Ionian Islands (Bike and Boat) – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 3
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 24 Miles/day average
Dates:Apr 24; Jun 13, 20, 27; Oct 3, 10, 17, 2015
Tour price: €1390
Start city: Corfu, Greece
End city: Corfu, Greece
Tour Description
On the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece, Hellas shows her greenest side; pure nature, the crystal clear blue shimmering Ionian Sea and centuries of Venetian influences dominate the archipelago of the Ionian Islands. From Corfu, which was the dream island of the unforgettable Austrian empress Sissi, this journey will lead you to stunning regions which are not very well known abroad.
Discover the famous island of Ithaca which is said to have been the home of Odysseus. You will never forget the green bird sanctuary island of Lefkas, the fantastic mountain world of Kefallonia, and the beautiful olive woods of the small island of Paxos.
Enjoy your stay on board the two-masted wooden motor yacht Panagiota, and let yourself be pampered by the excellent Greek cuisine and the coziness of the ship.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival to Corfu town Day 2: Corfu Island – Sivota – Lefkas Island (17 miles/28 km) Day 3: Islands of Lefkas (18 miles/29 km) Then the ship brings us to Fiskardo on Cephalonia, where we spend the night. The harbour town on the Northern point of the island charms visitors with its colorful houses and numerous cafés and bars along the picturesque harbor promenade. Don’t miss the local Robola wine! Day 4: Cephalonia Island (24 miles/39 km) On the way we may visit the stalactite and stalagmite caves of Melissani, which can only be reached by row boat. In the late afternoon we cruise to Vathy on the island of Ithaca. Ithaca, the homeland of the mythical king Odysseus, is a hilly island with a beautiful landscape. Day 5: Islands of Ithaca and Meganisi (13 miles/21 km; 8 miles/13 km) Day 6: Mytikas – Lefkas – Paxos (30 miles/49 km) Day 7: Islands of Paxos and Corfu (14 miles/23 km) Day 8: Departure from Corfu town Changes Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge: Pedals: Seats: Helmets: Bicycle insurance is available to buy. It costs 10 Euros/week for the hybrid touring bikes, and 20 Euros/week for the electrically assisted bikes. Additional specifications on the Hybrid touring bikes: Please note that the bikes are deliberately NOT equipped with water bottle holders. There is room in the saddle bag to carry a bottle of water, along with everything else you need for the daily rides. Additional specifications on the Electrically assisted bikes: The type i:SY Flyer ECO is available for all persons with a height of 150- 190 cm (it is not available for heights above 190 cm). Please note: You are urgently discouraged from bringing your own bike. Bike transport to Greece by airplane is both costly and risky, often resulting in damage. Furthermore, most transfer taxis are unwilling to transport bike boxes.
Arrive individually to Corfu. Check in on the ship from 2 pm on. Dinner on board. Overnight in Corfu.
In the morning we cross over to Sivota. There, our first cycle tour starts and leads us to Parga, beautifully situated below a Venetian fortress which towers over the old town. Here, the boat awaits us to take us to Nidri on Lekas Island. On our way, we pass an unusual swinging bridge which connects Lefkas with the Greek mainland.
Overnight on board near Lefkas Island.
Today’s cycle route takes us from Nidri first to a nearby waterfall. If you are lucky there is still enough water flowing from the waterfall for a refreshing morning swim. Then we cycle along quiet roads through the mountains past Sivros and onward to the harbour in Vasiliki. After a short sail we anchor and swim at Porto Katsiki, one of the most famous beaches in Greece.
Overnight on board near Fiskardo.
Today’s bike tour leads us from Fiskardo to Sami. We cycle along the high road of the western coast of the island, where we have many unforgettable views, like the panoramic view down to Myrtos beach. We continue on through the interior of the island and finally reach the eastern coast of Cephalonia with the harbor of Sami.
Overnight on board near Vathy.
On today’s cycle route, we can enjoy the typical character of the Ionian Islands here away from the beaten tourist track: gnarled olive trees, crystal clear water and friendly islanders – time appears to stand still on Ithaca. From Frikes the Panagiota takes us to the small island of Meganisi. On the way we pass the private island of the influential ship-owner Aristoteles Onassis. Meganisi is a tiny island with lots of charm, which we explore in the afternoon by bicycle.
Overnight on board near Meganisi.
In the morning, we crossover to Mytikas on the Greek mainland. From Mytikas we ride along the coast and further on panoramic roads, passing some mountain villages until we reach Lefkas town. In the afternoon we sail to Paxos island, whose unique natural harbor in Gaios creates a special island atmosphere. We can spend the evening in a cozy tavern in Gaios.
Overnight on board near Gaios.
Paxos, the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands, is a grove of olive trees, which give the island its wonderful silver green color. On today’s cycle trip, we circle the island. We can have our last swim in the Mediterranean on one of the many beaches. After lunch the boat brings us back to Corfu, where, after dinner on board, our tour ends leisurely with an evening in the romantic historical town centre.
Overnight on board near Corfu.
After breakfast, check-out, and individual return home or holiday extension on the island of Corfu.
We reserve the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.
Bikes available on this tour (must be reserved at time of booking):
21-speed aluminum hybrid touring bicycle (included in tour package)
i:SY-Flyer ECO brand electrically assisted bike (available for an additional fee, limited availability)
Rear, side saddle bag (waterproof)
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals. The guide on board the boat can assist you in attaching them to your rental bike.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it is a universal seat post. The guide on board can also assist you if you bring your own seat.
It is required to wear helmets on this tour. In order to guarantee optimum protection, we request that you bring your own helmet and – for your own safety – wear it on all bike tours. A limited number of helmets are available on board to rent, at the time of booking, thought it is highly recommended to bring your own helmet.
The i:SY-Flyer ECO, a relatively light model of 50 pounds (21 kg), is a compact bike with a special low frame geometry for easy mounting and 20-inch wheels. The handlebar “Speedlifter Twist” is turnable, making the bike space-efficient for storage. This E-Bike model is equipped with an 8-gear-Shimano hub gearshift (Nexus), as well as Shimano V-brakes. It has a 10-amp battery along with an 8-amp back-up that allow for unlimited riding.
