Saronic Gulf Islands & Peloponnese Bike Cruise

DAY 1 — Athens / Salamina, embarkation (0 km)
You make your own way to the ship in the Athens area. Check-in is from 4 pm, and the evening begins with dinner on board and a first look at your crew and fellow travellers. Overnight on board.

DAY 2 — Island of Poros (23 km)
A morning crossing brings you to Poros, with a swimming stop on the way where you can dive into the sea straight from the ship. In the afternoon you start from the island's capital and almost completely circle Poros, once dedicated to the sea god Poseidon. Shortly before the end you reach Russian Bay, a sandy beach with turquoise water and a perfect last swim. Back in the harbour, the iconic clock tower watches over your evening.

DAY 3 — Galatas, Ermioni and Porto Heli (40 km)
A small car ferry takes you across to Galatas on the Peloponnese. From there you ride mostly along the sea and through fertile farmland to the little coastal town of Ermioni, where the ship is waiting for lunch. The afternoon is a leisurely crossing to Porto Heli, with an extended swimming stop if the weather plays along. Overnight in Porto Heli.

DAY 4 — Island of Spetses (25 km)
A short morning crossing and a long swim break in a quiet bay bring you to Spetses. Before lunch there is time to explore the old town on foot. The Venetians called it the island of herbs, and you understand why on the afternoon ride: the scent of wild herbs follows you along the almost traffic-free panoramic road that circles the whole island, with the turquoise sea always in view. A longer stop at one of the beaches, a coffee, then the old harbour by bike before returning on board.

DAY 5 — Island of Hydra and the Methana peninsula (17 km)
After a two-hour crossing you reach Hydra, where donkeys are still the only means of transport and the car-free lanes are best explored on foot. Then you sail on to Methana, a peninsula shaped by more than thirty volcanoes: you notice it at once in the colours of the rock and the smell of sulphur. In the late afternoon you ride a panoramic loop with a coffee break in the small fishing port of Vathy. Overnight in Methana.

DAY 6 — Methana and the island of Aegina (20 km or 25 km)
Another morning loop on Methana, with plenty of incredible views along the way. In the afternoon you sail to Aegina, famous well beyond Greece for its pistachios. In the old town you find pistachio products everywhere and small boutiques along the lively shopping streets; if you would rather keep riding, there is a ride along the coast to the fishing village of Perdika. Overnight in Aegina town.

DAY 7 — Aegina to Athens / Salamina (35 km)
Today's ride climbs to the sanctuary of the goddess Aphaia, whose beautifully preserved temple stands high above the sea — the only place on the island where you can see the Aegean on both sides. On the way back you cross the interior, passing the great monastery of Saint Nektarios, and return to the ship in Aegina town. Then you sail back to Athens or Salamina, depending on your ship, for a last, festive evening on board.

DAY 8 — Disembarkation (0 km)
Breakfast on board, then it is time to say goodbye — or to stay a few more days in Athens.