Battle of Marathon

Battle of Marathon
bike where ancients fought

Description

Marathon town’s most famous event was the Battle of Marathon when Athenians defeated the invading Persians in 490 BC. Pedal to the sacred burial ground of the ancient Greek soldiers.

Quick quiz! If your hotel is in the center of Athens and the tour starts in the town of Marathon, how far is that? Any sports enthusiast knows the answer — 42 kilometers (26.2 miles), the distance of a runner’s marathon. When the Europeans resurrected the Olympics in 1896, they were inspired to recreate the route of Phidippides’ historic run from the Marathon battle scene to Athens to announce Nike, Nike (the Greek word for victory). This is how the marathon became a competition.

The Battle of Marathon tour does not follow Phidippides’ route. Instead, there’s a vehicle transfer to Marathon where you pedal to five points of interest, ending at a serene nature reserve in Schinias wetlands.

Details

Dates	choose your date
Duration	3 hours or 8 hours with add-on
Add-ons	Acropolis or Lycabetus – see Extras
Arrival City	Athens or PiraeusThis triggers the tooltip
Arrival transfer	yes, from Piraeus – see Extras
Tour Start Point	Acropolis pedestrian walkway
Tour End Point	Acropolis pedestrian walkway
Minimum Age	7
Minimum Pax	4
Maximum Pax	10 per group
Total Mileage	11 km, 6.80 miles
Highest Elevation	55 meters, 180 feet
Rating	Easy

Itinerary

Day 1: Arhanes On arrival, a CycleGreece agent meets you at the port or airport and transfers you to lovely Arhanes, a one-time Minoan village whose contemporary residents continue many of the same traditions, from growing grapes for wine to cultivating acclaimed olive oil. If morning arrival, afternoon cycle to Museum of Nikos Katzantakis, author of Zorba the Greek. 41.60 km, 25.80 miles or 24.55 km, 15 miles

Day 2: Arhanes Bike to the famed Minoan palace city of Knossos, the Ancient Minoa was the first civilization on European soil. By all accounts it was a peaceful empire. Recommend a taxi to Herakelion Archaeological Museum to avoid intense urban traffic. 25km, 15 miles roundtrip

Day 3: Zaros The ride from Arhanes 1245 feet (380 meters) ascends to the cheerful mountain village of Zaros 1394 feet high (425 meters). Zaros is known for its bottled mineral water, fresh trout and the E4 (European) hiking route. Optional afternoon hike in the Rouvas Gorge. 55.52 km, 34.50 miles

Day 4: Rethymno Back country roads, lots of climbing, breathtaking scenery characterizes today’s ride. The day’s final destination is Crete’s best kept secret, Rethymno. Make sure to visit the Fortezza, the grand Venetian-era fort overlooking the city. 77.20km, 48.00 miles

Day 5: Rethymno A bike ride into the low portions of the Psiloritis Mountains. Visit Melidoni Cave and learn its poignant history. Lunch on the seacoast at Panormos. Stroll Rethymno’s car-free alley-like streets or along its fourteen kilometer sandy beach. 67.70 km, 42 miles

Day 6: Hania The ride to Hania first passes the Minoan cemetery at Armeni with its fascinating tombs of unknown origin. Halfway en route is the gorgeous sea at Giorgiopoli. Last stretch is the climb over Malaxa village at 1500 feet high. 78.00 km, 48.50 miles

Day 7: Hania Ascend the enchanting Therissos Gorge up to 1860 feet. On the way back stop at a winery for lunch, or visit a botanical park created by two brothers in their burned out olive field. Enjoy Hania’s beautiful harbor with Venetian architecture. Take time for shopping in Hania – handmade knives or gold jewelry. 51.00 km, 31.60 miles

Day 7: Departure If departing Crete, vehicle transfer to airport or port. Leave your bikes and gear at the hotel.

Cost

Cost

Participants are required to sign our Waiver.
Participants are required to agree to the Booking Agreement
All costs are in euros. Click here for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
Costs are based on Double occupancy

Cost per person

Cost for 1 Rider	1300 euros / per person
Cost for 2 Riders	1400 euros / per person
Cost for 3 Riders	1200 euros / per person
Cost for 4+ Riders	800 euros / per person

Click here for daily exchange rates

Inclusions

Self-guided clients carry their own gear, like pump, tubes, patch kit, etc.

Road Service		Spare tube	1 per person
Accommodations	5	Rear rack	on request
Breakfast	daily	Patch kit	1 per group
Luggage transfers	4	Tire Irons	1 per group
Bike-rider transfers	2	Multi-tool	1 per group
Bike	road or hybrid	Hand pump	1 per group
Pedals	regular or cages	GPS device	1 per group
Water bottles	2 per person	Cue sheets	per person
Handlebar pouch	1 per person	Maps	1 per couple
Odometer	1 per person	Trip Folder	1 per couple
Helmet	1 per person	Mobile phone	1 per group
Lock	1 per person	CycleGreece jersey	1 per person

Exclusions
Panniers
Airfare to Greece
Transport to/from Crete
Meals except breakfast
Travel InsuranceWe are an official Travel Guard agent. Request Info

Extras

Optional Services.

Please Contact us if you want one of these serveces added on your tour. Optional services may alter the basic root of a tour or expand the total lenght! These

Pre-tour logistics (hotels, destinations, transport, etc)
Post-tour logistics

Licensed guide at Knossos or Malia
Traditional Crete Cooking Class
Olive Oil Tasting Session
Wine Tasting Session
Samaria Gorge Hike
Imbros Gorge Hike

Notes

NOTE

As Greece’s largest island with an extended network of rural roads, Crete offers cyclists exquisite routes through mountain villages that eventually descend to the sea. A must-see are the ancient Minoan palace cities of Knossos and Malia, or unheralded ruins, such as the mysterious Armeni cemetery near Rethymno.

Crete has its own delicious cuisine, its own dialect, its own traditional music. It’s practically its own country!