Greek Aegean - Cyclades & Dodecanese Islands

Skill Level — Moderate–Difficult

This is a moderate to difficult guided bike and boat tour. The bike routes require a basic level of fitness, ideally acquired by regular cycling. The day tours take you through mainly hilly, even mountainous terrain and can be completed without any time constraints. There are also some extended climbs where walking your bike may be necessary. The daily biking distances range from 10 to 21 miles (17 to 35 km). Most of the roads are asphalted and are roads "less traveled". Your tour guide will inform you each day about the tour details. You can either decide to cycle self-guided, using the information and maps provided, or join one of the tour guides and other participants. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend time on board the boat, instead of participating in a planned cycle tour.

Airport Info

The most convenient airport to fly into and out of is Bodrum Airport (BJV). Transfers to and from the ship are available. See pricing. Alternatively, you can fly via the Greek island of Kos with a continuation by ferry to Bodrum. You can reach the island of Kos by scheduled flights through Athens or directly from many European cities. Use one of the many flight search engines for the cheapest rates.

Local Travel

Flying into/out of Bodrum
From the Bodrum airport, a transfer to the ship can be arranged with advanced reservation. See pricing.

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 09:30 with arrival in Kos at 10:30. The ferry ticket costs about 19 euros each way and should be booked in advance online.

Climate

Check local conditions prior to departure. Average high/low temperature in °F for the Bodrum area is: 68/57 for April, 76/63 for May, 86/68 for June, 85/71 for September, and 77/61 for October.

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 number (reservation required).

Remarks

The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on regular bicycles. We ask guests who have reserved an e-bike to be mindful of this and to acknowledge that the regular cyclists need time to rest and longer to climb the hills.

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.

*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.

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 before or after the tour are available: Hotel El Vino or Hotel Comca Manzara in Bodrum - pricing on request

4-DAY PRE- OR POST TOUR EXTENSION IN ISTANBUL

Day 1
After arriving at Istanbul Airport a transfer will bring you to the hotel. Peering out of the car window, you will gain your first impressions of this exciting city. Check into the Recital Boutique Hotel – your home for the next 3 days.

Day 2
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 3
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 handcrafts 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 4
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