GR EEC E - BikeHike

GREECE

I S L A N D H O P P I N G G R E E C EB Y B I K E , F O O T & K A Y A K9 - D A Y S

Island Hopping Greece showcases Greece as an ancient giant endowed with present dayadventure. During this 9-day tour we navigate across pristine beaches, stone ruins,mythological mountains and multi-coloured cliffs. After marveling at the Athens Acropolis,we set sail for rocky isles. Naxos is known as the cultural centre of classic Greece and stillbursts with time-honored Greek air. Here we spend our days hiking and mountain bikingthrough surrounding villages. Next we head to the volcanic island of Santorini forsnorkelling, kayaking and trekking. We explore the Cyclade underworld and trek to thevillage of Oia, known for its iconic Greek architecture and spectacular sunsets. The cradleof western culture, Greece is the perfect place to merge past civilizations with high-energyhiking and biking vacations.

Upon arrival into Athens InternationalAirport, you'll be met and transferred to acomfortable 3-star hotel located in thecentre of the city. In the evening you'll meetyour guide who will lead you on a walkingtour of Athens. Afterwards we'll head to theold part of Athens for a special welcomedinner and orientation. This traditionalGreek Tavern overlooks the famedAcropolis. Accommodation: HotelMeals: Dinner

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After breakfast we’ll set off for a half daycity tour of Athens. We'll start with a visit tothe Acropolis and the New AcropolisMuseum. After lunch we'll walk pastHadrian’s Arch to the Panathenaic Stadium,the site of the first Olympic Games in 1896.We'll wander through the National Gardensto Syntagma Square, where you can see theTomb of the Unknown Soldier while alsowitnessing the changing of the guards.Finally we'll explore Plaka and theAnafiotika districts. In the late afternoon,there will be free time for you to stroll inthe centre of Athens, or sit for a pint of beeron a patio and people watch. Accommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 1 ATHENS

ARRIVAL

ATHENS

CITY TOUR

Day 2

We'll wake with the sunrise and transfer tothe port in Athens where we'll catch a ferryto the Greek Isle of Naxos. The journey isabout 4-5 hours, traveling at high speed onthe Aegean Sea. Upon arrival we'll transferto a comfortable hotel and have some timeto settle in. Then, we will start our cyclingfun. We start with a nearly flat part on goodsurfaced roads before making our firstclimb. Passing by some ruins of the ancientaqueduct of Naxos, we will soon roll downto the fertile valley of Engares. In the smallvillage, we will have a view of the beautifulchurch next to the olive museum. If we wish,we can cycle down to the bay of Amiti andits sandy beach. On our way back, we willstay close to the coastline and get a perfectview on to Portara and the entire capital ofNaxos island. We'll return to our hotel in theearly evening and enjoy a Greek feast in atraditional tavern. Biking Distance: 25 km / 15 mi Biking Duration: 2 – 3 hoursAccommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Dinner



Today we switch gears and take to thetrails by foot. Our hike starts from TheKouros Statues, which are incompletestatues of young men that wereabandoned by the ancient sculptorsbecause they discovered faults in themarble. From here we'll follow the path toAno Potamia, a picturesque village in thecountryside. After a short refreshing stopat the village’s spring, we will hike to TheApano Kastro (Upper Castle) where we'll berewarded with panoramic views of Naxostown, port and the surrounding villages.We'll hike through the village of Halki andthen Chalki, where we'll visit Valindra, asmall distillery that produces Kitron (thelocal alcohol drink of Naxos). The dazzlinglandscape is lush and the trails aremagnificent. We end in Chalki and thenreturn to our hotel for a shower beforedinner. Hiking Distance: 6.5 km / 4 miHiking Duration: 4 hoursAscent: +272 m / 892 ft Descent: -194 m / 636 ftAccommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3ATHENS - NAXOSBIKING

Day 4NAXOSHIKING

After breakfast, we'll gear up with mountainbikes and then cycle on quiet streets andpaths through typical Naxian villages. We'llmeander along nook and cranny paths thatlead us through fertile farmland, with greatviews of the rugged mountains and some ofthe best coastline in the Cyclades. We'll rideto the beautiful white sand beach of MikriVigla where we'll break for a swim andrefreshment, before returning alongstretches of sandy beach to our base. Biking Distance: 40 km / 25 mi Biking Duration: 3-4 hoursAccommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner



After breakfast, we'll head back to the portto catch a ferry through the Aegean Sea toSantorini. Santorini is a volcano island,famed for it's fabulous sunsets, whitebuildings and the dramatic views of thesurrounding Greek Isles. We'll arrive intothe port midday and then transfer to ourcomfortable 3-star hotel. In the afternoonwe'll take to the seas for a snorkelling andsea kayaking adventure exploring thecrystal waters, beautiful beaches and rockformations. We'll meet for dinner earlyevening at an outdoor patio. Accommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5NAXOSBIKING

Day 6NAXOS - SANTORINISNORKELLING & KAYAKING

Today we're back on foot, hiking 3 hoursfrom Fira, the main town on Santorini, tothe village of Oia, famous for it's brilliantsunsets. We'll begin from the cable carstation, weaving along a gravel road thatsoon narrows into a trail. We'll havespectacular panoramic views of thetraditional Cycladic white houses built alongthe declining caldera, with a backdrop ofthe surrounding volcanic isles rising out ofthe Aegean Sea. Midday we'll break under ashady tree for a picnic lunch to absorb thespectacular landscape. We'll end in Oia, andthen can either return to Fira by foot orjump in the vehicle. Hiking Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miHiking Duration: 5 hoursAccommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch



We have the morning at leisure to do anylast minute shopping, relaxing or exploringon Santorini before catching a flight back toAthens. We'll be met upon arrival andtransferred back to our same Athens hotel.We'll meet with our guide for a farewelldinner early evening. Accommodation: HotelMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7SANTORINIHIKING

Day 8SANTORINI - ATHENSFREE DAY

Trip IncludesAll accommodation (twin shared), meals as indicated, all internal transportation, 24-speed mountain bikes, airport transfers, one internal flight from Santorini to Athensand English-speaking guides. Not IncludedInternational airfare, airport taxes, gratuities, meals not included and items of apersonal nature.



You'll be transferred to the airport inAthens for your international flight home. Meals: Breakfast NOTE about Ascent/Descent numbers: The ascent/descent numbers are usuallygenerated using Ride with GPS. The numbersare TOTAL ascent/descent for the dayand these numbers do not suggest altitude.There are usually multiple small ascents anddescents added up throughout the day toreach this total ascent/descent for the day.(While our numbers are generally consistentwith Ride with GPS, depending on themapping technology used, numbers mayvary).

Day 9ATHENSDEPARTURE

TRIP INCLUSIONS

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