Itinerary

Day 1: Spetses
Those arriving to begin the Saronic Jewels tour take a morning high speed boat to Hydra island where they will join the rest of the group who took the pre-tour Athens Add-on. We will hike up to Profit Ilias Monastery. Afternoon we take a high speed boat to lovely Spetses. Children ride bicycles and honeymooners take horse drawn carriages in this romantic harbor town.  Our welcome dinner is along the sea front.

Day 2: Spetses
Spetses is so small that we can circumnavigate it by bike in a couple of hours.  At a half-way point we stop to swim at an appealing beach which has the added attraction of an underwater sea cave easily accessible from the water or by steps into an opening on land.  If figs are in season, it is a divine pleasure to eat them right off the trees.    

Day 3: Poros
A water taxi takes us back to the Peloponnese mainland where we cycle along the pleasantly flat coastline stopping for a cappuccino at Ermioni.  A ten minute ferry ride puts us back on another island, Poros, whose harbor town is surrounded by olive trees, lemon trees and pine trees.  The highest point on Poros (for ambitious bikers) is up to the Temple of Poseidon.

Day 4: Epidavaros
The best part of today's cycling route is a stretch of road that looks down on the sea with tremendous vistas and next to zero traffic. The waters of Epidavros town are pure and clean and inviting for swimming.  In the evening we eat at a taverna known for its traditional and organic food.

Day 5: Nafplio
A one hour gradual climb brings us to Ancient Epidavros, the 3rd century BC outdoor theatre seating 12,000 spectators with impeccable acoustics.  Epidvaros was more famous in ancient times as the largest Asclepion healing center in Greece.   Elegant Nafplio, the first capital of Greece, will bowl you over with its mansions and charm.

Day 6: Nafplio
We cycle amongst serene orange groves we reach Ancient Mycenae, home of the ruler who launched the Trojan War, King Agamemnon. He is buried in a beehive tomb that never fails to startle visitors with its architecture of geometric precision.  We return early enough to explore Nafplio -- shop in local stores selling handmade jewelry, worry beads and arts, climb the 999 steps to the Venetian fortress Palamidi, take a quick boat to Bourtzi island or stroll the length of the harbor.

Day 7: Athens Airport Sofitel or central Athens
We cycle in the Corinth area where you find Ancient Corinth, the Corinth Canal and Akrokorinthos. After a late afternoon dinner at a seaside taverna you are transferred to Athens Airport Sofitel hotel for early morning flights the next day. For those staying after the tour, there's a transfer to central Athens.

Day 8: Departures

More information from Cycle Greece:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.cyclegreece.gr/pages/tour_Saronic_Jewels.htm…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips