E-bike adventure to the Peloponnese
PelNC1 CyclingGuidedSmall Groups ArcadiaMycenaeEpidaurusSpetsesMethanaNafplioStemnitsaDimitsanaVytina
8 DAYS
LEVEL 3
During this faboulous 8-days holiday, you will experience the beautiful center and the northeast part of the Peloponnese but also Spetses; a fantastic Greek Island, near the east coast and Methana; the spectacular volcanic island-like peninsula. Guided by a local professional tour leader, you will go cycling on a quality e-bicycle through typical Mediterranean landscapes, tree-shadowed roads and rural areas, traditional villages and picturesque towns. You will discover hidden beauties in less advertised destinations and you will visit highlights of Greece.
You will discover the Mountainous region of Arcadia; a sparsely populated land in the center of the Peloponnese, developed into a poetic byword for an idyllic vision of unspoiled wilderness; today it’s home to magnificent stone villages, peaceful landscapes and thick fir and pine forests.
You will explore Argolis; the legendary region in the eastern part of the Peloponnese, one of the most important centers of Mycenaean and Classical Greece. Here you will visit two UNESCO World Cultural Heritage: Mycenae with the Bronze Age citadel with its Cyclopean walls and the Lions’ Gate and Epidaurus with the sanctuary of Asclepius and the famous ancient theater, as well as the Neoclassical town of Nafplio; the first capital of modern Greece.
You will discover the Mountainous region of Arcadia; a sparsely populated land in the center of the Peloponnese, developed into a poetic byword for an idyllic vision of unspoiled wilderness; today it’s home to magnificent stone villages, peaceful landscapes and thick fir and pine forests.
You will explore Argolis; the legendary region in the eastern part of the Peloponnese, one of the most important centers of Mycenaean and Classical Greece. Here you will visit two UNESCO World Cultural Heritage: Mycenae with the Bronze Age citadel with its Cyclopean walls and the Lions’ Gate and Epidaurus with the sanctuary of Asclepius and the famous ancient theater, as well as the Neoclassical town of Nafplio; the first capital of modern Greece.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome! From Athens to Arcadia
Early in the afternoon you leave Athens and through the Canal of Corinth you travel towards the Peloponnese; short stop to visit Isthmus. You continue towards the reagion of Arcadia and to the foothills of Mt. Mainalon. 2 nights in Vytina.Transfer: about 213km, 2h30min
Day 2: The "stone jewels" of Arcadia and the West Mainalon Forest
After breakfast you go cycling directly from your hotel, through beautiful traditional mountain villages such as Dimitsana and Stemnitsa; the so-called stone jewls of Arcadia, and through the dense forest of Mainalo Mountain. Coffee stop, lunch and free time for visiting the picturesque villages, before returning back to Vytina.Cycling: Vytina – Dimitsana – Stemnitsa – Elati, about 59 km, +1412 m / -1412 m, circular
Day 3: Mountain villages and peaceful landscapes. Mycenae; homeland of Agamemnon
Today you go cycling north of your hotel, through varied and peaceful landscapes, across Magouliana; the highest inhabited village of the Peloponnese, and Veltesiniko; another one picturesque mountain village. In the afternoon, you travel across the Arcadian Plateau and the plain of Argos to Mycenae, where you visit the Bronze Age citadell with its famous Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the beehive tombs and the museum. You continue to Nafplio; the first capital of modern Greece, with its picturesque old town, built on a peninsula below the Acronauplia Fortress, that preserves a Venetian and neoclassical character. 2 nights in Nafplio or Tolo.Cycling: Valtesiniko – Magouliana, about 35.5km, +957m / 957 m, circular
Total transfers: 110km, 1h50min
Day 4: Argos, one of the world's oldest cities. Nafplio; capital of the First Hellenic Republic
Transfer to Argos; one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (for at least the last 6000 years!). At the foot of the castle-crowned hill of Larissa, you can visit the ruins of the ancient theater of Argos; one of the biggest in Ancient Greece. Your cycling tour starts here: circular ride to the springs of Kefalari, the mysterious Pyramid of Elliniko and the old train station of Mili, near the ancient city of Lerna. It was the location where Hercules killed the Lernaean Hydra; a multi headed sea monster, and succeded the second of his 12 labors. Transfer back to Nafplio. You will explore the city and its surroundings by bike: circular ride around the old town with its two fortresses.Cycling 1: Argos – Elliniko – Lerna, about 26.5km, +235m / -235m, circular
Cycling 2: Nafplio, about 18.5km, +455m / -455m, circular
Total transfers: 27km, 35min
Day 5: Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. Crossing to a picturesque island
Transfer to the sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus. Asclepius; son of Apollo and God of medicine, who was worshiped during the antiquity throughout Greece. It was in this sanctuary that people from allover the known world arrived to pray to the healing god in order to receive miraculous cure or even medical treatment. The Theater of Epidaurus is famous for its acoustics and it is still operating in ourdays. Cycling tour around the sanctuary and its surroundings. Transfer over Mt. Didima to Kosta and then by boat to the Island of Spetses.Cycling: Ancient Edidaurus, about 29km, + 652m / - 652m, circular
Total transfers: 88km, 1h30min
Boat: Kosta – Spetses, 15min
Day 6: Spetses: traditional settlement, pine forest and dream beaches
Spetses is a wooded island very close to the coast of the Peloponnese and it has a very picturesque old harbor surrounded by a traditional settlement and several beautiful beaches. The old captains's houses show the past prosperity of the island through seafaring and trade in the 18th and 19th centuries; the luxurious modern villas reflect today's preference of rich and distinguished people for its beauty. Panoramic cycling tour on Spetses: circular ride around the island on almost traffic-free roads; several beaches to choose for swimming. In the afternoon, you can explore the picturesque traditional settlement around the Old Harbor or even go hiking through the pine wood to the Profitis Ilias chapel on the peak of the island and enjoy the panoramic view.Cycling: Spetses island tour, about 29km, +664m / -664m, circular
Day 7: Methana: thermal bath in volcanic scenery
In the morning you cross to Kosta and travel, via Erimioni, to Methana, on the scenic coastal road. You go cycling from the port and main town of Methana (thermal springs) to Kameni Chora. You walk up to the volcano (about 45 min roundtrip) to enjoy the panoramic view over the Saronic Gulf. You return to the port, partly on an alternative road. It's also possible to continue through the pine wood to the upper part of the peninsula, descend to the north coast and continue on the coastal road, around the peninsula back to the harbor. Overnight in Methana.Boat: Spetses – Kosta, 15min
Transfer: Kosta – Methana: 81km, 1h45min
Cycling: Port of Methana – Volcano, 25-39km, +949m / -949m, circular
Day 8: Farewell!
In the morning ther will be time to relax by the beach and go for swimming, before traveling back to Athens or Athens airport. Farewell!Transfer: Methana – El. Venizelos, 191 km, 2h30min
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mycenae: the Bronze Age citadel of Atrides and the treasure of Atreus- Epidaurus: Asclepeios’ sanctuary and the ancient theatre; still operable today
- Nafplio: the beautiful Neoclassical town with its fortresses, first capital of modern Greece
- Arcadia: cycling through the serene landscapes and picturesque villages in a land full of myths and legends
- Spetses: the picturesque town and lovely beaches
- Methana: the rough volcanic landscape and the fantastic view to the sea
ACTIVITY
- 7 cycling circular tours, on a quality e-bike. Moderate- Swimming in crystalline sea
- Recommended equipment: comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for cycling, a windproof jacket and/or raincoat and clothing according to the season, a day back-bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimming suit
PRICE
1249 EUR per person in double / twin room*single room supplement: 225 EUR
SERVICES
- Accommodation: 7 nights in good well located 3-star hotels or guesthouses- Professional tour leader for the whole tour including cycling
- Quality e-bikes and equipment from/to Athens
- All transfers as described in private comfortable vehicle
- Meals: 7 breakfasts in the hotels, 7 lunches (picnics with local products or light meal in tavern), 7 dinners in taverns or the hotel
- Pick up from meeting point or your hotel (if in accessible location in Athens city center)
- Entrance tickets for the archaeological sites and museums in Mycenae and Epidaurus
- Ferry tickets to/from the island of Spetses
- Professional liability insurance
- VAT 24% & all applicable taxes
OPTIONAL SERVICES
- Additional overnights in Athens before and after the tour- Airport transfers
- Pick up from your hotel (upon arrangement / possible supplement if in remote location)
- Single, triple or family room
- Licensed cultural guide for the archaeological sites and museums
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Greece- Airport transfers (upon request)
- Other entrance tickets
- Licensed cultural guide for the archaeological sites and museums (upon request)
- Personal travel insurance
- Drinks/beverages
- Tips, other extras
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- Arcadia
- Mycenae
- Epidaurus
- Spetses
- Methana
- Nafplio
- Stemnitsa
- Dimitsana
- Vytina