CROSS CORINTHIA
explore the northeast corner of the Peloponnese
The Peloponnese Peninsula is a huge land mass that would take a good three weeks to cycle its most prominent destinations. Cross Peloponnese Drive & Bike enables a visitor to cover a broad swath of the peninsula. By contrast, Cross Corinthia is a way to become intimate with a small defined section of the peninsula, specifically the northeast corner of the Peloponnese.
Cross Corinthia should actually be called Cross Argolida Corinthia because it covers two geographical regions of the northeast corner of the Peloponnese: the upper portion (Corinthia) and the lower portion (Argolida). The Corinthia portion includes overnight in Isthmia and Nemea. The Argolida portion includes overnight in Epidavros, Spetses island and Nafplio.
The main difference between Cross Corinthia and Cross Peloponnese is that you do not confront the interior mountains. Cross Corinthia routes have flat stretches and hills but not challenging ascents. The highest elevation in the entire tour is 1360 feet, 417 meters compared to Cross Peloponnese’s highest elevation of 4324 feet, 1318 meters.
The beauty of Cross Corinthia is that you cycle on rural roads, visit a lovely Greek island, bike directly to three ancient historical sites and partake in the region’s fine food and indigenous wine.
Lonely Planet named the Peloponnese the #1 European destination in 2016.
If you only have one day in Athens, check out the one-day bike rides available at Athens Day Tours
Details
| Dates | choose your dates |
| Duration | 7 nights, 8 days for standard route. Possible to add or subtract days; minimum 5 nights |
| Add-ons |
yes, Athens Day Tours – see Add-On tab |
| Arrival City | Athens |
| Arrival transfer | No transfer if departing on tour from Athens Airport. For central Athens, see Extras tab |
| Tour Start Point | Athens Airport or central Athens |
| Tour End Point | Athens Airport or central Athens |
| Minimum Age |
18 |
| Total Mileage | 246.50 km, 151.80 miles for 8 day standard route. Mileage depends on optional routes sought and itinerary destinations. |
| Highest Elevation |
417 meters, 1360 feet |
| Rating | Moderate See Rating System |
Itinerary
Below is a standard Cross Corinthia tour, but it can be adjusted to add or subtract days or substitute overnight destinations. You can receive the vehicle, bike rack and the bikes either in central Athens or at Athens Airport directly upon arrival.
Day 1 Athens to Isthmia
Meet CycleGreece at Athens Airport to receive vehicle, bike, bike gear. (option to meet in central Athens)
Drive from Athens Airport to Kalamaki Beach in Isthmia. 110 km or 68 miles, 1.20 hours or from central Athens 82.6 km, 51 miles, 1.9 hours. Several tolls on the main highway.
Bike Kalamaki to Akrokorinthos Fortress. Walk the expansive grounds of this abandoned Venetian citadel to see magnificent views of the two surrounding gulfs. Cycle back to Kalamaki Beach 27 km, 16 miles
Day 2 Isthmia to coastal Epidavros
Morning bike Corinth Loop: Kalamaki to Ancient Corinth to Loutraki Bay to Kalamaki. Ancient Corinth has Roman era ruins and splendid artifacts in its museum. Loutraki Bay is expansive, stretching it seems to infinity. Cross the Corinth Canal in two places, at the lower end with a wooden bridge and the upper end with more panoramic views. 41.50 km, 25.70 miles
Afternoon drive Kalamaki to coastal Epidavros. 110 km, 68 miles, 1.10 hours
Day 3 Epidavros to Spetses island
Morning bike Epidavros Theatre Loop to reach 3rd century BC Epidavros Theatre, a World Heritage Site whose acoustics are so impeccable someone whispering on the stage can be heard from the last upper tier. 51.40 km, 32 miles
Afternoon drive Epidavros to Kosta port. 53.20 km, 33 miles, 1 hour. At tiny Kosta port park the vehicle in the 24 hour car park and, with bike and luggage, take a water taxi to Spetses island. The crossing takes about 10 minutes.
Day 4 Spetses
Bike a loop around tiny Spetses island. You’ll be surprised to see so much greenery. At the half way point take a dip in the sea at a marvelous sea cave with a little sandbar where pirates once hid out. Also take time to visit Bouboulina’s Museum, the female who commanded her own fleet during the Greek Revolution. 25 km, 15, 5 miles
Day 5 Spetses to Nafplio
Morning take the water taxi back to Kosta port. Drive from Kosta to Nafplio. 82 km, 51 miles, 1.20 hours
Afternoon bike the Mycenae Bridge Loop, visiting an unheralded ancient stone bridge probably several millennia old. The route passes by the sea south of Nafplio giving you an opportunity to take a dip if so inspired. 27.60 km, 17 miles
Day 6 Nafplio
Morning bike Nafplio to Ancient Mycenae, home of King Agamemnon who launched the Trojan War. The bike route takes you on a rural road through small villages and serene orange and lemon groves with relatively little traffic. 44 km, 27 miles,
Afternoon back in Nafplio take time to climb the 999 steps to Palamidi a 17th century Venetian fortress. You can enter the dungeon where the Revolutionary War guerrilla leader Kolokotronis was held.
Day 7 Nafplio to Nemea
Morning drive Nafplio to Nemea. 40 km, 25 miles, 40 minutes
Afternoon bike the Wineries Loop. There are usually several wineries open to drop in for wine tasting of the famous Nemean wines whose grapes have been cultivated for millennia. Also en route is the Nemea archaeology site whose stadium entry is impressive. In the ancient days, Games were held in Olympia, Isthmia, Delphi and Nemea. 30 km, 18.6 miles
Evening — be prepared for an amazing five course gourmet meal using organic ingredients from the chef’s garden and wine tasting of several fine Nemea wines. All prepared and presented by the hosts of the special house where you overnight.
Day 8 Departure
Drive to Athens Airport 145 km, 90 miles, 1.30 hours or central Athens117 km, 73 miles, 1.23 hours Meet CycleGreece to return vehicle, bikes and bike gear.
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.
NOTE: You may substitute the walking Food Tour for a cycling tour on Aegina Island or Marathon.
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,
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
| 1 or 2 riders |
8 Days – 2350 euros per person |
| 3 riders |
8 Days – 2230 euros per person |
| 4 riders |
8 Days – 2200 euros per person |
| 5 or more riders | contact us for cost |
| Single Supplement | 8 Days – 750 euros per person |
Cost may vary if Itinerary varies.
TOUR INCLUSIONS for 8 day itinerary
Accommodations: 7 nights in 3-4 star hotels ranging from upscale to family run guesthouses. Tasteful, clean, air-conditioned, private bath, abundant hospitality, comfort. All accommodations come with breakfast. Tour price is based on double occupancy. Single supplement costs apply for individual rooms. Triples may or may not be available depending on the hotel.
Vehicle: 4 door vehicle for 1-3 guests similar to a Nissan Note. Mini-van for 4 – 8 guests similar to a Nissan Prima Star. Includes standard vehicle insurance, GPS guidance, manual steering (automatic steering is an upgrade), road assistance. Does not include gas, tolls or parking fees.
Drop-off Fee: Pick up vehicle in one destination and drop it off in another destination.
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 are available as an upgrade on request. E-bikes cost 400 euros. Carbon bikes cost 560 euros. See Our Bikes and Our Gear. Regular pedals or toe clips on request. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals and shoes.
Bike gear: 2 water bottles, helmet, handlebar pouch, odometer, lock, rear bik rack on request, helmet. For hygienic purposes we encourage you to bring your own helmet. Rear bike rack for 4 door vehicle. For mini-van, back seat is removed to make space for the bikes.
Bike tools and parts: hand pump, patch kit, tire irons, spare tube, multi-tool, helmet. One set per group.
Cue sheets: plus distance/elevation profiles
GPX tracks for those bringing their own Garmin device
GPS device: Oregon 450 with programmed routes, arrow indicating route and turns. Bike mount for GPS. One device/mount per group.
Maps: road maps in English and Greek
Dinner at Nemea Five course gourmet dinner with traditional dishes cooked by local chef using organic and local ingredients accompanied by two matching bottles of high quality local wine.
Trip packet: useful information, such as, recommended tavernas, points of interest, phone numbers for region’s bike shops
Mobile phone: one per couple with 10 euros phone card. One phone per group.
CycleGreece jersey: short sleeved, rear pockets, locally made
CycleGreece lite backpack: 17” x 13”, 43cm x 33cm
Gratuities, tips, 24% VAT tax
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
- Airfare to/from Greece
- Transfer from Athens Airport to Athens hotel on arrival, or from hotel on departure to port or airport
- Private licensed guides at Mycenae and Epidavros – see Extras tab
- Wine tastings at wineries (about 5-10 euros per winery)
- Additional GPS device, 50 euros per device
- Meals except breakfast and 5 course Nemean gourmet dinner
- Travel Insurance – see Extras tab
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. Cost is 560 euros for an 8 day tour. See Our Bikes and Our Gear for more info
Travel Insurance
- For travel insurance for U.S citizens, we are official agents of Travel Guard. Contact us to receive a policy quote. Cost of coverage depends on various factors including your state of residence, 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 to Athens
- 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.
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.
Private Archaeology Guide
- 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, 120 euros per group
- Mycenae: 1 hour, 120 euros per group
Accommodations
An indicative hotel for Cross Corinthia is Kalamaki Beach Hotel nestled in a green oasis overlooking the Saronic Gulf Sea.
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.
Drive & Bike 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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