The Peloponnese - Gods, Ancient Olympia and Royal Purple.
We always loved Crete and never imagined we would explore the Peloponnese peninsula on the other side of Athens. We did though and liked it. The Peloponnese holds some of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. And, as with Crete, there are coastal roads, mountains and many, many small and quaint villages to explore. On this tour, we start on the Northern Coast before heading inland and cycling in what amounts to a big counter-clockwise loop. This tour has a nice balance of both coastal towns and mountain villages.
The cycling totals 320 miles with 35,000 feet of climbing, so best to train in advance.
Another good thing about The Peloponnese is that it gives you the chance to take in Athens if you have not seen it before. Everyone should take the time to visit the sights in Athens at some point in their life.
Good rental road bikes are available on this tour at reasonable cost, but you can also bring your own.
Day 1 - Athens
We will meet and spend a night in Athens (I'd suggest spending more). Anyone who wants to explore the Acropolis, Parthenon, etc., etc. in Athens before the tour, can easily book additional nights. If bring your own bike, you will need to assemble it the night before our departure so we can transport it to the ride start the next morning.
Day 2- Kalavrita
We transfer by vehicle to Xylokastra, where we meet up with our bikes. The transfer should take no more than a couple hours with an arrival around 10am. After checking out our bikes in Xylokrasta, we have a flat 23 mile ride along the coast to the town of Diakopto, at which point we cut inland and climb up to Kalavrita. For anyone interested, there is an opportunity to take the train "Ododontos" from Diakopto to Kalavrita. The train ride is a spectacular one, but so is the bike ride. The train is an option that seldom presents itself and you can most likely make the decision to bike or train it, "on the fly".
Day 3 - Ancient Olympia
From Kalavrita we head to the Southwest across the peninsula. The ride today is 62 miles and, despite starting at 2400 feet and ending at 200 feet in elevation, there is over 6,000 feet of climbing. We conclude in Ancient Olympia, were the Olympics originated in the 8th century BC. The extensive ruins include training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods of Zeus and Hera. Chances are good that you will feel like an Olympic hero after you arrive. You, no doubt, will deserve a medal.
Day 4 - Andritsaina
We are now in a part of the Peloponnese less traveled. Today's ride is only 34 miles, but it does have almost 5,000 feet of climbing. Andritsaina is a small mountain village with a spring flowing from the base of a tree. It has a nice cafe and a good place to stay. This is were you kick back and get into the "flow". The flow is slow, but it is good. Very good.
Day 5 - Kalamata
Today we head South to Kalamata on the Gulf of Messina. Kalamata is the 2nd largest town on the peninsula and is well known for Kalamata olives as well as Kalamatianos, the Greek dance. If you ever wanted to learn Greek dancing, here is your chance. It is 12 steps, so it is not all that easy to master, Today's ride is 62 miles and 5,000 feet of climbing so it is not all that easy to master either. There are several very nice towns along the way.
Day 6 - Gythio
Gythio is the Southern most point we reach on the tour. Gythio, on the Laconian Gulf, is mainly involved with agricultural products and fishing, but it was once the world's chief source of Tyrenian Purple dye. Tyrenian purple dye was highly prized for it's vibrant color and reserved for royalty. It was made from the murex snail. Who knew? It took 12,000 snails to make a little over a gram of the stuff so it was highly prized and worth as much as silver.
The ride to Gythio takes us from the shores of the Messinian Gulf to the shores of the Laconian Gulf, and in between we climb up to 4,200 feet. The distance is 63 miles, which gives you plenty of time to think about snails.
Day 7 - Leonidio
We now head North, back towards Athens. The first 5 miles track around the Gulf of Laconia (look for the shipwreck), before heading inland. The middle section of the ride goes up to the small Arcadian village of Kosmas. In Kosmas there is plaza shaded by a large sycamore as well as a fountain with 3 lion heads perpetually flowing water. This is as good a spot as any for lunch. After Kosmas, the ride is mainly down and spectacular through The Dafnon Gorge. Leonidas is known for it's particular kind of eggplants, called tsakones, which are light purple with white stripes. Leonidas is as spectacular a spot as you will find on the peninsula and was the site of Nick Nolte film, Arkadia Lost. Anyone who says I look like Nick Nolte, cannot join this tour.
Day 8 - Nafplion
This is the day we bring it home. The ride to Nafplion is along the coast, which might give you the idea that there isn't much climbing. We don't actually get that high. Nothing much over 600 feet of elevation. It is, however, up down, up down. In the end, almost 5,000 feet of climbing over 50 miles. Nafplion is a lovely town, that some consider the most romantic in Greece. It is the original capital of the modern state of Greece and boasts Venetian Architecture as well as Ottoman structures. It is great place to celebrate a a great place....The Peloponnese. The following morning we transfer back to Athens. We will stop a few places along the way, but we should be back in Athens by 3pm.
Day 9 - Athens
This morning we transfer back to Athens. It is not that far to Athens so we may plan a short ride to the ruins at Epidaurus. Either way we will stop at the well kown Corinth Canal. We should have no trouble being back to Athens by mid to late afternoon.
Included:
9 nites accommodations. DinnersBreakfastsTransport of baggageStocked Sag Vehicle
Excluded:Rental bike, if neededAirfareVisas (not needed for US Citizens). Any covid tests required. Entry to ruins.Beer, wine, boozeLunches are excluded. There are many places to stop and eat along the way and food is relatively inexpensive.Immunizations from your doctor or travel clinicAirport transfers- easy to arrange - we will give you instructions.
