Itinerary

Day 1

Thessaloniki is a UNESCO world heritage site, due to the great number of Byzantine monuments. But it is a mistake to believe that this is the only interesting thing about the city. In fact, there are so many attractions to visit and enjoy that you will just take a taste of it. Depending on your arrival time, we will make stops at the archeological and the Byzantine culture museums, the Eptapirgio or Yedi Cule (Thessaloniki's acropolis), churches of great interest including those of Agios Demetrius, Agia Sophia, Acheropiitos and the monasteries of Vlatades and Osios David. We will have ouzo and meze before we continue to the Roman agora (market) and the numerous cafes on the waterfront. A walk in the city center and a drink in a cozy bar is a must before getting to bed!

Day 2

We start our tour early, heading to Arnea, a scenic small town, choosing a twisting mountain road through the oak tree forest. From there, we ride to Olympiada (named after Alexander's the Great mother) and we make a stop at a beautiful small plane tree shadowed valley, to admire the ruins of the castle of Redina and an old monastery. After this small brake we will pass Asprovalta, using the old road parallel to the new Via Egnatia, we will see the Amphipolis Lion standing by the road to remind a great victory of Phillip the II (father of Alexander), and visit the near-by archeological site and museum. On the road again, following the coast line to Kavala, stopping for a swim or refreshment when we fill like it or visiting the important archeological site of Philippi. There a lot to see in Kavala, like the Roman water-reservoir, the scenic port, the Imaret -an Ottoman building recently rebuild to a hotel etc. Our hotel in the quite village of Toxotes is just 30 minutes away, so we can spent some time in Kavala.

Day 3

We will visit the island of Thasos, to enjoy riding and the sea. The port of Keramoti is less then 30 minutes away (Of course we can make a detour to visit the Kotza Orman Forest on the banks of Nestos river), and the ferry will take as to Limenas or Thasos in about 40 minutes. The circumnavigation of the island is about 90 kilometers, with the road next to the beaches and through pine trees or olive groves. We will ride counter clock-wise to Limenaria, and then Potos with the crowded beaches nearby. After a swim, we will ride to the mountain village of Theologos and its famous taverns. We will return to the coastal road, and our next stop is at the impressive monastery of Arhangelos (there is an alterative unpaved route for that part). After Aliki, an amazing beach with ruins of ancient temple we will visit Potamia and Panagia, situated at the mountain slops, overlooking a long sandy beach known as Golden Coast and worth a visit. From here Limenas is a few kilometers away. And we can stay as long we wish, until the last ferry departs.

Day 4

For starters, we will visit the Nestos river valley, just 2 km from the hotel, where we can walk next to the river. The town of Xanthi is only 10km away, and today we will visit a big open market. It is colorful and crowded and you can find almost everything. The different thing about this area is the mix of the cultures, as Christians and Muslims live here. Next to the market is the Old City and we will wonder in the narrow stone tiled streets, taste delicious sweets (one of the things Xanthi is known about) and relax at a cafe. Our next target is the fishing village of Porto Lagos, situated between the sea and Lake Vistonida, a Ramsar convention site, with the Agios Nikolaos monastery on a small island in the lagoon, and the popular Fanari beach. We will take a different road back, to visit Avdira archaeological site, home of Democritus, followed by extensive sandy beaches and finally a road through corn fields and scenic agricultural villages. But there is something more to do! A twisty road will take us to the top of the mountain to have a look at the Nestos Valley meanders from above, before dinning near the river.

Day 5

Today the scenery changes as we move towards the mountain of Rodopi. Just outside Xanthi we'll make a small detour to see two important monasteries overlooking the town, and continue on the narrow curvy road towards Stavroupoli were we will stop for a coffee at the small scenic square. We'll continue parallel to Nestos River for a while, and then we'll climb to Livaditis village enjoying every meter of the road. But the best part is from here to Forest Village, 8 km of perfectly designed for bikers, freshly paved road. We return the same road to Paranesti, we leave all unnecessary things at the hotel and we make a fast loop ride to the Thesaurus Dam, the largest in Greece. After lunch and a short visit to the nature museum we'll ride to Arkoudorema area and if you don't mind riding unpaved road we can visit the Livaditis waterfall. And all that happens in a dense mixed forest interrupted only by small whitewater rivers and grass fields!

Day 6

If you liked the places we visited so far, today you'll be amazed! We will get deep into the mountains of Rodopi, reaching the entrance of Frakto Forest Complex, or best known as Frakto Virgin Forest, a place that no human activity has been recorder for about 500 years! Unfortunately the entrance is not allowed, but the rest area is not less interesting or beautiful. We'll know ride to Elatia Forest or Kara Dere (Black Forest) using small unpaved roads, (The whole ride is in impressive forest scenery, and the Frakto & Elatia are just names of places in a huge forest complex), passing from Stravorema. From Elatia we get on paved road riding towards Skaloti before we get dusted again following the artificial lake of Thesaurus Dam back to Paranesti. (The total distance on unpaved roads will be about 70km, but every meter worth it). Of course we can avoid the unpaved road, visiting the town of Drama, riding some 50km more.

Day 7

Full with incomparable emotions and images we will ride to the town of Drama. The caves of Alistrati and Maara are next on schedule, before we ride to the town of Serres. There are two options, the short one including only Alistrati staying on the main road and the long one with both the caves included, and a beautiful mountain ride. From Serres, we'll ride to Lithotopos for our first meet with Lake Kerkini, (a Ramsar site and the largest emigrational birds' colony of Greece) and we'll ride next to the banks to the hotel at Kerkini village. The lake is just 500m away and there are many activities available for the rest of the day, including a slide show presentation of the lake.

Day 8

The day is dedicated to the lake and the surrounding area. A circumnavigation of the lake will reveal its beauty, and a short deviation to Aggistro thermal baths can be arranged. Before we return to the village a visit to the adjacent mountain settlements is a must. After lunch, the program is free, so you can just explore the beautiful hills around the lake, take part in activities like canoeing, cycling, bird-watching, 4x4 vehicle tour or just have a coffee in the flowery hotel garden

Day 9

The trip to Thessaloniki airport is about 90min, so we leave on time for your flights. For those flying late, Thessaloniki will fill their time.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Fuel (all fuel needed for the tour or 1 tank for those not following the group on rest days)

Exclusions -

Alcohol drinks. at lunches / dinners

Extras -

Rider in twin room
F 650 GS ABS € 2.290
R 1200 GS ABS € 2.650
Rider & pillion in twin/double room
F 650 GS ABS € 3.790
R 1200 GS ABS € 4.150

Solo or group tour available