July 1-12, 2009
Brady Kiesling was the first diplomat to resign in protest over the 2003 invasion of Iraq. A Political Counselor in Greece at the time, he continues to live in Athens where he is an avid cyclist. Brady is also an archaeologist, having a degree in Ancient Greek from Swarthmore and an MA from Berkeley in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology. He has excavated at Ancient Corinth and Nemea in Greece and Aphrodisias in Turkey. Learn more about this amazing man from his book Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower (Potomac Books 2006) or join the Cycle Cyclades tour and be enriched by his daily lectures on Greece.
Day 1: Andros
Welcome to sunny Greece! We meet at the pedestrian mall surrounding the Acropolis to test our bikes then transfer to Rafina port and catch the late afternoon ferry to Andros, the most northerly of the Cyclades Islands. Its main town, Chora, is elegant with a car-free street laid out in marble. Our welcome dinner is in a traditional taverna perched on steps.
Seminar: A Sweeping History of Ancient Greece
Day 2: Andros
Our warm-up ride is a morning cycling loop that includes a stop at Sariza springs whose waters are therapeutic and good for kidneys. This is a premier site to fill up your water bottles. Free afternoon for swimming or visiting the celebrated Goulandris Modern Art Museum. Our afternoon ride is only 10 km but we climb 1377 feet. 30 km, 19 miles
Seminar: Early Cycladic Culture and its Modern Echoes
Day 3: Mykonos
Early morning cycling from Chora to the port of Gavrio to catch the boat to Mykonos, a very animated and cosmopolitan island. Our wheels make a beeline to one of the fabulous beaches that sprinkle Mykonos’ southern coast. In the evening we dine at the sea with Little Venice in full view. 60 km, 37 miles
Seminar: Delos, the Sacred/Political Center of Greece
DAY 4 Paros
We take a short boat ride to Delos island for a guided tour at one of the most sacred sites in all ancient Greece. Afternoon boat to Paros docks right in front of the island’s signature windmill at Parikia. A short flat cycling route on a quiet back road takes us to the charming little fishing village of Naoussa. We visit the workshop of a local sculptor who works in the famous Parian marble 11 km, 6.8 miles
Seminar: Foreign Fleets in the Aegean
DAY 5 Paros
A long cycling day with lots to see. Climb to Valley of the Butterflies and be rewarded by the beauty of green moths that inhabit this shaded retreat. A short ferry ride to the tiny island of Antiparos whose mammoth cave once held 300 people for midnight mass. Quiet Antiparos makes Paros feel practically like a frenzied metropolis. 70 km, 43 miles
Seminar: Island Life in the Byzantine Years
DAY 6 Naxos
A quick ascent to Lefkes, Paros’ highest village, and then the short ferry ride to Naxos. At Naxos we linger in its harbor town, Hora. Here you find an endearing cluster of whitewashed houses, narrow winding medieval alleys, and the distinguished Apollonian Portara gateway which captures everyone’s imagination. 40 km, 25 miles
Seminar: The Cyclades in Modern Greek Life
DAY 7 Naxos
Today is the tour’s highest cycling day, up to 1633 feet. En route we stop at a marble kouros (ancient Greek male statue) left unfinished in its quarry. At Halki, the owners of a kitron distillery give us a seminar and tasting of their famous liqueur. For the more ambitious, we cycle to Aria Springs, fill up the water bottles, and take a hike up to Za Cave. 46 km, 28 miles. Optional 11 km, 6.8 miles
Seminar: The Portara and Kouros of Naxos
DAY 8 morning cycling in Naxos, afternnoon depart for Santorini
Morning cycling to Dimitra Temple on Naxos which is nicely preserved and has a meticulously laid stone walkway and informative historic markers. After this ride the cycling portion of the tour is over and we head on by boat to Santorini, known to Greeks as Thira. We arrive in time for a sunset wine tasting overlooking the caldera. 30.5 km, 19 miles
DAY 9 Santorini
We take a boat ride to the center of the caldera where one can find soft warm mud to slather on your body. A mule ride up to the top of the cliffs. Later in the day, in the cool of the afternoon, a hike along the ridge path to Oia, the chicest town on Santorini.
DAY 10 Santorini
The morning is reserved for cultural pleasures – we take a short hike up to the ruins of Ancient Thira going back to the 7th century BC and visit the incredibly well preserved Minoan style murals in the local museum. The afternoon is free for swimming at the Red Beach, so called for its red sand.
Day 11 Santorini
We take a fishing boat to Anafi, a small island with only one village. There’s a wonderful serene hike to Kalamiotissa, reported to be the largest rock second to Gibraltor. The views are gorgeous. Our farewell dinner is in Ammoudi just steps from the sea.
Day 12 Departure
Regular flights from Santorini to Athens
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement is 570 Euros.
Please check current exchange rates for tour price in dollars.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Bicycle Touring
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