Saronic Jewels

In the southeastern Peloponnese Peninsula is found the Argo Saronic region where everything encourages you to pedal at a gradual pace, or siga siga (slow, slow) as the Greeks say.  We bicycle, swim, smell the lemons, shop for quality souvenirs and take enlightening archaeology tours of legendary antiquities.  

The tour introduces you to two islands, two World Heritage Sites, the incredibly lovely city of Nafplio which you will rate your favorite and overnight in a winery where wine-making from ancient days continues to imbue Peloponnese wines with a unique cachet and bouquet.

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TOUR MAP

Start/End Points
Meet on Day 1 in Athens at 9:00 am to fit the bikes, take an hour long ride in the car-free Acropolis area and a mid-afternoon boat to Spetses. Tour ends in Nemea where a 20 minute taxi ride takes you to Corinth train station for hourly departures to Athens (60 minutes) or Athens Airport (90 minutes).

Itinerary

Day 1: Spetses
After testing the bikes in Athens and a short spin in the car-free Acropolis neighborhood, we take a high speed boat to lovely Spetses. Children ride bicycles and honeymooners take horse drawn carriages in this romantic harbor town.  Our welcome dinner is along the sea front.

Day 2: Spetses
Spetses is so small that we can circumnavigate it by bike in a couple of hours.  At a half-way point we stop to swim at an appealing beach which has the added attraction of an underwater sea cave easily accessible from the water or by steps into an opening on land.  If figs are in season, it is a divine pleasure to eat them right off the trees.    

Day 3: Poros
A water taxi takes us back to the Peloponnese mainland where we cycle along the pleasantly flat coastline stopping for a cappuccino at Ermioni.  A ten minute ferry ride puts us back on another island, Poros, whose harbor town is surrounded by olive trees, lemon trees and pine trees.  The highest point on Poros (for ambitious bikers) is up to the Temple of Poseidon. 

Day 4: Epidavaros
The best part of today's cycling route is a stretch of road that looks down on the sea with tremendous vistas and next to zero traffic. The waters of Epidavros town are pure and clean and inviting for swimming.  In the evening a half hour walk along the bay takes us to the town where everyone eats along the sea front.

Day 5: Nafplio
A one hour gradual climb brings us to Ancient Epidavros, the 3rd century BC outdoor theatre seating 12,000 spectators with impeccable acoustics.  Epidvaros was more famous in ancient times as the largest Asclepion healing center in Greece.   Elegant Nafplio, the first capital of Greece, will bowl you over with its mansions and charm. 

Day 6: Nafplio
After one hour’s cycling amongst serene orange groves we reach Ancient Mycenae, home of the ruler who launched the Trojan War, King Agamemnon. He is buried in a beehive tomb that never fails to startle visitors with its architecture of geometric precision.  We return early enough to explore Nafplio -- shop in local stores selling handmade jewelry, worry beads and arts, climb the 999 steps to the Venetian fortress Palamidi, take a quick boat to Bourtzi island or stroll the length of the harbor.

Day 7: Nemea
An easy ride to the famous Peloponnese wine country. Learn how wine is made, explore the winery's cellars, taste the varieties, experience the rhythms of the vineyards. A wine-focused evening makes a glorious farewell departure point.

Day 8: Departures 

Three Day Athens Add-On
Costs and Inclusions

Day 8: Athens
Morning transfer from Nemea to your hotel located within crawling distance of the Acropolis. In the afternoon we take you on a three hour walking tour of central Athens on a route that no other tour operator offers. The itinerary includes noteworthy houses and architecture in the Plaka, Socrates Cave, the Pynx where democracy was born, Thissio cafes, the unique water clock and lots of interesting facts and anecdotes. (Actual walking for 3 hours).

Day 9: Athens
A three hour walking tour starting with the changing of the guard at Parliament and culminating in the incomparable Parthenon. A professional archaeology guide injects the walk with lively and fascinating insights. (Actual walking is 45 minutes).  In the evening you will experience a cultural presentation of traditional Greek music and dance.

Day 10: Athens
An excursion to the magnificent Temple of Poseidon in Sounion at the southern tip of Attika Peninsula. Lord Byron carved his name in the marble but the graffiti cannot mar the temple's geometric precision nor its stupendous views. Bring your swimsuit for a dip in the sea before returning to the city.

Day 11: Departure
Private transfer from your hotel to Athens Airport.

Mileage
Short route has vehicle transfers to start points. Support vehicle available for lifts. Additional mileage available for road warriors
Long Route 147 miles, 236 km, daily average 25 miles, 40 km
Short Route 97 miles  156km, daily average 16 miles, 26 km

Day 1  Long & Short 1 hour ride around Athens Acropolis neighborhood
Day 2  Long & Short 15.5 miles, 25 km, slight hills, hug coastline, highest ascent 328ft
Day 3  Long 37 miles, 60 km, 4 hours hug the coast, mostly flat, 1 tough climb of 820 feet Short 28.5 miles 46 km, hug the flat coast, transfer to vehicle at start of ascent
Day 4  Long 24 miles, 39 km hug the coast, 3 hours starts flat but has 2 big climbs, highest 738 feet Short 11 miles 18km  transfer to top of hill, mostly downhill except for 623 feet climb
Day 5  Long 27 miles, 43 km  about 8 miles to Ancient Epidavros climbing to 1150 feet, then mostly downhill to Nafplio Short 11 miles, 17 km ride to Epidavros, optional to cycle remainder downhill to Nafplio
Day 6  Long 25 miles, 40 km, primarily flat with two ascents at the end of about 400 feet Short 12.5 miles, 20 km. Same route except Long is roundtrip and Short is one-way.
Day 7  Long & Short 18 miles, 30 km  easy, fairly flat route, neglible climbs