Kythnos

Seriphos

Mykonos

Acropolis, Athens

MS Panagiota

RATING: Moderate to Hilly

The daily routes of 20 to 60 km cover partly hilly and mountainous terrain. You can expect some steep ascents. Most roads are asphalted. You can rest for a day or half a day on the ship at any time.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Lavrio (embarkation)

Individual arrival in Lavrio, a port only 30 km (18 mi.) from Athens airport. Check-in from 2 p.m. on the MS PANAGIOTA. If all guests arrive in the afternoon, departure for Kythnos Island, otherwise the ship stays in Lavrio. Dinner on board.

Day 2:   Island of Kythnos (approx. 25 km)

Cruise to the island of Kythnos which has been famous for its splendid cheese and honey since antiquity. A quiet, mostly flat island: the first tour begins in the harbour in Merichas and ends in Kythnos, the main town on the island, built in a typical Cycladian architectural style. Finally you will reach the bathing resort Loutra. Its thermal springs are said to have curing energy. In the afternoon the PANAGIOTA will take you to Seriphos. Overnight stay in Livadi.

Day 3:   Island of Seriphos (approx. 20 km)

We sail to Seriphos in the morning: a small island, untouched by tourism, with deep valleys, numerous bays and many beautiful sandy beaches. You bike on a high altitude road to the Byzantine monastery of Taxiarchis as well as to the main town of Seriphos. Its cubic houses stretch out on a mountain ridge high above sea level. You will return to Livadi along a panoramic road on the East coast. In the afternoon the ship will bring you to Siphnos, where you can relax at the beautiful beach. Overnight stay in Kamares.

Day 4:   Siphnos (approx. 20 km)

The island of Siphnos, which is famous for its ceramic artwork, is only inhabited away from the coast, as its coast drops mainly steeply into the sea. The cycling tour begins in the harbour of Kamares. The route leads through a green, hilly terraced landscape to the central highlands with the island’s capital Kastro, which is a defensive settlement built on a steep cliff face and has been a listed and protected town since 1975. In the afternoon the ship will bring you to Syros, where you can round off the day in one of the numerous cafes on the spacious harbour promenade

Day 5:  Syros (approx. 30km)

We sail to the island of Syros and cycle from Ermoupolis to the peaceful fishing village of Kini, located in the western part of the island. You cycle back along the numerous bays of the coastline through the whole southern part of the island to its capital, Ermoupolis, where you stay for the night. The town is situated on two hills. It differs from other Cycladian towns because of its strong urban character. You can let the evening come to an end in one of the numerous cafés on the long harbour promenade.

In the afternoon you will continue by boat to Mykonos, where the picturesque main town with its famous windmills and its white cube form houses invites visitors to stroll through it. With a bit of luck you may even see the mascot of Mykonos in the maze of laneways, the pelican Petros.

Day 6:   Mykonos-Delos-Tinos  (approx. 25 km)

In the morning you have the chance to visit the important ancient sites on the island of Delos, where according to Greek mythology the god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born. After lunch you will crossover to Tinos, where you will cycle along a high road to the mountain village of Kambos. Kambos is full of walled dove towers with their filigree architecture, which represent remnants from Venetian times. On the return journey you will visit the famous Evangelistria church in Tinos town.  

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Marmaris
Individual arrival in Marmaris, Turkey. Embarkation starts at 2 pm.

Day 2: Rhodes - Rhodes City ( approx. 10 km)
After breakfast crossover to the city of Rhodes, which lasts approx. 4 hours. After arrival the bikes will be adjusted for 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 is an ecellent time to use your 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 its huge stadium and the sanctuary of Apollo. Subsequently you will traverse the crusade town with its imposing walls and fortress.

Day 3: Rhodes ( approx. 65 km)
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 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.

   
Day 4: Rhodes - Lindos- Plimiri (approx. 35km)
Today's cycle tour takes you to Nikia, a town 430 metres above the sea, 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 must not 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 harbour town of Mandraki. In the evening you cross to Tilos, where you will stay overnight.

  
Day 5: Nissiros ( approx 40 km)
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.

Day 6: Symi  ( approx. 25 km)
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. 

Day 7: Symi and Marmaris  ( approx. 10 km)
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.