and cycling ability.

Crete was the first civilization on European soil with its ancient Minoan palace cities that you

can bike to, such as, Knossos, Phaestos or Malia. There are unheralded ruins of equal

interest, such as the mysterious Armeni Minoan cemetery and Fourni in Arhanes. Crete is

celebrated for its indigenous cuisine that epitomizes the healthy Mediterranean diet. Look

in the Extras tab about signing up for a Cretan cooking class or wine tasting, an ancient

tradition extending back to the Minoan era. There are wineries to visit throughout the

island.

Before or after your self-guided tour, we recommend booking the Athens Add-on that

immerses you in the culture of Athens and the Attica region with exciting activities: Historic

Rethymno to Hania on Day 10 by staying in the lovely traditional town of Vamos. The same

can be done for the Zaros-Rethymno route by an overnight in Spili, a town beloved for its

Venetian-era fountain with 19 lion heads. Overnight in Zaros two nights in order to bike the

second day in the south and visit the Matala caves, Minoan Phaestos and Roman Gortyna

ruins. Consider overnight in Axos with engaging agro-tourism activities at Enagron. Lots of

possibilities!

If you travel to Crete by sea via an overnight ferry from Piraeus (Athens’ port), you will travel

with the bikes. If you travel to Crete by air or by sea from a port other than Piraeus, the

bikes we will be waiting for you in Crete. On your arrival, you will be met by a CycleGreece

agent. Depending on your itinerary, you will either start biking to your first destination from

to the Minoan palace city of Malia.

Day 2: Tzermiado

Make a grand loop of the plateau, stopping at Lassinthos Eco Village and at Diktion Cave to

marvel at the gigantic stalactites and stalagmites. Cretans believe Zeus was born in this

cave. 25 km, 15 miles If you did not visit Malia yesterday, consider doing so today if you

are up for an almost 3,000 foot descent/ascent to the coast. Stop for lunch in Krasi, known

for fresh drinking water springs. 54 km, 32 miles

Day 3: Arhanes

Head west, over mountain ridges, cycling on back roads with goats and donkeys. Listen for

the cheery sound of their bells. En route make an optional 4 km detour to the Nikos

Minos’ throne; a replica was made for the chief judge at the International Court of Justice in

The Hague. 25 km 15 miles To avoid Herakleion’s urban traffic, we recommend taking at

taxi or bus from Knossos to Herakleion Archaeology Museum with its famed Minoan frescos

and the enigmatic Phaestos disc. There’s likely time for an afternoon Arhanes loop 24.50

km, 15 miles

Day 5: Zaros

Today you will plunge into the interior of central Crete to Zaros located in the Psiloritis

Mountains at 1394 feet 425 meters. Zaros is known for its bottled mineral water, fresh trout

and the E4 (European) hiking path. En route don’t miss the Monumental Olive Tree at

Panasos. Optional afternoon hike in the Rouvas Gorge. 55.52 km, 34.50 miles

If you opt to spend a second night in Zaros, the next day an inviting bike ride awaits you to

the Matala caves, Minoan Phaestos and the Roman ruins of Gortyna. 78.50 km, 48 miles

Day 7: Rethymno

streets or along its fourteen kilometer sandy beach. 67.70 km, 42 miles

Day 8: Hania

The ride to Hania passes the Minoan cemetery at Armeni with its fascinating tombs of

unknown origin. Halfway en route is the gorgeous sea at Giorgiopoli (Georgetown). The

final leg entails a climb over Malaxa village at 1500 feet high. 78 km, 48.50 miles

Instead of biking Rethymno to Hania on Day 8, if you want a shorter “smell the roses” tour

and an overnight in a traditional village, you can opt to bike Rethymno to Vamos and

continue the next day to Hania. This option allows a detour to Ancient Aptera and Koules

Fortress.

Day 9: Hania

Ascend from sea level to 1860 feet through the enchanting Therissos Gorge road. On the

to enable you to make a connecting flight home. Overnight ferries to Piraeus depart at 9:00

pm. Leave your bikes and gear at the hotel.

Below is our standard West to East itinerary, but it can be adjusted to add or subtract days

or substitute overnight destinations, as these examples indicate: Opt for additional cycling

days with an overnight in charming little Vamos located between Hania and Rethymno. In

Day 4: Rethymno

Spili to enjoy its fountain with water spewing from the mouths of 19 lions heads, you can opt

If you opt to spend a second night in Zaros, the next day an inviting bike ride awaits you to

the Matala caves, Minoan Phaestos and the Roman ruins of Gortyna. 78.50 km, 48 miles

After so much climbing, it is now time to descend into lower terrain. Head for Arhanes, a

“arhontiko,” the preserved old villas. Located only 15 km south of Herakleion, Arhanes is

famous for its local cuisine and wines. See the Extras tab for a cooking class and wine

Minoan frescos and the enigmatic Phaestos disc. There’s likely time for an afternoon

Arhanes loop 24.50 km, 15 miles

village on the Lassithi Plateau, one of the highest farming areas in Greece that once had

20,000 windmills, in use only a generation or so ago. 44 km, 27 miles

Day 9: Tzermiado

to enable you to make a connecting flight home. Overnight ferries to Piraeus depart at 9:00

Cost in euros based on double occupancy

abundant hospitality, comfort. All accommodations are standard doubles with option for

Arrival Transfer: East to West Day 1 transfer from Herakleion to bike start point

(Hersonissos) to Tzermiado. Option to transfer on Day 1 directly to hotel on any itinerary.

For hygienic purposes we encourage you to bring your own helmet.

• Travel insurance – see Extras tab