Details

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.

The itinerary below is standard, but it can be changed to add days or delete destinations. For example, Vytina or Kalavrita are precious places where we encourage you to consider staying two nights.

Day 1: Kalamaki Beach

Meet in the morning at Piraeus port. We give you the bikes and take your luggage. Start with a 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 ferry to get back on the mainland. Follow the old National highway along the coast to the Corinth Canal and then to your seaside hotel in Kalamaki Beach. 49 km, 30 miles

Day 2: Nafplio

Today’s cycling takes you to three remarkable ancient sites: Corinth, Nemea and Mycenae. The ruins seen today in Corinth date from the Roman era where St. Paul preached. You will look forward to stopping at Nemea as it is one of the four cities in the ancient world that held athletic games (also Olympia, Isthmia and Delphi). The highlight is Mycenae, a World Heritage Site, home of King Agamemnon who launched the Trojan War. End the day at Nafplio, the prettiest city in the Peloponnese. 82.70 km, 51 miles

Day 3: Nafplio

Today’s highlight is cycling to the 3rd century BC Epidavros Theatre, a World Heritage Site with impeccable acoustics. Stand on the last tier to hear a whisper from the stage. Back in Nafplio don’t fail to climb the 999 steps to the Palamidi, the formidable 17th century Venetian fortress. 58.50 km, 36.30 miles

Day 4: Vytina

Today is all about climbing. The first mountain is “bald,” no trees, which permits a panoramic view of a series of distant mountains reminiscent of sea waves. After lunch in Tripoli, you climb into the heart of Arcadia where the landscape is more verdant and the villages so charming. Vytina is a vibrant little town known for its fine local cheese and honey. 93 km, 57.70 miles

Day 5: Olympia

The exciting feature of today’s ride is a long descent hugging the Lousios Gorge. From a high of 4356 feet, 1328 meters in Vytina you descend to Olympia at 125 feet 38 meters. The ride ends cycling past the Ancient Olympia stadium, the ruins lying within a discus throw of your bike route. Tour the grounds and its stellar museum. 52.80 km, 32.80 miles

Day 6: Lampeia

If you didn’t have time to tour Ancient Olympia yesterday you can do so this morning because Lampei is less than a four hour ride. Lampeia is a true mountain village with no bank, no post office, no pharmacy, but it does have a guesthouse and the residents hang out at several cafes and the Balcony taverna. No tourists! 42.25 km, 26 miles Add 8 km, 5 miles for a side detour to the marvelous Foloi Oak Forest.

Day 7: Kalavrita

You’re in the middle of the Peloponnese, up in the mountains, but riding a ridge so it is basically flat almost the entire ride, except for the last ten miles when you face a steep ascent for about ten miles. Before tackling that climb, best to stop at the natural phenomena known as Cave of the Lakes, a series of underwater lakes inside a cave. 74.50 km, 46 miles

Day 8: Departure to central Athens or Athens Airport

The longest cycling day is the last day of the tour, from Kalavrita to Xylokastro. But don’t fret, it is mostly downhill and all flat hugging the Corinth Gulf sea coast biking eastward towards Athens. End the ride at Xylokastro seafront taverna.  From here we pick you up and transfer you to central Athens. 73.50 km, 45 miles

Day 8 Logistics    We meet you in Xylokastro for a transfer back to central Athens that is included in your tour cost.   If you have an early morning flight the next day, for a fee we can transfer you from Xylokastro to the Athens Airport area overnight accommodations.

Electric Bike

• E-bike is an upgrade at 50 euros a day.   See Our Bikes and Our Gear for more info
  

Carbon Road Bike

• Upgrade to a carbon bike at a cost of 50 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 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

• 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.

Optional Transfer on Day 8:

• Private transfer form Xylokastro to Athens Airport   250 euros per group

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 at 20 euros per person.
• Epidavros Theatre:   1 hour, 170 euros per group
• Mycenae:  1 hour,  170 euros per group
• Ancient Olympia:  2 hours, 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.  Rusk & cheese served.

Honey Tasting in Olympia

• A family run honey farm is the site where you learn about bees and the craft of honey making.  You are treated to honey tasting with “diples” (a local treat) and have the opportunity to buy homemade honey related products, such as, a balm that is a mosquito repellent.  The original owner’s granddaughter is the delightful, fascinating host. Cost is 15 euros per person.