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Cascade-Affiliated International Tours
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Sacred Sites of Greece Tour- Peloponnese Peninsula |
| Dates: |
June 28 update: Only 4 spots left!
10 days, 9 nights
September 23-October 2, 2007
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| Pace & Distance: |
Two options: moderate (30 miles a day) and challenging (50 miles a day)
Read the detailed itinerary.
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| Group size: |
10 minimum, 20 maximum |
| Cost: |
$3200, almost all-inclusive, $475 single supplement. Optional Athens Active Mini-Tour Package. |
| Tour company:
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CycleGreece based in New York City and Athens, Greece.
Questions?
Please call us at 1-800-867-1753.
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SACRED SITES OF GREECE
Detailed Itinerary
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DAY ONE
Sunday, September 23
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Welcome to Greece!! From the airport you jump aboard a shiny, new train which takes you directly to Korinthos, 80 minutes away. We greet you at the station and transfer you to a seaside hotel in Loutraki about ten kilometers away. Loutraki has been famous for its thermal healing waters for centuries. A visit to the city's Spa Hydroptherapy Center of Mineral Baths might ease jet lag.
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DAY TWO
Monday, September 24
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| Overnight: Loutraki, Hotel Poseidon Resort
Optional Loop Ride: Acrocorinth Fortress, Loutro Eleni, Corinth Canal
Features: 36 km, 22 miles, uphill 1890 feet to Acrocorinthos, downhill to the sea.
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First task is to either assemble your own bike or test your CycleGreece bike. Then we are ready to set off for the Acrocorinthos Fortress by vehicle or bike. This hilltop citadel commands magnificent and strategic views of the bodies of water bordering the eastern Peloponnese. From here it's downhill for swimming at Loutro Eleni where Helen of Troy is said to have bathed. In these fresh springs that flow into the sea you can stand in an unusual hole in the sea that creates a whirlpool effect, Nature's Jacuzzi if you will. A final treat takes us cycling across the majestic Corinth Canal built in 1898. |
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DAY THREE
Tuesday, September 25
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Overnight: Nafplio, Hotel Grande Bretagne (Click on the British flag for English language.)
Cycling: Loutraki to Nafplio
Long Route: Loutraki to Nafplio and detour to Mycenae, 76 km, 47 miles
Short Route: Loutraki to Mycenae, transfer from Mycenae to Nafplio, 55 km, 34 miles
Road features: cycle rolling hills to Mycenae, then basically flat to Nafplio
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Thrilling is how it feels to bike across the Corinth Canal bridge whose construction technically turned the Peloponnese peninsula into a mega-island. Down the road we stop our bikes next to the 3,000 year old beehive tomb in Mycenae built for the mighty King Agamemnon. Our final destination is elegant Nafplio, modern Greece's first capital, and assuredly the prettiest city in the Peloponnese. Population: 12,000. You've probably never heard of it, but after two days here it will most likely rate as your favorite Sacred Sites city. |
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DAY FOUR
Wednesday, September 26
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| Overnight: Nafplio, Hotel Grande Bretagne
Long Route: Nafplio to Epidavros, roundtrip, 60 km, 37 miles
Short Route: transfer to Epidavros, cycle Epidavros to Nafplio, 30 km, 18.5 miles
Road features: gradual climb to Epidavros, about 1500 feet, downhill back to Nafplio on the sea
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Epidavros is Greece's largest ancient theatre. This 3rd century BC outdoor wonder seats 15,000 and its acoustics are still impeccable. The bike ride to this beloved monument is all uphill, gently so, and en route lie a number of unheralded ruins that merit a pit stop. The afternoon is completely free for you to plunge into the cultural wealth and poignant beauty of Nafplio. Highly recommended: climb the 999 steps to the 600 foot high Palamidi fortress.
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DAY FIVE
Thursday, September 27
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| Overnight: Stemnitsa, Country Club Trikolonion Hotel
Ride: Nafplio -- Stemnitsa
Long Route: Nafplio to Dimitsana, 106 km, 65 mile
Short Route: transfer to Tripoli, cycle Tripoli to Dimitsana, 47 km, 30 mile
Road features: beginning ascent 2297 feet in 4 miles (for long route), about 5 climbs, highest ascent 2,560 feet to 4,265 feet in 9 miles
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Today is all about climbing. The most ascents in a single day, and the highest points on the tour. Our first mountain is "bald," no trees, allowing a panoramic view of a series of distant mountains on the horizon, misleadingly reseembling sea waves. After lunch in Tripoli, the terrain becomes forest-y, verdant, a bit steeper, higher, energetic cycling. We are in the heart of Arcadia, headed for Stemnitsa, a precious mountain village with stone houses and red tiled roofs overlooking the splendiferous Lousios Gorge.
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DAY SIX
Friday, September 28
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| Overnight: Olympia, Hotel Neda
Ride: Stemnitsa to Olympia
Long Route: Dimitsana to Olympia, 80 km, 50 miles
Short Route: transfer to Langada, cycle Langada to Olympia, mostly downhill, 60 km, 37 miles
Road features: highest climb 1500 feet in 2 miles, highest ascent 3608 feet, mostly downhill after Langada with 1-2 climbs before Olympia
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Most of today's route is downhill which makes you think it will be a short ride --- but there are too many temptations en route. On a path downwards to the Lousios Gorge lies a monastery built into a cliff and the "secret school" which thrived during the Revolution. Dimitsana's fascinating live-action water power museum brings you into close contact with bygone livelihoods such as making gunpowder, raki (a Greek spirit), leather and flour. Artisans in Langada sell handcarved canes with goat antlers for handles. You end the day by cycling into Olympia, the ruins lying within a discus throw of our bike route.
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DAY SEVEN
Saturday, September 29
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| Overnight: Lampei, Lampei Ori Hotel (A traditional mountain village hotel, no website) Ride: Olympia to Lampei
Long and Short Route: 42 km, 26 miles, all uphill into mountainous terrain, takes about 3.5 hours average.
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In the morning we take a guided tour of Ancient Olympia, the actual grounds where the world's original athletes competed as early as 796 B.C. The modern Olympics were resurrected in 1896 and, equally interesting as the ruins, is the museum which exhibits memorabilia from past games. After lunch, we take roughly three hours ascending to a traditional mountain village called Lampei. Life is quiet here and very original.
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DAY EIGHT
Sunday, September 30
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| Overnight: Kalavrita, Kynaitha Hotel
Ride: Lampei to Kalavrita
Long Route: Lampei to Kalavrita, 80 km, 50 miles
Short Route: Lampei to Klitorias, transfer to Kalavrita with stop at Cave of the Lakes, 50 km, 30 miles, cycling takes about 3 hours
Road features: small climbs, mostly cycling along a mountain ridge, except for last 10-15 km uphill.ascent after Cave of the Lakes (long route)
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We are cycling deep in mountain territory, mostly following a ridge, but we encounter a fair amount of ascents and descents that make the ride entertaining. The highlight of the day is Cave of the Lakes, a series of subterranean lakes inside a huge cave. Definitely worth a tour. Immediately leaving the cave we climb for about an hour until we reach the mammoth memorial where Germans murdered 1200 male villages in 1943, the largest single massacre in Greece. Today Kalavrita is popular for its skiing and paragliding.
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DAY NINE
Monday, October 1
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| Overnight: Loutraki, Hotel Poseidon Resort
Ride: Kalavrita to Loutraki
Long Route: Kalavrita to Loutraki, 115 km, 72 miles.
Short Route: Kalavrita to Xylokastro, transfer Xylokastro to Loutraki, 56 km, 35 miles,
Road Features: except for one climb, all downhill from Kalavrita to the sea for first 34 km, then all flat hugging the sea coast to Xylokastro and Loutraki
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Our last day of cycling takes us back to the sea! A half hour ascent followed by a full hour's descent hugging the Voriakos Gorge. It may take longer because the magnificent views will compel you to stop for photo ops. Once at sea level, we stick to the secondary coastal road, heading eastward until we reach our starting point, Loutraki. It is a beautiful flat route that never escapes the seashore. Upon return, it's time to box up your bike if you lugged your own; otherwise, you can laze in the local spa or on the beach. We celebrate our farewell by gathering at a popular local taverna for dinner.
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DAY TEN
Tuesday, October 2
Departure
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Morning transfer to Korinth train station. Your destination is either the airport for a return flight home, or Athens for riders who take advantage of our post-tour three day three night travel package in Greece's capital city.
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THE FINE PRINT
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Trip Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodations at 3 and 4 star hotels, private bath, a/c
- Vehicle support with driver --- 2 vans if 15+ participants
- All breakfasts
- All dinners in traditional tavernas with superb fresh local food and house wine (meals selected by CycleGreece guide)
- On route healthy snacks and fresh mountain spring water
- Bike guide who is experienced bike mechanic
- Maps with cue sheets
- Road bike with triple chain ring, lightweight, odometer, two water bottles with cages and map holder (rear rack upon request)
- Entry fees to antiquities and museums: Akrokorinthos, Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia
- Entry fee to Cave of the Lakes
- One private hour guided tours of Akrokorinthos, Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia
- All VAT taxes
Trip Exclusions
- Airport transfers (because train from Athens airport goes direct to tour starting/ending points). Pick up to/from Train Station is included
- Lunches (On your own to enjoy!)
- Bike helmet
Optional Athens Active Mini-Tour Package
 ATHENS ACTIVE MINI-TOUR PACKAGE
3 days, 3 nights
$1273 per person (double occupancy)
No one comes to Greece without visiting the Acropolis!
Besides the Acropolis and surrounding ruins, you will encounter the best of Athens, including the Archaeological Museum, the National Gardens, the 1896 Olympic Stadium, Temple of Zeus, shopping in the Plaka, and changing of the Parliament guards.
Further, an exceptional highlight no other tour offers: bicycle along the dramatic Attika coastline to its tip, ending up at the magnificent Temple of Poseidon.
Inclusions
- Three nights in the honeymoon-esque four star Magna Grecia Hotel located in central Athens within walking distance of the major ruins. Includes breakfast.
- Vehicle transfers to hotel, airport, and museum
- Private guided tours
- All entry fees
- Guided and vehicle supported bike ride to the Temple of Poseidon
- One lunch
- One dinner with house wine
DAY 1
- Explore the charming Plaka area
- Private professional guided tour of National Archaeological Museum
DAY 2
- Day long bike trip to Temple of Poseidon, 30 miles or 50 miles, vehicle support, road bicycle, bike guide
- Lunch in Sounion
DAY 3
- Private professional guided tour of Acropolis and surrounding ruins
- Private walking tour of Syntamga (Parliament) with changing of the guards, 1896 Olympic Stadium, Temple of Zeus, Zappeion
- Farewell dinner in memorable restaurant
DAY 4
- Vehicle transfer to Airport
CycleGreece Booking Instructions
Online booking by credit card
- Go to www.cyclegreece.gr
- Click Book Now and follow the 5 Step instructions
- On Step 2, in the "Select Tour" drop down box select #27, Cascades Sacred Sites Greece Tour
- The tour price is listed in euros --- 2560 € --- which equals $3,200.00 at a 1.25 exchange rate. Your credit card will reflect the exchange rate at the time of your payment.
- Your Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card payment goes to our secure Alpha Bank web page. Alpha Bank is not compatible with Firefox or Safari browsers.
- You will be required to make a $500 per person deposit which is about 400€. (Currently, our booking engine is not set up to make a full payment at initial registration).
- Upon booking a deposit, you will receive a Reference Number. SAVE THIS NUMBER.
Mail-in payment by check
- Download and fill out the CycleGreece Booking Form. Each person in your party must fill out a form.
- Download and fill out the CycleGreece Agreement & Waiver. The paying party must sign the Agreement & Waiver.
- Make a check for a $500 deposit per person or for the full tour amount of $3,200.00 per person. Make your check payable to "Aegean Adventures, Inc." In the Memo, write "Cascades Tour"
- Mail Booking Form(s), Agreement & Waiver and check to Aegean Adventures, Inc., 411 East 57th Street, Suite 100, New York, NY 10022. (Certified mailing, return receipt requested is advisable).
- Your registration is not confirmed until your check clears. For prompt confirmation, send certified or bank check.
Online payment of the balance due
- Go to www.cyclegreece.gr
- Click My Booking
- Insert the same email address you used to book your deposit
- Insert your Reference Number.
- Follow the instructions for final payment.
CycleGreece Cancellations Policy
Please review the Agreement & Waiver for detailed policy.
- Deposit required: $500
- Full Payment by June 1, 2007: $3200
- Cancel before June 1, 2007: 80% of deposit returned
- Cancel between June 1 and July 31, 2007: 50% of total payment returned
- Cancel anytime after July 31, 2007 for any reason: 0 refund
- Voluntarily leave the tour at any time after the first day: 0 refund
- Involuntarily leaving the tour upon demand for inappropriate behavior: tour operator’s discretion what amount, if any, to refund
- No refunds for any accommodations, bike usage, transfers, transport, meals, entry fees or services paid for as part of the tour but not patronized by the rider
Rider Testimonials on a CycleGreece Experience
I did Cycle Greece in May, 2006 and can't say enough good things about the tour. It was first class. The cycling was challenging and beautiful. The accommodations and meals were superb. The whole trip was so well organized and planned; I wouldn't hesitate to do another tour with Cycle Greece.
Ginny Bodenhamer
Salmon, ID
I can't say enough good things about Colleen and Cycle Greece. I have been on two Greece rides with her company. The first went through Rhodes, Karpathos & Crete, a three week ride that was something to write home about…and the second: "Sacred Sites", ride started closer to Athens, I liked the warmer weather much better on this trip … I want to go back next year as I love Colleen; she makes a trip that a person will NOT forget. Everything is good; the hotels, food, friendship and most of all the roads she picks for us to cycle…
Louise Taylor
Olympia, WA
I had a great time with Cycle Greece on a multi-sport tour in Crete. I went sea kayaking, rappelling, and biking. The program helped put me totally in the moment as I attempted athletic feats I had not done before. The guides were great…I saw out-of-the-way places that was the real Greece. They had everything arranged very well--meals, snacks, places to stay, & quality ocean side time. It was fantastic.
Pia Gallegos
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Worried you might not be in good enough shape to tackle the hills? Join Cascade Ride Leaders this spring in the Cascade Training series. We'll be leading rides every weekend geared to getting YOU ready for this summer's big CBC rides. Visit the Activities Calendar for more information and ride listings.
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