Greek Aegean South from Marmaris to Rhodes by bike and boat
You will spend one week discovering the Dodecanese Islands in the Southern Aegean by bicycle and in a comfortable two-mast motorised sailing boat. Let yourself be mesmerised by the many things these different islands offer: the exciting yet tranquil Rhodes, the towering volcano crater in Nissiros or the charming simplicity of Symi. Your beautiful boat will carry you to one of the prettiest ports of the island, giving you the opportunity to relax next to the sparkling waters and enjoy the pleasant sea breeze. During the bike tours your tour guide will point out the most interesting and idyllic spots of the islands. Let yourself be transported back in time to personally experience the history that envelops the Aegean. Whether it be the stormy Poseidon, the Knights of St John, or the famous sponge divers from Symi- they all left their mark on the islands in the form of myths and historical buildings for you to discover.
Schedule
South Greek Aegean - General Map - 8 days /7 nights, approx. 185 km (115 mi.) by bicycle
Day 1 Marmaris (Boarding)
Individual arrival from the Turkish airports of Izmir or Dalaman. Dalaman airport is situated approx. one and a half an hours from Marmaris. Transfer to the harbour with the handing over of the cabins from 2 pm. First dinner on board. The final participants arrive on board in the late evening.
Day 2 (Sun) Island Symi (Cycle Tour approx. 10 km/6 mi.)
Our first boat passage with the Bahriyeli will bring us to Symi. The entrance to the port is an unforgettable impression of your journey: neo- classical, pastel coloured houses emboss the picture of the island capital and refer to the rich history of the island. We will have the opportunity to try our bicycles and take a first swim in the Aegean sea during a small cycle tour to a beach. In the early evening a tour guide will walk with us to the upper town of Symi where we will have to climb 500 steps. A breathtaking view to the port and its deep indented bay will reward this climb - with some luck we will experience an unforgettable sunset.
Day 3 (Mon) Island Symi – Island Tilos (Cycle Tour approx. 25 km + 15 km/5 + 9 mi.)
In the morning we will get started to reach the other side of the island. On a winding road we will slowly crest the mountain while having lots of time to enjoy the many beautiful panoramic views. Final destination is the bay of Panormitis. Its same named monastery of the archangel Michael will invite for a visit. Afterwards the boat will bring us to the Island of Tilos.
In the afternoon we will have the opportunity for another tour which will lead you through the desolated town of Mikro Chorio, along a new build panoramic street and back to the port.
Day 4 (Tue) Island Nissyros – Island Chalki (Cycle tour approx. 40 km/25 mi)
Early in the morning the Bahriyeli will cross over to the volcano island Nissyros. Today’s cycle tour guides us to Nikia which is a village directly built at the edge of the crater in 430m height. From here we can enjoy a fascinating view into the volcano crater. Not only the volcano but also the white houses and the numerous mosaics made pebble will truly amaze us. When we arrive at the village square we should not miss to try a Greek coffee. From here we will cycle on to the crater with its steaming sulphur springs and finally back to the small port town of Mandraki – its charm has attracted visitors for centuries. In the afternoon the Bahriyeli will move on to Chalki where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with the idyll of a real Greek fishing port.
Day 5 (Wed) Island Rhodes, Plimiri - Lindos (Cycle Tour approx. 35 km/22 mi)
The morning will be spent on board during the cross over from Plimiri to the Island of Rhodes. From here we will cycle close to the coast on roads with light traffic. During a break in a café directly on the sea we might see the Bahriyeli passing and awaiting us later on in Lindos. This village is one of the most beautiful ones on Greece. After the last ascent we can enjoy an unforgettable view to this small town with its cubic houses and narrow alleys- overtopped by its mightful acropolis.
Day 6 (Thu) Island Rhodos, Lindos- Kolymbia- Rhodes town (Cycle Tour approx. 37 km/23 mi.)
Today our tour will lead us from Lindos into the fertile, agricultural used hinterland of Rhodes. We will cycle through old olive tree groves on small side roads on to Archangelos where a typical Greek tavern invites for lunch. Our boat awaits us at the end of an impressing eucalyptus alley in the tiny port of Kolymbia to bring us to Rhodes town. The rest of the afternoon we can stroll through the fantastic medieval old town.
Day 7 (Fri) Island Rhodes, Rhodes town- Marmaris (approx. 3 hours by foot)
After breakfast the travel guide will take us on a thrilling expedition through the 2400 year old history of the island capital by foot. The deer and the hind at the entrance of the Mandraki-port will offer a first opportunity for a photo. One still wonders if this is the place where the Colossus of Rhodes was once situated. From here we will move on to the moat of the crusader town. Even today Rhodes monumental walls contribute to its unique character. A walk though the countless alleys with its impressing constructions will make this guided city tour an unforgettable experience. Afterwards the Bahriyeli will bring us back to Marmaris where we will once again have the possibility to visit the bazaar or the hammam. With a communal dinner the travel guides and the crew will say good bye.
Day 8 (Sat) Maramaris Disembarkmentkment
After breakfast on board guest disembark and are transferred to the airport or they may extend their stay for a week of swimming or cycling on the Turkish or Greek Aegean.
Alterations: We reserve the right to make alterations to the planned route due to changing wind and weather conditions, and where required by organisational necessities.
Bringing Children: We believe that only children in a good physical condition and of a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for the bikes we provide is 1.40 m (4.6 ft.)
Accommodation
The ship BAHRIYELI
On the Turkish coast a Bahriyeli is a synonym for greatest possible comfort and best material. These ships are powered by two Volvo Penta engines with 400-500 HP which enables them to maneouvre without difficulties and lie calmly in the water. The decks of the ships are 33-37 metres long. They are three-masted ships of highest standards.
The Bahriyelis have 8-12 spacious and luxurious cabins, furnished with air conditioning and a shower/toilet.The huge sundeck is equipped with comfortable mats for sunbathing or spending the nights outside.
Catering
The on-board chef is a member of the crew and will prepare breakfast and one warm meal daily. Half board is included from the evening meal on check-in day to the breakfast of checkout day.
Participants
Minimum: 14
Maximum: 22
Dates & Price in 2012
| May 19 - May 26 |
1340 Euro |
Sept 22 - Sept 29 |
1340 Euro |
| Oct 06 - Oct 13 |
1340 Euro |
WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE TRIP:
Accommodation on boat |
Double cabin below deck on ship Bahriyeli A |
Days/nights |
8 days/7 nights |
Included services |
- 8-day trip on a comfort-class gulet
- 7 nights‘ accommodation on a gulet in a double room with a shower/WC
- 7 x half-board
- Bed linen and towels
- 6 guided and individual tours as described in whole itinerary 185km (115 miles by bike)
- 21-gear trekking bike with an Ortlieb saddle bag
- Overview-maps for the daily tours on board
- Return collecting-transfer from the airport in Dalaman/Izmir to the boat (as long as those transfers take place at embarkation and disembarkation days)
- All entrances to museums and archaeological sites
- English speaking tour guide
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| Additional optional services |
- A ½ double cabin can be booked
- Single cabin, additional charge: 50 % of the base price of the tour
- Return collecting transfer from the airport in Dalaman/Izmir to the boat: on request
Additional nights can be booked before or after the tour
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| Difficulty level bicycling tours |
Level 2-3: The day tours of up to 65 km will take you through partly hilly or mountainous terrain. There will also be extended climbs. Most of the streets are paved. You can choose to spend a whole or half-day on board the boat whenever you want. |
| Additional costs |
- Flight to Dalaman airport
- Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
- Tips for crew and tour-guides
- Meals on land
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| Discounts |
- Early bookings get 5% until end of January 2012
- Children under age 18 sharing a cabin:-25%
- 3rd person sharing a cabin:-50%
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| Cancellation fees |
- 60 days or more before the beginning of the trip: 10% of the trip price (25 € per person minimum)
- 59 – 31 days before the trip begins: 30% of the trip price
- 30 – 21 days before the trip begins: 50% of the trip price
- 20 – 11 days before the trip begins: 70% of the trip price
- 10 – 1 days before the trip begins: 90% of the trip price.
- We urge you to consider effecting a travel cancellation cost insurance. Before the trip, please also find out about your medical and accident insurance and about luggage insurance or travel liability insurance, if necessary.
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| Additional nights |
Although Marmaris is an ideal starting point for our tour to the Greek Aegean South and along the Turkish coast, and the place itself a touristic centre with beautiful beaches, it has only very few interesting things worth visiting. So if you wish to extend your vacation in Marmaris itself, we recommend that you stay only one to three days. If you want to extend your vacation for a whole week, the Datca peninsula located 35 km southwest of Marmaris or the region around Dalyan 50 km away have much more to offer.
The almost 100 km-long Datca Peninsula is virtually untouched by tourism. Here, Turkey’s original character with traditional villages and almost pristine nature is still very much in evidence. Especially rewarding is a visit to the ancient site of Knidos at the northwest end of the peninsula, which had its hay day in Hellenistic times, as attested by splendid buildings surviving to this day.
Dalyan is located in Lykia, one of the prettiest regions in Turkey, in a beautiful river landscape, right next to the ruins of the ancient city Kaunos and its famous Lykian rock graves. In addition, Dalyan is only 20 km away from Dalaman airport.
Please contact us for more detailed information |
| How to get to Marmaris |
A flight is the fastest, easiest and most economic way to get to Turkey. Dalaman airport is situated approx. one and a half an hours from Marmaris.
The collecting transfer between airport Dalaman and boat is included into the tour price as long as it takes place at embarkation day and disembarkation day.
Please indicate your exact arrival date, flight number, flight company and estimated arrival / departure time and please note that for all transfers a reservation is always needed.
Should there be no flight to Dalaman, we also arrange transfer from another airport (e.g. Izmir or Bodrum) free of charge.
At the airport, you will be awaited by a person carrying a panel with your name on. We generally organize small buses for the transfer, so you may incur a wait for guests from other destinations. |
