Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION

Greece is still an unspoilt country with a unique heart and spirit and absolutely made for motorcycling. Among the highlights are the extraordinary rock formations of the Meteora region crowned by Byzantine monasteries, the mythical village of Delphi which was once home to the legendary oracle and the engineering wonder that is the Corinth Canal.

Greece is a fantastic destination and incredible place to ride your bike. It is however quite a distance from the UK and does contain some reasonable high mileage days on the route to and from the ferry port at Ancona. Therefore in order to cover the distance there is unfortunately no alternative but to use the Autoroute system for some of the journey. The Autoroute’s on the continent are far quieter and more relaxed than in the UK and therefore travelling these distances is much easier than you may imagine.

Due to some high mileage days and challenging rural and mountain roads this tour would be suitable for riders who are used to covering long distances and understands and accepts the above.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 395 Miles

Your tour starts as you exit the Euro tunnel at Calais and join the motorway systems for the ride down to your first hotel located just a few yards from the motorway. The modern 4 star hotel which has a relaxed friendly atmosphere is the perfect place to unwind after your journey. If required we can book the Euro tunnel a day earlier enabling you to extend your holiday and also halve the first day’s mileage.

Day 2: 350 Miles

Although still utilising the Autoroute system the scenery becomes more mountainous as you continue your journey south through Switzerland. You will be required to purchase a Vignette at the Swiss border in order to use the motorway system in Switzerland. More details will be supplied in your tour pack. Located just a few miles from the town of Parma your destination this evening is a grand 5 star hotel with all the amenities you would expect. 

Day 3: 215 Miles

Today you arrive in Ancona for the over night ferry crossing to Igoumenitsa in Greece. The modern fleet of ships covering the route are equipped with à la carte and self-service restaurants, café and music bars.

Day 4: 60 Miles

The coast of Greece now fills the horizon as you reach the port of Igoumenitsa. You arrive mid-day allowing plenty of time to enjoy the journey as you make your way to a luxury 5 star hotel set just a few yard from Pamvotida lake. Although a short mileage day today the route takes you through the winding forested roads of Mount Parnonas. This is the perfect start to you tour of Greece and an ideal introduction of what is to come.

Day 5: 75 Miles

Today is another relatively short mileage day as you make you way to the incredible mountain village of Meteora. Meteora is one of the gems of Greece and second only to Mount Athos as being the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Located in north-western Thessaly, Meteora consists of a multitude of rock pinnacles topped with a total of 24 monasteries. The immense rock formations which were formed over 90 million years ago have been split by earthquakes, weathered by water and wind and now stand as one of nature’s authentic masterpieces. It was a picture of Meteora that prompted our first visit to this area and the reason we now include this must-see area in our tours.

Day 6: 146 Miles

Today’s route is a mixture of open plains and mountains as you head towards your next destination which is a small harbour village close to the town of Volos. Sitting directly on the shoreline between the Gulf of Pagasitikos and the Pelion Mountains this picturesque village features many sea front restaurants and taverns where you can sample the specialties of Pelion and delicious fish dishes. Your base for the next two nights is a wonderful five star hotel situated directly on the sea-front.

Day 7: 70 Miles

Today is a ride or rest day where you are free to take the supplied ride-out into the Pelion Mountains or just sit back and relax on the beach or take a drink at the hotels pool side bar. 

Day 8: 135 Miles

Leaving Volos behind your journey continues through low mountains and forests as you now turn south towards the Mythical village of Delphi. Legend has it that Zeus himself unleashed two eagles from opposite ends of the earth in order to locate its centre, the two eagles met over Delphi dropping the stone which marks the centre of the earth. The ‘Omphalos’ or navel stone still marks the centre of the earth and can still be seen at the sites museum. During the 8th century b.c, Delphi was also famous for its oracle: a priestess who sat on a tripod, inhaled ethylene gasses, and muttered incomprehensible words that foretold the future. Somewhere deep inside I feel I have met this person on one of our past tours.

Day 9: Ride-out: 65 Miles

Today is a ride or rest day where you are able to choose your own itinerary which could be simply relaxing by the pool, visiting the spectacular ruins of Delphi or taking the supplied ride-out to the Parnassos mountains which at an altitude of 2,260 metres, ranks among the highest mountains in Greece. 

Day 10: 177 Miles

Leaving Delphi you take the sweeping EO48 before arriving at the famous Corinth canal. This incredible feat of engineering was completed in 1893 and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former an island. Later in the day you will visit the amphitheatre at Epidavrou. The theatre was built in the fourth century BC and is a marvel of ancient construction. Its exceptional acoustics permitted all of the 15,000 spectators, regardless of seating position, to hear every word spoken from the centre of the theatre. Located just a short distance from the lively city of Nafplion your hotel for the evening is a luxurious four star hotel featuring a large outdoor swimming pool and courtyard bar area.

Day 11: 142 Miles

Describing today’s route as probably one of the best you will ever ride is not an understatement. Within minutes of leaving the hotel you reach the Aegean coast road which is quite simply stunning. Mile after mile of sweeping traffic free roads with the mountains on one side and the Aegean Sea on the other it just does not get much better. The superb roads and vistas keep coming as you now head into the Laconian Mountains. To complete an absolutely stunning day you will ride the Langadha pass to Kalamata which is guaranteed to fulfil your every riding dream. Your hotel for the evening sits directly on Messinian bay and features an outdoor swimming pool and private beach.

Day 12: 115 Miles 

Your journey north now takes you deep into the Taygetos Mountains of the Peloponnese. The roads climb and descend and twist and turn through a landscape fit for the gods. As you ride through this fantastic country the passes are reminiscent of other great biking destinations such as the Pyrenees, the Picos de Europa and the Austrian Alps, while all the time remaining uniquely Greek. Your route continues as you navigate through small villages untouched for centuries and where life continues at the same pace as it always has. The final destination today is the ancient archaeological town of Olympia. 

Day 13: 68 Miles

The hotel is close to the site of the original Olympic village and your mid-day departure today will leave plenty of time to visit the ancient ruins in the morning. The stadium at Olympia was constructed around 5th century BC and in its heyday could hold 40,000 spectators. To this day the Olympic flames still begins its journey from this place as it has done for thousands of years. The short journey to the ferry takes you over a little used but stunning mountain road to the ferry port at Patras and your overnight ferry back to Italy.

Day 14: 93 Miles

Today is a time for a little relaxation as you sail across the Adriatic Sea back for your afternoon arrival in Ancona. A swift motorway journey follows as you head to another 4 star hotel for your next overnight stay.

Day 15: 325 Miles

Although today is mainly Autoroute the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous as you continue your journey towards the towering peaks of the French Alps. Located in the city centre of Chamonix your hotel tonight offers a roof-top spa with a panoramic view over Mont Blanc, outdoor swimming pool, hot-tub and massage rooms.

Day 16: 295 Miles

Your day starts by riding through the Rhone Alps towards Geneve and into the Franche comté region which is acclaimed for its rolling fields, dense forests and of course the Jura Mountains. You are now in real biking country and your route takes you through the sweeping roads of the Jura and into Burgundy. Continuing north you enter the champagne region before arriving at your hotel which is located in the medieval city of Troyes.

Day 17: 260 Miles

Following breakfast you take a leisurely route through the champagne vineyards before joining the motorway system to Calais and your afternoon Euro tunnel crossing to Folkestone. Euro Tunnel times are flexible and can be changed to suit individual requirements.

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

"What a lovely time we had, everyone's smiling. It didn't matter who was sitting with who as everything was so relaxed. So glad we were able to share the very special atmosphere that seemed to dominate the whole tour"

Garry & Linda ~ Greece

"Just too say thanks for another great tour. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait for next year's now.

Dave - Greece 2017