Sail & Cycle Aegina

Aegina is a popular weekend getaway for Athenians because it is a charming Greek island only two hours sail away, seventeen nautical miles distance from Athens shores.   Aegina is famous for its pistachios and has an annual pistachio festival in September.   No visitor should leave without purchasing a souvenir bag of red or green nuts.  In the harbor town, besides strolling and shopping, visit a soap workshop to see how soap is made using organic olive oil.

Sail aboard the Apollon, a handcrafted traditional wooden sailing yacht, 25 meters long.  The yacht has 7 cabins with en suite bath, a fully equipped galley and indoor salon.   Guests have use of the cabins and showers during the cruise.  The Apollon’s average speed is ten knots per hour.

Guests bike to the Aegina’s premier attraction, the 5th century BC  Temple of Aphaia located thirteen kilometers from the port; it is one of the best preserved temples in Greece.  The entire loop route is 36 km rising to an elevation of 157 meters.  On the return to Aegina harbor guests can stop for a casual hike in Paleochora, a picturesque abandoned village peppered with little chapels.

An alternative easier flat route with no elevations is to bike from Aegina harbor to Perdika and back (19.20 km) and/or from the harbor to Vathy and back (15.40 km)

Cruise Duration

08:30  –  18:30   10 hours (includes two half-hour transfers)

PARTICIPATION

Cruises for private groups from May 1 to October 31.

Minimum 10 guests.  Maximum 30 guests (per yacht).  If more than 30 guests, we offer a second similar traditional yacht to sail regatta style.

CRUISE ITINERARY

• 08:30 – 09:00 Transfer guests from central Athens to Alimos Marina (1/2 hour)
• 09:00 – 11:00 Sail from Alimos Marina to Aegina harbor (2 hours)
• 11:00 – 16:00   Explore Aegina island by biking and hiking, lunch in Aegina harbor or Perdika (5 hours)
• 16:00 – 18:00 Sail from Aegina to Alimos Marina (2 hours)
• 18:00 – 18:30 Transfer guests from Alimos Marina to central Athens (1/2 hour)

CRUISE INCLUSIONS

• Coach transfers between central Athens and Alimos at start and end of cruise
• Apollon Yacht with four-man crew
• Diesel, insurance and port taxes
• One Cruise Director / Hostess per 20 passengers
• One Bike Guide per 10 bikers
• Road or hybrid bicycles
• Open bar: wine, beer, beverages, coffee and snacks during the cruise
• Lunch: Three course meal with appetizers, salad, fish or meat entrée, dessert, wine or beer
• Entry fees to Temple of Aphaia
• VAT

CRUISE NOTES

Electric bike is an upgrade of 30 euros per person.  Our 2017 fleet of electric bicycles allow any person to cover any terrain.  This includes seniors, overweight persons, people with knee or hip handicaps, ladies who want to keep up with their husbands.  (No electric bikes for children).

At least one week in advance of the tour, guests must provide name, gender, age and height.

Clients are given helmets and are required to wear them during the bike tour.

The cruise itinerary is under the Captain’s discretion ensuring the safety of the guests and punctuality of schedule.   Actual return time can sometimes be slightly delayed by sea conditions.

The Apollon’s home port is Alimos Marina from where passengers embark and return at the end of the cruise.

We own and operate the yacht Apollon.  In the event there are more than 40 guests for Sail & Cycle Aegina, we manage other traditional wooden yachts to make a regatta.

If the Apollon is engaged on the selected date, a substantially similar yacht is offered on the same terms and conditions.