Central Greek Aegean Sea

Skill Level — Moderate–Difficult

This is a moderate to difficult guided bike and boat tour using a hybrid bike and an easy-moderate level using an Ebike. Worth noting are two challenging cycle tours on Kalymnos and Kos. It is assumed that participants have good stamina and have trained! You will be glad you did. The routes reach an altitude of 200-500 meters. The route is designed to utilize asphalted roads with little traffic as much as possible. The daily biking distances range from 6 to 26 miles (9 to 42 km). Though the terrain is hilly and at times mountainous, the routes can be completed without time restraints. The tour guides will keep you informed of the upcoming routes and you can always opt to remain on board for all or part of the day. You may have the option to cycle individually or with other participants but this cannot be guaranteed. Your tour guide will assist with recommending suitable routes.

Please note that the riding pace will be determined by the cyclists on regular bikes (2024) and by the cyclists on E-bikes (2025). Guests who are taking part in these tours on an e-bike should be aware that regular cyclists need time to rest and take longer to climb the hills.

Airport Info

The nearest airport to your embarkation is Bodrum Airport (BJV). Alternatively, you can fly via the Greek island of Kos and continue by ferry to Bodrum. If you are planning on flying to Kos, please inform us and we can provide you with detailed local travel information as travel from here to Bodrum is more complicated. If you do decide to fly to Kos, you should choose a return flight with departure midday or in the afternoon hours to ensure a stress-free return journey.

Local Travel

Flying into/out of Bodrum
Your vessel will be moored on embarkation day in the port of Bodrum. Check-in begins at 2 pm. The actual mooring assignment within the port may not be available until embarkation day. For this reason, organized transfers are the most practical means of arriving to the boat. The boat will remain in port overnight.

Flying into/out of Kos
If you opt to arrive via Kos, from Kos Airport , you can take a taxi to the ferry terminal in Kos Town. The travel time is about 30 minutes and the cost is about €37-€45. Taxis can be found directly at the airport terminal.
You can also use public transportation. When you go out of the arrivals hall, you will find the bus station on your left, at a walking distance of about 25 meters. Here the bus departs to Kos town via Mastichari. The journey time is 40 minutes to Kos city. Tickets can be bought on board the bus for a price of € 3.20. The ferry crossing to Bodrum takes about 1 hour. You should be in Kos harbor at least 30 minutes before the ferry departs to allow time for border formalities. The departure is usually at 16:30, so you arrive at 17:30 in Bodrum. In Bodrum, a staff person can be waiting after the border check to escort you to the ship but you will need to provide your travel details. The return trip from Bodrum is usually at 9:30 am with arrival in Kos at 10:30 am. The ferry ticket costs about 19 euros each way and should be booked in advance online.

Climate

Please check local conditions before your arrival. The Mugla province in Turkey has a warm Mediterranean climate.

Day of Rest

You can always choose to skip a day’s bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead.

Recommended

Helmet use is mandatory on all bike rides. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. There are helmets available on board in limited numbers (reservation required).

There is limited Wifi on board. We recommend that you consider your own portable WiFi device which can be rented from numerous companies throughout Europe and the World. We have tried MyWebSpot and were very impressed by their service.

Remarks

1. Please be aware that you will be part of an international group of people. Language on board is English and German.
   
2. Minimum number of participants is 14 and maximum number is 30.
   
3. This tour is operated on some dates parallel with an MTB tour on the same boat. One guide will cater to the hybrid bike riders while the other guide will lead the MTB group.
   
4. Payment for the bar tab, water, etc. can be made in cash only, either in euro or in the local currency.

Important to know

Travel Documents

Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.

Please check the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. 

Other important information

Please book outward flights after midday into afternoon hours to allow yourself enough time to get from the ship to the airport.

Extra Stay

Extra nights can be booked in Bodrum before or after the tour. See pricing.

2024: 4-DAY PRE OR POST TOUR EXTENSION IN ISTANBUL
A visit to Turkey is not complete without having the experience of visiting Istanbul, one of the liveliest and most enchanting cities in the world. The program offers you a variety of organized activities as well as an abundance of free time to enjoy your favorite part of the city to its fullest.

Day 1: Istanbul
After arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST or SAW), you will be transferred to your hotel. Peering out of the car window, you will gain your first impressions of this exciting city. Check into the Eastanbul Suite Hotel or similar – your home for the next 3 days.

Day 2: Byzantine & Ottoman Istanbul
Today will be filled with visitations of architectural masterpieces of the Byzantine era in the old town of Istanbul: Visit the Hagia Sophia in the morning – the crowning church of the Byzantine emperor. Another unforgettable visitation is that of the Topkapi Palace, the former residence and governing seat of Sultans in the Ottoman Empire as well as the Sultan-Ahmed Mosque (‘Blue Mosque’). In the afternoon, visit the Hippodrom – the athletic and social center of the Byzantine Empire – as well as the Hippodrom Exhibition in an ancient Byzantine water cistern in the art museum, Nakkas. The day can be rounded off by marveling at local handicrafts while enjoying a great glass of wine. A farewell dinner is hosted on the shores of the Bosporus at the foot of the Galata Bridge.

Day 3: Modern Day Istanbul
After breakfast, a boat tour on the Bosporus will give you a perspective of the city from the water. Under the two giant hanging bridges, past countless palaces, summer villas, wooden huts as well as the fortress of Rumeli Hisari, and back to the Golden Horn. Visit the Galata Tower on the northern shore of the Golden Horn before continuing on to the Pera Art Museum. After a break for lunch, it is time to experience ‘modern Istanbul’ – a stroll through the Beyoglu suburb, the center of Western culture in Istanbul.

Day 4: Departure
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy the last impressions of the city as your transfer takes you to the Airport.

Tour Operator