The Aeolian Islands by Bike and Boat – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 15 Miles/day average
Dates: Aug 29; Sep 5, 12, 19, 2015
Tour price: €1345
Start city: Milazzo, Italy
End city: Milazzo, Italy
Tour Description
Let yourself be enchanted by this spectacular cruise in the heart of the Mediterranean sea. You will discover the pearls of Sicily, the extraordinary Aeolian islands, in a new and different way. During this week, on board of a caicco, you will discover the seven islands of volcanic origin, today part of the Unesco World Heritage.
You will reach the creeks of Vulcano, the cave of the Cavallo (Horse) and the pool of Venere, that owes its name to the goddess Venus, and has a wonderful crystalline water. The journey continues to the stacks Menalda in Lipari and to Valle Muria beach, two unspoiled places only reachable by boat; then the route reaches the lake of Lingua in Salina, where you do not have to forget to have a “granita” at Alfredo’s!
The tour touches Panarea, with its large rocky ridges of Basiluzzo and Lisca Bianca, an ideal place for a lunch with typical Aeolian products; and finally, after having circumnavigated the Strombolicchio, the natural lighthouse of the island of Stromboli, we enjoy one of the amazing highlights of this holiday, the “Sciara del Fuoco” an unforgettable natural show. On the background the continuous and rhythmic explosive activity of the Vulcan Stromboli, or “Iddu” (“Him”) how
the locals call it.
It is not just a matter of watching and observing, but a truly active journey intended to combine navigation and relaxation with cycling tours to enjoy the wonders of the Aeolian Islands.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival in Milazzo Day 2: Milazzo (19 miles/30 km) Day 3: Vulcano (19 miles/30 km) Day 4: Panarea – Lisca Bianca – Bottaro – Dattilo Panarea was for a long time the widest island of the Aeolian archipelago and volcanic activity is still clearly visible on the island in front of Dallilo, where vapours rise up through the cracks between the rocks. The vapour is clearly visible and the water reaches high temperatures and the smell of sulphur that rises from the depths is very intense. The presence of a Roman villa on the sea bottom in a small harbor of Basiluzzo is further testament to the shrinking of the island. Divers are fascinated with these ruins that herald a time when the island was wider than today. In the evening you will eat dinner on board. Tonight the ship will harbor in a sheltered stretch of water called a roadstead. Day 5: Panarea – Salina, Malvasia Island Day 6: Salina – Lipari (21 miles/34 km) Day 7: Lipari (16 miles/25 km) Day 8: Departure Please note: Included Services: Guided Please note: Bike Rentals: Guided Hybrid touring bikes will be equipped with the following at no additional charge: You can bring your own bicycles (at no extra cost). However, the crew or tour operator are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles. Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
Meet at 3:30 at Catania airport and then transfer to Milazzo harbour. You will embark on the boat at 6:00 pm at the Marina di Milazzo, after which you will enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and presentation of the program.
Overnight at port in Milazzo
Today you will tour the city of Milazzo by bike. Visit the Castle of Milazzo and its ancient village and witness of the passage of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who conquered the Italian unification with the mission of the “Mille”. Return to the caique at the Marina di Milazzo for dinner.
Overnight at port in Milazzo
Navigation towards the island of Vulcano. Breakfast and morning at disposal to visit the “ Sulphur Island”. Vulcano is famous for its sulphurous pit where it is possible to dip for a natural mud bath, healthy and relaxing for your skin. In the afternoon visit of the “Grotta del Cavallo” (Horse cave). Inside the cave you will be conquered by a “deafening silence”. Regenerating bath in the “Piscina di Venere” (pool of Venus). Finally, you will discover by bike the hinterland of the island towards Piano Grillo, ideal place to admire an amazing panorama. Dinner on board.
Overnight in port in Vulcano
After breakfast the morning will be spent in the boat circumnavigating Panarea, the smallest of the Aeolian Islands. The first Greek colonizers (4th-5th century b.c.) called it Panarayas, which means “the biggest” for its original wideness. The geological and volcanic activity has deeply changed the appearance of the island during the most recent millennia because of the constant earthquakes that have literally collapsed the main part of the island into the sea, so much so that even today the island continues slowly to descend below the water level about 1 centimetre each 10 years.
Overnight at a roadstead in Panarea
Breakfast on board and free time in the morning to visit the little village of Panarea, the Drautto beach and the prehistoric village. Lunch on board and navigation up the Island of Salina. Disembarkation in Salina and visit to the winery Hauner, that produces capers and Malvasia, a very famous local wine, exported all over the world. Dinner on board.
Overnight in port in Salina
Departure from the port and a great trip in the interior of the biggest island of the Aeolian
Archipelago. You will cycle till Rinella, the extreme opposite cape of the Island. Visit of the lake of Lingua and Pollara, with the possibility to taste the very good “granita” of Alfredo. Return on board and navigation until Lipari. Free time to visit the village, with the possibility to visit the archaeological museum Bernabò Breà, a Liguria archaeologist who founded in Lipari the museum about the prehistory of the Aeolian Islands. Dinner on board.
Overnight in the port of Lipari
Breakfast and navigation till Lipari. Then we will start a fantastic coast to coast route by bike, you will pass the white beaches, due to the ancient industrial activity for the extraction of pumice, and then Canneto, an exclusive summer resort, and return back to the historical centre rich in shops and restaurants. Return to the caique. Navigation up to Milazzo. Dinner on board.
Overnight in the port of Milazzo
Disembark at 9 am and collective transfer to Catania airport. End of the services.
the captain and the guide reserve the right to make alterations to the itinerary, depending on wind, sea and weather conditions or organizational requirements.
in case of adverse weather, the boat may need to return to port at night to anchor. In these cases there may be additional port fees not included in the cost of the tour package. The fees vary between ports, and will be divided among all participants and paid directly. (The per person/per night fees usually range €20-50.)
Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please let us know. The guide will help you to change out the seat.
Helmets are available to rent on this tour for €10, payable upon arrival. Helmets MUST be reserved at time of booking. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own, or purchase one when you arrive at your destination.
