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Highlights

• Nine day self-guided cycling tour Athens and Saronic Islands
• Athens Private Arrival transfers
• Surprising beautiful Athens with half day scenic bike tour beneath Acropolis
• Island Hopping in the Saronic Gulf
• Lively Poros and popular Aegina island
• Tour Code: GRSC221

• Itinerary - click for more

  You can explore Athens on your own or book our optional tour.  By boat from Piraeus to Poros,  peacefully situated in the Saronic Gulf. You will enjoy cycling through  beautiful green landscapes.  This island has frequent boat connection to Galatas on the Peloponnese. Along the coast you will peddle to a unique nature park for birds and via the village Taktikoupoli.s. By Ferry you travel to the island of Aegina. The temple of Aphaia is arguably the jewel in the crown of this island. Aegina is also famous for Pistachio Nuts.  On Aegina we have allowed time to relax. Or go on a fishing boat to nearby Moni or Agistri or walk in the inner land.  This is Greece at its best! From Aegina you travel back to Piraeus by ferry boat.

  Day 1:  Athens
  Arrrival Athens – Meet & Greet  & private transfer to your hotel.  After checking into your hotel, you may choose to spend the rest of your day exploring Athens.  Overnight Athens

  Day 2:  Athens After breakfast join a scenic tour of Athens.  Tour starts 9:30 am and explore Athens in this fun and easy 9km journey by bike. This 3.5 hour tour cycles at a nice, relaxed pace on quiet streets and narrow paths We make stops at many of the must-see sights of ancient Athens including the Ancient Agora, Roman Forum and the National Gardens. Enjoying local flavors is one of the highlights of our tour. During our 20 minute break, at a nice Greek cafe, you will be offered a cup of traditional Greek coffee or some delicious Greek ice cream.  Gain local insight to the city and enjoy a modern view of Athens without missing the amazing ancient part.  Overnight Athens

  Day 3:  Poros
  Transfer to Poros by boat (15 km)
  By taxi you will be transfered to Piraeus, where you catch the ferry for a 2,5-hour journey to Poros taking your bike and bags with you. Ferry timetables vary throughout the year and, if no ferry available on a given day, you might travel by hydrofoil (Flying Dolphin) or high-speed boat (Flying Cat). Due to lack of space on smaller boats, bikes may be transported to Poros separately.
  Option to morning bike tour of Athens. Arriving Poros early, time for an afternoon cycling route to the monastery of Zoodochou Pigis, a loop to the beach or a circuit round the town.
  Challenge: 3 hours, 15 km (plus an optional 8 km), 350 m ascent, 350 m descent

  Day 4:  Poros – Bicycle tour on Poros (17 km cycling, optional 3 km walking)
  Today travel west into central Poros, beginning  coastal section with an optional stop at a former Russian Navy base. Riding up in gradual ascent through lovely wooded terrain, you come to a small plateau, one of the few arable areas on Poros. Add an optional loop to the gracefully enduring Temple of Poseidon archaeological site and stand in awe beneath its sturdy columns. The day ends with a tough descent down into the town of Poros.  The route includes an optional one-hour walk on a stony path to the restored lighthouse situated at the western tip of the island.
  Challenge: 3 hours, 17 km plus optional 3 km walking, 375 m ascent, 375 m descent

  Day 5: Poros Loop from Poros via Psifta (31 km)
  You and your bike start by sailing on a little pontoon boat to Galatas, where your cycling route begins. Ride fertile farmland and zoom uphill to Taktikoupoli. Once you catch your breath, steady yourself for a rather steep descent down to the coast. Pedalling along to protected wetlands at Psifta, you stop to reflect in peace and quiet. Then cycle back to Galatas and get the ferry ‘home’ to Poros.
  Challenge: 5 hours, 31 km, 250 m ascent, 250 m descent

  Day 6:  Poros to Aegina

  Depending on the ferry time table you can make a cycling tour on Poros before traveling on the boat to Aegina. On Aegina you can explore the nice town of Aegina by bike. Accommodation – Aegina 3* Hotel

  Day 7: Aegina – Bicycle trip on Aegina (20 km)

   A relaxing day. You can either explore Aegina town with its Archaeological site and museums or you peddle 10km along the coast to the south to the picturesque village of Perdika. In the summer season you can go across per fishing boat to the uninhabited island of Moni and sunbath here on the organized beach with sunbeds. Alternatively you may prefer to walk to the inner land to the Ancient Olive grove or the summit of Ellanios mountain (532m).

  Challenge: 2 hours, 20 km, 50 m ascent, 50 m descent

  Day 8:  Bicycle trip on AeginaTodays cycling tour heads inland and gradually ascends to the monastery of Agios Nektarios, the Saint of the island. Many Greek-Orthodox believers go there on pilgrimage. Thereafter you cycle downhill towards the east coast.  Loop through a short ascend takes you to the archaeological temple of Aphaia (altitude 165m). After a visit you descend to the seaside resort of Agia Marina. From there you peddle to Portes, followed by a steep ascent to the hamlet of Anitseo where you find a great tavern. Just down the road you will see a beautiful Byzantine church, built on and with the materials of a former temple of Zeus Hellanios. Follows a descent to the west coast of Aegina and back to Aegina town.
  Challenge: 6 hours, 36 km (with an optional 4 km), 400 m ascent, 400 m descent

  Day 9 – Departure  Today you will travel back to the mainland at Piraeus by ferry (with the bikes). The organised part of your holidays comes to end once the bikes are collected from you here. There are regular public transport connections with Athens Airport or you may prefer arrange a private transfer.  Note return flights must be booked from 14:00 hours or later.

  ***end of services***

• Practical Information - click for more

  Trip Grade: Between Level 2 to 3
  Cycling routes on tarmac roads, we have selected quiet country lanes wherever possible.  Level 3 strenuous biking in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Cycling experience need and bicycle up to 21 gears.

  Tour starts Athens:
  Reach hotel from airport by public transport or private transfer can be requested.
  Tour Ends Piraeus:
  End of tour you travel Piraeus to Athens by public express bus or you can take a taxi.

  The order of this itinerary may change according to the ferry connections available.
  We can send you GPS tracks of this trip upon request and after booking.

Included

• Eight nights accommodation: 2 night Athens, 3 nights Poros, 3 nights Aegina
• Daily Breakfast
• Private transfer Athens Airport to Hotel
• Athens half day scenic cycling group tour
• Transfer Athens Hotel to Piraeus
• Ferry tickets Piraeus-Poros (high speed if necessary), Poros-Aegina and Aegina-Piraeus
• Bicycle delivery in Piraeus and bike collection in Piraeus
• Luggage transfers port-hotel-port on the islands
• Detailed roadbook and basic maps GPS tracks
• Detailed itinerary in English.

Not Included

• Flights.
• Guided bicycle tour in Athens
• Bike rental
• Lunches and dinners with beverages.
• Items of personal nature not part of the inclusions.
• Tourism Tax

Optional Services

• Rental bikes have minimum 27 gears, front bags OR map holder, rear pannier, lock, bottle holder incl. bottle and repair kit. no helmet or Gps supplied
• E-bike including pannier bags Eur 35,00 per day
• Hybrid bike, including pannier bags Eur 16,00 per day
• Transfer Piraeus- Athens Airport

Hotels or Similar

• Athens 4* Novus Hotel
• Poros 3* Saga Hotel
• Engina 3* Danae Hotel (

2021 Dates & Rates

Price per person in CAD Dollars. Price indicative of Euro Exchange, CAD $ subject to change.
Rates  based on hotel availability. High season surcharges may apply.