CRUSADER PATHS
Greece and Turkey in one tour
guided, vehicle support
Cycle Greek islands Kos,
Rhodes, Kalymnos, Nisyros, Symi.
In the 14th century the Knights of St. John arrived to the Dodecanese islands from Jerusalem. Many harbor towns still bear the regal façade of that era with castles, forts, moats, and palaces. The entire old town of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site.
Kos and Rhodes are the tour’s anchor islands. Ferry rides extend the biking to day trips to Kalymno, Nisyros and Symi islands.
Get your passports out for day boats to Bodrum and Marmari in Turkey. Visit the Halicarnassus Mausoleum in Bodrum, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.
This tour is more price-y than others because it offers luxury accommodations and there are many sea transfers, often with the support vehicle.
Before or after your Crusader Paths tour, take time to visit Athens in a multi-day bike tour that includes the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon, Attica wineries and other famous interesting sites. If you are a family, the wineries tour can be substituted with a more child-friendly tour. See Add-on tab.
If you only have one day to see Athens, consider our one-day tours at Athens Day Tours.
Details
| Dates | by group request |
| Duration | 9 days, 8 nights |
| Add-ons |
Athens – see Add-on tab |
| Arrival City | Kos Island |
| Arrival transfer | yes, from Kos Airport |
| Tour Start Point | Kos Island |
| Tour End Point | Rhodes island |
| Minimum Age |
8 |
| Minimum Pax |
8 |
| Maximum Pax |
14 |
| Total Mileage | 120 km, 193 miles |
| Highest Elevation |
744 feet, 227 meters |
| Rating | Easy – see Ratings System |
Itinerary
Arrive to Kos by 12:00 noon to participate in late afternoon ride walking tour of Kos town.
Daily flights to Kos are available from Athens and various European cities. Or take the overnight ferry boat from Piraeus, depart roughly 17:00, arrive 05:30 am
Day 1: Kos
Welcome to Kos, home of Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine. You are introduced to Kos town by a walking tour that includes the harbor’s imposing Knights of St. John Crusader Castle. Welcome dinner on the harbor. Walking, no biking.
Day 2: Kos
On your first full day in Kos guests are compelled to pay homage to Hippocrates by biking to the ruins where he maintained a school and clinic. After lunch a bike ride to Therma, the natural hot springs that flow out of seaside cliffs into the cool Mediterranean waters. Biking: 26 kilometers, 16 miles
Day 3: Kos and Bodrum, Turkey
A day trip to Bodrum by boat. The mighty medieval castle guarding the harbor entrance cannot be missed, nor its Museum of Underwater Archaeology whose exhibits expertly recreate the inner contents of an ancient sunken ship. Also, the Halicarnassus Mausoleum, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Walking, no biking.
Day 4: Kos and Nisyros
We leave Kos for the day by biking to Kardamena and taking a boat to the tiny volcanic island of Nisyros having fewer than 1000 inhabitants. Hot springs and a descent into a dormant volcano are the island’s highlights. Traditional Greek music and dancing in the evening. Biking: 28 km, 17 miles
Day 5: Rhodes
We take the ferry to Rhodes whose Old Town said to be the largest medieval city in Europe and the epicenter of Crusader activity in Greece. Your first activity is a guided tour of this fascinating walled city, including a stroll through the dry moat. Also visit an active hamam (Turkish bath), the Jewish Quarter, the labyrinthine alleyways, hidden courtyards, and much more. Walking, no biking.
Day 6: Rhodes
We cycle to the famous Valley of the Butterflies set in an enchanting shaded forest, and continue on to Seven Springs, another verdant spot flush with natural water. Biking: 30 km, 18 miles
Day 7: Rhodes and Marmari, Turkey
A day trip by boat to Marmari, Turkey submerges us into an oriental atmosphere of Middle East cuisine, Islamic architecture, mosques and a busy bazaar selling fine jewelry, leather and carpets. Walking, no biking.
Day 8: Rhodes
On our last day we cycle to Lindos, first inhabited in 3,000 BC. Its Acropolis was one of the most sacred in ancient Greece and later the Crusaders fortified its walls which tower 410 feet above the car-free town. Biking: 35 km, 21.70 miles
Day 9: Departure
Athens Add-On, 4 Nights
Day 1: 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 2: Athens – 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 3: Athens – Attica Wineries
The roads are primarily rural in this agricultural region full of grape vineyards, fig farms and pistachio orchards. The tour visits five wineries including an organic winery which won Greece’s first award for its bio-climatic system. At these wineries you have the opportunity to taste several varieties of local wine, such as, Savatiano, Attica’s indigenous wine, a white grape that withstands the summer temperatures with an aroma of citrus fruit and flowers. 45 km, 28 miles A special detour is made to the Temple of Artemis in Vravrona (a/k/a Brauron). This was an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of hunting, Artemis, that was a female-only place of worship.
Day 4: Athens –Athens 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 gastronomic guide takes you to places you would never know as a foreigner. 4 ½ hours 10:00 – 14:00.
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 4 star 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,
Attica Wineries: full day excursion, road bike, biking guide, vehicle support, wine tasting at 3-4 wineries, entry fees to Temple of Artemis
Athens Food Tour: 4½ hour walking tour, over 25 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
| Crusader Paths Tour Cost |
3900 euros per person |
| Single Supplement | 1500 euros |
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Accommodations: On Kos you luxuriate in 5-star seaside resort with every amenity imaginable. On Rhodes your hotel in the old city is located in a gorgeously renovated building constructed in 1300 AD. All accommodations are standard doubles with option for upgrade. All accommodations serve breakfast, usually buffet style. Tour prices are based on double occupancy. See Accommodations tab to request more info about this tour’s accommodations
Airport Transfers: from Kos Airport to Kos hotel and to Rhodes Airport from Rhodes hotel
Sea Transfers: Kos to Nisyros, Kos to Bodrum, Kos to Rhodes, Rhodes to Marmari
Bikes: Specialized road bike or hybrid bike. Triple chain ring, 27 gears. Road bike has carbon fiber fork. Hybrids have front suspension. Electric bike or carbon Tarmac bike available as an upgrade on request. Regular pedals or toe clips on request, E-bike 450 euros. Carbon bike 630 euros. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals and shoes. See Our Bikes and Our Gear
Bike Gear: helmet, water bottles, handlebar pouch, odometer
Support vehicle: “Sag wagon” with bilingual driver who is also a bike mechanic. Vehicle carries spare parts, floor pump, ice cooler, water, nutritious snacks, bike tools, first aid kit, day packs, luggage and gives you a lift if you get tired.
Tour Leader / Bike Guide: the Tour Leader handles all the tour logistics and rides with the group.
Meals: Breakfasts are included at each hotel. Dinners are generally at trusted establishments within walking distance of the hotel. Dinner consists of 2-3 appetizers and salad chosen by us and shared by the group. You are offered an entrée choice, usually a meat, fish or vegetarian dish. Dessert, house wine, water or beverage for those who don’t drink wine.
Entrance fees to all museums and archaeology sites
Bike Routes: Options (1) RideWithGPS tour routes to upload to your iphone or Android with voice narration – bring your own bike mount (2) GPX tracks to download to your device – bring your own bike mount
Cue sheets and cue sheet holders turn by turn directions plus distance/elevation profiles
Maps of the region
Trip packet: useful and interesting information about the region
Tour guide: Private one hour archaeology tour with professional licensed guide in Rhodes old town
CycleGreece jersey: short sleeved, rear pockets, locally made
CycleGreece lightweight backpack: 17” x 13”, 43cm x 33cm
Entrance fees to all museums and archaeology sites
Gratuities & 24% VAT taxes
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
- Airfare to/from Greece
- Airfare or ferry to Kos and from Rhodes
- All lunches
- Alcoholic beverages (other than house wine)
- Travel insurance – see Extras tab
- Tips for CycleGreece guides and drivers, at your discretion
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
- Upgrade to a Specialized Tarmac Sport, carbon fiber frame and fork at 70 euros a day. See Our Bikes and Our Gear for more info
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 or residence, your age, dates 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 Hotels
- 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.
Accommodations
An indicative hotel for Crusader Path tour is the five star resort hotel Kos Imperial Thalasso Hotel in Kos island (photo on left).
We select the accommodations for guided 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.
Guided tours require a deposit of 400 euros per person with the balance due 90 days prior to departure.
To make payment, click on 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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