bike & boat in greece

TRIP NAME: greek islands bike & boat

TRIP CODE: gib

TRIP DURATION: 8 daYs

GRADE: introductorY to Moderate ‑ 2

ACTIVITY: guided cYcling and cruising

ACCOMMODATION: 7 nights in a double cabin below deck

Dead Sea

L. Tuz

Syros

AthensPiraeus

Kythnos

Kea

Seriphos

Tinos

Greece

DATE DETAIls: 2014 | 10 MaY ‑ 17 MaY, 17 May - 24 May, 24 MaY ‑ 31 MaY, 31 May - 07 Jun, 30 aug ‑ 06 sep, 06 Sep - 13 Sep, 13 sep ‑ 20 sep, 20 Sep - 27 Sep

highlightscycling in the cyclade islands with dramatic sceneryexploring the small towns and villages en routeswimming and snorkeling in the azure waters close to such islands as Mykonos and siphnossoaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable sailing boat

the tripin the south aegean off mainland greece is a group of more than 30 islands known as the cyclades (pronounced ki kla dez). whitewashed houses with blue shutters, a labyrinth of narrow streets flowing through cobblestone villages, sandy beaches and a relaxed island lifestyle attracts visitors from all over the globe. taking in these obvious attractions, this interactive sailing and cycling adventure delves further into the interior and coastlines, exploring little known coves and impressive geological formations, ancient sites and untouched villages. sailing from island to island, we’ll spend plenty of time ashore exploring fishing villages and historic sites by bike or just relaxing on the secluded beaches far away from the busy resorts and enjoying authentic greek hospitality.

MEDSAIL HOLIDAYS AB - Zinkens väg 27 - 117 41, 3tr STOCKHOLM-SWEDEN [email protected] - www.medsailholidays.com

Greek islands bike & boat with Medsail Holidaysit is all about exploring europe ‑ your way. it’s about u + the walking tracks and cycling trails you want to discover, be it hiking with the family in the european alps, a leisurely cycle with friends along the quieter backroads of holland or France, trekking the famous pilgrimage trails of

spain, italy or england or even discovering the islands of croatia and greece by bike and boat. we offer active tours across the con-tinent and it’s many exotic islands, with active holiday ideas for families,

culinary enthusiasts, history buffs, experienced alpine walkers or those that just want to see europe differently. since we began in 2009, we quickly become known as the leaders in active european holidays. our itineraries are creative ‑ and very affordable ‑ making them popular with travellers both young and young‑at‑heart. set your own pace on a flexible self guided trip or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a guided tour. the physical demands range from introductory to challenging ‑ with all offering unique opportunities to discover the ‘untrodden’ europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries‑old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. best of all, our trips start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want. compare the price and you will see that we offer exceptional value active programs that are virtually all‑inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders you’ve come to experience.

explore europe your way

trip coSt

Joining athens: € 2175

optionS & SuppleMentS

deck level

twin cabin supplement: 170

below deck level

Single cabin

Supplement: 650

deck level Single

cabin Supplement: 850

as the trip price is based on twinshare, a single supplement is payable if

a single cabin is required. please refer to the price options for costs

or ask our office for details. note regarding single cabins – some boats

do not have single cabins available in which case you will be matched with another person of the same

sex. other boats only have a limited availability of single cabins. single

cabins are always on a request basis.

iMportant noteSDN1 - itinerary subject to change

according to weather conditions.

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greek islands bike & boatitinerary at a glanceDay 1 board boat in piraeus

Day 2 explore kythnos island (25km)

Day 3 cruise to seriphos, cycle from livadi to the byzantine monastery, cruise to siphnos (35km)

Day 4 cycle the highlands of siphnos to the island’s capital kastro then cruise to syros (20km)

Day 5 cycle to the stunning beach of galissas, cruise to Mykonos (30km)

Day 6 Visit ancient sites on delos, then cross to tinos and cycle to tarambados, cruise to kea (25km)

Day 7 cycle to ioulis in the mountains, optional cycle to otzias then return to piraeus (12km)

Day 8 trip concludes

detailed itineraryNote: We reserve the right to make alterations to the planned route due to changing wind and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities. The Cyclades are relatively susceptible to wind. Normally this results in only a minor modification of the tour route. However in strong wind conditions the travel route may markedly differ from the planned route.

DAy 1 Board boat in PiraeusIndividual journey to Athens airport and transfer to Marina Zeas, the yacht harbour close to Piraeus, a port only 25km from Athens airport. Check-in from 2pm. Overnight Piraeus. Dinner on board.meals: D

DAy 2 Explore Kythnos Island (25km)Early this morning the boat cruises to Kythnos Island, famous for its cheese and honey since ancient times. The first cycling tour, which will start in the harbour of Merichas and take you to the capital Chora, offers lots of scenic views to the coastline. Chora is an appealing village, situated on a high plateau. Its angular alleys are decorated with painted flowers and geometric patterns. From here you will cycle to Driopida, a picturesque village. Afterwards you return to Merichas, where you can spend the evening in one of the cosy tavernas. Lunch or dinner is also included today.meals: B

DAy 3 Cruise to Seriphos, cycle from Livadi to the Byzantine monastery, cruise to Siphnos (35km)Seriphos is a small island far from the tourist track, with deep valleys, countless bays and coves and lots of beautiful sandy beaches. From the harbour town of Livadi you will cycle along a serpentine road to the main town of Seriphos, whose cube form houses nestle along a mountain ridge high above the sea. you will continue on through untouched landscape to the Byzantine monastery of the Archangel Michael, before returning to Livadi along a panoramic road on the east coast. In the afternoon the ship will bring you to Siphnos, where you can relax on the beach. Overnight stay in Kamares. Lunch or dinner is also included today.meals: B

MEDSAIL HOLIDAYS AB - Zinkens vag 27 - 117 41, 3tr STOCKHOLM-SWEDEN [email protected] - www.medsailholidays.com

greek islands bike & boatDAy 4 Cycle the highlands of Siphnos to the island’s capital Kastro then cruise to Syros (20km)

The island of Siphnos, which is famous for its ceramic artwork, is only inhabited away from the coast, as its coast characteristically drops steeply into the sea. The cycling tour begins in the harbour of Kamares. The route leads through a green, hilly terraced landscape to the central highlands to the island’s capital Kastro, a defensive settlement built on a steep cliff face which has been a listed and protected town since 1975. In the afternoon the ship continues to Syros, where you may choose to round off the day in one of the numerous cafes on the spacious harbour promenade. Lunch or dinner is also included today.meals: B

DAy 5 Cycle to the stunning beach of Galissas, cruise to Mykonos (30km)The island of Syros is home to the capital town of the Cyclades, Ermoupolis. The town which is built on two hills is different from the other Cyclade towns. Pastel coloured houses, many of which have classical facades dominate the landscape. Today’s cycle takes you along the coast of Syros, which is full of bays and coves, taking in the entire southern half of the island to the beautiful beach of Galissas. After a quick stop you continue past the convent of Saint Barbara back to Ermoupolis. In the afternoon we cruise to Mykonos, where the picturesque main town with its famous windmills and its white cube form houses invites visitors to stroll through it. With a bit of luck you may even see the mascot of Mykonos in the maze of laneways, the pelican Petros. Lunch or dinner is also included today.meals: B

DAy 6 Visit ancient sites on Delos, then cross to Tinos and cycle to Tarambados, cruise to Kea (25km)In the morning you have the chance to visit the important ancient sites on the island of Delos, where according to Greek mythology the god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born. After lunch you will cross over to Tinos. There you will first visit the famous Evangelistria church in Tinos town. Today’s bike tour takes you along a high road to the mountain village of Tarambados, a village full of walled dove towers with their filigree architecture, which represent remnants from Venetian times. Cruise to Kea for overnight. Lunch or dinner is also included today.meals: B

DAy 7 Cycle to Ioulis in the mountains, optional cycle to Otzias then return to Piraeus (12km)The starting point for our exploration of Kea, the most westerly inhabited Cyclade island, is the wonderful natural harbour of Korissia. From here you will begin your cycle to the picturesque main town of Ioulis which is situated in the mountains and has the most visited attraction on the island: The smiling lion of Kea which was chiseled from stone in the 6th century B.C. Alternatively, there is also the option to make your own way to the white beach of Otzias, where the Mediterranean will tempt you with a refreshing swim. In the afternoon we cruise to Piraeus where we overnight. Lunch or dinner is also included today.meals: B

DAy 8 Trip concludesAfter breakfast on board, trip concludes with individual departure.meals: B

inclusions7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and 5 lunches or dinners* (does not include drinks)

the cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the meals. *note that on two days breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided. on five days dinner or lunch is supplied.


greek islands bike & boat7 nights accommodation in a double cabin below deck with private bathroom (small supplement applies for above deck or single cabin. if you are travelling by yourself you will be matched with another passenger. the compact cabins have a double bed or a double bed with additional single bunk bed. excellent discounts apply to a third person sharing a triple cabin, with a configuration of a French bed (quite cosy for two people as it is a little smaller than a double) and a single bunk bed above. note that the lower deck cabins by their very nature will be marginally noisier and less ventilated due to their proximity to the engine and working part of the boat.21 speed trekking bike rental with pannier6 guided cycling tours on the different islandsexperienced crew of 4 including english speaking tour guidebed linen and towelsentries to museums and archeological sites for group visitsoverview maps for daily cycle tours

items not includedtravel to and from athenstransfer from the airport or your hotel to the ship in piraeus (Marina Zeas) on embarkation and disembarkation days ‑ reservation on request, please ask our office for detailsupgrade to a cabin on deck – supplement applies, please ask our office for detailsdrinks including mineral water on board and all lunches except twoitems of a personal nature tipstravel insurance ‑ mandatoryhelmets ‑ mandatory on all bike tours, you are encouraged to bring your own well‑fitted helmet. a limited number of rental helmets are available on board (reservation essential), however we cannot guarantee their suitability.

getting thereBY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: www.viamichelin.

com

BY AIR Athens airport is serviced by numerous airlines. If you would like help with your air reservations, please speak to your consultant or travel agent.

BY FeRRY/BoAt Athens (Piraeus) can be accessed by ferry from points in Italy. See the following website for details:- http://www.cemar.it/dest/ferries_greece.htm

trip gradingThe trip requires a good level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from steady cycling. The day-tours from 12 to 35km will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints. Participants will also need to master some steep climbs, during which you may need to push the bike. 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 of the holiday seasons. Each day you can either decide to bike alone, using the information and maps provided, or join the tour guide or other participants. It is considered suitable for active children (minimum 10 years, height minimum is 1.5m or 5ft). *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.


greek islands bike & boattrip organisation

The experience of sailing through the Cyclade Islands is not to be missed. During the trip you’ll find out that the perspective constantly changes. From the sundeck you can enjoy the view as it passes by. While the captain will bring you safely to the next dock, the cook is preparing a delicious meal. Along the various sailing routes there will be embarkation points where you begin cycling. The guide speaks German and will also translate for English speaking passengers. See above for more details on the cycling arrangements. After the cycling is over for the day you return to the boat to relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner. If we are moored in a town there are also opportunities to take in further sights at your leisure. On board there will be a mix of nationalities. This trip is not exclusive to UTracks.

equipment providedBIKES

During the trip you will be provided with a 21 speed bike with hand brakes. you will be provided with saddlebags to carry your gear during the day. Helmets are not available for hire.

joining instructionsOn confirmation of your booking you will receive details of the joining instructions. On embarking you will receive your information package.

about your groupGROUP SIZE: Group sizes range between 14 and 20. In the unlikely event that the trip does not reach minimum numbers it will be cancelled 4 weeks prior to departure.

accommodationDURING toURThe ship PANAGIOTA

The Panagiota is an affectionately restored two-masted motor yacht, which is 23 ft. wide and 102 ft. long. It was built in 1990 and modernized in 2001 in conformity with the requirements of cruises.

6 cabins below deck and 4 cabins above deck are at the guests’ disposal. All cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with a French bed (4.6 ft wide), one single bed and private shower and toilet. There is room for all guests in the spacious saloon to have the meals, to regenerate or to spend some time with new friends. When the weather conditions are fine the guests can have the meals outside on the shaded rear deck. The spacious sun deck, equipped with cosy mats, invites to have a sun bath and to relax.

fast factsCoUNtRIes vIsIteD Greece

vIsAs Visas are not required for citizens of Australia, Britain, Canada, USA and New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days. For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.

ClImAte The trip runs between May to September during the European spring, summer and autumn/fall. The months of June – August are busy times with temperatures ranging between 20 - 30 degree Celsius and sometimes higher.

mIN GRoUp sIze 14

mAx GRoUp sIze 20

speCIAlIst GeAR ReqUIReD Bike helmet, wet weather gear, sunscreen, jogging shoes. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

MEDSAIL HOLIDAYS AB- Zinkens vag 27 - 11741,STOCKHOLM-SWEDEN [email protected] - www.medsailholidays.com