Saronic islands cycle cruise

• Saturday day 1: Individual arrival Marina Zeas (Piraeus/Athens) – Embarkation

  Individually arranged arrival to Marina Zeas; part of Piraeus and about 25 km from the airport. Check in is possible from 2 pm. Dinner will be on board and the night will be spent in Piraeus.

• Day 2: Island of Poros – 14 miles / 23 km

  The morning will be spent sailing to the Island of Poros. In the afternoon, we will start cycling from the island’s capital, which holds the same name as the island itself, towards the 18th century Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. Continuing on, we will almost completely circle the island which, in ancient times, was considered to be the island of Poseidon, God of the Sea. Shortly before the end of the tour we will reach Russian Bay, whose sandy beach and turquoise waters are sure to tempt us to dive in for a swim. Back in the enchanting harbour of Poros City, with its landmark clock tower reaching high above all the other buildings, we can end our eventful day surrounded by characteristic Greek atmosphere

• Day 3: Galatas – Ermioni – Nafplio – 25 miles / 40 km

  After breakfast a small car ferry will take us from Poros to Galatas in the Pelopennese. From here, the bike tour will lead us for the most part along the sea and through fertile agricultural land towards the small coastal town of Ermioni. Here the Bahriyeli will await us for an on board lunch and a leisurely afternoon crossing to Nafplio. In the early afternoon, our tour guide will invite us on a stroll through the picturesque alleys of the former Greek capital. Nafplio is a captivating island with its ingenious fortifications and eventful history along with its flower filled old town and the numerous very individual, beautiful cafes, bars and restaurants.

• Day 4: Mycenae – Island of Spetses – 31 miles / 50 km

  The day’s tour leads into the Peloponnesian inland. After cycling through an impressive apricot and orange grove we will reach the remarkable Mycenaean fortress of Tiryns and following the magnificent castle of Mycenae.  In the 2nd millennium BC, Mycenae was one of Greece’s most important cities. King Atreus and his son Agamemnon play a significant role in Greek mythology. The excavation site is enthralling: The famous Lion Gate, the incredibly thick cyclopean walls, Grave Circles A and B along with the gold and silver discoveries and the Treasury of Atreus are all very much worth a visit. In the late afternoon, the boat will take us from Nafplio to the Island of Spetses.

• Day 5: Islands of Spetses and Hydra – 15 miles / 25 k

  The island of Spetses got its name from the Venetians who called it “Isola della spezie”, the island of herbs. With the accompanying aroma of wild herbs and panoramic views, today’s tour will lead us along the traffic-free road that circles the island.  Later on there will be a longer break at one of the beautiful beaches for a coffee and a swim. The journey will then continue to the island of Hydra.  Thanks to seafaring, the island became very wealthy in the middle ages. Then, after the Greek War of Independence, spanning from 1821-1830, the island fell into a hundred-year slumber.

• Day 6: Methana Peninsula – Island of Aegina – 15 miles / 25 km

  In the morning we sail to Methana Peninsula whose volcanic origin is immediately noticeable by the smell of sulphur and the shimmering colours of the rocks. The peninsula is characterised by its 30 plus volcanos, some of which are still active, as well as the medicinal, sulphurous thermal springs. Today’s round trip offers numerous, incredible views. In the afternoon, we will sail to the island of Aegina. If the weather permits, there will be the chance for a longer swimming break along the way.

• Friday day 7: Island of Aegina – Piraeus/Athens – 22 miles / 35 km

  The island of Aegina is famous even beyond the borders of Greece for its excellent pistachios. Today’s bike tour takes us up to the sanctuary of the goddess Aphaia. The beautifully preserved temple towers rest high up above the blue sea, the only place on the island from where the Aegean Sea can be seen on both sides. On the ride back we will cycle through the centre of the island passing the great monastery of Saint Nektarios to Aegina city where the ship awaits. We will then sail back to Piraeus and our exciting Greek cruise will come to a close with a final, celebrative evening on board.

• Saturday day 8: Marina Zeas (Piraeus/Athens) – Disembarkation – End of tour or extension

  After breakfast on board it is time to disembark to return home or to extend your holiday a few days longer in Athens.

Dates and Prices 2020 & 2021

Book a 2021 cruise before 31 January and gain an extra 5% discount

Yacht Thalassa

Year of construction: 2002

Size of boat: 45 x 7,6 m (draft 3m)

Number of cabins: 10 guest cabins with private bathroom, 8 twin + 2 doubles

Crew: 5

Speed: 10 knots

Engine: 2 x 600 Hp Volvo Penta

Generator: 1x 35 kw + 1x 22 kw

Special on board features: A/C, sunbeds and mats on the sundeck, big tables and chairs on deck in the shadow, cargo hold for e-bikes

CATERING: The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one warm meal a day. The half board starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.

Internet availability: There is no WiFi connection offered on board of your ship. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend to take your portable electronic device to a cafe or bar somewhere in the harbour. Free WiFi is on offer almost everywhere. If you order something to eat or drink, then you are able to use the WiFi to your hearts content.

LANGUAGES ON BOARD: German, English

• Included services

  8x day trip on a motorized yacht with crew
  7x nights in a twin cabin below deck with shower/WC
  2x full-board and 5x half-board on board
  Guided bicycle tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
  Overview maps for the daily bike tours on board
  Entrance fee to museums and archaeological sites for group visit only
  Bed linen and towels
  English speaking tour guide

• Not included in the tour price

  Journey to/from Athens
  Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
  Flat rate for bottled water: 20 euro for adults or 10 euro for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)
  Meals and beverages ashore
  Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour Price
  Beach towel for ashore use (if needed)
  Tips for tour guides and crew

• Additional optional services

  Shared twin cabin
  Additional customized transfers
  Additional nights in Athens
  3-day extension module – Athens; available pre and post tour (Incl. transfers: Airport – Hotel or Hotel – boat, 2 nights in a 3 or 4 star hotel, entrance to the Acropolis, 1 evening meal in the Tavern ‘To Kafeneion’ excl. drinks, 1 guided city bike tour ‘’Athens by Bike’)
  310€/450€ 3-star hotel in a double room/single room
  370€/530€ 4-star hotel in a double room/single room

• Difficulty level

  Requirements difficulty level 2 – 3
  The bike routes have a length of 23 to 50 km/14 to 31miles and lead through hilly or mountainous areas. Some uphill stretches are included. The roads are mostly asphalted. Your tour guide informs you each day about the tour details. This tour is primarily a guided group tour. Upon consultation with your tour guides, the possibility to cycle on your own along recommended, suitable routes, may present itself. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.
  Requirement to wear a helmet
  Helmet use is mandatory on all bike tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. Helmets are available on board in a limited number and on request.

• Reductions

  Children up to age 16 get a 25% discount on the basic tour price not combinable with any other discount
  Early-Bird discount: Receive a 5% discount on the tour base price if your booking reaches us before January 31st combinable with the SEA-YOU-AGAIN discount
  SEA-YOU-AGAIN discount: All guests booking the third or more tour receive a 5% discount on the tour base price combinable with the Early-Bird discount.

• Itinerary changes

  We reserve the right to make alterations to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organizational requirements. The tour sometimes takes place in the opposite direction

• Cancellation fees

  Our cancellation fees are as follows:
  more than 59 days prior to the beginning of the trip: 20% of the trip price
  59 – 31 days prior to the beginning of the trip: 40% of the trip price
  30 – 21 days prior to the beginning of the trip: 70% of the trip price
  20 – 11 days prior to the beginning of the trip: 80% of the trip price
  10 – 1 day prior to the beginning of the trip: 90% of the trip price
  No show: 100% of the trip price
  If you cancel on the starting day of the trip or if you do not appear for the start of the trip, we charge the full trip price. If you miss the start of the trip or are prevented from travelling due to incomplete travel documents, this will be considered as a cancellation.
  Reservation changes are handled the same way as cancellations. For changing your reservation, we will charge 50€ changing fee for changes made 28 days or more before the beginning of the trip. Any later changes if possible will need to be handled as a cancellation and new registration. Cancellation and reservation change fees are due immediately.

• Bringing children

  We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike tours on their own. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 4.2 ft/1,30 m

• Catering

  The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the 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.

• How to get to Athens?

  How to get to Athens
  A flight is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get to Greece. Piraeus, your port of embarkation is only 15 miles/25 km away from Athens airport named Eleftherios Venizelos international airport
  Please choose an outbound flight departing in the afternoon to ensure a stress-free journey home
  Fee-based collective transfers only available on embarkation/disembarkation days:
  25€ between Athens airport and the boat per person one way
  15€ between a hotel in Athens city and the boat per person one way
  Customized transfers are offered too: Availability and prices on request. For all airport transfers a reservation is required indicating your exact flight details.

• How to reserve this trip?

  25% deposit per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before tour departure. Credit card payments by Visa or Mastercard do have an additional increase of 2,5%. 

• Our rates for contracting cancellation insurance

  Trip price per person	EU citizens	Rest of the world
  Up to € 500	€ 32	€ 37,95
  Up to € 750	€ 43	€ 52,33
  Up to € 1000	€ 55	€ 62,1
  Up to € 1250	€ 68,25	€ 77,91
  Up to € 1500	€ 81,50	€ 104,65
  Up to € 2000	€ 99,25	€ 116,15
  Up to € 2500	€ 130,75	€ 153,81
  Up to € 4000	€ 212,00	€ 277,15