Phone: +353 (0)53 9422415 Email:info@overlanders.ie Web:www.overlanders.ie

Greece home of the gods…

Join us for a guided tour of one of our favourite European destinations…

Highlights include:

Athens & Acropolis

Ancient Olympia

Peloponnese Region

Magnificent Pindus Mountain Range

Stunning Coastal Routes

Start/Finish Location: Athens, Greece Dates: Please refer to guided tours calendar on our website Tour Price: Please refer to guided tours calendar on our website

Includes return transport of your motorcycle from our base in Wexford, all B&B accommodation, evening

meals on all riding days, tour guide(s), detailed route plan etc.

Not included: Flights to/from Athens, fuel, food during the day etc.

Phone: +353 (0)53 9422415 Email:info@overlanders.ie Web:www.overlanders.ie

Athens Our tour of Greece begins with a guided tour of the Acropolis and an optional open top bus tour of the Ancient city of Athens, home to the Greek Civilisation for more than 4,000 years. Our local guides, Anna & Dimitris, are a wealth of information and certain to keep your attention. A must do when in Athens. Fish is the menu of the evening in one of Pireas best restuarants situated overlooking the Saronic Gulf. Athens to Volos With the bikes loaded we depart Athens and head north to the Magnesia region and our first destination, Volos. The beaches in the wider area of Volos are among the best-loved in Greece. Thousands of visitors each year flock to the beaches of Agios Dimitrios, Anchialos, Alykes, Pigadia, among many others, which offer stunning scenery and many recreational facilities. Volos to Lake Plastiras Heading further west we visit the man made marvel of Lake Plastiras - An artificial lake in perfect harmony with nature, embraced by picturesque rural villages, fir forests and the imposing Agrafa mountain range. Our hotel tonight is a fantastic 5 star spa and resort overlooking the lake. Lake Plastiras to Metsovo Leaving Lake Plastiras behind us we have the option of travelling via the UNESCO World heritage site of Meteora, one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece or alternatively across some remote mountains to Metsovo – a quaint and picturesque alpine like village nestled on the fringes of the Pindus National Park and our base for the next two nights. Metsovo Rest Day – Optional tour to Vikos Gorge Today is a day for exploring the Pindus National Park with some fantastic routes around and through the park. The Vikos Gorge begins 600m after Monodendri village and constitutes a true natural monument. Its overall length exceeds 30km (Tselepovo-Kleidonia). Its depth varies. In Monodendri it reaches 600m and is the narrowest point and in Vikos village it reaches 1.200m (more than 1.300m in its east part and approximately 1.100m in its west part). In its deeper part the gorge reaches approximately 2.200m in width. Due to its geological isolation and the absence of human presence, Vikos gorge includes rare plant and flower species of Epirus. There has also been more than 110 bird species, 19 serpent and amphibian species recorded, as well as many rare butterfly species. With many various routes on option there is plenty of oportunity to sit back, relax and watch the world go by in one of the many beautiful cafes surrounding the square in Metsovo.

Phone: +353 (0)53 9422415 Email:info@overlanders.ie Web:www.overlanders.ie

Metsovo – Nafpaktos Southward bound for the first time we find the Ionian sea on our right as we travel along the quiet coastal roads to our strategic stopping point in the Gulf of Patra and the gateway to the Pelopennese region. Nafpaktos is considered to be amongst the most scenic and romantic destinations of the Greek hinterland with natural beauty and important history. Nafpaktos Rest Day. Nafpaktos is an idyllic setting in the shadows of the mountains of South Central Greece. There is some fantastic biking on offer today and it’s also possible to visit the Temple of Apollo in the acrhaeoligical site of Delphi, which in ancient times was considered the centre of the known world, the place where heaven and earth met. This was the place on earth where man was closest to God… Those feeling a little more energetic may wish to climb up to the Venetian Castle overlooking Nafpaktos and the Corinthian Gulf. Nafpaktos to Olympia Immersing ourselves in the Pelopennese we travel leisurely cross country through some remote mountainous regions to Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, which were celebrated every four years by the Greeks. Olympia is situated in a valley in Elis, in western Peloponnisos (Peloponnesus), through which runs the Alpheus River. Olympia to Monemvasia After a short visit to the thermal springs of Kaiafas in the morning we head south and west along a number of Greece’s most spectacular coastal sections to Monemvasia. Our destination today is easily one of the most impressive places in Greece. Located on the south eastern side of Peloponnese, Monemvasia was entirely carved on the back of an island in medieval times. The village is not visible from the mainland which allowed locals avoid enemy attacks. Originally the only way to reach Monemvasia was by boat but is now connected by a short causeway. A walk around the Castle Town is a travel to the past, while the sea view from the castle top is breath-taking. Monemvasia – Rest day An oppurtunity to soak up the beauty of Monevasia and get lost in its labyrinth of cobble alley ways or perhaps some local exploration. Monemvasia to Porto Heli Leaving Monemvasia behind us we traverse the Oros Paronas, the greatest mountain range of Peloponnese. Mount Parnon extends along the east side of the peninsula, separating the Laconian plain from the Argolic Gulf and ending at Cape Maléa in the southeast. About 86% of its area consists of forests – mostly black pine, cephalonian firs, oaks, maples and chestnut trees- and grasslands, while the rest is cultivated land. The protected forest of Juniperus drupaceae- a species of the cedar family- close to Malevi monastery is the only one of its kind in Europe. The range is also home to 113 rare plants, including 16 locally endemic ones, as well as one of the few remaining populations of jackals in the country.

Phone: +353 (0)53 9422415 Email:info@overlanders.ie Web:www.overlanders.ie

Circling the Argolic Gulf we arrive at Porto Heli, our destination and an ideal location for exploring the Island of Spetses the following morning. Spetses, an island boasting a long naval tradition, is famous for its significant contribution to the 1821 War of Independence. It was here that the revolution flag was raised on 3rd April 1821. The island has managed to retain its individual traditional character thanks to its well-preserved grand captain mansions, still bearing eloquent witness to the island’s glorious past. The picturesque old harbour and Dápia, a tourist and commercial centre where the heart of the island’s entertainment beats, are the trademarks of the town of Spetses. Tourists can take a romantic trip around the island in horse-drawn carriages and admire the grand mansions adorning the narrow cobbled streets of the island. If you are a sports lover, you may be aware of the unique athletic events organised every year in April named "Spetsathlon", where thousands of participants take part. Spetsathlon, the biggest triathlon in Greece, receives athletes from every corner of Greece and the world who enjoy the Swimming, Biking and Running races. Porto Heli to Athens As we travel north we prepare to leave the Pelopennese but not without a visit to the Great Theatre of Epidaurus which is defined as the most beautiful and best preserved of all ancient theatres. We will also have to oppurtunity for a photo stop at the Corinth Canal. A fitting end to a fantastic tour of Greece! We will be providing a more detailed itinerary on arrival to include hotel info and GPS co-ordinates. Please note that this is an outline route and maybe subject to change.