Waters Pilot recommends the Aeolian Group as fair weather anchorages only. We felt they were as good as any, and there are choices to move if the wind changes direction. They are really worth the stopover.
Porto Levante, Vulcano: 38 25.040N 14 57.658E 4m sand
Valle Muria, Lipari: 38 27.550N 14 55.944E 9.5m sand
Communications - We had Vodafone and TIM coverage on our phones at both anchorages but no WIND for our dongle at either. But could get WIND at Vulcano East anchorage apparantely and probably ashore.
Sightseeing - €3 entry fee per person to climb Vulcano and €2 per person for the mud bath
Money - Don't remember seeing an ATM but I'm sure there would have been one
Provisions/Fuel - A couple of reasonable supermarkets, excellent butcher and good fruit and veg shops all ashore in Vulcano, small place all easy enough to find. Fuel Dock over in Lipari town at location in Cruising Guide which White Rose used. €1.32 per litre
Formalities - still none in Italy
Provisions/Fuel - A couple of reasonable supermarkets, excellent butcher and good fruit and veg shops all ashore in Vulcano, small place all easy enough to find. Fuel Dock over in Lipari town at location in Cruising Guide which White Rose used. €1.32 per litre
Formalities - still none in Italy
To view a map of our anchorages in Sicily and the Aeolians in a new page click HERE
