Dining area
Deck chairs
Lounge area on deck
Air conditioning
Be enchanted by this spectacular cruise among the extraordinary Aeolian islands. On board a charming caique – a traditional fishing boat – you’ll discover these volcanic islands, today part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Starting from Milazzo on the north-east coast of Sicily, your first stop will be the island of Vulcano. The journey continues to Panarea, with its large rocky ridges. In the background you’ll admire the continuous explosive activity of the Stromboli volcano. We then head to Salina, where you can’t miss tasting a typical Sicilian granita! […]
In the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
Visit 5 Aeolian Islands
Explore UNESCO World Heritage landscapes
Barge with max. 12 passengers
Be enchanted by this spectacular cruise among the extraordinary Aeolian islands. On board a charming caique – a traditional fishing boat – you’ll discover these volcanic islands, today part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Starting from Milazzo on the north-east coast of Sicily, your first stop will be the island of Vulcano. The journey continues to Panarea, with its large rocky ridges. In the background you’ll admire the continuous explosive activity of the Stromboli volcano. We then head to Salina, where you can’t miss tasting a typical Sicilian granita! Finally, enjoy a tour around the charming island of Lipari.
Get ready to experience a truly active journey combining exploration with relaxation. On our cycling and walking tours, you’ll enjoy the wonders of the Aeolian Islands, also known as the “pearls of Sicily.”
The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling and walking excursions, you’ll cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You’ll dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day to take along the way. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are 2024: rental bikes/2025: rental E-Bikes on board.
Fully Guided
Accompanied by an experienced tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting places and sights during the daily cycling and walking tours. Along the way, you will hear all about what you encounter. You can also choose to cycle the cycling tours individually with the help of the Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).
We wish to specify that this is not a sailing trip. The ship is a motor vessel, it has sails but the navigation is powered by engines.
All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
Day 1: Embarkation: Milazzo
2024: Individual arrival and meeting at 3.30 pm at Catania airport, where you’ll be transferred to Milazzo harbor. Embarkation is at 6 pm at the Marina di Nettuno in Milazzo. Get to know your crew and accommodation on board, and enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and presentation of the program. Overnight in the harbor of Milazzo.
2025: Individual arrival and transfer to Milazzo harbor. Embarkation is at 6 pm at the Marina di Nettuno in Milazzo. Get to know your crew and accommodation on board, and enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and presentation of the program. Overnight in the harbor of Milazzo.
Day 2: Milazzo (Approx. 15 km/9.4 mi.)
Today you’ll cycle towards Capo Milazzo, where you’ll have the chance to bathe in the wonderful “Venus Pool”, a protected natural sea pool. Once back in Milazzo, you can visit the castle and its ancient hamlet. We’ll stay the night in the harbor of Milazzo.
Day 3: Milazzo – Vulcano Island | Vulcano, roundtrip (Approx. 20 km/12.7 mi.)
Today your caique Sundial will start navigating towards the island of Vulcano, the so-called “Sulphur Island,” where by bike you’ll explore the island’s hinterland around Piano Grillo, an ideal place to admire an amazing landscape. Then enjoy free time in the afternoon, with plenty of interesting suggestions: walk up to the crater of the volcano, take a mud bath at the island’s sulphur beach, or you can even swim among underwater fumaroles (volcanic vents). Overnight in the harbor of Vulcano.
Day 4: Vulcano – Panarea – Stromboli (3h30 walking)
After breakfast we head towards Panarea, stopping for a swim close to the little islands of Lisca Bianca, Bottara and Dattilo, where volcanic activity is still clearly visible. Once in Panarea, the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, you’ll have lunch at anchor in a picturesque bay. Then the caique, Sundial, will navigate towards Stromboli, with a superb view over the Sciara del Fuoco, Stromboli’s famous talus scree, which sometimes still features lava flows. In the late afternoon, we’ll take a walking trip up to 400mt (1312 ft) above sea level to admire the volcanic activity at dusk. Then we’ll enjoy a picnic dinner at a scenic panoramic viewpoint. Please bring forehead lights with you as the return is by night. Tonight we’ll stay in a sheltered anchorage at Stromboli.
Day 5: Stromboli – Panarea (2h30 walking) | Panarea – Salina
After breakfast, we’ll navigate back towards Panarea. After dropping anchor in the bay of Porto San Pietro, we’ll enjoy a pleasant walk to visit the little village of Panarea, as well as Drautto Beach and its prehistoric village. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Cala Junco and then return back on board. Afterwards, we’ll head towards the island of Salina, where you can visit a local shop and sample local products. Overnight in the harbor of Salina.
Day 6: Salina (Approx. 20 km/12.7 mi.) | Salina – Lipari
Today, you’ll start cycling directly on the island of Salina. From Santa Marina on the east coast, you’ll ride to Pollara, a panoramic point on the west coast, where you’ll visit the lake of Lingua. In Pollara you can try a delicious, refreshing granita. Back on board, the Sundial will navigate to the island of Lipari, where you can stroll around its charming village. Overnight in the harbor of Lipari.
Day 7: Lipari (Approx. 25 km/16 mi.) | Lipari – Milazzo
After breakfast, you’ll experience a wonderful coast-to-coast bike ride. Starting from the hamlet of Lipari, you’ll pass by the beautiful village and beach of Canneto. Stop for your picnic lunch at the panoramic point at Quattrocchi and then return to Lipari’s historical center, rich in shops and restaurants. Back on board, Sundial will navigate to Milazzo. Enjoy your last dinner at one of Milazzo’s many restaurants and overnight in the harbor of Milazzo.
Day 8: Disembarkation: Milazzo
2024: Check-out at 9am after breakfast and collective transfer to Catania airport. Arrival in Catania airport will be around 12 midday.
2025: End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9 a.m.
The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. We’ll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tour’s price.
Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.
Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Tours’s e-bikes.
Bicycle helmets
The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safety’s sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a “limit of liability for damage or loss” for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.
Other rental items
Other items such as children’s bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.
Taking your own bike or e-bike?
The fee for parking your own bicycle is €10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is €25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guest’s own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.
The e-bike is a tailormade Granville Urban. It is relatively light and has a comfortable low entry. It is equipped with a smooth functioning 9-speed chain shift and reliable hydraulic Shimano disc brakes as well as a powerful central motor from the Bosch Active+ line.
On this trip it is not possible to bring your own bikes due to lack of space on board.
To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.
Dining area
Deck chairs
Lounge area on deck
Air conditioning
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