Day 1+2, Departure from North America and arrival in Athens

You may visit the Akropolis, the ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city or just rest in the Botanical Gardens in the bustling city. To see Athens properly have you have to spend your time in the Plaka, the historical neighborhood located around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, getting lost in labyrinthine streets and alleys. Another option: To extend your stay in Greece you could visit the countries most unique island Santorini for a couple of days ahead of our trip.

Day 3, Athens – Island of Euboea

170 km / 110 miles

We rent the bikes in the morning near Athens and head almost immediately onto the island of Euboea, with it’s 6000 feet high mountain range a very diverse and spectacular sight for the first day. Those mountain roads, rugged coastlines and beaches are all ingredients for a great biking day. Finally we will stay overnight in a nice hotel right at the beach on the west coast of the island with a fantastic sunset view.

Day 4, Island of Euboea – Loop

120 km / 80 miles

We stay another day in one of Greeks most diverse corners. Narrow mountain roads with great ocean views, cultivated landscapes with lemon and olive orchards, remote beaches and a visit to a monastery in the mountains would make our day. Or you stay in the pleasant town of Kimni and visit the nearby monastery and it’s pretty beach.

Day 5, Island of Euboea – Meteora Monastery

200 km / 130 miles

After a beautiful morning ride along the coast of Euboea we take a ferry back to the mainland and head towards Kastraki. The small and pleasant town sits between those impressive rocks that are home to one of Greeks greatest sights: The Meteora Monasteries. 6 Monasteries sit on top of granite rocks, for centuries they only were approachable by ropes. Even the producers of James Bond „For your eyes only“ were captured by this place so they filmed a famous scene here. The monasteries are still kept alive and can be visited at certain times of the day.

Day 6, Rest day, visit Meteora Monastery

We visit one or two of monasteries in the morning, when the busses from the tourist areas at the coast are still on their way and we could see the place in peace. During the day there are several options for short hikes to other impressive more hidden places and views in this rock bowl. Or you just relax and have a nice lunch in one of the scenic taverns in town. In the evening we watch the famous sunset over the valley and the monasteries.

Day 7, Meteora Monastery – Ionian Sea

200 km / 130 miles

Today we will cross the Pindos Mountains, the main Range that divides Greece into east and west side. Reaching the west side we will pass Arta. The town is beautifully located at the foot of the mountains at the Arachtos River that is crossed by a 400 year old bridge, the most beautiful historical bridge in the country. We stay in Preveza, a pretty town at the entrance of the bay with a Venetian fortress with a great view over the bay, a beach and an old town centre.

Day 8, Ionian Sea – Bay of Corinth

170 km / 110 miles

We start on the coastal road along the Ionian Sea before we head inland and take the mountain road to our spectacular goal. Nafpaktos has a beautiful setting at the Bay of Corinth with a castle on top of the town. The walls go all the way down to the sea. But it is worth the walk through the alleys of the town past gardens with lemon trees all the way to the top with a great view at the sea. Reward could be a plunge into the clear waters of the towns beach.

Day 9, Bay of Corinth – Mani Peninsula (Peloponnes)

280 km / 150 miles

We start the day crossing the 1,5 mile long Rio-Andiririo Bridge onto the Peloponnes Peninsula, our playground for the next days. The spectacular engineering feast was opened for the Summer Olympics in 2004. From the sea to the 7000 feet Erymanthos Mountains it only is a matter of minutes. You will be surprised how mountainous this large „four finger“ peninsula was formed. We stay overnight on the Mani peninsula in a beautiful small bay in a fishing village.

Day 10, Rest Day or loop ride

80 km / 50 miles

You could visit the subterranean river in the Caves of Dirges Pirou near our hotel. The guides stake you Venice-style for almost 2 miles through that cave before you can walk another 1000 feet through that natural wonder. Another beautiful option is a ride to the southernmost tip of Greece, Cape Tenaro (50 miles).

Day 11, Mani Peninsula – Nafplio

240 km / 150 miles

A coastal ride in the morning takes us to Greece’ most famous olive oil producing region in Kalamata. From here we take a road cut out of the vertical rock wall of Peloponnes highest mountains. It is listed maybe Greece’ most spectacular road out of many. Some more mountain and coastal roads take us to Nafplio. The town was not only the first capital of a new Greek nation (after the Turkish rule). It also is a charming place with a castle, beaches and old fishermen neighborhoods. Many greeks call it their most beautiful town.

Day 12, Rest day or loop ride

150 km / 90 miles

There are plenty of choices for the day. You could explore Nafplios castle, old town and beaches or go on a loop ride along Peloponnes easternmost peninsula.

Day 13, Nafplio – Athens

230 km / 145 miles

Our first stop will be the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, an architectural gem from 400 before C. Is is the place of Asklepion, the god of health. Afterwards we head along the east coast north, again a favorite road among Greek bikers. The bridge across the impressive Channel of Corinth (it separates Peloponnes from the rest of Greece and saves ships a 250 mile detour) brings us back onto the mainland of Greece. The channel was built from 1883 to 1891 digging through 300 feet of rock wall. We stay one more night in our relaxed hotel at the beach near Athens before we say farewell the next morning.

Day 14 Departure

Tour Length: 1700 km, 1100 miles