Central Greek Aegean

Greece Bike + Boat Tour

Central Greek Aegean from Bodrum

Aboard a comfortable Turkish Gulet (ship) and by bicycle, you will explore the sunny islands of the Greek Aegean. Although the tour begins in Turkey, all the islands that  will be visited  are part of Greece. These islands are  magical and mystical, rich in history and legends. This is a world  where the sun is painting its pictures and the sea is providing life. Join this tour and sail the Greek Aegean. You will relax in idyllic bays, enjoy the wonderful outlooks and follow the traces of a moving and glorious past. Come with us to the famous Asclipion, where the well known doctor Hippocrates practiced. We dive into the atmosphere of the holy island of Patmos or admire the wonderful panoramas on your bicycle tour there.

Skill Level

Moderate, guided tour. The bike routes require a basic level of fitness, ideally acquired by frequent bikin. The routes reach an altitude of 200 – 400 metres. The roads are mostly asphalted and take place on lightly trafficked roads as much as possible. The daily biking distances range from 9 to 19 miles (15 to 30 km). Routes cover hilly and mountainous terrain but can be completed without time restraints. You will also come across some longer and rather steep climbs, where you may want to push your bike. The tour guides will inform you about the course of the tour in due time. You always have the option to cycle individually or with other participants, using the maps provided. This would give you time to take photographs, explore flora and fauna or other sites at your leisure.

Where You’ll Stay

The Sunworld IX, a typical Turkish sailing ship, a so-called Gulet. The ship, which is completely air-conditioned, has four double cabins and four triple cabins. A crew of four takes great care of the well being of our guests with traditional Turkish hospitality.

What’s Included

• 8 day/ 7 night trip on a comfort class gulet (Turkish ship)
• Breakfasts & dinners
• Bed linen and towels
• 6 guided and individual tours as described in itinerary
• 21-gear trekking bike with an Ortlieb saddle bag
• Overview-maps for the daily tours, on board
• Group transfer from Izmir or Bodrum airport to the ship and back on embarkation and disembarkation day
• Entrances to museums and archaeological sites
• English and German speaking tour guide

What’s Not Included

• Drinks (tally sheet) & lunches
• Tips for crew & tour guide (optional)

Tour Dates

• April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, September 22, September 29 and October 6, 2012.

Tour Boats

• Sunworld IX

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Bodrum.
2. Island of Kos, 19 mi. (30 km)
3. Island of Kalymnos, 19 mi. (30 km)
4. Island of Lipsi, 9 mi. (15 km)
5. Island of Patmos, 16 mi. (25 km)
6. Island of Leros, 16 mi. (25 km)
7. Island of Kos, 19 mi. (30 km)
8. Disembarkation in Bodrum.

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

SATURDAY: Arrival in Bodrum.
Individual arrival at Izmir or Bodrum Airport and transfer to the ship in Bodrum. After checking in on board of the gulet, we will have the opportunity to visit the picturesque port town of Bodrum. Dinner on board. Some passengers will join the trip late in the evening.

SUNDAY: Island of Kos, 19 mi. (30 km)
Before lunch we cross over to Kos. The first cycle trip begins here and will lead us through green fields to Tingaki Beach, where we will have the opportunity to have our first swim in the Aegean. After our return to Kos town our boat will bring us to the neighboured island of Kalymnos, where we stay overnight in the main harbour of Pothia.

MONDAY: Island of Kalymnos, 19 mi. (30 km)
We will begin our cycle trip from the harbour Pothia, along the coast to above Vathy. From here we will travel through a surprisingly green and fertile valley to the quiet fishing village of Vathy, where we can have a coffee break in a cosy taverna. We will take the same route back to Pothia and if you would like to cycle a little further we may take a trip to the Convent of Agioi Pantes, from where we will have a brilliant view over the harbour. In the afternoon, we will travel on with the ship towards Lipsi, where we will stay overnight.

TUESDAY: Island of Lipsi, 9 mi. (15 km)
Lipsi with its quiet beaches and parts and its 55 churches, which has been largely spared from tourism, is a very worth-seeing island. After a short bike ride a beautiful, peaceful beach invites us to enjoy a long swim break. You mustn’t miss a visit to the wonderful bakery in the harbour. In the afternoon we will cross over to Patmos by boat, which can be seen from afar with its snow white upper town and its towering monastery.

WEDNESDAY: Island of Patmos, 16 mi. (25 km)
On a short but panoramic cycle route we will visit the grotto, in which St. John during his banishment by god saw the apocalypse. The world famous St. John monastery of Hora, a village, which has a paradise-like peaceful atmosphere with its numerous white laneways and 33 churches and chapels, is the next stop on our cycle. In the afternoon we will crossover by boat to the island of Leros.

THURSDAY: Island of Leros, 16 mi. (25 km)
Leros is green, varied and always offers new and surprising views into small harbours. A cycle trip in the morning will bring us to the fort of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in Agia Marina and into the small laneways of the town. After an espresso break in the idyllic harbour of the town we will cycle on to the seaside chapel of Agios Isidoros, in which many couples get married. In the afternoon you will cross over to the island of Kos, where our tour guides in the evening will accompany you to the lively old town of Kos. We will be confronted with the ancient history of the town at every step.

FRIDAY: Island of Kos, 19 mi. (30 km)
In the morning we will take a cycle trip to the world famous archaeological excavation site of the Asclipion, where Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, practiced. From here we will travel on to Zia, an old Greek mountain village, which tempts us to stay with its numerous, cosy tavernas. Later on our boat will take you back to Bodrum.

SATURDAY: Disembarkation in Bodrum.
After breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport or you may extend your stay in Europe.

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