Cyclades Islands

Greece Bike + Boat Tour

The Cyclades Islands, comprised of  more than 30 islands, were the cradle of the first European civilized society 5,000 years ago. It is also here that Greece shows its most unadulterated side in all its variety: Gleaming white cubic houses with blue shutters and labyrinth lanes give the typical architectonic flavor to the island towns. The mostly ragged coastlines show impressive geological formations, turquoise-blue sea and fantastic sandy beaches. Experience the fascinating mixture between antiquity and modern times on your motorized sailing ship or on your bike and absorb the beauty of the central archipelago of the Greek Aegean.

Skill Level

Moderate to difficult guided bike tour. This tour requires a considerate level of fitness, ideally acquired by daily biking. The daily distances range from 12 to 22 miles (20 to 35 km) and lead through hilly or mountainous areas. Some uphill stretches are included. The roads are mostly asphalted. You can always choose to skip a bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead.

Where You’ll Stay

The newly remodeled (in 2001) Panagiota.

What’s Included

• 8-day trip on a 2-masted motor yacht with a crew of 4
• 7 nights on a motor yacht in a double cabin with private all-in-one bathroom (toilet & sink with hand-held shower)
• Breakfast & dinners, and 2x lunch
• Bed linen and towels
• 6 guided cycling tours as per itinerary
• 21-speed trekking bicycle with bike bag
• Overview-maps for each daily route, on board
• Transfer from Athens airport to ship and v.v. as long as you arrive & depart on embarkation & disembarkation days
• Entry fees to museums & archaeological sites
• English speaking tour guide

What’s Not Included

• Drinks on board (tally sheet)
• Any meals ashore
• Tips for crew & tour-guide (optional)
• Bicycle protection (€10 to €20/bike)

Tour Dates

• Saturdays on May 19, June 2, June 9, June 16, September 8, September 15 and September 22, 2012.

Tour Boats

• Panagiota

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Athens (Piraeus).
2. Kythnos Island, 15 mi. (25 km)
3. Seriphos Island, 22 mi. (35 km)
4. Siphnos Island, 12 mi. (20 km)
5. Syros and Mykonos Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
6. Delos Island and Tinos Island, 12 mi. (20 km)
7. Kea Island, 14 mi. (22 km)
8. Disembarkation.

*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 Athens (Piraeus).
Individual journey to Athens airport and collective transfer to Marina Zeas, the yacht harbour of Piraeus close to Athens and only 25 km (15 mi.) from Athens airport. Check-in from 2 p.m. on the Panagiota. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Piraeus.

SUNDAY: Kythnos Island, 15 mi. (25 km)
Kythnos Island was famous for its cheese and honey since ancient times. The first cycling tour, which will start in the harbor of Merichas and will first lead  to the capital Chora and offers lots of scenic views of the coastline. Chora is an appealing village, situated on a high plateau. Its angular alleys are decorated with painted flowers and geometric patterns. Then the cycle route leads to Driopida, a picturesque village. In the afternoon the motor yacht will take us to Siphnos for a relaxing time at the beach.Overnight stay in Kamares.

MONDAY: Seriphos Island, 22 mi. (35 km)
Seriphos is a small island far from the tourist track, with deep valleys, countless bays and coves and lots of beautiful sandy beaches. From the harbor town of Livadi, you will cycle along a serpentine road to the main town of Seriphos, whose cube form houses nestle along a mountain ridge high above the sea. Continuing on through untouched landscape to the Byzantine monastery of the Archangel Michael, you  will return to Livadi along a panoramic road on the East coast. In the afternoon the ship will arrive at Siphnos, which has a lovely beach.  Overnight stay in Kamares.

TUESDAY: Siphnos Island, 12 mi. (20 km)
The island of Siphnos, which is famous for its ceramic artwork, is only inhabited in land  as its coast drops steeply into the sea. The cycling tour begins in the harbour of Kamares. The route leads through a green, hilly terraced landscape to the central highlands with the island’s capital Kastro, which is a defensive settlement built on a steep cliff face and has been a listed as a protected town since 1975. In the afternoon, on board  the ship, you motor t to Syros, where you can round off the day in one of the numerous cafes on the spacious harbor promenade.

WEDNESDAY: Syros and Mykonos Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Ermoupolisis the capital town of the Cyclades and offers visitors an unforgettable view upon arrival. The town which is built on two hills is different from the other Cycladic towns. Pastel colored houses, many of which have classical facades dominant the townscape. You will bike along the coast of Syros, full of bays and coves along the entire southern half of the island, to the beautiful beach of Galissas. Continuing on, passing the convent of Saint Barbara, the route leads back to Ermoupolis. In the afternoon, it is off by boat to Mykonos. This picturesque town, with its famous windmills and its white cube form houses, is ideal for a  stroll. With a bit of luck you may even see the mascot of Mykonos in the maze of alley ways, the pelican Petros.

THURSDAY: Delos Island and Tinos Island, 15 mi. (25 km)
In the morning you have the opportunity to visit the important ancient sites on the island of Delos, where, according to Greek mythology, the god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born. After lunch, back on board to crossover to Tinos to  first visit the famous Evangelistria church in Tinos town. Today’s bike tour leads along a high road to the mountain village of Tarambados, a village full of walled dove towers with their filigree architecture, which represent remnants from Venetian times. Overnight stay in Tinos town.

FRIDAY: Kea Island, 14 mi. (22 km)
In the morning the ship motors to Kea, the most westerly inhabited Cyclade island, and is the wonderful natural harbor of Korissia. From here we will begin today's tour to the white beach of Otzias, where you will be tempted to take a dip in the refreshing Mediterranea. The next stop is the picturesque  town of Loulis,  situated in the mountains and has the main attraction on the island: he smiling lion of Kea, chiseled from stone in the 6th century B.C. Lastly,  you sail to Piraeus to spend your last night on board.

SATURDAY: Departure.
After breakfast, disembarkation.

*Please note: the Cyclades are relatively susceptible to wind. Normally this results in only a minor modification of the route. The alternative route leads into the Argosaronic Gulf, one of the most historic regions of Greece. You wil cross between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnesian to discover the islands of Egina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and the Methana peninsula. A hgihlight of this journey is a visit to the ancient Epidauros with the best preserved Greek theater.

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