Insider’s Italy

The new Sunreef 74 Blue Deer has an Italian crew whose favorite charter itineraries include five special islands.

Capt. Rocco Sisto has a grin so wide and cheerful that I’m not sure how his cheeks manage to fit on his face. As I stepped into the salon aboard the new Sunreef 74 Blue Deer, he greeted me as only an Italy native can, saying, “Welcome. You must try the Parmesan.”

To my right, on the galley counter, was half a wheel of the cheese. It was the size of a sofa throw pillow, the kind of display I’ve only ever seen in specialty shop windows on the streets of Florence or Genoa. I took a slice of prosciutto from the nearby tray, wrapped it around a chunk of the Parmesan and popped the whole bite into my mouth. The flavors were extraordinary, earthy and robust. I felt like I was discerning the terroir of an awardwinning Super Tuscan wine.

“In the store, you can get 30-month aged Parmesan,” Sisto said. “This is 60-month aged. It is custom. Everything is special on board. Everything.”

Blue Deer will base in Italy for the upcoming charter season, and the plan is to make itineraries just as memorable as that bite. “Anybody can be in Capri or Positano,” said owner’s agent Stefano Barbini, joining our conversation. “We like to offer some special itineraries.”

Starting from Naples, Sisto and Barbini enjoy taking guests to five islands in particular. The first is Procida. “This is where you find the authentic fishermen,” Barbini said. “You