Itinerary
Bike & Boat Gulf of Corinth & Ionian Islands
8 days / 7 nights | from Athens/to Corfu | Guided bike tours
aprx. 94 miles/150 km by bicycle, level 3
Join us on a fascinating journey through time and culture! This boat & bike tour combines the Greek mainland with the impressive islands of the Ionian Sea. For one week, travelling by bicycle and on the two-masted motor sailer Panagiota, we experience first-hand the cultural and scenic diversity of Greece. Famous sites such as Delphi, where the ancient Greeks once consulted the oracle, or Aegina, where the white temple of Aphaia gleams high above the sea are some of the highlights of the tour.
The passage through the Corinth Canal, an artificial seaway connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean, will surely become an unforgettable memory. In the archipelago of the Ionian Islands, you see Greece at its greenest. An unspoiled landscape and centuries of Venetian influence characterize this still fairly unknown group of islands. The crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea glittering in all shades of blue, the mountainous landscape of Cephalonia and the bird-sanctuary island of Lefkas, the small island of Paxos densely covered in olive groves - all guarantee a wonderfully relaxing vacation.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sat): Athens/Piraeus (Marina Zeas) – (Embarkation)
Individual arrival at Marina Zeas (Piraeus). Check in on the Panagiota from 2 pm. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in the harbor of Piraeus.
Day 2 (Sun): Piraeus – Aegina Island – Corinth Canal – Galaxidi (Cycling aprx. 22 mi./35 km)
In the morning we sail to Aegina, the famous pistachio island. Here our first cycle tour takes us to the excellently preserved temple of Aphaia, which lingers high above and scouts over the lucent sea. In the afternoon we sail with the Panagiota through the Isthmus of Corinth, which was completed in 1893. Julius Caesar had already plans for its construction. This 3.9 mi./6.3 km long but only 79 ft./24 m wide and 26 ft./8 m deep canal connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth and saves travelers sailing from Athens to Corinth the aprx. 258 mi./400 km long trip around the whole Peloponnese. If weather conditions are fine, the cruise continues to Galaxidi, otherwise overnight stay in or near Corinth.
Day 3 (Mon): Galaxidi – Delphi – Nafpaktos – Mesolongi
In the morning a transfer picks us up at Galaxidi and takes us to the famous site of Delphi, which rests at the foot of the Parnassus mountain range. Apollo, the god of the light, was once worshipped here and the oracle consulted. Not only the many temples and treasuries, the well-preserved theatre and the stadium, but mainly the breath-taking hillside location of the sanctuary makes the visit to Delphi an unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, the bus will bring us to the harbour of Nafpaktos where we have time for lunch and a short stroll through the wonderful town before another short bus ride brings us finally to Mesolongi. The boat meets us here and we stay the night.
Day 4 (Tue): Mesolongi – Ithaca Island (Cycling aprx. 28 mi./44 km)
In the morning we take a bike tour from Mesolongi through the rich alluvial plains of the Evinos River - one of the most important agricultural regions in Greece. During the tour we take a break at Krioneri Beach for a coffee and swim before returning to Mesolongi. In the afternoon we can relax on board the boat as we cruise to Vathy on Ithaca Island.
Day 5 (Wed): Ithaca Island (Cycling aprx. 12 or 17 mi./20 or 28 km)
In the morning we cycle on the Ithaca Island. The homeland of the mythical king Odysseus, is a hilly island with a beautiful landscape. On today’s cycle route starting from Vathy we can enjoy the typical character of the Ionian Islands away from the beaten tourist track: gnarled olive trees, crystal clear water and friendly islanders – time appears to stand still on Ithaca. From Frikes we cruise to Nidri on Lefkas and stay in the little port for the night.
Day 6 (Thu): Nidri –Lefkas town – Paxos Island (Cycling aprx. 19 mi./30 km)
Today we cycle first through beautiful olive groves to the hidden water falls of Nidri and later on through the mountain world of Lefkas to the island’s capital of the same name. Here the Panagiota awaits us and takes us In the afternoon to Paxos Island. We spend the night in the lovely natural harbor of Gaios.
Day 7 (Fri): Paxos Island (Cycling aprx. 14 mi./23 km)
Paxos, the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands is a grove of olive trees, which gives the island its wonderful silver green colour. On our morning cycle trip we circle the whole island. We can also have a swim in the Mediterranean on one of the many beaches. In the afternoon the Panagiota takes us to Corfu. The last evening aboard includes the communal dinner and a last get-together in a cozy atmosphere with crew and tour guides.
Day 8 (Sat): Corfu Island/Marina Gouvia (Disembarkation)
After breakfast check-out; individual return home or extended stay on the Corfu Island.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Itinerary changes
We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements.
Map

MS Panagiota
MS Panagiota
(all cabins with shower/toilet)
The Panagiota, our latest finding in Greece, is an affectionately restored two-masted motor yacht, which is 23 ft. (7 m) wide and 75 ft. (23 m) long. It was built in 1990 and modernized in 2001 in conformity with the requirements of cruises. 6 cabins below deck and 4 cabins above deck are at the guests’ disposal. All cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with a French bed (4.6 ft. wide), one single bed and private shower and toilet.
There is room for all guests in the spacious saloon to have the meals, to regenerate or to spend some time with new friends. When the weather conditions are fine the guests can have the meals outside on the shaded rear deck. The spacious sun deck, equipped with cozy mats, invites to have a sun bath and to relax.
Travel Dates & Prices 2021
Travel Dates and Prices 2021 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2021 per Person in €
Season 2021
Twin below deck
1490,- €
Optional services / Notes
Supplement cabin on deck
100,- €
Supplement single cabin below deck
400,- €
Supplement single cabin on deck
600,- €
Bicycle rental 21-speed hybrid/week
80,- €
E-Bike 8-gear/week
180,- €
Bike insurance for e-bikes/week
10,- €
Bike insurance for 21-speed-bikes
20,- €
Collective Transfer Airport Athens - Ship
25,- €
Transfer Hotel Athens - Ship
15,- €
Transfer Ship - Airport or Hotel Korfu
20,- €
- Transfers only at day of embarkation and debarkation.
- Minimum number of participants: 14
Services included
- 8-day trip on a motorized yacht with crew
- 7 nights in a twin cabin below deck with shower/toilet
- 2 x full-board and 5 x half-board on board
- Guided bike tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
- Overview-maps for the daily bike tours (on board)
- Entrance fee to museums and archaeological sites (group visit only)
- Transfer to Delphi
- Passage through the Corinth Canal
- Bed linen and towels
- English-speaking tour guide
Not included in the basic tour price
- Journey to Greece
- Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
- Flat rate for bottled water: 20 euro for adults or 10 euro for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)
- Meals and beverages ashore
- Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price
- Beach towel for ashore use (if needed)
- Tips for tour guides and crew
Additional optional services (on request)
- Shared twin cabin
- Surcharge for a cabin on deck: 100 euro/person
- Surcharge for a double cabin for single use below deck: 400 euro (limited)
- Surcharge for a double cabin for single use above deck: 600 euro (limited)
- Rental bike with Ortlieb pannier: hybrid bicycle: 80 euro/week; e-bike: 180 euro/week (limited)
- Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike: hybrid bicycle: 10 euro/week; e-bike: 20 euro/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
- Collective transfer (available on embarkation/disembarkation days only): between Athens airport and the boat in Marina Zeas: 25 euro per person/way
between a hotel in Athens city and the boat in Marina Zeas: 15 euro per person/way between boat and Corfu airport or boat and a hotel in Corfu town: 20 euro per person/way
- Additional customized transfers
- Additional nights in Athens and on Corfu Island
- 3-day extension module – Athens; available only pre tour (Incl. transfers: Airport – Hotel + Hotel - boat, 2 nights in a 3 or 4 star hotel, entrance to the Acropolis, 1 evening meal in the Tavern ‘To Kafeneion’ excl. drinks, 1 guided city bike tour ‘’Athens by Bike’’) Price per person: 3-star hotel in a double room: 310 euro/single room: 450 euro; 4-star hotel in a double room: 370 euro/single room: 530 euro
Price reductions
With three persons sharing a cabin, we allow a 50 % discount on the basic tour price for the third person, regardless of age, and do neither charge the above-deck surcharge for the third person.
Children up to age 16 receive a 25 % discount on the basic tour price (not combinable with the 50 % discount).
Rental bikes
E-Bikes: Clients who wish to be supported by a tail-wind and seek to hire an e-bike will receive a high-quality pedelec, powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances, and characterized by their light weight and great components. Alternative drive systems may also be used. Standard components of our e-bikes in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture-proof touring tires, high-quality derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a sturdy bike stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack. Unfortunately there is no possibility to reserve one particular bike-brand in advance.
2021: We do not allow private e-bikes on board of our boats. This decision has been made due to health and safety regulations. If you wish to ride an e-bike for the duration of your tour, please get in touch with us about the rental options.
Hybrid Bikes: Those choosing to rent a hybrid bike will receive a reliable, low maintenance, aluminum frame bike in the suitable size. Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture-proof touring tires, high-quality derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a sturdy bike stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack. Unfortunately there is no possibility to reserve one particular bike-brand in advance.
Pannier: For the duration of the tour we supply you with a waterproof pannier by Ortlieb, a practical way of carrying drinks, bathing gear, camera etc. The use of our the panniers is free of charge.
Requirement to wear a helmet
Helmet use is mandatory on all cycle tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. Rental helmets are available in limited numbers (reservation requested).
Level 3
The cycle routes require an advanced level of fitness from the participants. The daily routes have a length of 12 - 31 mi./20 - 50 km. They lead through hilly or mountainous areas and will be completed without any time-constraints. There are also some extended climbs where walking your bicycle is of course permitted. Most of the roads are asphalted and rarely frequented. Your tour guide informs you each day about the tour details. Helmet use is mandatory on all cycle tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. Cycle helmets are available on board in limited number (on request). You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.
Children
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.00 m (3”2’).
Catering
The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. A packed lunch instead of lunch on board is possible as well on our tour. The catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.
Internet availability
The Panagiota does not offer a WiFi connection. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend to take your portable electronic device to a cafe or bar somewhere in the harbour. Free WiFi is on offer almost everywhere. If you order something to eat or drink, then you are able to use the WiFi to your hearts content.
Language
Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in Eglish and German.
How to get to Athen
Port of embarkation/disembarkation varies between Athens (Piraeus/Marina Zeas) and Corfu (Marina Gouvia)
Your embarkation harbour will vary, depending on the direction of your tour, between Marina Zeas, part of the Athens Piraeus harbor, and one the Marina Gouvia on Corfu. It is located 7 km north of the city of Corfu. In Gouvia the Panagiota has a fixed mooring at Mole P.
Please check your booking confirmation for the harbor relevant to your tour.
You are welcome to check in on board from 2 pm onwards on the embarkation day. If you arrive without a pre-booked transfer and have difficulties finding the Panagiota, please call your local guide (phone number is mentioned in your travel documents).
Inbound flight to Athens – Outbound flight from Corfu
A flight is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get to Greece.
Please be aware, when booking flights, that your tour will either start in Athens and end in Corfu or vice-versa. Please check your booking confirmation for the harbor relevant to your tour. The direction of your tour can be seen on your booking confirmation. We recommend booking a ‘multi-stop’ flight.
To investigate and book a suitable flight you can for example use the website www.opodo.com.
Transfers between the Airport and the Boat or between a Hotel and the Boat
Fee-based collective transfers can be booked in advance (only available on embarkation/disembarkation days):
– between Corfu airport or a hotel at Corfu town and the boat in Corfu harbor: 20 euro per person/way
– between Athens airport and the boat in Marina Zeas: 25 euro per person/way
– between a hotel at Athens city and the boat in Marina Zeas: 15 euro per person/way
Customized transfers: availability and prices on request