Caique Holidays: Tremiti Islands

Gulet cruise
A week among the Tremiti Islands

The Gulet-type Gulet Gulet can comfortably accommodate you with its generous spaces, it is 32 metres long, 7.50 wide, has a sunbathing area of about 200 square metres on 3 levels, and is equipped with a convenient royal staircase for descents into the water and a convenient lift for bathing.
The interiors are air-conditioned on sultry days and the 10 cabins all have private bathrooms. Two lounges have seating for all guests. There is a 50″ TV with decoder, and DVD with a good stereo system to listen to your music as well.
The rooms and furnishings are marine style, in the colours of mahogany wood combined with white and blue.
It is equipped with instrumentation and safety for travel anywhere in the Mediterranean Sea.

Dates of departure and arrival
– July 22, 5:00 PM – July 28, 5:00 PM
– July 29, 4:00 PM – August 4, 5:00 PM
– August 5, 5:00 PM – August 11, 5:00 PM
– August 19, 5:00 PM – August 25, 5:00 PM
– August 26, 5:00 PM – September 1, 5:00 PM

Sailing itinerary

1st day - Sunday:
We have the whole day to board the gulet. Embarkation is from the afternoon until dinnertime.
You take the ferry from Termoli (where there is parking to possibly leave a car) and in an hour's crossing you arrive in San Domino. Just phone the captain, Matteo, who will pick you up at the pier.
And here we are: on the caique! We take possession of our cabin, put the few clothes in the wardrobes and are ready to have an aperitif on deck in front of the wonder of these islands. Matteo explains the safety rules on board, few but vital, listen to him! He usually spices everything up with amusing anecdotes of sailors who didn't listen to him and made a few messes (not serious ones, fortunately). The rest of the ‘crew’ also shows up, they are all smart guys, great connoisseurs of the sea.
And then it's dinner time, on the big tables on the upper deck. The white wine (which is always included here) goes down well and we get to know each other. All this against the backdrop of the island of St Nicholas, which slowly lights up like a nativity scene in the twilight.
Those who are not sleepy continue to chat while lying on the cushions in the aft cockpit, lulled by the lapping of the waves.

Day 2 - Monday
On the gulet, breakfast is hot croissants. Of course there is also an oven on this boat, I told you it's like being at home! As well as cereals, rusks and the usual Italian breakfast foods, things from home also come out of the larder: jars of Nutella for example, and a real coffee machine!
While we finish our breakfast, the gulet sets off on a circumnavigation of the archipelago off the coast. The archipelago consists of five islands: San Nicola, San Domino, Cretaccio, Capraia and Pianosa. Since 1989 they have been a Marine Nature Reserve belonging to the Gargano National Park.
The water, as you can well imagine, is crystal clear and we inaugurate the week with a nice swim. It is easy to get off the boat ladder or by dinghy. There are also those who, more intrepid, dive headfirst from the bow. One swims among schools of fish and starfish.
When we return on board, lunch is already ready.
In the afternoon, the caique reaches the sea caves of San Domino, which we visit using the dinghy. Then we take another swim in a blue cove, framed by the deep green of the Aleppo pines on the shore.
A rich shower, dinner on board and after dinner free: those who want to go down to the islands and those who want to stay on the boat.
This is a typical day on the caique in the Tremiti. The only thing missing, of course, is stress.

Day 3 - Tuesday:  
Today we talk about the biology of the Marine Reserve and the underwater world of the Tremiti Islands. A perfect ecosystem threatened by the spectre of drilling but strenuously defended by the islanders, who will not give up!
Meanwhile, we move on to the island of Caprara, the northernmost and wildest. Here we do some snorkelling with the staff and then have a nice lunch on board.
In the afternoon, more swimming and then a hike to the old lighthouse.
At the end of the day we will return to San Domino. Tonight dinner is free and we go ashore to experience one of the local restaurants (dinner not included in the fee).

Day 4 - Wednesday:
After breakfast today we talk about... mediaeval history. Don't all jump in at once, here in the Tremiti Islands history is not a boring thing, quite the contrary. We descend to the island of San Nicola, the historical, religious and administrative centre of the archipelago. The panorama is dominated by the mighty abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, dating back to the 11th century. To get there, from the small port, we walk up a picturesque alley carved into the stone of the mountain. We will be accompanied by an official guide who will tell us exciting stories. We are used to perceiving the life of a monastic community as something boring. Wrong! Although very isolated, the monks of St Nicholas faced feuds and betrayals, pirate attacks and papal bulls in a bloody Middle Ages. I won't tell you the details here, but I can forewarn you that you will spend the whole morning with your ears open and eyes wide open.
After visiting the abbey, we arrive at the highest point of the island, where the goats graze. From there the view is splendid: sheer cliffs overlooking the blue sea.
Going down we can take a swim in the small harbour beach. They use it to moor boats, but the sea is fantastic here too!
In the evening, dinner on board.

Day 5 – Thursday:
Today, we will explore some underwater archaeological sites.
After lunch, we’ll head to Cretaccio Island, where we’ll spend the afternoon relaxing on the beaches of the smallest island in the Tremiti.
Dinner on board, followed by another free evening to explore the islands.

Day 6 – Friday:
After breakfast, if there’s wind, we’ll hoist all the gulet’s sails and, with the engine off, make a wide circumnavigation of the archipelago. The gulet is an old sailing ship, built for sailing, and we’ll enjoy the silence of the sea, allowing only the wind and the waves to make sound.
We’ll have lunch on board and then head back to San Domino, stopping at the "Pagliai," perhaps the most beautiful beach of the Tremiti. It gets its name from the massive rocks that emerge from the sea, resembling huge haystacks resting on the water.
For those who are up to it, you can try a dive guided by an instructor from the Marlin Tremiti team. At sunset, we’ll be anchored in front of San Nicola Island for a special aperitif with a stunning view. Then, it’s back ashore for dinner (not included).

Day 7 – Saturday:
Today, we’ll visit Cala Matana and the Elephant Rock, enjoying the final swims of this fantastic holiday. After lunch, we’ll do a farewell circumnavigation, and then, unfortunately, it’s time to disembark. Depending on the time of your ferry, we’ll take you to the dock at San Domino.
 

Participation fee: from €990 + €250 for fuel and provisions per person.
 

The fee includes:
- Booking assistance
- Assistance for embarkation in the Tremiti Islands
- Assistance on board and ashore during the period of stay/cruise
- Accommodation in double/triple cabin with private bathroom
- Transport insurance policy
- Port expenses
- Weekly navigation programme
- Fuel max. 4 hours sailing per day
- Fuel for generator 6 hours daily
- Boat/shore transfers
- Bed linen (1 change per week)
- Tidying up and daily cleaning of the boat's common areas
- Use of on-board stereo and DVD film library
- Use of internet connection to view private emails
- Full board with the exception of 2 free dinners on the islands
- Return transfers from Freedom to San Domino or San Nicola for excursions
- Introduction to the marine biology of the Tremiti Marine Reserve
- Snorkelling excursion in zone ‘B’ of the Marine Reserve, submerged statue of Padre Pio
- Excursions to sea caves
- Introduction to the richness of the Tremiti's submerged archaeological heritage
- Historical and cultural excursion to San Nicola Island
- Trekking excursion to the islands
- Diving test with diving instructor (equipment hire not included)

The fee does not include:
- Travel to the embarkation point
– 2 cene libere sulle isole
- Drinks at the bar and everything not mentioned under ‘includes’
– €250 contribution for fuel and provisions for the common fund

Optional activities:
- Scuba diving with diving equipment hire
- Diving courses
- Boat licence courses, within 6 miles and/or without limits from the coast, motor and sailing
- Practical training course for coastal or deep-sea navigation
- Exclusive cabin supplement, if available (on request)

Reductions:
- Transfer from Termoli to the Tremiti Islands, by boat, free of charge with bookings made by 31 May 2018 (for cruises on 22/07, 29/07, 19/08, 26/08)
- Children up to 3 years old, free (for the 05/08 cruise)