Bike & Boat Gulf of Corinth & Ionian Islands
Distance: 30 km average per day Altitude meters: 300 - 700 altitude meters per day
Join us on a fascinating journey! On this Bike & Boat tour we explore both the Greek mainland with the impressive islands of the Ionian Sea. Along the way we get a first-hand experience of the scenic and cultural diversity in Greece as we travel by bike and on board the two-masted motorized sailing boat, the Panagiota.
The Ionian Islands show Greek at its greenest, unspoiled scenery and centuries of Venetian influence characterize this yet little-known archipelago. The glistening blue waters of the Ionian Sea, the mountainous landscape of Ithaca, the bird-sanctuary island, Lefkas, the mini-island of Meganisi and the small island of Paxos covered in olive groves all play part in a wonderfully relaxing vacation. Famous sites such as Delphi and Aegina are just some of the highlights of the tour. The passage through the Corinth Canal is sure to become an unforgettable memory.
This cycling trip is also offered from Corfu to Athens!
Individual arrival at Marina Zeas harbor. Check in on the Panagiota from 2 pm. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in the harbor of Marina Zeas.
In the morning we sail to Aegina, the famous pistachio island. Here our first cycle tour takes us to the excellently preserved temple of Aphaia, which lingers high above and scouts over the lucent sea. In the afternoon we sail with the Panagiota through the Isthmus of Corinth, which was completed in 1893. Julius Caesar had already plans for its construction. This 3.9 mi./6.3 km long but only 79 ft./24 m wide and 26 ft./8 m deep canal connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth and saves travelers sailing from Athens to Corinth the aprx. 258 mi./400 km long trip around the whole Peloponnese. If weather conditions are fine, the cruise continues to Galaxidi, otherwise overnight stay in or near Corinth.
In the morning a transfer picks us up at Galaxidi and takes us to the famous site of Delphi, which rests at the foot of the Parnassus mountain range. Apollo, the god of the light, was once worshipped here and the oracle consulted. Not only the many temples and treasuries, the well-preserved theatre and the stadium, but mainly the breath-taking hillside location of the sanctuary makes the visit to Delphi an unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, the bus will bring us to the harbour of Nafpaktos where we have time for lunch and a short stroll through the wonderful town before another short bus ride brings us finally to Mesolongi. The boat meets us here and we stay the night.
In the morning, a longer crossing takes us to Ithaca. If the weather is good, guests can take a swim break on the way before docking at the port of Vathy. In the afternoon we explore the legendary Ithaca by bike. Ithaca is a mountainous, scenic island where you can enjoy the unique charm of the Ionian Islands away from the tourist crowds. Beautiful olives, deep blue sea and friendly locals – on Ithaca, time seems to have stood still. Spectacular views await you on this round trip! Overnight stay in Vathy.
During breakfast we cross the sea to Meganisi. Our bike tour takes us along a panoramic route on quiet island roads through the three villages of this lovely island and gives you a good impression of the traditional island life of the locals. At the beach of Spartochori, we have time for a coffee and swimming break. In the afternoon, the journey continues to Nidri on Lefkas, where guests have the opportunity (if desired) to cycle through rustic olive groves to the hidden waterfall of Nidri. Overnight stay in Nidri.
Today’s bike tour leads through the impressive mountains of Lefkas to the island capital of the same name. On the way you can enjoy spectacular views before enjoying a well-deserved coffee in the mountain village of Karia. In the town of Lefkas, the Panagiota awaits us for a longer crossing to Paxos, during which you have plenty of time to relax. You can spend the evening in one of the cozy taverns in the unique natural harbour of Gaios.
Paxos, the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands is a grove of olive trees, which gives the island its wonderful silver green colour. On our morning cycle trip we circle the whole island. We can also have a swim in the Mediterranean on one of the many beaches. In the afternoon the Panagiota takes us to Corfu. The last evening aboard includes the communal dinner and a last get-together in a cozy atmosphere with crew and tour guides.
After breakfast check-out; individual return home or extended stay on the Corfu island.
Gulf of Corinth & Ionian Islands
Participants require a high level of fitness for this tour. The daily routes vary in length: 12 – 31 mi. (20 – 50 km). They lead through hilly and mountainous terrain. The tours can, however, be completed without any time-constraints. The cycle tours will have an altitude of 1,000 – 2,300 ft. (300 – 700 m). Participants will also need to master long and steep climbs, during which, of course, bikes can be pushed. Most of the roads we cycle along are asphalted and with low traffic. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle-tour. This tour is primarily a guided group tour. Your tour guide informs you each day about the tour details. Upon consultation with your tour guides, the possibility to cycle on your own along recommended, suitable routes, may present itself.
Requirement to wear a helmet
Helmet use is mandatory on all bike rides. . It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).
Please note: departure is on Friday
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 25,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
May 9
Lower deck: twin/double cabin € 2.099,-
Lower deck: cabin single use € 3.149,-
Upper deck: twin/double cabin € 2.449,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 3.674,-
June 6, July 4, August 29, September 26
Lower deck: twin/double cabin € 2.199,-
Lower deck: cabin single use € 3.299,-
Upper deck: twin/double cabin € 2.549,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 3.824,-
Extra options:
Rental bike per week € 80,-
E-bike per week € 245,- (limited)
Bike insurance € 20,- for a hybrid bike and € 30,- for an E-bike (optional)
Collective transfer (available on embarkation/disembarkation days only): between Athens airport and the boat in Marina Zeas / between a hotel in Athens city and the boat in Marina Zeas / between Corfu airport and the boat / between boat and a hotel in Corfu city (prices on request).
Port of embarkation/disembarkation
Athens: Marina Zeas, part of the Athens Piraeus harbor.
Corfu: Marina Gouvia. It is located 7 km north of the city of Corfu. In Gouvia the Panagiota has a fixed mooring at Mole P.
You are welcome to check in on board from 2 pm onwards on the embarkation day. If you arrive without a pre-booked transfer and have difficulties finding the Panagiota, please call your local guide (phone number is mentioned in your travel documents).
Inbound flight to Athens - Outbound flight from Corfu
A flight is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get to Greece. We recommend booking a ‘multi-stop’ flight.
On this tour the following barge is scheduled
For the duration of the tour we supply you with a waterproof pannier by Ortlieb, a practical way of carrying drinks, bathing gear, camera etc
By this tours you can rent the following bikes:
Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
An e-bike powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances. Standard components in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch rims with puncture proof tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
Catering
The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. A packed lunch instead of lunch on board is possible as well on our tour. The catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.
If you wish to eat vegetarian food or have distinctly different eating habits please inform us in time before your arrival. Please keep in mind that special food requirements cannot always be met in all details. If you have extensive food allergies we ask you to give us a list of the food that you can eat. This should be done before your arrival so that the cook can be instructed to plan and shop accordingly.
In the case of a glutenfree diet, we request that you bring along your own basic foodstuffs such as bread and cereals for the duration of your tour with us, as it is extremely difficult to attain these products from Greek vendors.
Please note that due to the small size of the kitchen and the available equipment on board, we cannot guarantee that your food will not come into contact with kitchen utensils in which gluten-containing foods have already been processed.
So if you have a serious celiac disease, where the food must not come into contact with utensils in which food containing gluten was prepared, then we would recommend not to participate in the trip as the risk of an allergic shock would be too high. If it is a (mild) gluten intolerance it is not a problem.
Language aboard
Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.
Time zone
Please note that Greece is on Eastern European (Summer) time, i.e. GM(S)T + 2 hours.
Itinerary changes
We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements.
Group riding pace
On our regular cycling tours, the cyclists on regular bicycles determine the pace. 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 take longer to climb the hills. We thank you for your understanding.
Bringing Children
We believe that only children with a good physical condition and previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 10 are able to master the cycle tours with their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.30 m (4.3 ft.) for hybrid bikes.
Internet availability
Please note that there is no WiFi available onboard the Panagiota. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend bringing your portable electronic device to a cafe or bar somewhere in the harbour. Free WiFi is on offer almost everywhere. If you order something to eat or drink, then you are able to use the WiFi to your hearts content.
Bringing private bikes & EXCLUSION of private E-BIKES and road bikes
The tour which you have booked requires a bike with a fully functional set of gears. We can offer you high quality, fully serviced rental bikes perfect for the terrain of this tour.
Should you however wish to bring your own hybrid or MTB with you, please make sure to check the condition of your breaks, gears, and tires and don’t forget to bring along a puncture repair kit and the essential spare parts for your bike (e.g. brake pads and tubes). Your bike should be in prefect mechanical working order.
We do not allow private e-bikes on board of our boats. This decision has been made due to health and safety regulations. If you wish to ride an e-bike for the duration of your tour, please get in touch with us about the rental options.
We do not recommend bringing along private road bikes, as the thin tires are not suitable for some of the road surfaces encountered on the tours.
Our Ships
Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated – day and night. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route as the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.
Yes, but you must indicate this when booking. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus.
On some trips, in case of a gluten-free diet/lactose-free diet/ vegan meals, a surcharge applies. This is stated per tour.
The size of the group depends on the barge scheduled on the tour. The capacity of the barges varies between 10 and 170 participants,but on most barges the capacity is between 10 and 24 people.
However, on the larger barges a guided cycling group never consists of more than 26 people.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (but that is almost never the case!), you can stay on board or your guide can organize an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours (at your own expense).
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States and Canada. We also receive guests from United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. The common language on board is English.
