Greece’s South Aegean Bike and Boat

Individual arrival to Bodrum. Check-in begins on the Gullet at 2 p.m. Alternatively, you can fly to Kos airport and take the ferry across to Bodrum. If you choose to arrive via Kos, make sure that your flight arrives no later than 2 p.m. in Kos in order to make the ferry connection. Use the evening hours to enjoy the lively vibe in the city of Bodrum and relax with a typical Turkish tea. In the evening a collective dinner on board can be enjoyed in the company of your travel companions and tour guides

After breakfast, we have a short cruise to the town of Yaliciftlik, where we start our first cycle tour through the local pine forests to Camlik where we will have the chance to refresh ourselves with a short coffee break. After a short rest, we start cycling again through silver-green olive groves to the small village of Etrim. Ancestors of the Turkmen tribes continue to live semi-nomadic lives in the region. Here we stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we return to Yaliciftlik by bike and board our boat and cruise to the island of Kos. An entourage of cultural sights in Kos town will give us an insight into the town’s turbulent historical past. The Roman Forum, the Crusader fortress, and the mosques from the time when Kos was still part of the Ottoman Empire. The evening is rounded off in one of the numerous bars and cafes.

We bike in the direction of the world-famous archaeological excavation site of the Asclepion in Kos, the former realm of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. From here we cycle along the coast back towards the town of Kos. Here we board the boat and cruise to the volcanic island of Nissyros.

Today we cycle to Nikia, a small village built directly on the Stefanos crater rim at 1,400 ft./430 m 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 pebble mosaics bring great character to this village. We then cycle on to the crater with its steaming sulphur springs and finally back to the small port town of Mandraki where our boat is already waiting to take us to Tilos Island, inhabited since ancient times.

Our morning bike ride takes us from Livadia to Megalochorio. If procurable enthusiasts can visit the pygmy elephant museum, before returning back to the boat. A tasty lunch waits for us on board followed by a relaxing cruise from Tilos to the island of Chalki. The picturesque island capital offers a first impression of the classic architecture style which will await us on Symi.

In the morning we take a crossing by boat to Panormitis Bay in front of the island of Symi, where the local monastery offers us a pleasant visit. Thereafter we follow the motto “off to the other side of the island!” Scaling several zig-zags we meaner slowly up the hill, allowing ourselves enough time to enjoy the picturesque views on the way up. Our destination is the Islands capital of Symi, with its classical cityscape and harbour. In the evening we can climb to the upper part of Symi town. From the top we have a breath-taking view over the harbour and coastline of the bay. An evening visit to a remote tavern enables us to enjoy the evening away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

From Symi, we make our way to the neighbouring, Datça Peninsula, and find ourselves back in Turkey. Today’s bike tour takes us from the Datça district along the peninsula to the historical ruins of Knidos (4^th Century BC) with a wonderfully preserved amphitheatre. A stroll through this historical site leaves a lasting impression. Depending on the departure times of the guests onboard the following day, we can either spend the night in Knidos or cross over to Bodrum. An evening meal is enjoyed together in the company of guides and guests.

Make your own departure plans. If you wish to fly home from the Island of Kos a ferry will depart at 09:30 am. Please make sure that your flight departure from Kos is not before 1 pm.