Like active travel? This is your Greek Islands trip.

We have a sizable Greek community in my hometown of Winnipeg. After visiting Athens and the Ionian Islands this past summer, I can’t fathom what it would be like to leave this incredibly beautiful country to live in northern climes. I’m not hating on Winnipeg, which has a lot to boast about, but man! Anyway, if you like active travel, this Greek Islands trip is for you.

While on a self-guided bike tour in Italy about a year ago, we met a couple that raved about touring the Greek islands with the German tour company, Inselhüpfen (Islandhopping). Forever in the state of planning our next adventure, we visited the website and were immediately intrigued. Islandhopping combines sea cruising with bike touring for an enchanting, active travel experience in a variety of locations. We booked it and convinced my father-in-law to join us.

Preparing to set sail

Everything about this trip was exceptional. Islandhopping assisted us with booking accommodations in Athens for a couple of days before the tour as well as transfer to the island of Corfu where we set sail. The company’s office was always responsive to our emails as we planned and prepared for our trip and everything was very well organized.

We were immediately delighted upon seeing The Panagiota, a beautifully crafted two-mast motor yacht, which would be our home for the next eight days.

Small group, expert guides

Our 10 fellow travellers from Germany, Spain, Australia, and Switzerland were fabulous shipmates and the boat crew was outstanding. Our tour guides, Lars Adam and Peter Lesser, were extremely knowledgeable about the regions we visited and managed the group perfectly in both German and English. When I took a wrong turn ahead of the group and cycled about 2 kilometres the wrong way (yes, even on a tour I have NO sense of direction) Lars immediately sped off to retrieve me, after which I endured much ribbing by the rest of my travel mates. The hybrid bikes the tour provides are of high quality and are tuned and perfectly adjusted for each rider.

Great balance of activity, relaxing at sea, and freedom to explore local sights

We might just be hooked on this form of travel. It’s the perfect balance between an active exploration of the countryside and a bit of pampering at sea. Mornings started with a hearty breakfast and review of the day’s bike ride. We’d then cycle anywhere from 30-50 kilometres to explore the island, returning to the boat early afternoon before the more intense heat of the day set in. We’d have time to explore the port on our own or have lunch at a local spot. Every day included a swim stop off the side of the boat, which was heavenly. No crowded beaches – just pristine, bluer-than-blue water as your own private swimming hole. The boat then sails to the next port for the following day’s adventure.

The tour was punctuated with breathtaking sights, ancient ruins, and sumptuous Greek cuisine. We were routinely amazed at the fabulous meals we ate aboard the boat that were prepared in a tiny galley kitchen. Our sleeping cabins were also amazingly well appointed for such a small space and included a private bath with shower.

Other notable highlights were sailing under the massive Rio-Anitrio cable bridge and through the impossibly narrow Corinth Canal. Oh, and I can’t forget the squealing excitement of spotting dolphins swimming alongside of the boat!

Next up – Vietnam

We are now planning an Islandhopping tour of Vietnam this spring, which will feature kayaking in addition to cycling and boating. We can’t wait!

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