By boat and bike: six Ionian Islands in eight days

Arrival at Corfu airport; make your own way to the port. Boarding from 2 pm. Take time to wander through the Venetian lanes of the old town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to the boat for your first dinner on board. The crew welcomes you, you discover your cabin, and the evening ends beneath the stars, lulled by the harbour.

The boat sets sail towards Sivota, on the mainland coast. You mount your bike for the first ride of the trip: a coastal road to Parga, a charming fortress-town with colourful facades and shaded terraces. Time for a coffee by the water, then back on board for a long crossing to Nidri, on the island of Lefkada. On the way, you pass the swing bridge that connects the island to the mainland, a spectacle in itself.

The morning begins with a walk to a waterfall tucked in the greenery near Nidri. If conditions allow, a refreshing swim awaits. Then the road rises gently through the hills of Lefkada, between olive groves and views over the turquoise sea, to the pretty little harbour of Sivota. The boat picks you up there for a cruise to Fiskardo, at the northern tip of Kefalonia. This village of colourful houses and lively terraces facing the harbour is one of the archipelago's pearls, the perfect spot for a free evening at a taverna.

The finest day of the trip, according to many travellers. From Fiskardo, the road climbs along the west coast of Kefalonia, offering striking views of the Assos peninsula and the famous Myrtos beach, whose deep blue waters contrast with the white cliffs. After this climb (greatly eased by e-bike), you cross the island's interior to the Melissani cave, an underground lake bathed in an unreal blue light filtering through the stalactites. You finish at Sami, where the boat awaits for a crossing to Vathy, the main port of Ithaca.

The island of Odysseus welcomes you with its maquis-covered hills and crystal waters. From Vathy, two options depending on your mood: a panoramic climb for the most curious, or a gentler route along the coast. Either way, you discover an island that has remained outside of time, where centuries-old olive trees line peaceful paths and every bay invites contemplation. The boat meets you at the port of Frikes for an end-of-day sail to the small island of Meganisi.

Meganisi is a hidden gem: a few villages of white houses, isolated roads, absolute tranquillity. You explore the island by bike in complete peace, passing through its three villages and the beach of Spartochori, where a coffee stop and a swim come naturally. In the afternoon, the boat unfurls its sails for a crossing to Paxos, whose natural harbour of Gaios exudes an incomparable island atmosphere: pastel houses, fishing boats, cascading bougainvillea.

Paxos is so densely planted with olive trees that the entire island seems wrapped in a silver veil. The morning is devoted to a ride around the island, between shaded paths, charming little ports and beaches where the transparent water irresistibly invites a swim. Take your time: this is the last cycling stage, and Paxos deserves to be savoured. In the afternoon, the boat sets course for Corfu for a final evening on board, an opportunity for a convivial dinner under the stars.