Travel for a week beyond the usual tourists routes on the lovely threemaster motor-sailer BAHRIYELI and by bike to explore the large islands of Samos, Chios and Lesbos located near the shores of Asia Minor. Each of the three „biggies“ deserves more than just a one-day sojourn. On the green, wooded island of Samos – the homeland of Pythagoras – you will discover an ever-changing coastline, idyllic monasteries and get to taste the famous Samian wine. On Chios you will visit the unique mastic-producing villages which are counted amongst the most remarkable attractions not only on Chios but in all of Greece. On Lesbos the amazing city of Mytilini, gorgeous beaches and the best ouzo of the country are awaiting you. Let yourself be pampered on board of the BAHRIYELI – made for comfort - and let your tour-guides introduce you to the beauty of the landscape and the great history of Greece. 

Individual arrival by way of the Turkish airport of Izmir. Joint transfer to the port of embarkation, and after 2 pm you can move into your cabin. The tour begins with a communal dinner on board. Since the last participants arrive on board late at night, you will spend the night at Kusadasi.

In the morning you will cross over to the island of Samos. The island capital of Vathy is the departure point of your first bicycle tour introducing you to the northern part of the island. Today’s biking trip takes you from Vathy all along the many bays of the Samian coast, through Kokkari, which has preserved its traditional character, and past beautiful beaches demanding a break for swimming, to Karlovassi, where the boat awaits you for dinner.

After breakfast you will cycle first to Potami, from where you will hike along the coast to the gorgeous beaches of Seitani. Afterwards you will return to Karlovassi, where the boat awaits you for a longish crossing to Chios town. The old centre of Chios with its remarkably well-preserved city wall and numerous Christian and Ottoman buildings invites you for an evening stroll.

The destination of today’s bicycle trip is the fertile south of the island which is characterized by mastic production. There are about 2 million mastic trees on Chios. Their resin is the most important, worldwide unrivalled export product of the island. From Chios town, you first bicycle close to the coastline, then on to the idyllic villages of Pirgi and Olympi which have completely preserved their medieval character. At the natural harbour of Limenas Mesta, the boat is already waiting to take you to the north of the island where, in the late afternoon, you can go on another short biking excursion.

In the morning you will cycle first to Volissos, a pretty village with an impressive Byzantine castle. Later on you will reach Sidirounta and from there you will return on a nature path leading along the coast back to Limnia. In the afternoon the boat takes you to Skala Polichnitou on Lesbos Island.   

Since time immemorial Lesbos is known as the island of poets and philosophers. Sappho, the first female lyricist of world fame, was born here around 600 B.C. After a short excursion to the quaint thermal spa at Loutra, the „royal“ stage of this journey begins, roads and paths leading from one panoramic view to the next, through evergreen pine forests skirting the slopes of Mount Olympus. The destination of this tour is Plomari, famous beyond the borders of Greece for the excellent ouzo produced here.

The last biking trip of this tour takes you from Plomari through a landscape distinguished by extensive olive groves, around the Gulf of Geras to the Amali Peninsula, where the capital Mytilini is located. A stroll through the town, which has 30.000 inhabitants – by Aegean standards a real city – and the lively shopping streets reminiscent of an Oriental bazar form the exciting conclusion of your visit to Lesbos. In the afternoon the boat will take you to Dikili at the west coast of Turkey.

After breakfast check-out and individual return.     

Alterations
We reserve the right to make alterations to the planned route due to changing wind and weather conditions, and where required by organisational necessities.

Requirements (level 2-3)
The bike-tours require a basic level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from steady cycling. The day-tours from 20 to 50 km will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints. Participants will also need to master long and steep climbs, during which they are, however, also permitted to push their bikes. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike-tour. We will traverse mostly asphalted roads, which are rarely travelled on outside the holiday seasons. Each day you can either decide to bike alone, using the information and maps provided, or join the two tour guides or other participants.

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 on-board chef is a member of the crew and will prepare breakfast and one to two warm meals daily. Catering is provided from the evening meal on check-in day to the breakfast of checkout day.

Participants

• Minimum: 14 participants

• Maximum: 22 participants