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

Greek South Aegean map

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.

sailing ship Bahriyeli

Day 2 (Sun) Rhodes - Rhodes City (approx. 10 km / 6.3 mi
After breakfast crossover to the city of Rhodes, which last approx. 4 hours. After arrival the bikes will be adjusted to you and you will undertake an exciting voyage of discovery with your tour guide through the 2400-year-old island’s history. The deer and the hind at the entrance of the port of Mandraki will be the first occasion to use your photo camera. One still wonders whether or not the famous Colossus of Rhodes has ever stood here. From here the tour continues to the ancient part of the hill of Monte Smith with the huge stadium and the sanctuary of Apollo. Subsequently you will traverse the crusade town with its imposing walls of the fortress.

Symi

Day 3 (Mon) Rhodes (approx. 65 km / 40 mi. by bicycle)

Today you will mainly cycle along quiet side streets along the coast towards the village of Lindos. Along the way you will stop off in a tavern where you can enjoy a typically Greek meal. Lindos is one of the most beautiful villages of entire Greece. After a very last ascent you are will have an unforgettable view on the ship that waits for you in the small bay as well as on the idyllic town with its white cubic houses and its narrow alleys which is dominated by the walls of a medieval fortress of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem and the remains of the ancient acropolis. Overnight stay in Lindos.

Symi island

Day 4 (Tue) Rhodes - Lindos - Plimiri (approx. 35km / 22 mi. by bicycle)

After breakfast the cycling trip leads you again to the south of the sunny island right along the coast of the island to Plimiri. During a coffee break in one of the cafés straight at the sea you will have a chance to see the Bahriyelli that is on its way to Plimiri where the boat will await you with a savoury lunch. The afternoon’s crossing lasts 6 hours and gives you the opportunity to relax on board your ship and to sun bathe on deck. You will stay overnight in Livadia on the island of Tilos, a charming port with numerous tavernas, mainly frequented by sailing yachts.

Nissiros craters

Day 5 (Wed) Nissiros (approx. 40 km / 25 mi. by bicycle)

Early in the morning the ship will bring you to the volcanic island of Nissiros. Today’s cycle tour takes you to Nikia, a town which is built directly on the edge of the crater and has a wonderful view over the volcano. You will be spellbound by the white houses and the numerous pebble mosaics and you mustn’t miss the chance to enjoy a Greek coffee in the village square. From here you will cycle on to the volcanic crater with its steaming sulphur springs and then finally back to the small harbor town of Mandraki, whose charm has attracted visitors for centuries. In the afternoon you cross over to the island of Symi, where the Bahriyeli anchors in the bay of the Byzantine monastery Panormitis, which is dedicated to Michael the arch angle.

dolphin

Day 6 (Thu) Symi (approx. 25 km / 15 mi. by bicycle)

After breakfast you will set out on your bike to cross over the island. The destination for the cycling tour is Symi town. Along the way you will be constantly surprised with new and wonderful views. Shortly before you begin the descent to the town you will enjoy a picnic high above the deep blue bay. The main town of the island reaches deep into the mountains with its classical buildings, which are remnants of the former riches of the sponge divers on the island. In the evening your guide will accompany you up the almost 500 steps to the highest point of the town. From here you will have a breathtaking view of the harbor and the deep bay.

Squids

Day 7 (Fri) Symi and Marmaris (approx. 10 km / 6.3 mi. by bicycle)

In the morning the last short cycle tour leads you to an idyllic bay where you have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in a quiet cove. The crossing from Symi to Marmaris in the afternoon takes approx. 5 hours. After the last dinner on board you say goodbye to your tour guides and the crew of the Bahriyeli.

City of rhodes

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.

great choice of fruits

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
The BAHRIYELI is synonymous on the Southern Turkish coast for top-class comfort and material. Its three masts extend majestically into the sky and its thin hull allows for a peaceful sailing. The boat offers 8 to 12 roomy cabins with their own heating/air-conditioning unit and a generously sized shower/WC. The tastefully decorated dining/living room invites you to enjoy a meal or just rest, while the sun decks offer you the opportunity to sunbathe and relax. The crew is a well-trained team and will ensure that you enjoy a pampered experience on board.

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 2010

24.04.10 – 01.05.10	1290 Euro per person in double cabin
08.05.10 – 15.05.10	1290 Euro Ascension
22.05.10 – 29.05.10	1290 Euro Pentecost
25.09.10 – 02.10.10	1290 Euro
09.10.10 – 16.10.10	1290 Euro

WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE TRIP:

Accommodation on boat	Double cabin below deck
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
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
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
Discounts	Early bookings get 5% until end of January 2010 Children under age 18 sharing a cabin:-25% 3rd person sharing a cabin:-50%