We hear those words again and again from our guests and from those who have not yet come to Greece.  Everyone wants to experience this special land for its natural beauty, temperate climate, influential history and exceptional hospitality.  It is our mission to ensure that your dream vacation succeeds on all levels.

What is Europe's best kept secret? For cyclists it's the rural roads of Greece. The country has 11 million residents, over a third of whom reside in Athens or Thessaloniki. This leaves a vast countryside with sparse traffic. As Europe's most southern country, Greece starts getting warmer and stays warmer longer than any other European territory. This means an extended cycling season, particularly in Crete where Africa is just 200 miles away.

There seems to be an invisible wall at the Adriatic Sea which inexplicably inhibits bikers coming to Europe to pedal no farther east than Italy. Yet, savvy cyclists know that Greece is an up and coming cycling destination with an extensive network of roads. CycleGreece is pioneering the field to make Greece a bike-friendly destination for riders of diverse abilities.

A typical day's excursion affords thrilling encounters with one or more of Greece's many countryside treasures, such as, centuries-old olive groves, orange orchards, vineyards, windmills, hot springs in the sea, gorges, kri-kri (wild goats), old stone bridges, caves, Ottoman era mosques, Venetian castles or 3,000 year-old ruins.

Greek drivers are dangerous.
Well, no more so than those crazy Italian drivers, but that hasn’t stopped a generation of two-wheeled travelers from making Italy a biking mecca. Second, most big cities are risky which is why our multi-day tours avoid them, especially Athens. In the rural areas, cars are minimal and drivers are accustomed to slow moving four-legged traffic like goats and sheep. Two leggeds in loudly colored jerseys lie somewhere on that continuum.

That said, at all times you the cyclist must exercise caution and safety measures where ever you ride. Helmets are required.

Too many mountains.
Greece actually has a variety of terrain. Yes, mountains are plentiful – and alluring for that breed of cyclists who find climbing rewarding for the pay-off descents. For leisure cyclists we have scouted and come up with routes with more minimal elevations Many of the islands have flat coastal roads. Tours with support vehicles allow for “mixed company” --- short routes for moderate bikers with van transfers and long routes for those seeking a Herculean workout.

Too hot.
Greece is a country you can cycle year round. Optimum months are April, May, early June, September, October when days are warm, not hot, and you might even need arm warmers in the mornings in the mountains. July and August are the hottest months in Greece with temperatures at 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t rule out summer cycling because on the islands there are refreshing breezes and a dry heat so you’re not sweating profusedly. Early morning rides that end before noon are not taxing. November through March are great months for cycling in cool weather. When the sun is out you can swim on Christmas Day. This period is more prone to rain but showers usually don’t last long.

Let our team handle all the logistics of your Greece vacation, from booking flights, hotels, and ferries to setting up exchanges with artists, chefs and archaeology guides.  Life would be easy if MapQuest conquered Greece, but they are not here so we have scouted and mapped out the best roads and routes with GPS profiles.   You may feel a little intimidated to come to a country with a foreign alphabet, but first, it will surprise you how many Greeks speak English, and second, that is our task to streamline your itinerary and agenda and minimize potential frustrations.

Right from the beginning, from your initial encounter with us, we regard each contact as a new opportunity to promote Greece and create another Grecophile.  We share lots of information to facilitate your journey --- what to pack, airport/hotel directions, phone contacts, eating fish in Greece, restaurant recommendations, reading list, etc.  

Monica Madill from Toronto rated us “10” for our services with this kind comment:

You really took the time to get a sense of what we were looking for and it was fantastic of you to be flexible and accommodate our preferences.   The booking/payment etc. went smoothly.  You answered any questions promptly and thoroughly.   The materials you sent in advance were incredibly helpful.

Eco-tourism. Sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism. Whatever name, the aim is the same -- sensitivity to the place you travel to. CycleGreece trips leave small footprints. Cycling, hiking and walking, and sailing are offered and promoted as means of locomotion. We encourage drinking from local fountains which spew fresh spring water rather than purchase bottled water. As the world’s largest industry, tourism has the potential to destroy the lands we visit unless low impact changes are implemented. In Greece, CycleGreece is a leader and pioneer in responsible tourism practices.
 

The success of the 2004 Athens Olympics was due in part to Greece’s construction of new infrastructure, including a new international airport, an extended metro system in Athens and surrounding cities, a pedestrian mall around the Acropolis, a coastal tram and the world’s second longest cable-stayed bridge. These modern amenities facilitate the foreign traveler’s navigation in Greece. And our course, there remains the country’s stellar sea transport system, from ferries to hydrofoils to sailboats.

Our top priority, besides delivering you the ingredients for a fabulous fun time, is your safety and comfort during your vacation, especially if you are traveling with your children.   Greece is a relatively crime-free country.  Outside the capital, crime is almost non-existent.   Nonetheless, we make diligent efforts to ensure safety particularly for active adventures.  For example, we require guests to carry “identity cards” with your name and our contact info written in Greek so that if you are lost or hurt a native Greek who doesn’t speak your language can assist you.

We have cultivated contacts in diverse regions of Greece with many fine establishments from luxury resorts to cozy mom and pop country inns.  The hotels we patronize are the best choice available at every overnight and they exude a Grecian flavor. The accommodations tend to be 3 or 4 star or upgrades of 5 star, if desired. Hotels prices are based on double occupancy with single supplements (private room for one person) at an additional cost of typically 10-15% of tour price.

The accommodations all feature air conditioned rooms, private bath, clean and comfortable surroundings and hospitable service.

The biggest pastime in Greece is eating. Greeks go out constantly and spend hours at the table with multiple courses and always good wine. You, too, will be enriched by the delicious tastes and wide variety of dishes that make up Greek cuisine and will appreciate its health factors. The Mediterranean diet, known for longer life spans and lower rates of heart disease and cancer, emphasizes olive oil, fresh produce and fish. We steer you towards those eating establishments that cater to good, traditional Greek food.

If you are on a scheduled guided tour or you opt for a guide to accompany you on a private trip, you will discover that our bike guides enhance your Greek experience. Our guides speak English and Greek and are resourceful in helping you attend to your travel needs. They know local customs, whether the fish is fresh enough or the raki pure enough and they can lead you to obscure and delightful points of interest that you won’t encounter on your own. For cycling or hiking excursions, the guides are fit and knowledgeable about the terrain.

Visiting an archaeology site without a guide is like watching a movie with the sound turned off. Our scheduled guided tours usually encompass at least one archaeology site with a private guided tour for our clients usually lasting one hour. We work with professional guides licensed by the Greek government. For self-guided tours we can arrange a private guided tour at sites that you often can bike to. Since our clients often reach the ruins by bike, they cannot always predict when they will arrive. The guides we work with, however, are generally flexible and willing to accommodate a cyclist’s schedule.

We are most proud of our Specialized fleet of bicycles. Road or hybrid, flat or drop handlebars, they are lightweight, 27 gears, triple chain ring, carbon fiber fork. Our vehicle bike rack was designed by a local Greek who built the bike racks for the 2004 Athens Olympics bike teams. Our wooden sailboats are also dear to us. They are teak and mahogany with seven cabins and one master cabin, each with removable third berths, and ensuite WC. There is no finer experience than sailing the Greek waters in a 68 foot yacht. Walking sticks are available for hikes and walks if you are not inclined to pack your own. Our Greek colleagues provide excellent sea sports gear such as sea kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and water skiing.