Peloponnese and Saronic Islands by Bike and Boat

Arrive into Athens airport and either make your way to Marina Zeas; part of Piraeus or book a place on the collective transfer from the airport. You can check in on the boat from around 2 pm. Dinner will be on board and the night will be spent in Piraeus.

Today we shall spend the morning sailing to the Island of Poros. In the afternoon, we will start cycling from the island’s capital, which holds the same name as the island itself, towards the 18th-century Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. Actually, you will almost completely encircle the island which, in ancient times, was considered to be the island of Poseidon, God of the Sea. Shortly before the end of the tour, we will reach Russian Bay, whose sandy beach and turquoise waters are sure to tempt us to dive in for a swim. Back in the enchanting harbour of Poros City, with its landmark clock tower reaching high above all the other buildings, we can end our eventful day surrounded by a characteristic Greek atmosphere.

After breakfast, a small car ferry will take us from Poros to Galatas in the Peloponnese and from here we start the cycle tour which will lead us for the most part along the coast and through fertile agricultural land towards the small coastal town of Ermioni. Here our boat the Bahriyeli will await us for an onboard lunch and a leisurely afternoon crossing to Nafplio. In the early afternoon, our tour guide will invite us on a stroll through the picturesque alleys of the former Greek capital. Nafplio is a captivating town with its ingenious fortifications.

After breakfast, the day’s bike tour will lead us into the Peloponnesian inland. After cycling through an impressive apricot and orange grove we will reach the remarkable Mycenaean fortress of Tiryns and then the magnificent castle of Mycenae. Both sites have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1999. In the 2^nd millennium BC, Mycenae was one of Greece’s most important cities. King Atreus and his son Agamemnon play a significant role in Greek mythology. The excavation site is enthralling: The famous Lion Gate, the incredibly thick cyclopean walls, Grave Circles A and B along with the gold and silver discoveries and the Treasury of Atreus are all very much worth a visit. In the late afternoon, the boat will take us from Nafplio to the Island of Spetses. In the evening, we can stroll through the alleys of the beautiful old town, decorated with pebble mosaics, or end the evening at the old fishing port with a glass of wine.

The island of Spetses got its name from the Venetians who called it “Isola della spezie”, the island of herbs. With the accompanying aroma of wild herbs and panoramic views, today’s cycle tour will lead us along the traffic-free road that circles the island.  For the majority of the ride, we will be able to enjoy incredible views of the turquoise sea. We shall have a possible break at one of the beautiful beaches for a coffee and maybe a swim.  The journey will then continue to the island of Hydra. Since time immemorial donkeys have been the only means of transport on this unique, beautiful island. Thanks to seafaring, the island became very wealthy in the middle ages. Then, after the Greek War of Independence, spanning from 1821-1830, the island fell into a hundred-year slumber. It was only when, in 1957, the film “Boy on a Dolphin” starring the unforgettable Sofia Loren was filmed on Hydra that life was brought back to the island which then became a mecca for artists.

In the morning we sail to Methana Peninsula whose volcanic origin is immediately noticeable by the smell of sulphur and the shimmering colours of the rocks. The peninsula is characterised by its 30 plus volcanos, some of which are still active, as well as the medicinal, sulphurous thermal springs. Today’s round trip offers numerous, incredible views. In the afternoon, we will sail to the island of Aegina.

The island of Aegina is famous even beyond the borders of Greece for its excellent pistachios. Today’s bike tour takes us up to the sanctuary of the goddess Aphaia. The beautifully preserved temple towers rest high up above the blue sea, the only place on the island from where the Aegean Sea can be seen on both sides. On the ride back we will cycle through the centre of the island passing the great monastery of Saint Nektarios to Aegina city where our boat awaits. We will then sail back to Piraeus and our exciting Greek cruise will come to a close with a final, celebratory evening on board.

After breakfast on board it is time to disembark to return home.