Fabulous Favignana

Osman returned to the boat and we headed north for Sicily. A brief stop overnight and then we spent a few nights at the Aegadian island group to the northwest of Sicily, Favignana, which was one of the best hidden gems of our trip so far.

Favignana is a tiny island - it is possible, and most likely the best way - to walk to get anywhere. The roads are mostly dirt, the marina is a friendly little place with both types of bar: coffee and cocktails. The town is quintessentially Italian and absolutely no bigger than it needs to be for the few ferry visitors each day. The marina hosted live music on our last night which ended with someone’s Italian father singing karoke.

One of our most fun experiences was biking around the island with our good Aussie friends on S/V Miraflores. Saxon and Anika are taking a few years off—she’s a nurse, he’s a pilot—to sail from Europe to Australia. Miraflores means “to view the flowers” and these two beautiful people wear floral swimsuits. Saxon’s is a budgy smuggler.

They had friends visiting and the six of us plus Jordan set off to see the sights (Rosie had a bit of a cold this weekend so she laid low). There were old WWII tunnels, oceansides dug out for mining, an old tuna cannery, and a lovely juice stand just perfectly situated in the shade.

The second day, Jordan, Russ and I hiked 1,030 feet up to the top of the hill that dominates the island. At the top sits the Castle of Santa Catarina, built during the 15th century and used as a military observatory in WWII and possibly a prison. While the signs say No Trespassing, we weren’t the first or the only ones to peek around. The views go for miles, and the interior contains eerie relics of its storied past.

We said goodbye to Miraflores, stopped one more night without getting off the boat in the Favignana Island trio before setting off for an open water crossing to Sardinia.