Sailing & Cycling in the Greek Cyclades and Saronic Islands

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • English-speaking professional, experienced guides
    • 8-day sailing & cycling tour of the Cyclades and Saronic Islands
    • Most meals — 2x full board & 5x half board
    • Bottled water onboard and during all activities ashore
    • Accommodation on a deluxe yacht with crew (7 nights)
    • Bed linen and towels
    • Overview maps for the daily tours

  Mountain bike and helmet rentals are available for an added fee of $90-$220.

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to and from Athens
    • Accommodations before and after the tour
    • Airport transfers — from Athens Airport to the boat is 70 euros/person for 1 private car, same price for return trip
    • Meals not listed in the itinerary & snacks
    • Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
    • Meals and beverages ashore
    • Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price
    • Beach towel for ashore use (if needed)
    • Guide and crew gratuities — optional
    • Travel insurance

  Additional optional services:

  • • Erato or Thalassa Boat options
      • Shared twin cabin — no surcharge, on request
      • Double cabin for single use — $880
    • Rental bike with Ortlieb pannier (if bicycle has a rack) + insurance
      • E-bike — $220 for the whole trip + $25 insurance
      • Hybrid bike — $90 for the whole trip + $10 insurance
    • Group airport transfers (on embarkation and disembarkation days only) — price on request
    • Private airport transfers — price on request
    • Additional nights in good hotels in Athens — price on request
    • 3-day extension in Athens — includes transfers between airport-hotel, hotel-boat, 2 nights in 3* or 4* hotels, entrance to Athens Archeological Park (including the Acropolis), one evening meal in To Kafeneion excl. drinks, one guided tour of choice (Athens by e-bike, Athens foodies tour, mythological walk) — price on request
    • 4-day extension in Santorini — includes transfers between Santorini airport or ferry port to hotel, 3 nights in a 3* boutique hotel, one tour of choice (sea kayak tour, sunset wine tour, culinary caldera walk) — price on request
    • 4-day extension on Mykonos — includes transfers between Mykonos airport or ferry port to hotel, 3 nights in 3* or 4* boutique hotel, one tour of choice (Rhenia-Delos-Cruise, jeep safari, culinary farm experience) — price on request
• Life aboard the Thalassa and Erato yacht

  Your home of the sailing and cycling adventure in the Cyclades and Saronic Islands will either be the Thalassa or Erato deluxe yacht.

  The Thalassa is a 38-meter (125-foot) yacht with 10 cabins. It features a spacious and wonderfully decorated saloon, and it is here where the crew serves culinary delights (should the weather prevent you from eating outdoors on deck). The large sundeck provides plenty of sun mats to lie on, and the covered stern provides comfortable upholstered areas to relax in.

  The Erato is an elegant motor sailer, offering all the comfort and luxury you could desire during your adventure. The bordeaux-red yacht is an instant eye-catcher! The outdoor area boasts plenty of comfortable seating and space for you to relax under the sky. The friendly and attentive crew have spent most of their lives on the water and are fully dedicated to fulfill your holiday dreams.

  

  You will have a private chef onboard, preparing the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering begins with dinner on the arrival day and breakfast on the departure day.

  A free WiFi connection is available on both boats. On the open sea, reception cannot be guaranteed at all times. Should you need a stable Internet connection during your stay, it’s recommended you go to a café or bar at the port—free WiFi is offered almost everywhere, if you order something there, you can use their WiFi.

  

• What are the cabins like?

  These deluxe yachts offer comfortable and equipped cabins below deck with functional fine wood furnishings, offering a warm and cozy atmosphere. Each cabin has individually regulated air-conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with shower, wash bin, hair dryer and toilet. There are cabins with a double bed (140 x 200 cm) and with two single beds (200 x 80 cm).

  

  

• How fit do I need to be?

  This Cyclades and Saronic bike & boat tour is suitable for both hybrid and e-bikers. You will tour between 25 and 35 km (15-22 miles) per day, with between 350 and 700 m (1,150-2,300 ft) of elevation gain.

  If you choose to ride an e-bike, you need to have a good basic level of fitness. Distances covered and elevation gains are very manageable with an e-bike.

  If you choose to join with a hybrid bike, things get a bit more challenging. There will be some longer climbs, but you’re welcome to take breaks or push your bikes if necessary. The roads are mostly asphalt. Keep in mind that this tour is adapted to e-bikers, meaning that if you’re joining with a hybrid bike, you need to have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace You’re always welcome to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend some time on board, instead of taking the day’s planned cycling tour.

• What about the bikes, can I bring my own?

  Due to safety regulations on the ship, it is not allowed to bring your own e-bike. By renting it with your guides, you will get high-quality, fully serviced rental bikes perfect for the terrain of this tour. You can bring your own bike seat and pedals, guides will be happy to assist you in attaching these to your rental bikes.

  If you’re joining with a hybrid bike, you can either bring your own or rent it with the guides. If you’re bringing your own, it’s recommended you bring a bike that meets the technical requirements to keep up the pace with the higher speed of e-bikes. In addition, your bike will need to have good tires (e.g. Gravel Bike or Cyclocross Bike). Before traveling, please check the condition of brakes, gears, and tires as well as bringing repair kits and essential spare parts (e.g. inner tube). Your bike must be in top technical condition. Please keep in mind that transporting your own bike will result in additional costs when flying.

  Helmet wearing is mandatory and it’s recommended you bring your own, well-fitted helmet. Rental helmets are available, but in a limited capacity, so reservation is required should you need it.

  If you’d like to give other activities a shot in the Greek Cyclades, check out this island hopping & hiking tour in the Cyclades and sailing and kitesurfing in Greece.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
    • Helmet (mandatory to wear) — please bring your own, well-fitted helmet, rental ones are limited (reservation required)
    • Padded cycling shorts — recommended
    • Week’s worth of relaxed leisure clothing
    • Swimming gear
    • Long-sleeved sweater or sweatshirt
    • Waterproof jacket
    • Sneakers or sport shoes
    • Sunglasses
    • Plenty of water, water bottle or hydration bladder
    • Daypack with snacks
    • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • The group size for this sailing and cycling tour in the Cyclades and Saronic Islands is set at 18 people. That is the maximum number of people that can be accommodated on the yacht. Both yachts sail out on the same offered dates.
    • It takes a minimum of 14 people aboard a yacht for this tour to operate. If not enough participants sign up, your guides reserve the right to cancel the reservation. Your guides will let you know as soon as possible, at least three weeks prior to the start of the trip.
    • Depending on the number of people, there can be 1-3 professional guides per trip.
    • The price is based on a twin-shared room, but if you’d like to stay alone in a double room, a single supplement is possible upon checkout.

  Sailing and cycling in the Cyclades and Saronic Islands can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Only children with a good physical condition, previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 10 can join. Please note that the minimum height for a rental e-bike is 1.50 m (4’9”). Follow-me bikes, bike seats, and bike bungees can also be hired for accompanying children. There is also a 25% percent discount (not combined with other discounts) for children up to the age of 16. For more information about your child joining, please contact us.

  If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  Depending on which yacht you’re boarding, the starting point is either in Piraeus (Marina Zeas) for the Thalassa boat or Palaio Faliro (Marina Alimos) for the Erato boat. To get there, most people fly into Athens International Airport (ATH). From there, it will take you up to 45 minutes to reach the starting points by car or up to 1.5 by using public transportation.

  Check-in on the ship is possible from 2 pm onwards.

• Safety measures in Greece

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Greece, please refer to Greece’s foreign travel advice.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
    • Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 2 months (60 days) prior to departure.

  For set dates, a 20% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If the Client cancels…

  • • Sixty (60) calendar days or more prior to the beginning of the trip, Client pays twenty percent (20%) of the total invoice amount.
    • Fifty-nine (59) to thirty-one (31) calendar days prior to the beginning of the trip, Client pays forty percent (40%) of the total invoice amount.
    • Thirty (30) to twenty-one (21) calendar days prior to the beginning of the trip, Client pays seventy percent (70%) of the total invoice amount.
    • Twenty (20) to eleven (11) calendar days prior to the beginning of the trip, Client pays eighty percent (80%) of the total invoice amount.
    • Ten (10) to one (1) calendar day prior to the beginning of the trip, Client pays 90% of the total invoice amount.
    • ​​After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. If Client misses the start of the trip or is prevented from traveling due to incomplete travel documents, this will be considered a cancellation.

  If two people have booked a double cabin together, and no replacement can be found to fill the space of the withdrawing client, your guides maintain the right to charge the remaining participant the corresponding accommodation surcharge, or if possible, to relocate them otherwise.

  Changing to a new departure date is handled the same way as a cancellation. There will be a €50 administration fee for changes made 28 days or more before the beginning of the trip. This also includes changes of minor relevance like hotel stays, transfers, bike hire etc. Any later changes (if possible) will need to be handled as a cancellation and new registration. Cancellation and reservation change fees are due immediately.

  In regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, a free cancellation or rebooking of your tour is possible 14 days prior if an official travel warning or quarantine measures at the time are unavoidable and prevent you from taking part in your tour.