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8 day Escorted tour
This special tour combines the fascinating islands of the Ionian Sea with the Greek mainland. For one week, travelling by bike and on the two-masted motor sailer Panagiota, you experience first-hand the cultural and scenic diversity of Greece. Famous sites such as Delphi, where the ancient Greeks once consulted the oracle, or Aegina, where the white temple of Aphaia gleams high above the sea, are some of the highlights of the tour. The passage through the Corinth Canal, an artifical seaway connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean, will surely become an unforgettable memory.
In the archipelago of the Ionian Islands, you see Greece at its greenest. An unspoiled landscape and centuries of Venetian influence characterize this still fairly unknown group of islands. The crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea glittering in all shades of blue, the small island of Paxos densely covered in olive groves, the mountainous landscape of Cephalonia, the bird-sanctuary island of Lefkas as well as enchanting Ithaca – alleged home of legendary Odysseus – all guarantee a wonderfully relaxing vacation.
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DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
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Day 1: Individual arrival in Athens
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Individual journey to Athens airport and collective transfer to Marina Zeas, the yacht harbour of Piraeus close to Athens, only 25 km (15 mi.) from Athens airport.
Check-in from 2 p.m. on the Panagiota. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Piraeus.
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Day 2: Piraeus - Island Egina - Palaia Epidauros (35 km)
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In the morning, we sail to Aegina Island. The first cycle tour leads us to the very well preserved temple of Aphaia, enthroned high above the blue sea. Afterwards we return to the boat while cycling though the interior of the islands and along Palaiochora and the monastery of Holy Nektarios. Back in Egina town lunch is served on board and the cruise continues with a cross over to Palaia Epidauros.
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Day 3: Epidauros - Isthmus of Corinth (35 km)
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From Palaia Epidauros today’s cycle tour takes us to the ancient sanctuary of the demi-god Asklepios. Here we visit the best-preserved theatre of Greece, and by dropping a coin we can convince ourselves of the phenomenal acoustics. In the afternoon we sail on the Panagiota through the Isthmus of Corinth, which was completed in 1893. Julius Caesar had already made plans for its construction. This 6.3 km long but only 24 m wide and 8 m deep canal connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth and saves travellers sailing from Athens to Corinth the approx.
400 km long trip around the whole Peloponnese. If weather conditions are fine, the cruise continues to Galaxidi, otherwise overnight stay in Kiato near Corinth.
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| Day 4: Galaxidi - Delphi - Nafpaktos - Island Cephalonia |
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From Galaxidi a transfer bus picks us up to bring us to the famous site of Delphi at the foot of the Parnassos range. Apollo, the god of the light, was once worshipped here and the oracle consulted. Not only the many temples and treasuries, the well-preserved theatre and the stadium, but mainly the breath-taking hillside location of the sanctuary makes the visit to Delphi an unforgettable experience. Early in the afternoon, the transfer bus takes us to Nafpaktos, where the boat awaits us to a long sail to Sami on Cephalonia island. We’ll spend the night there.
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Day 5: Cephalonia Island (38 km)
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Today’s bike tour leads us from Sami to Fiskardo. At the beginning we cycle along a beautiful coast road to the village of Agia Efimia, one of the locations of the famous Hollywood movie “Corelli’s Mandoline”. We continue on through the interior of the island and finally we reach the high road of the western coast of the island, where we have lots of unforgettable views, like the panoramic view down to Myrtos beach. The ship awaits us in Fiskardo, one of the prettiest places of the Ionian Islands. Depending on the weather conditions it is planned that the Panagiota takes us to Porto Katsiki after lunch. Porto Katsiki is one of the most famous beaches of Greece, directly below the Leukadian cliff. A longer bathing stop is a must. From there we cruise to Nidri and stay in the little port for the night.
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Day 6: Nidri - Mytikas - Leftas town - Paxos Island (45 km)
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The day begings with a crossing to Mytikas on the Greek mainland. We will ride along the coast to Mythikas and then on panoramic roads, passing some mountain villages to Lefkas town where the Panagiota awaits us and takes us to the island of Paxos, where we can spend the evening in a cosy taverna in the unique natural harbour of Gaios. Overnight stay on Paxos.
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Day 7: Paxos Island - Corfu (23 km)
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Paxos, the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands is covered in groves of olive trees, which gives the island its wonderful silver green colour. On our last cycle trip we will circle the whole island. We can also have a swim in the Mediterranean on one of the many beaches. In the afternoon the Panagiota takes us to Corfu. Here, our tour guide will join us on a walk through the atmospheric old town, before this impressive cruise ends with a last dinner on board.
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Day 8: Journey home or extension of stay from Corfu
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After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.
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PRICE & DETAILS
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| Price & Schedule |
DEPARTURE DATES:
June 23rd September 29th
May 12th September 1st (= both operate in reverse itinerary)
| Price per person, double occ. in a below deck cabin |
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$2050 |
| Singles on request. |
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$995 |
| Single share cabins are also on request at no extra charge |
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| Upgrade to above deck cabin |
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$80 |
| Electrobike option |
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$140 |
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| Included: |
- 8-day journey on a two-master motor yacht with crew
- 7 nights accommodation in an air-conditioned cabin with private bathroom.
- 5 days half board and 2x full board on the ship
- Linen and towels
- Six day tours with your cycling guide, as per program
- Detailed travel maps and route guides for each days tour
- Rental bicycle: 21-speed trekking bike with pannier bags
- Collective transfer between Athens and Corfu airport and the ship (only on embarkation and disembarkation day)
- Bus transfer to Delphi and guided tour through the archaeological site
- Entrances to museums and archaeological sites
- Ship passage through the Corinthian Canal
- Multilingual tour guide
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Logding:
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The PANAGIOTA, our newest ship in Greece, is an affectionately restored two masted motor yacht, which is 23 ft. wide and 102 ft. long. It was built in 1990 and modernized in 2001 in conformity with the requirements of cruises.
6 cabins below deck and 4 cabins above deck are at the guests’ disposal. All cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with a French bed (4,6 ft. wide) , one single bed and private shower and toilet.
There is room for all guests in the spacious saloon to have the meals, to regenerate or to spend some time with new friends. When the weather conditions are fine the guests can have their meals outside on the shaded rear deck.
The spacious sun deck, equipped with cosy mats, invites you to sun bath and to relax.
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| Rate: |
MODERATE TO HILLY: The bike routes have a length of 20 to 50 km and lead through hilly or mountainous areas, so this tour requires a good level of fitness. Mostly asphalt roads with some steeper grades where you may wish to walk. There are no time constraints so you may cycle at your own pace. You can always choose to skip a bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead.
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| Airport / Transfers |
As this tour starts from Athens and ends on Corfu you will need an open jaw flight with an outward flight to Athens and a return flight from Corfu.
We organize collective transfers from Athens airport to Piraeus and from Corfu town to Corfu airport. As long as those transfers take place on embarkation and disembarkation days they are free of charge.
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Tours 
