Sail and Bike
Greek Aegean from Bodrum to Kusadasi
15 Days / 14 Nights, approx. 490 km (304 mi.) by bicycle
Contact us:
Phone: 49-7531-819-9390
Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm UTC
Current local time: --
Introduction
On this trip you will go on a two week journey of discovery in a comfortable Turkish Gulet. The first part of the journey takes you past the Dodecanese islands to Samos. The islands are a magical and mythical world, rich in historic happenings and history. A world, where the sun shines and the sea gives renewed life. Let yourself be spellbound by the ancient Asklipion, where the famous Hippocrates practiced. Relax in the peace and tranquility of the beaches of Lipsi and let your thoughts ramble. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the holy island of Patmos and admire the unique panoramic views along your cycle tour on Samos.
The second part of your journey is on the Turkish mainland back to Bodrum. Ancient, famous sites such as Ephsos, Milet or the oracle of Didyma are surrounded by fertile fields and thick forests. Get to know the real Turkey intensively which one misses out on as a normal tourist.
Day 1 (Sat) Bodrum (Boarding)
The arrival by plane and the transfer to Bodrum, Turkey must be individually organised. After checking in on the Gulet you will have the chance to have a look round the lovely old part of town and the harbour. Dinner is on board. The remaining participants will join the ship in the evening.
Day 2 (Sun) Kos (Cycle route approx. 30 km/19 miles)
Before lunch you will cross over to Kos. The first cycle trip begins here and will lead you through green fields to Tingaki Beach, where you will have the opportunity to have your first swim in the Aegean. In the evening your tour guide will accompany you to the lively old town of Kos. You will be confronted with the ancient history of the town at every step.
Day 3 (Mon) Kos Island (Cycle route approx. 30 km/19 miles)
In the morning you will take a cycle trip to the world famous archaeological excavation site of the Asklipion, where Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, practiced. From here you will travel on to Zia, an old Greek mountain village, which tempts you to stay with its numerous, cosy tavernas. In the afternoon you will cross over on the boat to Kalymnos, where you will spend the night.
Day 4 (Tue) Kalymnos Island (Cycle route approx. 30 km/19 miles)
You will begin your cycle trip from the harbour Pothia, along the coast to above Vathy. From here you will travel through a surprisingly green and fertile valley to the quiet fishing village of Vathy, where you can have a coffee break in a cosy taverna. You will take the same route back to Pothia and if you would like to cycle a little further you may take a trip to the Convent of Agioi Pantes, from where you will have a brilliant view over the harbour. In the afternoon, you will travel on with the ship towards Leros, where you will stay overnight.
Day 5 (Wed) Leros Island (Cycle route approx. 25 km/16 miles)
Leros is green, varied and always offers new and surprising views into small harbours. A cycle trip in the morning will bring you to the fort of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in Agia Marina and into the small laneways of the town. After an espresso break in the idyllic harbour of the town you will cycle on to the seaside chapel of Agios Isidoros, in which many couples get married. After lunch you will travel in the Aegean Clipper to Lipsi, where you will have time to enjoy the small peaceful town with its numerous chapels.
Day 6 (Thu) Lipsi Island (Cycle route approx. 15 km/9 miles)
Your tour guide will show you the quiet beaches and parts of this island with its 55 churches, which has been largely spared from tourism. Afterwards a beautiful, peaceful beach invites you to enjoy a long swim break. You mustn’t miss a visit to the wonderful bakery in the harbour. In the afternoon you will cross over to Patmos by boat, which can be seen from afar with its snow white upper town and its towering monastery.
Day 7 (Fri) Patmos Island and Agathonissi Island (Cycle route approx. 25 + 10 km/ 16 + 6 miles)
On a short but panoramic cycle route you will visit the grotto, in which St. John during his banishment by god saw the apocalypse. The world famous St. John monastery of Hora, a village, which has a paradise-like peaceful atmosphere with its numerous white laneways and 33 churches and chapels, is the next stop on your cycle. In the afternoon you will crossover by boat to Agathonissi, the smallest island which you will visit on your tour. Here you can also take a short cycle or enjoy the peaceful beaches with their crystal clear waters.
Day 8 (Sat) Samos Island (Cycle route approx. 20 km/12 miles)
In the morning you will cross by boat to the picturesque harbour of Pythagorio with its lively beach promenade. In the afternoon you will explore the famous Eupalinus tunnel with your tour guide, which was dug from both sides of the mountain around the year 500 B.C. The cycle tour will lead you further up the mountain to the remains of the ancient town walls, where you will have an unforgettable view of the harbour and your boat.
Day 9 (Sun) Samos Island (Cycle route approx. 50 km/31 miles)
From Pythagorio you will start off on this longer tour through charming island villages to the panoramic road 400m high. In this cultural landscape you will be surrounded by magnificent cypress and popular trees. Along the way you will visit the famous Hera sanctuary of Samos. From the highest point on the cycle tour you will be able to enjoy the view of Pythagorio and the Turkish Dilek mountains in the distance while having your lunch. A 20 km long descent brings you back to the harbour in Pythagorio, where you can spend the rest of the day walking on the promenade or on the beach.
Day 10 (Mon) Samos Island – Kusadasi (Cycle route approx. 25 km/16 miles)
After breakfast you will go on a cycle tour with your guide over the island mountains to Vathy, the lively main town of the island. There you will have time until lunch to enjoy the colourful happenings in the harbour. In the afternoon the boat will take you to Kusadasi on the Turkish coast.
Day 11 (Tue) Kusadasi – Ephesos (Cycle route approx. 50 km/31 miles)
In the morning you will cycle to Ephesos. A local guide will explain the history behind this impressive archaeological site with its famous library. You will then be able to enjoy a traditional Turkish meal in a local restaurant. There is so much culture to enjoy! You can cycle by bike to the sandy beach of Pamucak and after a swim return to the boat.
Day 12 (Wed) Akbük – Iassos (Cycle route approx. 40 km/25 miles)
You will sail around the 1,200 metre high Dilek mountains and go ashore near a small coastal town. By bike you will travel to the ancient, early Greek town of Milet, whose famous town gate is housed in the Berlin Pergamon Museum. You will continue on over the broad landscape of the Menderes river delta to Akbük, where you will join the ship once more. Overnight stay in the bay of Akbük.
Day 13 (Thu) Akbük – Iassos (Cycle route approx. 40 km/25 miles)
The cycle trip today leads along the coast through thick pine forests and remote villages to Iassos. Here you will visit the interesting excavations of ancient sites with your guide. In the afternoon you can have a swim in the quiet bay of Iassos.
Day 14 (Fr) Iassos-Bodrum (Cycle route approx. 75 km/47 miles)
You will cycle over quiet roads through remote villages and lonely forests back to Bodrum. You will be greeted by friendly smiles from the village inhabitants and happy waves from the children. In the evening you will rejoin the ship, where dinner will be awaiting you.
Day 15 (Sat) Bodrum (Disembarkment)
After breakfast you can return home or extend your stay.
General Information
Alterations:
We reserve the right to make alterations to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organisational requirements.
Requirements (level 2-3):
The bike routes require a good level of fitness, which you should have acquired by steady cycling. The routes reach an altitude of 200 – 600 metres. The roads are mostly asphalted and there is little traffic outside of holiday periods.The daily routes of 20-75 km cover hilly and mountainous terrain and can be completed without time constraints. You will also come across some longer and rather steep climbs, where you may want to push your bike. The tour guides will inform you about the course of the tour in due time. You can always choose to skip a bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead. Furthermore, you always have the option to cycle individually or with other participants, using the maps provided.
Bringing Children:
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and of a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1,40 m (4.6 ft.)
Catering
The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.
Participants:
- Minimum 16 Participants
- Maximum 22 Participants
Services
Services included:
- 15-day-trip on a motor yacht with a crew of four
- 14 nights on a motor yacht in a double cabin with shower/WC
- 14x half board on the ship
- 11x lunch
- Bed linen and towels
- English-speaking tour guide
- 14 guided cycling tours on the different islands
- 21-speed trekking bicycle with bicycle bag
Additional costs:
- Drinks on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
- Entrance for open air museums
- International banking fees: 50 Euro
- Tips for crew and tour-guides
- 3 lunches on land
Additional optional services:
- Additional nights in Bodrum or Kusadasi/from 35 Euro per person/day in a double room with breakfast (single room from 50 Euro): on request
- Collected transfers from Bodrum airport to the ship and back: on request