Esprit Yachting’s 20th Anniversary Cruise
Armatori Raduno | La Rotta del Ventesimo
Marking two decades as Azimut’s official dealer in Malta, Esprit Yachting organised a special owners’ rally this July. La Rotta del Ventesimo was not a static dockside celebration but a week-long cruise across the central Mediterranean, designed to bring together clients, friends, and partners in a spirit of shared seamanship.
From Valletta to Syracuse
The fleet gathered in Valletta’s Marina di Valletta before casting off for the first leg across to Syracuse. It was a straightforward passage, three and a half hours in good conditions, setting the tone for a cruise that would emphasise steady sailing and well-chosen stopovers. In Syracuse, participants gathered for an aperitivo in the city’s historic Piazza Duomo, a suitably understated opening to the week.
Taormina and the Aeolians
The following day, the group headed north to Taormina. Here, the route blended coastal cruising with time ashore—owners and guests exploring the town or taking in views of Mount Etna before rejoining their boats in the evening.
Day three introduced more island character with a stop in Panarea, one of the Aeolian Islands. A relaxed brunch at Lisca Bianca gave way to a lively evening event, with yachts anchored in a sheltered bay and music carrying across the water. It was one of the few moments of orchestrated festivity, but still in keeping with the cruise’s measured atmosphere.
Calabria to the Amalfi
From the Aeolians, the flotilla moved along the Tyrrhenian coast, stopping at Tropea and then Sapri. Both ports offered a contrast to the busier earlier legs—smaller harbours, slower rhythms, and time for crews to enjoy a quieter pace.
By day six, the fleet reached Positano, the Amalfi Coast at its most recognisable. The vertical landscape, lined with pastel villas, provided one of the most memorable backdrops of the trip. Owners divided their time between going ashore and simply enjoying the view from the deck.
Nerano and Capri: The finale
The most symbolic day came at Nerano, where the group was joined by Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of the Azimut|Benetti Group. Her presence lent weight to the occasion, but the day itself remained informal—anchored around a long Mediterranean lunch at Conca del Sogno and the chance for owners to meet and talk without ceremony.
The final act unfolded at Capri. Here, lunch at Da Luigi ai Faraglioni under the island’s iconic rock formations closed the journey. No speeches, no staged farewells—just a quiet sense that the cruise had achieved its aim: to mark an anniversary through shared experience rather than spectacle.
A measured celebration
La Rotta del Ventesimo demonstrated how a rally can celebrate a milestone without overstatement. The route was well-judged, balancing open passages with short coastal hops, and the mix of historic ports, island anchorages, and Amalfi views gave the cruise rhythm and variety. More than anything, it underlined the value of community among owners—something that, after twenty years, Esprit Yachting clearly recognises as the real heart of its work.
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