Compare Kalavryta biking by Personality Journeys vs Athens & the Peloponnese by Audley Travel

Day 1: Welcome to Athens!

Meals: Dinner

After your transfer to your hotel, take a leisurely stroll and explore the beating heart of the city. Explore the colourful network of streets in the town centre and in the island-like paths of Anafiotika neighbourhood in Acropolis, and end your day relishing an original Greek dinner at a scenic restaurant overlooking the beautifully-lit Parthenon.

Overnight Athens

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Wake up early in the morning and hop on your private vehicle (van or mini bus), for a 2.30 hour scenic drive to Kalavryta-Peloponnese. Check in to a family run guesthouse, put on your biking clothing and let our driver take you to the first day’s ride starting point, at Mount Helmos at 1700m height. Follow your expert biking guide in the magnificent fir forest and stop midway at a refuge for photos and refreshments. The first part of our expedition ends at a charming little village. Lunch will be served at a tiny tavern by a local lady who will make us feel as guests at her house. Continue your ride through a single track trail which is later connected to asphalt back-roads which lead back to Kalavryta village. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore Kalavryta further at your own pace.

Overnight Kalavryta

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Today we will ride to Agia Lavra Monastery one of the most important monasteries in Greece. The monastery was built in 961 AD, at an altitude of 961 meters, and can be described as the symbolic birth-place of modern Greece.

It is famously linked with the Greek War of Independence, since it was here that the call for “Eleftheria I Thanatos” (freedom or death) was first heard on the 17th of March 1821, launching the revolution against the Ottoman Empire. That day, Bishop Paleon Patron Germanos performed a doxology and administered an oath to the Peloponnesian fighters. The revolutionary flag was supposedly raised by the Bishop under the plane tree just outside the gate of the monastery.

Later on, take a short ride to the hill opposite to the monastery, where lies a monument dedicated to the heroes of the Revolution of 1821. Continue your backroads ride descent to picturesque Skepasto village, where you will have a short break for Greek coffee or herbs tea, before jumping back on your bike for a short remaining ride to Kalavryta. Take a refreshing shower and go for lunch in a traditional tavern serving delicious local food.

Your transfer vehicle will take you back to Athens International airport

Day 1: Athens

Accommodation options: NJV Athens Plaza, Herodion Hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne & New Hotel

On arrival in Athens, you’ll be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. After some time to settle in you’ll set off on a privately guided panoramic tour of the capital to get your bearings and see some of the city’s highlights.

Day 2: Athens

Accommodation options: NJV Athens Plaza, Herodion Hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne & New Hotel

Meet your guide in the hotel this morning for a private tour of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, and the Plaka area of Athens.

Day 3: Nafplio

Accommodation options: Hotel Ippoliti & Nafplia Palace Villas

You’ll leave Athens this morning with your private driver and travel to the Peloponnese. Cross the Corinth Canal before arriving in Epidavros where you’ll have a private tour of this archaeological site, including the acoustically perfect theatre. You’ll finish the tour at a local olive oil producer where you’ll tour the facilities and sample the oil it produces before journeying on to Nafplio.

Day 4: Nafplio

Accommodation options: Hotel Ippoliti & Nafplia Palace Villas

Learn about the history of Nafplio today and gain a better understanding of the historical heart of the town on a privately guided walking tour.

Day 5: Nafplio

Accommodation options: Hotel Ippoliti & Nafplia Palace Villas

Experience the coast of the Peloponnese from the water today on a private sailboat cruise. There’ll be time to swim, snorkel and relax on deck. The afternoon is free to explore more of Nafplio.

Day 6: Hydra

Accommodation options: Bratsera Hotel & Hotel Leto Hydra

Your driver will meet you at the hotel this morning for a transfer to the ferry dock in Metochi from where you’ll sail across to the island of Hydra. You’ll have the afternoon to explore the shops and restaurants of the port area and see the little mules which transport all the goods on the island.

Day 7: Hydra

Accommodation options: Bratsera Hotel & Hotel Leto Hydra

See the less-visited area of Hydra today on a hike to the Monastery of Agia Matrona with your private guide. This rustic trails offer a quiet escape and the views of the sea and town are remarkable.

Day 8: Athens

Accommodation options: NJV Athens Plaza, Herodion Hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne & New Hotel

You’ll return to Athens today by ferry for a final night in the city before departing. You’ll have a private transfer from the port to your hotel, and later spend your last evening learning how to prepare traditional Greek dishes with a cooking class and dinner at a local family home.

Day 9: Return home

You’ll have a private transfer to the airport this morning for your flight home.