Athens and Saronic Islands

Your holiday starts in Athens. After checking into your hotel, you may choose to spend the rest of your day exploring. An optional guided cycle tour of Athens can be booked for this evening. The tour starts from a central point in Athens and takes three hours with an English-speaking guide, using ‘city bikes’ – European-style bikes with high handlebars and just a few gears. This excursion is not exclusive to you and may have a maximum of 15 people. If planning to book this tour, you will need a flight that arrives in Athens by 15:00 hrs. You will be given an envelope containing all the ferry times and ferry vouchers for the duration of your holiday either at your first night’s accommodation or on the transfer to the port on day 2. You will need to exchange the ferry voucher for your ticket at the port.

After breakfast, you will have a transfer with your luggage to Piraeus port to catch the ferry to Poros. The car ferry will take around 2.5 hours. The ferry schedule changes throughout the year and in case there is no car ferry you will travel by hydrofoil (Flying Dolphin) or high-speed boat (Flying Cat). In Poros, you walk to the bike shop and pick up your bikes (approx. 5-7 minutes walking distance). Your luggage will be transferred from the port to the hotel. The optional Athens bike tour (see day 1) is also possible to do this morning at 09:30 hrs if you had a late flight arrival time yesterday. Depending on the ferry arrival time in Poros a first cycle tour may be possible this afternoon on the island.

There is a short route along to the monastery of Zoodochou Pigis as well as two additional loops to the beach and to the peninsula town of Poros. Alternatively, these rides could be left until tomorrow.

Today’s cycle tour will lead you to the western and central parts of Poros. Firstly via the coast to the west where you have the possibility to stop at a former Russian Navy base. Now you cycle through a wooded area where you will gradually climb to a small plateau. At the summit, you can cycle a loop to visit the beautiful archaeological site of the Temple of Poseidon. You now descend to Poros town. Note: At the western point you can walk for around one hour on a stony path to a beautifully restored lighthouse and back.

Today you first take the little pontoon boat from Poros to Galatas (to be paid on the spot). You now start a nice bike trip through an agricultural area. You climb to the local town Taktikoupoli and from this village descend back to the coast. Once at the coast you now cycle to the wetlands of Psifta which is a protected area. Here you will have a chance to see some wonderful birdlife. The last section takes us back to Galatas via the same route as in the morning. From Galatas you take the small ferry back to Poros. Upon arrival, you will hand back the bikes to the bike shop.

Today you take the ferry to the Island of Aegina. Once you arrive in Aegina you will walk to the bike shop (approx. 5-7 minutes walking distance) and pick up your bike for the next days and afterward you can explore the nice town of Aegina by bike. Your luggage will be transferred from the port to the hotel.

Today you have a relaxing day. You can either explore Aegina town with its Archaeological site and museums or you can cycle the 10km along the coast to the south to the picturesque village of Perdika. In the summer season, you can also go across by fishing boat to the uninhabited island of Moni and sunbathe here on the organized beach with sunbeds. Alternatively, you may prefer to walk inland to the Ancient Olive grove or the summit of Ellanios mountain (532m).

Today’s cycling tour heads inland and gradually ascends to the monastery of Agios Nektarios, the Saint of the island. Many Greek-Orthodox believers go there on pilgrimage. After a visit, you now cycle downhill towards the east coast. A short climb takes you to the archaeological temple of Aphaia (altitude 165m). After a visit, you descend to the seaside resort of Agia Marina. Now from here you cycle to Portes, followed by a steep climb to the hamlet of Anitseo where you find a great tavern for refreshments. From here you can see a beautiful Byzantine church, built on and with the materials of a former temple of Zeus Hellanios. Now you descend to the west coast of Aegina and back to Aegina town. You hand back the bikes to the bike shop in Aegina.

Today you will travel back to the mainland at Piraeus by ferry. The organised part of your holidays comes to an end. There are regular public transport connections to Athen’s airport or you may prefer to take a taxi. To allow time for the ferry and travel to Athens airport you must book a return flight at 3 pm or later.