Greek Islands Bike & Sail
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Sail the azure waters of the Aegean and cycle to ancient ruins and unspoilt beaches
In the South Aegean off mainland Greece is a group of more than 30 islands known as the Cyclades (pronounced Ki kla dez). Whitewashed houses with blue shutters, a labyrinth of narrow streets flowing through cobblestone villages, sandy beaches and a relaxed island lifestyle attracts visitors from all over the globe. Taking in these obvious attractions, this interactive sailing and cycling adventure delves further into the interior and coastlines, exploring little known coves and impressive geological formations, ancient sites and untouched villages. Sailing from Island to Island, we'll spend plenty of time ashore exploring fishing villages and historic sites by bike or just relaxing on the secluded beaches far away from the busy resorts and enjoying authentic Greek hospitality.
Highlights
- Cycling in the Cyclade islands with dramatic scenery
- Exploring the small towns and villages en route
- Swimming and snorkeling in the azure waters close to such islands as Mykonos and Siphnos
- Soaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable sailing boat
Itinerary
Day 1 Board boat in Piraeus
Individual journey to Athens airport and collective transfer to Marina Zeas, the yacht harbour close to Piraeus, a port only 25km from Athens airport. Check-in from 2pm. Overnight Piraeus. Dinner on board.
Day 2 Explore Kythnos Island (25km)
Early this morning the boat sails to Kythnos Island, famous for its cheese and honey since ancient times. The first cycling tour, which will start in the harbour of Merichas and take you to the capital Chora, offers lots of scenic views to the coastline. Chora is an appealing village, situated on a high plateau. Its angular alleys are decorated with painted flowers and geometric patterns. From here you will cycle to Driopida, a picturesque village. Afterwards you return to Merichas, where you can spend the evening in one of the cosy tavernas. Lunch or dinner is also included today.
Day 3 Sail to Seriphos, cycle from Livadi to the Byzantine monastery, sail to Siphnos (35km)
Seriphos is a small island far from the tourist track, with deep valleys, countless bays and coves and lots of beautiful sandy beaches. From the harbour town of Livadi you will cycle along a serpentine road to the main town of Seriphos, whose cube form houses nestle along a mountain ridge high above the sea. You will continue on through untouched landscape to the Byzantine monastery of the Archangel Michael, before returning to Livadi along a panoramic road on the east coast. In the afternoon the ship will bring you to Siphnos, where you can relax on the beach. Overnight stay in Kamares. Lunch or dinner is also included today.
Day 4 Cycle the highlands of Siphnos to the island's capital Kastro then sail to Syros (20km)
The island of Siphnos, which is famous for its ceramic artwork, is only inhabited away from the coast, as its coast characteristically drops steeply into the sea. The cycling tour begins in the harbour of Kamares. The route leads through a green, hilly terraced landscape to the central highlands to the island’s capital Kastro, a defensive settlement built on a steep cliff face which has been a listed and protected town since 1975. In the afternoon the ship continues to Syros, where you may choose to round off the day in one of the numerous cafes on the spacious harbour promenade. Lunch or dinner is also included today.
Day 5 Cycle to the stunning beach of Galissas, continue sail to Mykonos (30km)
The island of Syros is home to the capital town of the Cyclades, Ermoupolis. The town which is built on two hills is different from the other Cyclade towns. Pastel coloured houses, many of which have classical facades dominate the landscape. Today's cycle takes you along the coast of Syros, which is full of bays and coves, taking in the entire southern half of the island to the beautiful beach of Galissas. After a quick stop you continue past the convent of Saint Barbara back to Ermoupolis. In the afternoon we sail to Mykonos, where the picturesque main town with its famous windmills and its white cube form houses invites visitors to stroll through it. With a bit of luck you may even see the mascot of Mykonos in the maze of laneways, the pelican Petros. Lunch or dinner is also included today.
Day 6 Visit ancient sites on Delos, then cross to Tinos and cycle to Tarambados (25km)
In the morning you have the chance to visit the important ancient sites on the island of Delos, where according to Greek mythology the god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born. After lunch you will cross over to Tinos. There you will first visit the famous Evangelistria church in Tinos town. Today’s bike tour takes you along a high road to the mountain village of Tarambados, a village full of walled dove towers with their filigree architecture, which represent remnants from Venetian times. Overnight stay in Tinos town. Lunch or dinner is also included today.
Day 7 Sail to Kea, cycle to Ioulis in the mountains, then return to Piraeus (12km)
In the morning we sail to Kea. The starting point for our exploration of Kea, the most westerly inhabited Cyclade island, is the wonderful natural harbour of Korissia. From here you will begin your cycle to the picturesque main town of Ioulis which is situated in the mountains and has the most visited attraction on the island: The smiling lion of Kea which was chiseled from stone in the 6th century B.C. Alternatively, there is also the option to make your own way to the white beach of Otzias, where the Mediterranean will tempt you with a refreshing swim. In the afternoon we sail to Piraeus where we overnight. Lunch or dinner is also included today.
Day 8 Trip concludes
After breakfast, trip concludes with individual departure.
Additional Information
Inclusions
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and 5 lunches or dinners* (does not include drinks) The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the meals. *Note that on two days breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided. On five days dinner or lunch is supplied.
- 7 nights accommodation in a double cabin below deck with private bathroom (small supplement applies for above deck or single cabin. If you are travelling by yourself you will be matched with another passenger. The compact cabins have a double bed or a double bed with additional single bunk bed. Excellent discounts apply to a third person sharing a triple cabin, with a configuration of a French bed (quite cosy for two people as it is a little smaller than a double) and a single bunk bed above. Note that the lower deck cabins by their very nature will be marginally noisier and less ventilated due to their proximity to the engine and working part of the boat.
- 21 speed trekking bike rental with pannier
- 6 guided cycling tours on the different islands
- Experienced crew of 4 including English speaking tour guide
- Bed linen and towels
- Entries to museums and archeological sites for group visits
- Group transfer between Athens airport and Piraeus on day 1 and day 8
- Overview maps for daily cycle tours
Trip Main Activities
- GUIDED CYCLING
- SAILING
Group Size Min
14
Group Size Max
20
Accommodation Summary
The ship PANAGIOTA The Panagiota is an affectionately restored two-masted motor yacht, which is 23 ft. wide and 102 ft. long. It was built in 1990 and modernized in 2001 in conformity with the requirements of cruises. 6 cabins below deck and 4 cabins above deck are at the guests’ disposal. All cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with a French bed (4.6 ft wide) , one single bed and private shower and toilet. There is room for all guests in the spacious saloon to have the meals, to regenerate or to spend some time with new friends. When the weather conditions are fine the guests can have the meals outside on the shaded rear deck. The spacious sun deck, equipped with cosy mats, invites to have a sun bath and to relax.
Equipment Required
Bike helmet, wet weather gear, sunscreen, jogging shoes. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking.
What You Carry
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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site
from
USD$2,060
Why we recommend World Expeditions
- Pioneers in responsible travel.
- No local payments.
- True adventures in every sense.
- Expert guides and support.
- Quality facilities and transport.
Customer care
World Expeditions is a global company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada, all staffed with experienced adventure travellers.
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