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A wonderful e-bike and boat cycling holiday around the beautiful Cyclades and Saronic Islands. Cruise in a gentle loop from Piraeus (Athens) stopping at 6 different islands during this 7 night trip. Each island has its own unique charm and daily cycle rides along quite, scenic lanes are the perfect way to enjoy the sights and sounds of these idyllic archipelagos.
Each day you’ll set off on a new adventure, typically exploring an island by bike in the morning then setting sail for another beautiful island in the afternoon. You’ll start off from Alimos Marina, Athens’ bustling little port, on an elegant motor yacht featuring air-conditioned en suite cabins, a spacious saloon, sun deck and shaded rear deck.
Poros
Your trip will take in four of the cyclades islands – Kythnos, Seriphos, Syros and Kea followed by the islands of Poros and Aegina in the Saronic Gulf. The cubic whitewashed houses are common to these islands but each also has its own unique character, plus great cycling, beautiful sandy beaches and plenty of welcoming tavernas. There will also be plenty of opportunities to swim from the boat in the warm clear waters of the Aegean Sea.
Each night the boat will moor in a different port providing guests with a new environment to explore with an after-dinner stroll.
As the islands typically rise to hillier central areas you’ll inevitably be tackling some climbs on this trip, but the guided rides are quite short and there will be plenty of time to catch your breath and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Coastal roads are flatter and you’ll always have the option to simply head to the beach if you fancy a day off from cycling.
Please note that e-bikes are the only rental bike option on this route.
The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.
On arrival in Athens make your way to Alimos Marina to board you’re floating home for the week. Embarkation is from 2pm. After settling into your cabin you’re free to relax or venture into the Greek capital some 10km away. Dinner is served on-board.
After breakfast we set sail for the island of Kythnos, our first stop in the Cyclades archipelago. Your first ride will take you to the compact capital Chora and onwards to the charming village of Driopida, before looping back to the port of Merichas for the night. Settle in at a local taverna and enjoy the good life, Greek style.
During a leisurely breakfast we cruise to the island of Serifos mooring in the small harbour of Livadi. Today’s ride leads us up a winding lane to Serifos Town, characterised by the whitewashed houses so typical of these islands. We continue past the medieval monastery of Archangel Michael to a landscape of rugged valleys, coastal bays and sandy beaches, returning to Livadi along the panoramic east coast. We then cruise to the nearby island of Syros, where we moor in the island's lovely old town of Ermoupolis for the night.
After exploring the gorgeous old town of Ermoupolis, the capital of the Cyclades islands, we enjoy a scenic ride around the southern coast of the island. Our destination is the glorious beach at Galissas where there is plenty of time for a swim. In the afternoon we traverse the island, back to Ermoupolis, passing the convent of Saint Barbara along the way. In the late afternoon the crew cast off for a cruise to the island of Kea where we moor for the night.
Kea is the furthest north-west of the Cyclades islands. From the pretty natural harbour of Korissia we’ll ride inland to Loulis, the island’s main settlement set high in the hills. We continue cycling to the white sands of Otzias for some time out on the beautiful beach. In the afternoon we leave Kea and cruise across to Poros at the southern end of the Saronic Gulf. The town of Poros enjoys an idyllic and beautiful location, sitting on a tiny peninsula looking across a narrow strait to the much larger Peloponnese peninsula. Arriving by boat provides us with a wonderful view of this beautiful town with its iconic clock tower. We moor for the night on the quayside of this bustling little place.
Today’s ride leads us around the small island of Poros. Our first stop is the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigis, founded in 1720 by the Archbishop of Athens who was miraculously cured after drinking from a spring nearby. We then continue around the island, following a winding road through the pine forests, interrupted every now and then by lovely views. Eventually we arrive at Russian Bay where a beautiful little beach invites us to take a refreshing dip. A further short ride delivers us back to Poros Town where we board the boat for an afternoon cruise across to the island of Aegina.
Our final ride on the island of Aegina provides some superb views of the surrounding seascapes. A steady climb brings us to the Sanctuary of Aphaia, a well-preserved temple in a stunning elevated location. On the way back we’ll make a stop at the very impressive and serene Agios Nektarios Monastery. Aegina is famous the world over for its wonderful pistachio nuts so you may want to pick some up on Aegina before boarding the boat for a final cruise back to Alimos Marina.
At our mooring in Alimos Marinas, a farewell meal is the ideal opportunity to celebrate the week’s cycling adventure with our fellow travellers, guides and crew.
After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9am, and head for home or your next adventure.
Modern e-bikes with panniers are the available rental bikes on this tour
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. A very limited number of helmets are available on board and must be pre-booked at the time of booking. It is mandatory to wear a helmet.
The motor yacht Erato offers very comfortable and well-appointed accommodation. The six spacious air-conditioned cabins are finished in fine polished wood and feature ensuite bathrooms with a shower and WC and haridryer, as well as storage for your luggage. Four of the cabins feature a double bed (200 x 140cm) and two cabins have single beds (200 x 80cm).
The salon boasts a well-stocked bar and a convivial space for relaxing. On deck there is comfortable seating for dining on deck and space for sunbathing. The friendly, attentive crew take care of everything, and the chef produces a delicious range of traditional Greek cuisine.
Meals
A buffet breakfast and one or two warm meals are provided daily. The meals are prepared by the on-board cook who uses locally sourced fresh ingredients. The catering consists of 2 days of full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and 5 days of half board (breakfast and lunch or dinner).
Dietary requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, it is important you indicate this when you book or enquire about it before you book. Vegetarian meals are available, but we need to know in advance. In all other cases we will need to check if it is possible. In most cases a fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose, gluten-free or vegan meals and is €70 and is to be paid when you board. The kitchen galley space is compact and so it cannot accommodate coeliacs.
WiFi
There is WiFi on board the ship, however reception cannot be guaranteed! If you need to connect to the internet during the tour we suggest you visit a cafe or bar ashore. Many of these establishments offer WiFi to customers who purchase a drink or a snack.
The Thalassa is an elegant and eye-catching, three masted motor yacht offering spacious cabins and comfortable public areas. As soon as you step aboard, the beautiful wooden decks and array of comfortable upholstered seating throughout reassure you that you’re going to really enjoy your week afloat.
There are 9 spacious cabins - some are with double beds (200 x 140cm) and some are twins with 2 x single beds (200 x 80cm). All are situated below deck and are finished to a high standard. All offer individually controlled air-conditioning as well as an en-suite shower/wc.
Other facilities on board include an attractive and spacious salon where meals are served (if the weather is not conducive to eating outside on the covered aft deck) or where you can just relax with a drink or a good book. Outside there is a sun-deck with plenty of mats for sunbathing.
On-board payments: Cash only accepted, no debit/credit cards.
Fly to Athens. From Athens Airport take a taxi to Alimos Marina where the boat is moored or book the group transfer. See Prices and Dates tab for full details.
Research flights from the UK here
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