MYTHIC ROADS
sensational sites & scenery
The highlight – if not the purpose – of the Mythic Roads tour is a two night stay in Mycenae at the Heinrich Schliemann House. After Schliemann excavated Troy he came to Greece in 1876 to dig at Mycenae where he stayed at a small inn. This inn became an influential gathering place for scholars, artists and explorers. Guests signed the hotel’s index cards which are framed enabling visitors to see the autographs of such luminaries as Agatha Christie, Carl Jung, Jean-Paul Sartre, Charlton Heston and during WWII Himmler, Goring, and Goebbels.
The humble little inn underwent Herculean renovations that transformed it into a classy bespoke hotel. With its stunning stylized antiques and artifacts the hotel doubles as a veritable museum. It reopened on September 12, 2026 under the name originally christened by Schliemann La Belle Helene de Menelas (Helen of Troy). To stay here is like being a part of a history.
The mythic grandeur continues with a ride to 3rd century BC Epidavros Theatre where attending a play was an act of spiritual healing for the ancients. It has exceptional natural acoustics that are heard like a microphone when standing center stage. Another mythic road ride takes you to the Ellinikon Pyramid, a surprise that few historians are aware of, but a handful of scholars believe this pyramid relates to ancient Egypt. The tour ends on the island of Poros with a short loop ride to the Poseidon Sanctuary where ancient asylum seekers, like Demosthenes, took refuge.
Details
| Dates | choose your dates |
| Duration | 7 nights, 8 days standard tour — opt for more days or less days (minimum 5 days) |
| Add-ons |
yes, Athens – see Add-on tab |
| Arrival City | Athens |
| Arrival transfer | see Extras tab |
| Tour Start Point | Athens at Piraeus port |
| Tour End Point | Poros island to Piraeus port |
| Minimum Age |
18 |
| Total Mileage | 303 km, 186 miles for standard 8 day tour |
| Highest Elevation |
571 m 1873 feet |
| Rating | Moderate – see Rating System |
Itinerary
Arrive at least one day early to Athens to test ride the bikes.
During the tour leave your luggage in the hotel and it will be transferred to your next destination.
Day 1 Сorinth
We meet you in the morning at Piraeus port to give you the bikes and take your luggage. Take the 40 minute ferry to Salamina island, the site where in 480 BC the Greeks trounced the Persians in the famous Battle of Salamis. Cycle across the island (13 km, 8 miles) to a second 10 minute ferry to get back on the mainland. Follow the old National highway along the coast to the Corinth Canal – stop for a photo op — and then to your seaside hotel on Kalamaki Beach. 49km, 30 miles
Day 2 Mycenae
Bike from your hotel to Ancient Corinth where St. Paul preached the Corinthians. Second archaeology site is Nemea, one of the four sites in ancient Greece where Games were held (also Olympia, Isthmia and Delphi). Finish in Mycenae village at the Heinrich Schliemann House where you partake in a wine tasting session, including the Blood of Hercules red wine. 60 km, 38 miles
Day 3 Mycenae
Cycle to Ancient Mycenae 6 km roundtrip and walk into the awesome beehive tombs with the Cyclopean stone entrances. Behold Lion’s Gate bearing the largest stone relief in Europe. Descend through the striking stone portal to the cistern. In the afternoon bike to the Silo Factory 6 km roundtrip where the owner’s enormous creativity produces art and furniture from discarded antiques. Option to take a ceramics class at the factory.
Day 4 Nafplio
Cycle a rural route past orange groves to reach Nafplio, one of the most charming towns in the Peloponnese. It has a grand town square, artisan shops, historic buildings and a long harbor walkway lined with fish tavernas. Take time to walk to the carved Lion of Bavaria. Hike up to the Palamidi, a 17th century Venetian fortress and prison. Take a small boat ride to Bourtzi where the executioners lived. 22.70 km 14 miles
Day 5 Nafplio
Before Mycenae, before Epidavros, older ruins exist in the Peloponnese believed to be from an era pre-dating written history. Head west from Nafplio hugging the bay to bike to a fascinating structure known as the Ellinikon Pyramid. The top is missing but it still is very much a pyramid, believed by some scholars to be from the same era and provenance as the Egyptian pyramids. 36.80 km, 22.80 miles On the return route, consider a detour to swim at Kiveri Beach.
Day 6 Coastal Epidavros
Cycle to 3rd century BC Epidavros Theatre, a World Heritage Site with impeccable acoustics. Stand on the last tier to hear a whisper from center stage. Stop to explore an unheralded ancient Mycenae Bridge considered to be located on the oldest road in Europe. In coastal Epidavros, snorkel to the Sunken City, an underwater Roman-era villa.
54 km, 33.60 miles
Day 7 Poros island
Head south to hug a coastline with spectacular seaviews, but also about 3 big climbs (highest 236m, 774 feet) before the road stays flat for about 27 km all the way to Galatas port where you catch a short 10 minute ferry to Poros island. Option to visit a traditional weaver on Poros. 40 km, 25 miles
Day 8 depart
Depart Poros on a 1 hour hydrofoil boat to Piraeus port in Athens. Daily departures with morning, afternoon and evening choices. If you have time in the morning, you can do a loop of the small island to the Poseidon Sanctuary for refugees seeking protection by the deities. 15.15 km, 9.40 miles
Athens Add-On, 4 Nights
Day 1: Athens – arrive and Welcome drink
Day 2: Athens – Historic Central Athens & Acropolis & Acropolis Museum
Start the morning with a three hour Athens Bike Tour that is 90% traffic free stopping at 25 points of interest, including famous sites like the changing of the guard at Parliament and unheralded sites like the Pynx where democracy was born and Socrates’ prison. Bike tour is 11 km, 6.8 miles. After lunch in an outdoor taverna at Plaka visit the incomparable Acropolis with a professional archaeology guide and the Acropolis Museum holding the monument’s treasures.
Day 3: Sounion – Temple of Poseidon
We take an excursion to the magnificent Temple of Poseidon in Sounion at the southern tip of Attica Peninsula. Lord Byron carved his name in the marble but the graffiti cannot mar the temple’s geometric precision nor its stupendous views. Bring your swimsuit for a dip in the sea before returning to the city. Includes lunch at a seaside taverna. Option to bike from the Acropolis to Sounion, 60 km, 37 miles or vehicle transfer to Vari and bike from there, 42 km, 26 miles
Day 4: Option #1 Aegina island 
Aegina is only an hour by boat from Athens’ port, Piraeus, which makes it a quick, easy island to escape to for a day’s cycling excursion. Pistachios are Aegina’s primary product so you will ride by many pistachio orchards. Explore ancient Aphaia whose temple is one of the best preserved in Greece. At Paleochora you’ll get off the bikes to walk amidst an abandoned village whose hillside is sprinkled with Byzantine chapels. The cycling is moderate, the highest hill only 515 feet, 157 meters with 36 km, 22 miles of cycling. Lunch at a seaside taverna.
Day 4: Option #2 Athens Secret Walking Food Tour
Take a walking tour that immerses you into Greek food, wine, local products, spirits. All things that stimulate the palate. Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest diets on the planet. The passionate gastronomic guide takes you to places you would never know as a foreigner. More than 20 tastings of food, coffee & wine, equivalent to brunch and a full lunch. 4 hours. Casual walking. Choice to start at 08:00, 09:00 or 10:00.
Day 5: depart
COST
1430 euros per person for 4 persons based on double occupancy
1690 euros per person for 2 persons based on double occupancy
440 euros for single supplement
INCLUSIONS
Accommodations: 4 nights in hotel within walking distance of Acropolis with daily breakfast.
Athens Bike Tour: 3 hours, hybrid bike, helmet, water bottle, front handlebar bag for cellphone, wallet, camera
Acropolis & Acropolis Museum: 3 hour private tour with professional guide, includes entry fees to Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
Temple of Poseidon: full day excursion, road bike, biking guide, vehicle support, entry fees to Temple of Poseidon, helmet, water bottle, front handlebar bag,
Aegina island: full day excursion, road bike, biking guide, vehicle support, entry fees to Aphaia, seaside lunch
Athens Food Tour: 4 hour walking tour, over 20 tastings at 11 food spots
Meals:
* Breakfasts are included at the Athens hotel.
* Four lunches
* No dinners
EXCLUSIONS
* All dinners
* Airport transfer on departure, requires minimum 4 persons, maximum 8 persons. See Extras tab
* Travel Insurance. See Extras tab
Cost in euros based on double occupancy
| 1-2 riders |
2500 euros per person |
| 3-4 riders |
2350 euros per person |
| Single Supplement |
850 euros |
TOUR INCLUSIONS
7 nights Accommodations: 3-4 star hotels, primarily family owned and operated, ranging from boutique hotels to seaside upscale hotels. Tasteful, clean, air-conditioned, private bath, abundant hospitality, comfort. All accommodations are standard doubles with option for upgrade. All accommodations serve breakfast, usually buffet style. Tour prices are based on double occupancy.
5 luggage transfers: Piraeus to Corinth > Corinth to Mycenae > Mycenae to Nafplio > Nafplio to Epidavros > Epidavros to Poros
Sea transfer: Poros to Piraeus
Bikes: Specialized road bike. Triple chain ring, 27 gears, carbon fiber fork. Carbon bikes are available as an upgrade for 50 euros a day. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade for 50 euros a day. Regular pedals or toe clips on request. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals and shoes. See Our Bikes and Our Gear
Bike gear: water bottles, helmet, handlebar pouch, lock, rear rack on request, cell phone mount
Bike tools: hand pump, patch kit, tire irons, spare tube, multi-tool. One set per group.
Bike Routes: Options (1) RideWithGPS tour routes to upload to your iphone or Android with voice narration (2) GPX tracks to download to your device – bring your own bike mount
Meals: Breakfasts are included at each hotel. Buffet dinner at hotel on Day 1.
Wine tasting session Nemea wine at Heinrich Schliemann House in Mycenae
Map of the region
Trip packet: useful and interesting information about the region
CycleGreece jersey: short sleeved, rear pockets, locally made
CycleGreece lightweight backpack: 17” x 13”, 43cm x 33cm
Gratuities, tips and 24% VAT taxes
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
- International airfare to/from Greece
- Transfer from Athens Airport to Athens on arrival
- Transfer from Piraeus port to your next destination on Day 8
- Athens hotel – we can assist with recommendations and/or bookings
- All meals except daily breakfasts and dinner on first tour night
- Ferry from Piraeus to Salamina island on Day 1 — 3 euros
- Ferry from Salamina to mainland on Day 1 — 70 cents
- Water taxi between Spetses and mainland — 30 euros one way
- Ferry between Poros and mainland — 1.50 euros one way
- Private licensed guides at archaeology sites – we can arrange professional guides on request at 170 euros per group for one hour tour, excluding entry fees of 20 euros per person per site
- Travel insurance – required to participate in a CycleGreece tour.
TAKE NOTE
- Participants are required to sign our Waiver
- Participants are required to agree to the Booking Agreement
- Travel Insurance is required as a condition for participation in a CycleGreece tour
Electric Bike
Carbon Road Bike
Travel Insurance
- Travel insurance is required to participate in a CycleGreece tour. For comparative rates see Insure My Trip. Cost of coverage depends on various factors including your state, your age, your days of travel. Travel insurance is not provided for flights booked using frequent flyer mileage. Some policies require booking within 15 days of paying your trip deposit, such as, cancel for any reason or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
Airport Transfer on Arrival
- Private transfer from Athens Airport to Athens hotel. You are met at the arrivals exit by one of our team holding a sign with your name on it. We wait for you regardless of how late your plane may arrive. No waiting in taxi or bus lines. 170 euros per transfer for up to 8 persons.
Athens Hotel
- If you stay in Athens pre or post tour, we can recommend a hotel and book your room.
- We patronize a range of Athenian hotels in different neighborhoods and different budgets.
Private Archaeology Guides
- Visiting famous ancient ruins without a professional guide is like watching a movie with the sound turned off! The guides we work with make the archaic stones and temples come alive. Costs below do not include entry fees.
- Epidavros Theatre: 1 hour, 170 euros per group
- Mycenae: 1 hour, 170 euros per group
Wine Tasting in Nafplio
- A professional certified oenologist enlightens your taste buds at a one hour wine tasting session in his “cava” (wine store). The focus is on the famous Nemean wines of the region, including the incomparable agioritiko, affectionally known as “Blood of Hercules.” Cost is 15 euros per person.. Includes tasting of 3 reds, 3 whites. Rusk & cheese served.
Greek Cooking Class on Poros
- With a big smile and lots of pizazz, Katerina will teach you how to make remarkable dishes of traditional island cuisine. Learn prep tips and special recipes from this local master, and then eat the fruits of your labor. 100 euros per person.
Weaving Class on Poros Island
- Meet Eleni, the only traditional weaver on the island, and perhaps in the Argo Saronic region. She has several looms and teaches you techniques traditional weavers still use as well as types of local wool and yarn. 25 euros per person for one hour session.
Accommodations
La Belle Helene de Menelas is the most exciting hotel on this tour due to its historical provenance connected to the excavation of Mycenae by Heinrich Schliemann in 1876. The bathroom pictured in the photo has a stone bathtub. The owner had to tear down the wall to bring it in and then rebuild the wall. That’s indicative of the owner’s dedication to authenticity.
We select the accommodations for tours based on quality, comfort, cleanliness, hospitality, location and charm. Most of the hotels on this tour are family owned and operated.
Hotels are included in the tour cost based on double occupancy. A single room entails an additional cost. Standard double rooms are provided but upgrade options are available.
All hotels are dependent on availability. In the event of no occupancy, we patronize comparable accommodations in the same location.
Self-Guided tours require a deposit of 400 euros per person with the balance due 90 days prior to departure.
To make payment, we must first set up your online account. Once your itinerary and cost are finalized, go to the Book Now link which takes you to the secure Aegea Booking page to input your credit card information via PayPal. You may pay with a major credit card or Visa or Mastercard debit card or a PayPal account if you have one. You have the option to pay in euros other currencies. We pay all bank service fees although your credit card company may charge you a foreign transaction fee.
Alternatively, if you are reluctant to pay online, we can take your credit card information by phone. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for us to call you. We can also give you our bank account details if you opt to pay by bank wire transfer which usually has lower fees than those charged by a credit card company .
See details in the Booking Agreement which you must agree as a condition to participation in a CycleGreece tour. Participants are also required to sign a Waiver & Release of Liability.
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