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.