The Aeolian Archipelago - Sicily Bike & Boat Holiday

Day 1: Individual arrival at Catania airport.                                                                Meet at 15.30 in Catania airport for a group transfer between to Marina di Nettuno in Milazzo. Embarkation onto the Sundial at 18.00. Allocation of Cabin before a welcome drink, dinner and presentation of the program. Night in the Marina di Nettuno.

Day 2: Milazzo
Cycle from Marina di Nettuno to Capo Milazzo (Milazzo Cape). Swim in the wonderful “Venus Pool”, a protected natural sea pool at the very end of the cape. Return to Milazzo and visit the Castello di Milazzo (Milazzo Castle). The castle is situated on the summit of a hill overlooking the town.  It was built as a result of the strategic importance of the Milazzo peninsula, which commands the Gulf of Patti, the body of water that separates Sicily from the Aeolian Islands. It also commands one of Sicily's most important natural harbours.  Return to the Sundial for dinner and a night in port.

Approx: Cycling 9 miles (14 km )  328 ft (100 mt)

Day 3: Vulcano
After breakfast on board, cast off and head towards the island of Vulcano, the “Sulphur Island”, Discover this island, away from the crowds, as you cycle towards Piano Grillo, an ideal spot to admire the amazing views.  There is free time in the afternoon and you can take the opportunity to hike up to the crater of the volcano (1312 ft, 400 mt), you can have a mud bath at the sulphur beach or swim among underwater fumaroles. Dinner on board and overnight in port on Vulcano.

Approx: Cycling 11 miles (18 Km)  +/- 1312 ft  (400 mt)

Day 4: Panarea and Stromboli
Have breakfast before setting off towards Panarea. Close to the tiny islands of Lisca Bianca, Bottara and Dattilo, the Sundial stops to allow everyone for a swim.  On these islands the volcanic activity is still clearly visible and vapours rises through the cracks in the rocks. On arrival at the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, Panarea, Sundial anchors in a lovely bay for a lunch break before heading towards Stromboli with a superb view of the Sciara del Fuoco, ("stream of fire"), a large horseshoe-shaped depression formed as a result of several collapses on the northwestern side of the cone. In the late afternoon walk 1312 ft (400 m) above sea level to watch the volcanic explosions at dusk with a picnic dinner. Return to Sundial and overnight in roadstead in Stromboli.

Approx: Walking 3.5 hours   +/- 1312 ft (400 mt)

Day 5: Stromboli - Panarea - Salina
Breakfast on board before departing for Panarea. The boat anchors in Porto San Pietro bay and everybody disembarks for a relaxed walk visiting the village of Panarea, the Drautto beach and the prehistoric village. There is a picnic lunch at Cala Junco and then everyone returns to Sundial which sets off for the Island of Salina with a break part way for a swim. In Salina there is a visit to a local shop where several local products can be sampled. Return on board and a night in port in Salina.  This evening you are free to explore Salina and find a local restaurant.

Approx: Walking 2.5 hours   +/- Flat 

Day 6: Salina - Lipari
Depart from the port for a great cycling trip round the largest island of the Aeolian Archipelago. Cycle from Santa Marina on the East coast to Pollara, a panoramic point on the western coast. Visit lake Lingua and you can't afford to miss tasting Alfredo’s excellent "granita". Return on board and set off for Lipari. Stroll around the charming village with its lovely shops and good restaurants. Dinner and overnight in the port of Lipari.

Approx: Cycling 13.5 miles (22 km) ,  +/- 984 ft (300 mt)

Day 7: Lipari
Starting from the village of Lipari cycle off on a fantastic coast to coast ride across the island.  Pass through the beautiful village of Canneto before reaching the pumice quarries and the lovely beach of Acquacalda where there is an opportunity to swim. Stop for a picnic lunch at the panoramic view point of Quattrocchi before heading for the historic centre, rich in shops and restaurants. Return to the caique and head back to the start of your journey in Milazzo. You are free for dinner and overnight in port. 

Approx: Cycling 15.5 miles (25 km)  +/- 1959 ft (600 mt)

Day 8 : Departure, disembark at 9 am and group transfer to Catania airport (arrival at around 12pm End of the services.

Please note: The captain and the guide reserve the right to make alterations to the itinerary, depending on wind, sea and weather conditions or organisational requirements.

Key Details:

• Eight day, seven night itinerary.
• The total distance of this cycling tour is approximately 158km / 98 miles.
• Duration and departures dates:
  8 days/7 nights from Saturday to Saturday
  Departures:
  Every Saturday from 16/05/2020 until 13/06/2020 and from 29/08/2020 until 26/09/2020 inclusive
• Level of difficulty : MEDIUM
  Terrain: from flat to hilly, with a daily positive difference in height from 0 to 600 mt.  Each daily stage is only 9 - 15.5 miles (15 - 25 km) and there is plenty of time to stop and take in your surroundings. However, this tour is recommended to people who have experience in biking tours. Not suitable for children under 12 years old. Not suitable for beginners.
  Participants: min. 4 pax

The Boat

Caique Sundial
Comfort: ****

6 double cabins with private facilities, shower and WC
Maximum12 places

Sundial is a 24,5 meters long and 6,25 meters wide Turkish caique.  It was built in the shipyard Vedat Sungul of Bodrum in Turkey, using the ancient art of the Turks shipwrights still in use. The solid structure in pine and mahogany woods makes the navigation really comfortable.  The caique was completely renovated in 2012 and has 6 double cabins: it can accommodate up to 12 people.

All cabins are equipped with private services with hot and cold water and shower and a little wardrobe with enough space to place bags and luggage (please exclude rigid luggage). The whole caique is furnished with air conditioning and comfortable inner spaces such as the spacious dinette. The guests can also relax on comfortable beach mattresses on the large solarium deck, enjoying the sound of the sea.  The stern deck has a wide and elegant lounge.

Catering on board is an excellent combination of fresh seafood and vegetables, pasta and meat all with the scent of the Mediterranean herbs.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Vegetarian meals are available, but please indicate this when booking.
Lactose or gluten-free meals: An additional charge of 50€ per person will be applied to provide lactose or gluten-free meals.  Please indicate this when booking.
Other allergy or intolerance issues:  We will check for the possibility of catering for all other allergy or intolerance cases, please check at the time of booking.  Please note an additional charge may apply.

NOTE: For 6 nights of the tour the boat will be docked in the port. On the remaining night the ship will stay anchored in a roadstead. A roadstead is a place outside the harbour where the ship can lie at anchor. It is an enclosed area with an opening to the sea. Natural roadsteads offer shelter from storms, winds and currents, and are frequently used for naval bases.
If in exceptional cases (unfavourable weather and/or sea conditions or for safety reasons) the ship must return to port during nights that it is scheduled to stay in a roadstead, the clients will be asked to pay the relative price for the stay in the port.  This amount is variable from port to port and will be divided among all the participants of the tour.  It will be paid locally (approximately 20 to 50€ per person per night, subject to changes).

There are lots of exciting things to see and do during your Bike Boat Tour in Sicily including:

• Evening picnic overlooking Stomboli's crater watching the glow and hopefully erruptions
• Climb up to a Vulcano's crater
• Mud bath Experience
• Swimming among underwater fumaroles
• Fresh Itallian cuisine
• Alfredo’s excellent "granita"
• Italian ice cream
• Swimming in “Venus Pool”, a protected natural sea pool

Getting to Sicily:

By Rail/Bus – N/A

By Car – Sicily can be reached by car via ferry from the mainland.

By Air – There are a number of flights available to Sicily but a group transfer is available from Catania Airport to the caique.

For more information on getting to Italy please visit the Italian Tourism website.