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Sacred Sites: April 28-May 9 and Aug. 25 - Sept. 5
offered by supplier M15482 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 12
day(s)
Group Size: 10
- 16
people
Destination(s):
Greece
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Season: May - June
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2340 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2340 Euro (EUR)
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April 28-May 9 and August 25-September 5
Bicycling magazine selected the Sacred Sites tour as
one of the Best Bike Trips of 2009.
Day 1: Athens
The first Sacred Site we bike to is the magnificent Temple of Poseidon in Sounion at the southern tip of the Attiki Peninsula. From atop its promontory the glimmering Aegean Sea is visible for miles. In hugging the Attiki coastline we experience a favorite route of local Athenian cyclists.
Day 2: Nafplio
Today’s highlight is biking to Ancient Epidavros, Greece largest ancient theatre. This 3rd century BC outdoor wonder seats 15,000 and its acoustics are still so impeccable spectators atop the last tier can hear whisperings from the stage. From here we coast down to elegant Nafplio, modern Greece’s first capital. You've probably never heard of it, but Nafplio will most likely rate as your favorite Greek town.
Day 3: Nafplio
An easy one hour ride through orange grove to Mycenae (a/k/a Mykines), a World Heritage Site. You will marvel at the unusual beehive tomb built for the mighty King Agamemnon who launched the Trojan War. Evening boat ride to Bourtzi island for a panoramic view of Nafplio, the Palamidi fortress and the expansive bay.
Day 4: Stemnitsa
The highest and most ascents of the tour. A “bald” tree-less mountain allowing panoramic views of distant mountains misleadingly resembling sea waves (2297 ft). After lunch the terrain turns forest-y, a bit steeper, climbing 4265 ft in the heart of Arcadia to Stemnitsa, a precious mountain village with stone houses and red tiled roofs overlooking the splendiferous Lousios Gorge.
Day 5: Olympia
Most of today's route is downhill with detours en route, including to a monastery built into a cliff from where you can see the "secret school" from the days of the Greek Revolution. A pit stop in Langada to buy homemade “sun liqueurs” or hand carved canes with goat antlers. The ride cycles past the Olympia stadium, the ruins lying within a discus throw of our bike route.
Day 6: Lampei
In the morning tour 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. After lunch, it takes roughly three hours to reach a traditional mountain village called Lampei where the loudest noise is simply the clang-y orchestra of goat and sheep bells.
Day 7: Kalavrita
We are cycling deep in mountain territory, mostly following a ridge, but a fair amount of rolling ascents and descents make the ride entertaining. The day’s highlight is Cave of the Lakes, a series of subterranean lakes inside a huge cave. Thereafter an hour’s climbing until reaching Kalavrita, a charming mountain village popular for skiing, paragliding and homemade products.
Day 8: Kalavrita
Rural cycling in Greece means minimal traffic. Today’s bike ride is to a remote village with a special feature to be discovered upon arrival. We also visit Mega Spili, said to be Greece’s oldest Greek Orthodox monastery and it is located in a cave. Kalavrita is known for its outstanding local products, such as tentura a liqueur that tastes like Christmas!
Day 9: Nemea
The last cycling day has lots of mileage but it is most is down hill and flat hugging the Corinth Gulf coast. Lunch in Xylokastro where the pine trees border the beach. Ambitious cyclists can rendezvous with the vehicle at Ancient Corinth and Akrokorinthos Fortress whose strategic height offers panoramic views of surrounding seas. Overnight at a winery in Nemea -- taste & experience vinyard life!
Day 10: Departures
Mileage
Short route has vehicle transfers to start points. Except for Day 2, Long Route is all by bike. Support vehicle available for lifts. Additional mileage available for road warriors.
Total Mileage Long Route 448 Short Route 274
Average Daily Mileage Long Route 50 miles Short Route 30 miles
Day 1 Long 52 miles about 4 hours, practically all flat except for 230 foot climb. Traffic early in ride but thins out later. Short 27 miles all flat plus 230 foot climb.
Day 2 Long 62 miles, series of climbs and a gradual ascent to 1300 feet Short 25 miles with a moderate gradual climb to 1300 feet and remainder all down hill
Day 3 Long & Short 34 miles roundtrip, 1 hour each way, flat until end with 3 km climb
Day 4 Long 65 miles crossing several mountains, 7 hours. Short 30 miles climbing mountains, about 3 to 3.5 hours
Day 5 Long 50 miles, about 3 moderate climbs, long descent. Short 36 miles 1 slight hill, long descent.
Day 6 Long & Short 26 miles, about 3 hours, first part is somewhat steep, then flattens out
Day 7 Long 46 miles hugging a mountain ridge, final hour one long climb. Short 36 miles hugging a mountain ridge, fairly flat
Day 8 Long 3 climbs with total elevation gain of 1732 feet over 17 miles and return trip makes 34 miles. Short 3 climbs with total elevation gain of 1732 over 17 miles. Vehicle transfer on return trip.
Day 9 Long 75 miles downhill and flat hugging the coast all the way to hotel. Takes about 5 hours. Short 50 miles downhill and flat until lunch stop on coast. Optional 10 miles add-on to Ancient Corinth and Acrokorinthos.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single supplement is 225 euros
Check current exchange rates for tour price in dollars.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
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, ext: 15482
