In This Section
- 2010 Bicycle Tours
-
North America
- New York:
- Keuka Lake Wine Trail
- Cayuga & Seneca Lakes Wine Trail
- Classic Central New York
- The Historic Erie Canal
- Mississippi:
- Natchez Trace & Ante-Bellum South
- Texas:
- The Hill Country
- Vermont:
- The Champlain Valley
- Vermont Extreme: Extreme Champlain Valley
- Canada:
- Historic Quebec - La Belle Province
Greece: Island of Crete
Bicycling the Land of Zorba
12 Days – 11 Nights
Tour Price - $3,729.00, 11 nights
(Includes all breakfasts, 10 dinners–most with wine)
Tour Dates 2010 -
May 8-19
September 18-29
Bicycle Rental - Complimentary Trek bicycle, fully equipped for touring
Single Supplement - $600.00
Arrive - Atlantis Hotel–Iraklion, Crete
Depart - Almirida, near Chania, Crete
Cycling Level - Moderate to Challenging
Terrain - Rolling to hilly with several
challenging grades on a daily basis.
Bicycling Magazine called Classic Adventures’ bicycle tour of Crete “one of the 50 best rides on the planet.” For 23 years we have been refining our tour of this island paradise, with 3 optional hikes. Majestic mountains sweep down to emerald-blue seas. Lyrical sheep bells and the aromas of wild oregano and thyme add to the Mediterranean magic. Delight in Feta cheese, thick homemade yogurt, honey-soaked walnuts, and grilled seafood.
We explore Venetian ruins of Heraklion and visit the Archeological Museum with its fabulous Minoan pottery and jewelry. A guided tour of ancient Knossos brings to light the reign of King Minos. Relive stories of the bull jumpers and Theseus’ daring descent into the labyrinth to slay the Minotaur.
Highlights include the Lassithi Plateau where donkeys and old windmills echo a bygone era. Mountain vistas surround the village of Spili, noted for spring water. The famous Samarian Gorge (the most natural wonder of Western Europe) provides a spectacular hike - essentially downhill! Six nights of lodging are on or near the beach!
Crete’s magic also lies in its vestiges of the past. Guide Dale Hart unfolds rich layers of history for you. His stories bring to life the real Crete, where Zeus was born and Europa was loved.
Couples with different riding levels may choose either Crete trip: Land of Zorba or Extreme.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Heraklion, Crete, at Atlantis Hotel (A class). Orientation.
Day 2. Explore Venetian ruins of Heraklion; guided tour of Knossos and Archeological Museum. Transfer to Lassithi Plateau.
Day 3. Circle the plateau accompanied by goats and sheep. Visit the cave where mythological Zeus was born. Visit folklore museum, or hike to Minoan site of Karphi. (15 mi. cycling + 3-4 hr. hike)
Day 4. Downhill ride through Potami River Valley. Swim the Libyan Sea in Ierapetra. (29 or 46 mi.)
Day 5. Visit small 4th century Byzantine church with unusual frescoes. Travel the Plain of Messara to beach village of Matala. (35, 52, or 72 mi.)
Day 6. Bike to Phaistos, Aghia Triada, and Gortys or beach walk. (30 mi. cycling or 3 hr. walk)
Day 7. Visit small 4th cent. church off the beaten path. Lunch at Aghia Galini. Spectacular upper road overlooking the Amari Valley and Libyan Sea, or lower route to Spili. (25 or 40 mi.)
Day 8. Hike to Palm Beach, then visit Preveli Monastery, site of WWII resistance. Option to visit Rethymnon or bike Kourtaliotis Canyon. (5-6 hr. hike or 30 mi. cycling)
Day 9. Coastal ride to sea village Hora Sfakion. (36 mi.)
Day 10. Cross island to Almyrida. View majestic White Mountains and Libyan Sea below. (35 mi)
Day 11. Samarian Gorge Hike. (16 mi. downhill.) Swim the Libyan Sea. (5-6 hr. walk)
Day 12. Trip ends in Almirida after breakfast.