On the Tracks of Odysseus is a two week individual cycle/ mountain bike program (can be booked weekly), leading the cyclists on an easy way and at their own pace along mountains and beautiful coastlines, through picturesque villages and to Corfu’s most pristine beaches, using mainly quiet and minor roads through century old olive groves, and covering an amazing variety of scenery and featuring the most beautiful and interesting parts of Corfu Island. Overnight accommodation on the way has been arranged for you in superior 3* and 4* hotels with beach location during week 1  and in charming B&B type tavernas during week 2, luggage-transportation has been included, and with the help of step-by-step detailed route descriptions - complete with culinary and other useful tips - we invite you to experience the very best our island has to offer. In each hotel you will stay two consecutives nights (except the last night), whereby you can either include a day of relaxation or explore the area according the route-descriptions. The daily itineraries cover average 40Km distance enabling you to enjoy the sites around you, to meet and make friends with local people, to be never in a hurry and to have ample time for your lunch at a waterfront-taverna followed by a Greek style siesta.

Itinerary North Island
DAY 1: “Corfiot Villages”: Distance 19Km; ½ day easy cycling. On the day of ARRIVAL you have the opportunity to visit two or three of the most picturesque villages with fabulous views over the island, which are located on the green hillside just above Dassia. Stay at the waterfront in Dassia Beach Hotel, well known because it’s Greek style taverna, from where you can “touch” the sea!
DAY 2: “Corfu Highlights”: Distance two times 23 ½ Km; full day easy cycling. Country roads lead you into Corfu Town for a visit of one of the medieval fortresses or monuments in the historical center, full with cobbled stone alleys and many tiny shops. Followed by the Monastery of Vlacherna and Mouse Island at Kanoni and the highlight of the day: Sissy’s Achilleion Palace, but as well the Queen’s Well and her favourite kafeneion… Stay in Dassia Beach Hotel: tonight you may select another traditional taverna or enjoy a haute-cuisine dinner nearby The Castello…
DAY 3: “Around Mount Pantokrator”: Distance 42Km; full day cycling with some hilly bends. From Dassia to Acharavi along the magnificent “for your eyes only” coastal road. You should visit one of the many romantic and secluded bays with each a few taverna’s like Kalami or Kouloura. With fascinating views of the Albanian coastline, you will pass by the picturesque port of Kassiopi with its Castle, dating from Emperor Nero’s Roman times and Corfu’s most NE point. Than along the sea to the lagoon of St. Spiridon and through the forest of Cape Ekaterini via an off-road track along the sea you will reach the Acharavi Beach Hotel *rooms include SatTV, airco and fridge). Dinner served at the pool/beach side.
DAY 4: “Go West”: Distance 42Km; full day easy to moderate cycling. Canal d’Amour at touristic Sidari, followed by the very traditional and unknown NW side of the island, like the enormous cliffs at Peroulades, large sandy beaches at San Stefano and a plurality of chapels and churches in the very medieval villages, where they serve the best Greek coffee on “the plateia”… Stay in Acharavi Beach Hotel
DAY 5: “The Rock of Odysseus”: 41Km; full day easy cycling but with one strenuous climb at Trombeta Pass. Alternatively the “go-getters” may choose for “the bella-vista” route to the best view of Europe… From Acharavi via Paleokastritsa, by many considered as one of the most beautiful resorts of the island, to picturesque Liapades, a medieval lively village with beach side accommodation. Via a small climb to the pretty village of Karousades, with fabulous views all over the northern coastline, and some culture at Kavalouri, we advise today a very special village lunch in Doukades, home of the Theotoki winery, and followed by a visit of the famous Byzantine monastery at Paleokastritsa and/or a swim in the crystal clear waters. Stay in accommodation of the reputed “Cricketer Taverna”! Tonight you must try Spiros’ Corfiot cuisine!
DAY 6: “History & Golden Beaches”: Distance 49Km; full day easy to moderate cycling through the Ropa Valley with its extensive vine yards and rural villages. History in the morning with Wilhelm’s “Kaiser’s Throne” at Pelekas, with fabulous views over all Corfu, and education in the Corfu Folk Museum in the colorful village of Sinerades, where you should try marvelous homemade feta cheese accompanied with local wine on the village square. Relaxation in the afternoon at your choice of one of Corfu’s most pristine sandy beaches… Overnight in The Cricketer Taverna. Tonight you should ride to the village and have an ouzo with the locals, before enjoying a marvelous fish dish at The Cricketer!
DAY 7: “Coast-to-Coast”: 15-21Km; easy cycling. Today alternatively you may rent a small motorboat at the taverna’s beach and pay a personal visit “to the rock of Odysseus” and discover these beaches where only the gulls say “hello” to you and what really means turquoise waters… Return to Dassia will be according your preference crossing the Ropa Valey and via Gouvia to Dassia, visiting a second time Corfu Town or return straight via the village-route to Dassia and on the way visit a Wine Estate dating from Venetian times! Stay again in Dassia Beach Hotel, enjoy your last dinner on Corfu at the waterfront! Overnight Dassia Beach Hotel.
DAY 8:  Departure after breakfast.

 

PACKAGE, PRICE and ACCOMMODATION:
Package price per person
The program can start any day of the week   Package price includes the following:

• Giant ATX series (Shimano Deore LX 27 gears, slick tires, disc brakes) or Touring/Hybrid Giant Leader or Giant Expedition --  for 7 days of category Recreation, Cross Country or Free Ride

• Accessories: Giant backpack and bidon, repair-set, pump, lock and helmet. Luggage rack on request as it does not adapt on all models.

• Delivery/collection from the station

• Welcome information at the station

• Welcome envelope with map and detailed route-descriptions

• Luggage transportation on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

• Accommodations:
  3 star Dassia Beach - excellent seafront hotel  (2 and 1 nights)
  2 nights in 3 star and better Acharavi Beach -- beachfront with pool
  2 nights 3 star Cricketer Taverna / Liapades Beach with pool. seafront. excellent Taverna (80 m from beach)

Monastery

Dassia Beach Hotel

Acharavi Beach Hotel