Aegean Island Hopping by Bike

Day 1: Athens or Salamina – Embarkation (0 km)
Your Greek week begins at the water's edge, and where exactly depends on your ship. If you are sailing on the Erato you will board at Marina Alimos, in the Athens suburb of Palaia Faliro. If your ship is the Thalassa you will board at the central pier in Salamina, on the island of Salamis. Check-in opens at 4 pm on both ships. You will settle into your cabin, meet your crew and your fellow riders, and share the first dinner on board before your first night on board.

Day 2: Merichas – Chora – Driopida – Merichas, Kythnos (25 km)
Early in the morning the ship will sail to Kythnos, an island known since antiquity for its cheese and its honey. You will start riding from the harbour of Merichas and climb towards Chora, the island's capital, with wide views over the coastline opening up beside you. Chora sits on a high plateau, and its alleys are painted with flowers and geometric patterns. You will carry on to the picturesque village of Driopida before rolling back down to Merichas, where the evening belongs to the tavernas along the water.

Day 3: Livadi – Seriphos town – Livadi, Seriphos (30 km)
This morning the boat takes you to Seriphos, a small island well off the usual tourist track, shaped by deep valleys, countless coves and long sandy beaches. From the harbour town of Livadi you will climb a serpentine road up to Seriphos town, whose cube-shaped houses are nestled into the ridge high above the sea. From there you will ride on through untouched country to the Byzantine monastery of the Archangel Michael, then return to Livadi along a panoramic road on the east coast. In the afternoon the ship carries you to Syros, where the old town and the harbour promenade are yours for the evening.

Day 4: Ermoupolis – Galissas – Ermoupolis, Syros (30 km)
Ermoupolis, the capital of the Cyclades, greets you with a townscape unlike any other island you will visit: built across two hills, its pastel houses wear classical facades. You will cycle the southern coast of Syros, threading past bay after bay to the beautiful beach of Galissas, then loop back to Ermoupolis by way of the convent of Saint Barbara. In the afternoon you will sail on to Kea.

Day 5: Korissia – Ioulis – Otzias – Korissia, Kea (25 km)
Your day starts in the fine natural harbour of Korissia, on the north-westernmost inhabited island of the Cyclades. You will climb up to the island capital of Ioulis, then ride on to the white sand of Otzias Beach for a swim stop before the return to Korissia. In the afternoon the ship leaves the Cyclades behind and crosses into the Saronic Gulf towards Poros, whose harbour town, crowned by its clock tower, is a fine place to let a Greek evening take its own pace.

Day 6: Poros – island circuit – Poros (25 km)
Today you will ride almost the whole way around Poros, an island that in ancient times was dedicated to Poseidon. Shortly before the end of the loop you will reach Russian Bay, a sandy beach with turquoise water and an obvious invitation to swim. Back in Poros you will step on board for a midday meal eaten under way, as the ship cruises on to Aegina.

Day 7: Aegina – Temple of Aphaia – Aegina Town (35 km)
Aegina is famous far beyond Greece for its pistachios, and today is your longest ride. You will climb to the sanctuary of the goddess Aphaia, whose beautifully preserved temple stands high above the blue water at the only spot on the island where the Aegean can be seen on both sides. On the way back you will cross the centre of the island, passing the great monastery of Saint Nektarios, and reach Aegina town where the ship is waiting. You will then sail back to Athens if you are on the Erato, or to Salamina if you are on the Thalassa, for a final celebratory evening on board.

Day 8: Athens or Salamina – Disembarkation (0 km)
After breakfast on board it is time to step ashore, in Athens or in Salamina depending on your ship. From there you can head home, or stay on a few more days and give Athens the time it deserves.