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Peloponnese & Saronic Islands: deluxe boat Erato

Exciting antiquity and the dazzling sea

Bike & Boat
8 Days / 7 Nights
guided tour
moderate
from
2,999.00 €
Book now Book
from
2,999.00 €

Many peoples have left their mark on the Peloponnese. Some of the greatest archaeological sites of antiquity are waiting for you to discover them. You cycle through orange gardens and pomegranate plantations and capture the "Golden Mycenae" with its impressive lion's gate, the cyclopean walls and the treasury of Atreus. Embark on a geological journey through time on the volcanic peninsula of Methana.
With your floating home, the three-master Thalassa, you can reach the diverse islands of the Saronic Gulf. Visit the pistachio island of Aegina with the Temple of Aphaia enthroned high above the sea. On the island of Hydra, which is completely traffic-free, the only means of transport is donkeys. The islands of Poros and Spetses are known for their aromatic herbs - let yourself be enchanted!

This trip is perfect for:

  • Culture lovers will get their money's worth, as the route leads past great towns with special sights.
  • Pleasure-seekers who enjoy sitting in a beer garden or restaurant with a good wine in their hand.
  • History enthusiasts: there are numerous historical towns along the route.

Highlights

The Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis is probably the most important ancient Greek monument. This 2,500-year-old ruined city dominates Athens from the top of Acropolis Hill. And while the Parthenon Temple, with its distinctive columns, is the most famous monument on the hill, it's just one of the many treasures the Acropolis has to offer.

Plaka - the old town of Athens
A visit to the Acropolis is a must for anyone visiting Athens. The same, however, applies to Plaka, which is immediately below – the picturesque and lively old town of the Greek capital.

Island of Aegina
The island of Aegina has something for everyone - sandy beaches with shallow waters for families with children, isolated аnd peaceful pebble bushes, lively beach bars аnd historical sights оf Greek antiquity. Thе island cultivates many vegetables аnd fruit, аs well аs pistachios - Aegina's pride.

The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese is located in southern Greece and is separated from the mainland by the artificial Corinth Canal. The Peloponnese is ancient cultural land and offers unique archaeological sites of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Mycenaeans, ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Franks, Ottomans, French and English all left their mark on the region.

Peloponnese & Saronic Islands: deluxe boat Erato
moderate
Bike & Boat
8 Days / 7 Nights
guided tour
from
2,999.00 €
Book now Book

The elegant motor sailer Erato, painted in Bordeaux red, offers an ideal base for your journey by bike and boat in Greece with its comfortable and luxurious furnishings. The 6 teak-lined cabins with ground-level beds are 10-12m² in size and are located below deck. They are equipped with shower/WC,

air conditioning and hairdryer. In the outside area of the ship you will find enough seating and sunbathing places to end the day comfortably and relaxed. Or perhaps you would prefer to start the evening in the salon before the friendly crew spoils you with typical Greek food?

Tour

Individual arrival in Athens and transfer to the marina Marina Alimos, which is part of Piraeus and approx. 25 km from the airport. Check-in from 14:00. Dinner on board and overnight in Athens.

In the morning you cross over to the island of Poros. Before you dock in the island capital of the same name, make a bathing stop with the ship. In the afternoon you cycle almost completely around the island. Just before your tour ends, you'll arrive at Russian Bay, where you'll have the opportunity for a swim in the sea. In the enchanting port of Poros town with its clock tower towering over all the buildings, you can end the day in a typically Greek atmosphere.

In the morning you take a small car ferry from Poros to Galatas in the Peloponnese. A panoramic tour takes you through fertile agricultural land to the small coastal town of Ermioni. Back on board the Thalassa, enjoy lunch and a crossing to Porto Heli. If the weather conditions are good, you can take a long bathing break along the way.

In the morning you cross over to the island of Spetses and start with a long swimming break in a picturesque bay. Before lunch, stroll through the pretty streets of the old town. On the "Island of Spices" as Spetses was already called by the Venetians, you cycle along an almost car-free panoramic road with the most beautiful views of the turquoise blue sea. In between you always have time for longer bathing and coffee breaks. After the bike tour, explore the old port by bike before boarding the ship again.

In the morning, drive to Hydra Island in two hours. Donkeys are the only means of transport on the car-free island. After the film "The Boy on the Dolphin" was shot on the island in 1957, it became an artists' Mecca. Explore the port on foot and then continue to the Methana Peninsula. You will immediately notice the volcanic origin because the air is full of the smell of sulphur. The peninsula is characterized by more than 30 volcanoes and thermal springs, some of which are still active and some of which are also used medicinally. In the late afternoon you go on a bike tour with beautiful panoramic views and a relaxing coffee break in the picturesque fishing port of Vathy.

After breakfast you take another bike tour on Methana and then cross over to Aegina in the afternoon. The island of Aegina is famous for its very good pistachios. In the old town of Aegina you can buy all kinds of pistachio products while strolling through the lively streets. Alternatively, you can embark on a bike ride along the coast to the fishing village of Perdika.

Today's bike tour takes you to the sanctuary of the goddess Aphaia. The very well preserved temple towers high above the sea. From here you have a fantastic view of the Aegean Sea. On the way back via the pistachio island you will cycle past the monastery of Saint Nektarios to Aegina town. Here you board the Thalassa again, where you are already awaited for the last crossing of the journey with a final evening.

After breakfast, your beautiful bike and boat trip ends with disembarkation at 9:00 a.m.

The planned route is always subject to possible changes due to nautical, meteorological or organisational reasons. If, for example, a route cannot be travelled due to low water, high water, bad weather or construction work, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a legally valid reason for cancelling the trip free of charge. The same applies in the event of officially ordered lock or bridge repairs or in the event of engine or propulsion damage to the ship through no fault of the captain.

As your ship usually sails to the next harbour on the same day, your time frame for your own activities and sightseeing is limited. On some bridges, the clearance height is so low that the sun deck is closed for your safety.

map

Prices / Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services/Infos

  • 8-day cruise on a crewed motor yacht
  • 7 nights in a double cabin below deck with shower/toilet
  • 2 x full board and 5 x half board on board
  • Guided bike tours and visits according to the programme
  • Overview maps for the individual cycling stages on board
  • Entrance fees for museums and archaeological sites visited together
  • Bottled drinking water on board 
  • bed linen and towels
  • German and English speaking tour guide
Worth knowing about the trip Peloponnese & Saronic Islands: Bike & Boat

Below you will find specific information about the trip Peloponnese & Saronic Islands: Bike & Boat with the deluxe ship Thalassa. If you have any further questions about this trip, simply give us a call: Tel.: +49 (0)6421 - 886890.

Arrival by plane
Arriving by plane is the fastest, cheapest and most comfortable way to get to Greece. There are flight connections to Athens from many airports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is approximately 25 km from the port of Piraeus, the start and end point of the trip.

When booking your flight, please choose a return flight that departs in the midday or afternoon, if possible, to ensure a stress-free return trip to Germany. 

We are happy to organize a transfer for you from the airport to the ship and back to the airport or a hotel in Athens on the day of disembarkation. Price on request.

Port of Embarkation Athens (Marina Alimos/Piraeus)
If you arrive by car, rent a car in Greece or organize your own transfer to the port after the flight, here is the information about the port of embarkation:

Your port of embarkation is Marina Alimos, which is part of the Athens port of Piraeus. As a rule, your ship docks here in the part of the marina called pasa Limani. You can check in on board from 2 p.m. on the day of embarkation.

Requirements
Exclusive e-bike tour for guests with a good basic level of fitness. The tours, including the metres in altitude, are easily manageable by e-bike (23 - 40 km with 400 - 700 metres in altitude per day). All bike tours require participants to have a certain basic level of fitness and be able to control their bikes safely. There is always enough time to complete the tours. The tour guides will inform you in detail each day about the level of difficulty of the planned daily tour. 

This tour is primarily designed as a guided group tour. After prior consultation with our tour guides and selection of a suitable route, nothing stands in the way of individual cycling. Instead of a cycle tour, a half or full day can be spent on the boat at any time.

Available rental bikes
There are unisex electric bikes with 11-speed derailleur gears and a low step-through step, or somewhat sportier unisex 9-speed hybrid e-bikes with a slightly higher step-through step. The bikes are each equipped with an Ortlieb pannier.

It is not possible to take your own e-bike with you due to safety regulations on the ships and to protect the health of the tour guide.

Helmet obligation
Helmets are compulsory on the bike tours. Please bring your own well-fitting helmet. A limited number of rental helmets are available (reservation required).

Catering
The accompanying cook prepares the extensive breakfast and one or two warm meals daily. Boarding begins on the day of arrival with dinner and ends on the day of disembarkation with breakfast.

Children
Basically, we are of the opinion that only children with good stamina and a minimum age of 10 years can complete the bike tours on their own. Please note that we can only provide trekking rental bikes from a height of 1.30 m and rental e-bikes from a height of 1.50 m.

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

  • Travel to Athens
  • Meals and drinks on land
  • Tickets for individually visited sights
  • beach towel if needed
  • Tip for crew and tour guide


Passport and visa requirements
For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance
The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Velociped can withdraw from the tour twenty-one days before the starting date of the tour, at the latest, in case the minimum number of participants stated under the tour description is not attained. You will duly be informed without any delay in case of a withdrawal. Velociped will of course refund the paid tour price immediately. Please note our General Terms and Conditions.

Your travel expert for this tour
Anja Benndorf - Velociped

I provide you with advice and assistance

Anja Benndorf

Managing Director

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