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 through time and culture! This bike & boat tour through the Gulf of Corinth and the Ionian Islands combines the Greek mainland with the impressive islands of the Ionian Sea.
For one week, travelling by bicycle and on the two-masted motor sailer Panagiota, we experience first-hand the cultural and scenic diversity of Greece. Famous sites such as Delphi, where the ancient Greeks once consulted the oracle, or Aegina, where the white temple of Aphaia gleams high above the sea are some of the highlights of the tour. The passage through the Corinth Canal, an artificial seaway connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean, will surely become an unforgettable memory. In the archipelago of the Ionian Islands, you see Greece at its greenest. An unspoiled landscape and centuries of Venetian influence characterize this still fairly unknown group of islands. The crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea glittering in all shades of blue, the mountainous landscape of Cephalonia and the bird-sanctuary island of Lefkas, the small island of Paxos densely covered in olive groves – all guarantee a wonderfully relaxing vacation.
Please be aware that this cycling trip is also offered from Corfu to Athens!
Individual arrival at Marina Zeas (Piraeus). Check in on the Panagiota from 2 pm. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in the harbor of Piraeus.
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 we take a bike tour from Mesolongi through the rich alluvial plains of the Evinos River – one of the most important agricultural regions in Greece. During the tour we take a break at Krioneri Beach for a coffee and swim before returning to Mesolongi. In the afternoon we can relax on board the boat as we cruise to Vathy on Ithaca Island.
In the morning we cycle on the Ithaca Island. The homeland of the mythical king Odysseus, is a hilly island with a beautiful landscape. On today’s cycle route starting from Vathy we can enjoy the typical character of the Ionian Islands away from the beaten tourist track: gnarled olive trees, crystal clear water and friendly islanders – time appears to stand still on Ithaca. From Frikes we cruise to Nidri on Lefkas and stay in the little port for the night.
Today we cycle first through beautiful olive groves to the hidden water falls of Nidri and later on through the mountain world of Lefkas to the island’s capital of the same name. Here the Panagiota awaits us and takes us In the afternoon to Paxos Island. We spend the night in the lovely natural harbor 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
The cycle routes require an advanced level of fitness from the participants. The daily routes have a length of 12 – 31 mi. (20 – 50 km). They lead through hilly or mountainous areas and will be completed without any time-constraints. The cycle tours will have an altitude of 1,000 – 2,300 ft. (300 – 700 m). There are also some extended climbs where walking your bicycle is of course permitted. Most of the roads are asphalted and rarely frequented. Your tour guide informs you each day about the tour details. This tour is primarily a guided group tour. 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. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. Rental helmets are available on board in limited number (reservation requested).
Prices are per person 2021
Lower deck: twin cabin € 1.490,-
Lower deck: double cabin € 1.490,-
Upper deck: twin cabin € 1.590,-
Upper deck: double cabin € 1.590,-
Surcharge lower deck cabin for single use € 400,-
Surcharge upper deck cabin for single use € 600,-
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 20,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
Extra options:
Rental bike per week € 80,-
E-bike per week € 180,-
Bike insurance € 10,-/ E-bike insurance € 20,-
Special details
Please take good notice of Terms & Conditions.
If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival. 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. In case of Celiac; gluten free diet; vegan meals there is an additional charge of € 50, – per week.
Cycletours Holidays reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.
The program is subject to change without notice.
Port of embarkation/disembarkation varies between Athens (Piraeus/Marina Zeas) and Corfu (Marina Gouvia)
Your embarkation harbour will vary, depending on the direction of your tour, between Marina Zeas, part of the Athens Piraeus harbor, and one the Marina Gouvia on Corfu. It is located 7 km north of the city of Corfu. In Gouvia the Panagiota has a fixed mooring at Mole P.
Please check your booking confirmation for the harbor relevant to your tour.
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.
Please be aware, when booking flights, that your tour will either start in Athens and end in Corfu or vice-versa. Please check your booking confirmation for the harbor relevant to your tour. The direction of your tour can be seen on your booking confirmation. 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.
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.
Good to know
On our regular cycling tours 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 also the regular cyclists need time to rest and longer to climb the hills. Thank you for your understanding.
Bringing Children
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.30 m (4.3 ft.) for hybrid bicycles.
Internet availability
The Panagiota does not offer a WiFi connection. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend to take 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.
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.
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.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route that 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, this must be notified when booking, but at least 14 days before arrival. 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. In case of Celiac; gluten free diet or vegan meals there is an additional charge of € 50,- per week. On some tours there also is an additional charge of € 50, – for lactose-free meals.
The size of the group depends on the barge scheduled on the tour. The capacity of the barges varies between 10 and 170 participants. A guided cycling group consists of no more than 26 people.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (and that is almost never the case!), The guide organizes an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours.
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and France. The common language on board is English.
