This Islandhopping special tour combines the fascinating islands of the Ionian Sea with the Greek mainland. For one week, travelling by bike and on the two-masted motor sailer Panagiota, you 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 artifical 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 small island of Paxos densely covered in olive groves, the mountainous landscape of Cephalonia, the bird-sanctuary island of Lefkas as well as enchanting Ithaca – alleged home of legendary Odysseus – all guarantee a wonderfully relaxing vacation.

Individual journey to Athens and transfer from the airport to Marina Zeas (the yacht harbour of Piraeus). Check-in on the Panagiota starts at 2 pm. Evening meal on board and overnight stay in Piraeus.

Here we go! In the morning crossing to Aegina, the famous pistachio island. Here our first cycle tour takes us to the excellently preserved temple of Aphaia. Then follows the crossing to Corinth and we sail on the Panagiota through the Isthmus of Corinth, which was completed in 1893. Julius Caesar had already has plans for its construction. This 6.3 km long but only 24 km wide and 8 m deep canal connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth and saves travellers sailing from Athens and Corinth the ca. 400 km long trip around the whole Peloponnese. Overnight stay in Corinth.

The Panagiota takes us in the morning to Galaxidi, where a transfer bus picks you up to bring you to the famous site of Delphi at the foot of the Parnassos 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. Early in the afternoon, the bus takes us to Nafpaktos, where the boat awaits us to a long sail to Sami on Cephalonia island. There we’ll spend the night.

Today’s bike tour leads us from Sami to Fiskardo. Along the way we will visit the stalactite and stalagmite caves of Melissani, which can only be viewed in row boats. We will continue on through the interior of the island and finally we reach the high road of the western coast of the island, where we will have lots of unforgettable views, like the panoramic view down to Myrtos beach. The ship awaits us in Fiskardo, where we will spend the night. The harbour town on the Northern point of the island charms visitors with its colourful houses and numerous cafés and bars along the picturesque harbour promenade.

In the morning short crossing to Frikes on Ithaca Island, that we will discover by bike. The homeland of the mythical king Odysseus is a hilly island with a beautiful landscape. Today’s cycle route leads along the northern part of the island. 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. Afterwards we sail to Lefkas and will anchor to Porto Katsiki, one of the most famous beaches in Greece, for swimming. In the late afternoon we will cycle from the harbour in Vasiliki, which has a worth seeing historical town centre, along quiet roads through the mountains past Sivros to the beautiful harbour of Nidri, where we will overnight.

The day begings with a crossing to Mytikas on the Greek mainland. We will ride along the coast to Mythikas and then on panoramic roads, passing some mountain villages to Lefkas town where the Panagiota awaits us and takes us to the island of Paxos, where we can spend the evening in a cosy taverna in the unique natural harbour of Gaios. Overnight stay on Paxos.

Paxos, the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands is a grove of olive trees, which gives the island ist wonderful silver green colour. On our last cycle trip we will 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. Here, our tour guide will join us on a walk through the athmospheric old town, before this impressive cruise ends with a last dinner on board.

After breakfast disembarkation followed by a transfer to the airport and individual departure or guests may extend their stay on Corfu.

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 to 3)
The bike routes have a length of 20 to 50 km and lead through hilly or mountainous areas. Some uphill stretches are included. The roads are mostly asphalted. You can always choose to skip a bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead. 

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 the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day.  The catering includes 5 x half-board and 2 x full-board on the boat and starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. 

Guided tour
The tour will generally be guided in German language. One of the guides will translate into English for non-German-speaking participants. (Except for pure English-speaking groups.)

Participants
Mininum: 14 participants
Maximum: 20 participants