Greece Peloponnese Bicycle Tour 2019 Individual Self-Guided 8 days / 7 nights Almost unbelievable but true. On this bike tour you will experience the current Greece at its best and at the same time you discover ancient treasures of world level. From the small village Vytina, you will start a wonderful bike route through the striking mountain scenery to Tripoli, the capital of the Peloponnese. Afterwards, you will dash through the Tanos Valley in the Parnonas Mountains down to the turquoise coast and enjoy wonderful five days here. Marvel at the ancient theater of Argos, about the Lion Gate at Mycenae and about Epidaurus, the most famous place of worship of ancient world. Look forward to the small fishing village of Paralia Astros, and the picturesque old town of Nafplion, where you spend four nights and start to round trips. Nafplion with its beautiful promenade and the many taverns and restaurants in the old town is for many locals as well as visitors one of the most attractive city in the country. So, pack your saddle bags and go for it!
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Arrival Vytina Individual arrival in Vytina. By plane to Athens or Kalamata. A transfer from the airport to the hotel (about 3 hours drive) can be booked on request. Day 2: Vytina - Tripoli 37 km + 571 m Look forward to a wonderful cycling circuit through the mountainous world of Peloponnese. From Vytina over narrow streets through a rugged mountain world, green forests and small dreamy places to the lively town Tripoli, the capital of the region. Day 3: Cave Tour Kapsia 47 km Marvel at the wealth of the earth, because you will cycle through vast apple orchards, small fruit meadows and scattered vineyards. Entirely surprising you are suddenly in one of the most important caves in Greece, which is open to the public only since Dec 2012. Marvel at magnificent stalactite creations and enjoy the coolness of the earth before you will get to know a selection of red, rose and white wines at a winery in Kapsia. Other highlights of your round trip are the excavations of the ancient city of Mantinea and the church which was built only in 1972 with its absolutely unconventional, surreal looking architectural style, with classical, Byzantine and Minoan elements and a confusing number of columns, glass windows, domes and corners. Enjoy your evening in one of the many taverns in the historical center of Tripoli. Overnight in Tripoli. Day 4: Paralio - Astros 57 km Past the ruins of the Temple of Athena Alea in Tegea today you cycle through wide olive groves and through the Parnonas mountains down to the old picturesque fishing village Paralio Astros with its kilometer long pebbly beach and tranquil restaurants right on the water. Shortly before your destination you should definitely visit the small monastery Loukós and a visit the current excavations of the ancient city Eva planning.
Day 5: Nafplion 45 km A beautiful bike course on the coast road expects you today. Again and again you will be fascinated by magnificent views of the turquoise sea, small fishing boats and the wide bay of the Argolic Gulf. You cycle on with light ups and downs until you reach the sea resort Mili and here you can enjoy a nice lunch on the beach and take a swim. Just in the entrance of Mili, you will pass over the lake of ancient Lerna where Hercules killed the Lernean Hydra, the mythical beast that possessed many heads. You can also visit the archaeological site of Ancient Lerna that contains prehistorical and Bronze Age remain. Then you cycle further through the fertile plains to Argos, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Impressive here is not only the formidable fortress high up on the mountain Lárissa, but especially the archaeological site at the foot of the mountain. Marvel at the remains of the ancient amphitheater built into the mountain, one of the biggest in Greece, before cycling the last flat kilometers to Nafplion. Look forward to this dream destination with its narrow old streets, the beautiful harbor promenade and the marbled main square surrounded by many cafes. Not for nothing Nafplion is now considered the most attractive city in Greece in a picturesque location. Day 6: Round Trip to Mycenae 51 km Today, after a few kilometers it is worth a first stop at the huge castle remains at Tiryns, which was considered as one of the most important centers in the Eastern Mediterranean in the Bronze Age. Then you cycle through the lovely countryside, surrounded by orange and lemon groves, till you reach Mycenae, a fortress with old walls which was built 3360 years ago. Mycenae is one of the most important cities of antiquity, it was a long time the center of Greek civilization. The increase at the edge of the mountainside is quickly forgotten as you marvel at impressive excavations and important findings. The world-famous Lion Gate and the shaft graves are among the major cultural and historical attractions of Greece. Overnight in Nafplion. Day 7: Excursion Epidaurus The last bike tour of your journey begins with a transfer to Epidaurus, which counts as one of the historical highlights of every trip to Greece. You will quickly understand why. You will be impressed by the huge and well-preserved, over 2300 year old amphitheater, which could hold up to 14,000 viewers in its time! Epidaurus was first a Medical and Healing Centre and was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. A visit to the theater was an important part of the healing process. Discover in Epidaurus, and as well remains of the ancient city with temples, porticoes, houses, shops and spas. After an extensive tour you jump on your bikes. Mostly downhill you hurtle through mountainous karst landscape and through the wide pistachio growing region to the coast. Enjoy again a dip in the crystal clear sea water and look forward to another night in Nafplion. Overnight in Nafplion. Day 8: Departure Nafplion Transfer to the airport (can be booked), or extension program, if desired.
Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: Moderate. You cycle to 99% on paved roads and only a few kilometers on gravel roads. The fertile plateau of Tripoli and the flat region between Nafplion and Agros are crossed by small and very small asphalt roads and also on the few passages on wider roads is almost no disturbing traffic. Overall, the region is sparsely populated and is therefore ideally suited for low traffic pleasure cycling. At each stage there are some short and some long slopes to master, but overall the descents dominate. That is because you are starting in Tripoli at 600 meters altitude and roll down to the sea and also the transfer to Epidauros takes you at 300 meters altitude and again you roll down to the sea. With a basic physical condition this "moderate" tour is easy to accomplish and enjoy. Distance: 237 km Travel Season: Departures Saturdays from March 23 to June 22 and August 24 to October 26, 2019 Season 1: March 23 May 4 and June 22 August 24 and October 26 Season 2: May 11 June 15 and August 31 October 19
Price per Person: Season 1 Double Occupancy with breakfast 795.00 Season 1 Single Occupancy with breakfast 955.00 Season 2 Double Occupancy with breakfast 845.00 Season 2 Single Occupancy with breakfast 1005.00 Bike Rental (7 -/24 speed) 80.00 E-Bike Rental 220.00 Extra Nights Vytina Double Occupancy (B&B) 75.00 Extra Nights Vytina Single Occupancy (B&B) 95.00 Transfer Flughafen Athen to Vytina 2 persons 110.00 Transfer Nafplion - Flughafen Athen 2 persons 90.00 Child Discounts Under 14 years in a room with two people paying full price 25% Under 14 years in their own room 15% Accommodation: You stay in small family run hotels, all of which were either completely reopened in the last 2 years or modernized at this time. In the selected hotels the personal charm blends with modern comfort. According to German criteria these hotels would receive 3-4 Stars and with this fulfill the expectations of most cyclists. Included: Accommodation including breakfast room with shower/bath/wc Luggage transport Transfer from Nafplion to Epidaurus Map of bike trails with marked route Travel preparation tips Description tips for tour preparation Tourist information on sights along the way 7 days hotline service GPS data available (50 Euro security deposit required for device)
Bikes 7 speed tourer 21 speed tourer E-Bike Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848