Northern Route - Sample Itinerary
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.
Southern Route - Sample Itinerary
Day 1: On the day of arrival we suggest a short cycle tour along the Merlin Estate (koum kouat trees!) to Gouvia to visit the prestigious marina and shipyards, dating from Venetian times. Stay at the waterfront in Dassia Beach Hotel, well known because it’s traditional Greek style taverna, from where you can “touch” the sea!
Day 2: “The Kaisers’ Throne”: Distance 47.5Km; 1/1 day moderate cycling with one 4Km moderate climb from Pyrgi to Ano Korakiana, and one 2KM strenuous ascent up to the village of Pelekas. We start the day with a visit of two of most picturesque villages, which are located on the green hillside just above Dassia. We continue along a selection of villages at the north side of the Ropa Valley, via Palekastritsa monastery, and a short climb brings us to the medieval stone village of Giannades: from the village square you may walk (1 hour) to The Black Point with fabulous views to the petrified ship of Odyssey in the waters south of Paleokastritsa. We leave the valley and cycle up to the village of Kaiser Wilhelm: Pelekas.
Stay in “Jimmy’s Taverna” located in the centre a short walk (800m down) under the famous Sunset at The Kaisers’ Throne with its fabulous views over the island…
In case you book an extra night you may use the free shuttle service to the sandy beaches of Pelekas or Glyfada, take the bus to Corfu Town, or cycle to Corfu’s most pristine beach Mirtiotissa with a 14th century little monastery.
Day 3: “Heart of Corfu”: Distance approx. 35Km; 1/1 day easy / moderate west-east-west cycling with one 2.4Km strenuous ascent to Agia Deka. Leaving Pelekas we reach soon the well-preserved village of Sinerades with a 15th century campanile and mansions dating from Byzantine and Venetian times. You may visit the Historical Folk Museum situated in a traditional two-story village house. Cycling to the east we climb up to the “village of the ten saints” Agia Deka, where you will enjoy marvelous views to The Achilleion Palace and Corfu town from the local kafeneion. An almost 6Km long marvellous downhill will follow through ancient olive groves, and via the historical and lively village of Agios Matheos, we descend to the peaceful hamlet of Paramonas with its wonderful beach location.
Stay in the excellent seafront Sunset Taverna (private rooms with wash stand, but shared two bathrooms and very large balcony-terrace overlooking the beach and sea below).
Day 4: “Southern Contrast I”: Distance 52 (until rural Perivoli and visit Gardenos beach west of Vitalades) or 75Km (visit the most unknown villages South of Lefkimi; 1/1 plus day moderate cycling. The morning you may start with a Greek coffee in one of the many traditional kafeneions in Agios Matheos. Continue south we reach soon the peaceful and picturesque Eastern coastal country road which we follow km’s along the sea, passing by very traditional seashore villages like Boukari and Petriti with nice fish tavernas. Arriving in Perivoli, there are several options: continue to medieval Lefkimi, Corfu’s second largest town, to the most Southern point of the island passing by rural villages; or to the old village of Vitalades and enjoy the deserted, extensive sandy beaches with inviting surf (south-west coast), and have lunch in the marvelous original fish taverna Alexandros!
Stay in Sunset Taverna
Day 5: “Discover the South II”: Distance 24Km; easy cycling. Today you will discover one of the most special and still unknown areas of Corfu Island: the lagoon and dunes of Lake Korission (south-west). A quiet country road starting south of our taverna, along the impressive coast line and through ancient and huge olive groves brings us to the 13th century Byzantine fortress of Gardiki. Cycling through vineyards now, we soon reach the north-west corner of the lagoon: a very large habitat of flowers (orchids) and birds, and fish farming. You may cycle on a path between the sea and lagoon towards the dunes covered by a rare forest of cedar trees and spend the day at the lovely deserted sandy beach. The return way will lead you along Alonaki- and Prasoudi Beach with excellent fish tavernas “off-the-beaten-track”!
Stay at Sunset Taverna
Day 6: “Villages of Central Corfu”: Distance 42Km; moderate and strenuous cycling. From Paramonas we head north again via a sometimes very strenuous undulating country road. We visit a selection of hidden medieval villages like Kastellani and cycle through the unique pine forest around Kalafationes. Via the east side of the Ropa Valley and Danilla we return to Dassia.
Stay at Dassia Beach Hotel
Day 7: “A la Carte”: Today we leave you the choice, either a for relaxation at the beach in front of the hotel, or cycle routes to Corfu Town / Achilleion Palace, to Paleokastritsa and Bella Vista, along the picturesque coastal road to one of the pretty bays of the east coast facing mysterious Albania, or may be you wish to challenge Mount Pantokrator… Stay in Liapades
Day 8: Departure
