Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Escorted tour

Pedal on two wheels and sailing on a comfortable motor sailing yacht for a week in the marvellous Dodecanese Islands of the southern Aegean Sea – that sounds like a fantastic opportunity to relax, get a fine tan and yet acquire some fitness and culture. Enjoy the variety of the islands e.g. pulsating and yet tranquil Rhodes, the high volcano crater of Nissiros, or the barren yet charming island of Symi.

Your tour guide gets you to the most idyllic and interesting spots in these islands. Travel back into long lost times and get a close view of the history laden past of this part of Greece. Rock-throwing Poseidon, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Knights of St. John order, or the famous sponge-divers of Symi: they all left their traces, tales and monuments.

Individual arrival in Marmaris, Turkey. Embarkation starts at 2 pm. Individual arrival from the Turkish airports of Izmir or Dalaman. Transfer to the harbour with the handing over of the cabins from 2 pm. First dinner on board. The final participants arrive on board in the late evening. 

Our first boat passage with the Bahriyeli will bring us to Symi. The entrance to the port is an unforgettable impression of your journey: neo- classical, pastel coloured houses emboss the the island capital and refer to the rich history of the island. We will have the opportunity to try our bicycles and take a first swim in the Aegean sea during a short cycle tour to a beach. In the early evening our tour guide will walk with us to the upper town of Symi where we will have to climb 500 steps. A breathtaking view to the port and its deep bay will reward this climb - with some luck we will experience an unforgettable sunset.

Day 3: Symi (25 km)

In the morning, we get started towards the other side of the island. On a winding road, we slowly crest the mountain while having lots of time to enjoy the many beautiful panoramic views. Final destination is the Bay of Panormitis. Its monastery with the same name invites us for a visit. If weather conditions are fine, the boat takes us in the afternoon to the volcano island of Nissyros.

Early in the morning the Bahriyeli will cross over to the volcano island of Nissyros. Today’s cycle tour guides us to Nikia which is a village directly built at the edge of the crater at 430m height above sea level.
From here we can enjoy a fascinating view into the volcano crater. Not only the volcano but also the white houses and the numerous mosaics made by pebbles will truly amaze us. When we arrive at the village square we should not miss a Greek coffee. From here we will cycle on to the crater with its steaming sulphur springs and finally back to the small port town of Mandraki – its charm has attracted visitors for centuries.

In the afternoon the Bahriyeli will move on to Chalki where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening in a real Greek fishing port.

The morning will be spent on board during the cross over from Plimiri to the island of Rhodes. From here we will cycle close to the coast on roads with light traffic. During a break in a café directly on the sea we might see the Bahriyeli passing to await us later on in Lindos. This village is one of the most beautiful in Greece. After the last ascent we can enjoy an unforgettable view to this small town with its cube houses and narrow alleys- overtopped by its mighty acropolis.

Today our tour will lead us from Lindos into the fertile, agricultural hinterland of Rhodes. We will cycle through old olive tree groves on small side roads, and onwards to Archangelos where a typical Greek tavern invites us for lunch. Our boat awaits us at the end of an impressive eucalyptus alley in the tiny port of Kolymbia to bring us into Rhodes town. The rest of the afternoon we can stroll through the fantastic medieval old town at our own leisure.

After breakfast the travel guide will take us on a thrilling expedition through the 2400 year old history of the island capital by foot. The deer and the hind at the entrance of the port Mandraki will offer a fine opportunity for a photo. One still wonders if this is the place where the Colossus of Rhodes was once situated. From here we will move on to the moat of the crusader town.
Even today Rhodes monumental walls contribute to its unique character. A walk though the countless alleys with its impressive construction will make this guided city tour an unforgettable experience.

Afterwards the Bahriyeli will bring us back to Marmaris where we will once again
have the possibility to visit the bazaar or the hammam. With a communal dinner the travel guides and the crew will say good bye.

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.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

- 8-day journey on a two-master motor ship with crew

- 7 nights accommodation in an air-conditioned cabin with private bathroom.

- Breakfast buffet  AND minimum one hot meal per day, prepared by the ship's cook.

- 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

- Entrances to museums and archaeological sites

- Multilingual tour guide

- Airport transfers from either Izmir or Dalaman

Helmets are mandatory and will be available to rent for free aboard ship. We recommend you bring your own.

Logding:

MODERATE TO HILLY: Hilly terrain, mostly asphalt roads with some steeper grades. A good level of fitness is required. You can always choose to skip a bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead.

The nearest large airport is Dalaman, located approx. one and a half an hours from Marmaris. A second option is Izmir, approx. three hours away.

We will arrange a transfer for you free of charge from either airport as long as they are on days of embarkation and disembarkation.