DAY 1 Loutraki
Greetings to all Grecophiles!! An hour transfer to your seaside hotel in Loutraki, famous for its thermal healing waters for centuries. A visit to the city's Spa Hydroptherapy Center of Mineral Baths might ease jet lag. Welcome dinner at a beachfront taverna.
DAY 2 Loutraki
First task is to either assemble your own bike or test your CycleGreece bike. Then we are ready to set off for the Akrokorinthos Fortress by vehicle or bike. This hilltop citadel (1890 feet) commands magnificent and strategic views of the bodies of water bordering the eastern Peloponnese. From here it's downhill for swimming at Loutro Eleni where Helen of Troy is said to have bathed. We also have the pleasure of biking across the 1898 Corinth Canal.
Long and short route: 36 km, 22 miles.
DAY 3 Nafplio
Down the road we stop to explore the 3,000 year old beehive tomb in Mycenae built for the mighty King Agamemnon. Our final destination is elegant Nafplio, modern Greece's first capital, and assuredly the prettiest city in the Peloponnese. Population: 12,000. You've probably never heard of it, but after two days here it will most likely rate as your favorite Sacred Sites city. Long route: 76 km, 47 miles. Short route: 55 km, 34 miles
DAY 4 Nafplio
Epidavros is Greece's largest ancient theatre. This 3rd century BC outdoor wonder seats 15,000 and its acoustics are still impeccable. The bike ride to this beloved monument is all uphill (1500 feet), gently so, and en route lie a number of unheralded ruins that merit a pit stop. The afternoon is completely free for you to plunge into the cultural wealth and poignant beauty of Nafplio. Highly recommended: climb the 999 steps to the 600 foot high Palamidi fortress.
Long route: 60 km, 37 miles. Short route: 30 km, 18.5 miles
DAY 5 Stemnitsa
Today is all about climbing. The most ascents in a single day, and the highest points on the tour. Our first mountain is "bald," no trees, allowing a panoramic view of a series of distant mountains on the horizon, misleadingly resembling sea waves (2297 ft). After lunch in Tripoli, the terrain becomes forest-y, verdant, a bit steeper, higher, energetic cycling (4265 ft). We are in the heart of Arcadia, headed for Stemnitsa, a precious mountain village with stone houses and red tiled roofs overlooking the splendiferous Lousios Gorge.
Long Route: 106 km, 65 miles. Short Route: 47 km, 30 miles
DAY 6 Olympia
Most of today's route is downhill which makes you think it will be a short ride --- but there are too many temptations en route. On a path downwards to the Lousios Gorge lies a monastery built into a cliff and the "secret school" which thrived during the Revolution. Dimitsana's fascinating live-action water power museum brings you into close contact with bygone livelihoods such as making gunpowder, raki (a Greek spirit), leather and flour. Artisans in Langada sell hand carved canes with goat antlers for handles. You end the day by cycling into Olympia, the ruins lying within a discus throw of our bike route.
Long route 80 km, 50 miles: Short route: 60 km, 37 miles.
DAY 7 Lampei
In the morning we take a guided tour of Ancient Olympia, the actual grounds where the world's original athletes competed as early as 796 B.C. The modern Olympics were resurrected in 1896 and, equally interesting as the ruins, is the museum which exhibits memorabilia from past games. After lunch, we take roughly three hours ascending to a traditional mountain village called Lampei. Life is quiet here and very original.
Long and Short Route: 42 km, 26 miles
DAY 8 Kalavrita
We are cycling deep in mountain territory, mostly following a ridge, but we encounter a fair amount of ascents and descents that make the ride entertaining. The highlight of the day is Cave of the Lakes, a series of subterranean lakes inside a huge cave. Definitely worth a tour. Immediately leaving the cave we climb for about an hour until we reach the mammoth memorial where Germans murdered 1200 male villages in 1943, the largest single massacre in Greece. Today Kalavrita is popular for its skiing and paragliding.
Long route: 80 km, 50 miles. Short route: 50 km, 30 miles.
DAY 9 Delphi
Today is our longest cycling day distance-wise, but not to worry because the first leg to the sea is almost all down hill. We follow the Vouraikos Gorge to the coast, then hop a ferry to the Greek mainland. The coastal route to Delphi offers expansive views of the glistening. There’s a steep but brief climb to magnificent Delphi, the most sacred site in ancient Greece because the oracles lived here.
Long route: 118 km, 73 miles. Short route: 82 km, 50 miles.
DAY 10 Evia
We’ll spend several hours at the ruins of Delphi which the ancient Greeks regarded as the geographical center of the world. The extensive grounds lie between two huge rocks in the foothills of Mt. Parnassus, a most dramatic setting. Heading downhill to the sea we cycle through Arahova, a popular retreat village for Greeks, and Livadia which has lots of refreshing flowing water. We cross the ferry to Evia island to the town of Loutra Edipsou where we stay in Greece’s most endearing luxury spa, Thermae Sylla
Long route: 114 km, 70 miles. Short route: 62 km, 38 miles.
DAY 11 Evia
Evia island is not frequented by foreign tourists, which is a mystery because it’s incredibly beautiful with mountains routes and secluded beaches, making it a popular destination for vacationing Greeks. Our final cycling day takes us to Limni, a lovely little seaside town with lots of character. We return early to ensure lots of time at Thermae Sylla and to have a hearty farewell dinner.
Long and short route: 60 km, 37 miles
DAY 12 Departure
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single supplement is 490€
Listed price is for the 2008 tours.
Please check current exchange rates for tour price in dollars.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
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