Wonders of the Ancient World

Greece

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Overview Highlights Itinerary Questions

Wonders of the Ancient World

Greece

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23 Day Self-Guided Tour

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Self Guided Greece: Wonders of the Ancient World|23|23|8995|7895|6295

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Home Our Tours Self Guided Wonders of the Ancient World
Cross five European countries in 23 days to explore the wonders of the ancient world.
Find out more about the Magellan team.
Explore the beauty of Greece, where relaxed, welcoming locals, excellent hotels, biker-friendly roads, and days off filled with rich history create the perfect tour for both riders and pillions.
  • Self Guided Tour
  • 23 Days
  • 3500 miles
  • Folkestone, UK
  • HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE
BEST TIME TO GO

May to September

Your adventure begins with night in Folkestone, a Eurotunnel trip to Calais early the following day, then by a ride to Reims via the disused MotoGP track still flanked by the classic grandstands. From there, you journey through the stunning scenery of the Vosges mountains, heading into Switzerland.

Crossing the Alps and riding along the picturesque shores of Lake Como, you'll settle into your overnight hotel. The next day, you wind past Bologna and into the Apennine mountains, experiencing some of Italy’s finest riding. After leaving Faenza, you descend into Ancona for your overnight ferry to Greece.

Once in Greece, you take a day off to explore Meteora, famous for its awe-inspiring cliff-top monasteries. These incredible structures, perched atop towering rock formations, offer breath-taking views and are said to represent man's desire to connect with the divine.

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Explore Ancient Wonders

The next morning, you ride from Meteora to the coastal town of Volos, passing by Mount Olympus, the legendary home of the ancient gods. The roads are sublime, and the sheer scale of the mountain explains why the Greeks believed it to be a divine residence. After visiting Hercules’ birthplace, you ride the ‘old national road,’ a favourite among bikers, through the mountains to Athens, your base for the next two nights. Staying near the beach and with easy tram access to the city, you enjoy a day off the bike to explore the capital, sip Ouzo, and visit iconic sites like the Acropolis and the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s library.

From Athens, you ride to Nafplion, crossing the mountains and descending to the beautiful Gulf of Corinth, famous for its canal and the remarkably preserved 2,000-year-old amphitheatre at Epidavros. From Nafplion, you embark on a classic Magellan day, riding to Kalamata via 80 km of the renowned Aegean coast road. After stunning coastal scenery and crystal-clear seas, you climb to 1,300 metres over the adjacent mountains, reaching the Spartan plains—the birthplace of Helen of Troy. From there, the spectacular mountain roads rival Switzerland’s best, climbing to what feels like the top of the world before dropping down to Kalamata on the coast.

There's historic ruins aplenty on this trip

You continue your journey to Ancient Olympia, riding along small mountain roads and crossing another 1,300-metre pass to visit the 2,500-year-old Temple of Apollo, secluded in the mountains. From there, you descend over 1,000 metres to Ancient Olympia, almost at sea level. In Olympia, you’ll have a day off the bike to explore the extensive ruins of the original Olympic Games, visit the Museum of Antiquities, and the fascinating Archimedes Museum.

The following day, you ride to Patras to catch the overnight ferry to Ancona, marking the start of your return journey. After an overnight stop in Italy, you head through Switzerland and back into France. Finally, you cruise back to the Eurotunnel and home.

Ride in the land of Gods and Monsters with Magellan.

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Tour highlights

Alpine Passes: From Switzerland, you traverse the Alps, taking in some of the lesser-known, quieter scenic passes, and riding past a series of pristine lakes before reaching the stunning shores of Lake Como.

Aegean Coast Road: With views of the turquoise sea and long, sweeping bends, this road winds through unspoilt towns, offering an unforgettable and exceptional ride along the Aegean coast.

'They say that Greece is the most mountainous country in Europe and fortunately for us, that is spot on! Many trips offer cultural days out in some form or another but none I have ever been come anywhere near this one to Greece, sensational in every respect. Thanks Magellan for one of the most incredible tours I have done to date.'
David B

Suspended Monasteries at Meteora: These surreal, almost otherworldly monasteries are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Perched atop towering, 1,000-foot-high conical rocks, these ancient monasteries are as breathtaking as they are unique.

Ancient Olympia: Explore the site of the original Olympic Games, including the newly excavated race circuits and stadium. Visit the Temple of Zeus, adorned with stunning sculptures and frescoes, and discover the Archimedes Museum, showcasing full-sized replicas of incredible ancient inventions.

Amphitheatre at Epidavros: This remarkably preserved Greek amphitheatre once seated nearly 12,000 spectators, every one of whom could hear a whisper from the stage. The acoustics are truly astounding—you can even stand on the stage today and experience it for yourself.

Corinth Canal: Carved 80 metres deep and stretching 6 km, this canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. For the daring, there’s even an option to bungee jump from the bridge into the canal!

Mount Olympus: Ride around the legendary home of the twelve Greek gods. Standing at 3,000 metres, it’s the highest mountain in Greece, offering spectacular views and sweeping roads perfect for a thrilling ride.

Athens, Parthenon, and the Acropolis: Explore ancient Athens, visit the iconic Acropolis, and wander through the ruins of Hadrian’s library. Or, if you prefer, relax on the beach by the hotel with a cocktail and some delicious food. Athens is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and tourism, making for a truly exciting and unique adventure.

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Tour Map / Itinerary

Full Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Day

Spend your first night in Folkestone, ready to cross the Channel early the next day. If you're renting a bike, you'll collect it from near London earlier this day before riding to Folkestone.

Day 2 191 Miles

Eurotunnel to Calais, then onward to Reims, via the disused GP track.

Day 3 216 Miles

Reims to the incredible Vosges mountains.

Day 4 170 Miles

From the Vosges, we head into Switzerland.

Day 5 170 Miles

Ride through Switzerland to Toscolano Maderno in Italy, taking in some spectacular mountain roads.

Day 6 160 Miles

Toscolano Maderno to Faenza, Italy.

Day 7 150 Miles

Faenza to Ancona, where we board the overnight ferry to Igoumenitsa, Greece.

Day 8 140 Miles

From Igoumenitsa to the breathtaking suspended monasteries of Meteora.

Day 9 Explore Day

A day off the bike to explore the stunning Meteora hanging monasteries.

Day 10 140 Miles

Meteora to Volos, riding via the legendary Mount Olympus.

Day 11 200 Miles

Volos to Athens, passing through Hercules’ birthplace.

Day 12 Explore Day

Day off to explore the vibrant city of Athens.

Day 13 130 Miles

Athens to Nafplion via the Corinth Canal and the amphitheatre at Epidavros.

Day 14 135 Miles

Nafplion to Kalamata along the stunning Aegean coast road.

Day 15 100 Miles

Kalamata to Ancient Olympia, riding through incredible mountain roads.

Day 16 Explore Day

A day off to explore the ancient ruins of Olympia and the fascinating Archimedes Museum.

Day 17 80 Miles

Olympia to Patras for the overnight ferry to Ancona, Italy.

Day 18 80 Miles

Ancona to Cesena.

Day 19 290 Miles

Cesena to Switzerland.

Day 20 170 Miles

Switzerland to Besançon, France.

Day 21 180 Miles

Besançon to Reims.

Day 22 200 Miles

Reims to Calais for your final night before heading home.

Day 23 Departure Day

Cross back over into the UK via the Eurotunnel then ride on home full of new and exciting memories! If you're renting a bike, you'll return it to near London on this day before making your onward journey.

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What's included
If you select motorcycle rental, insurance and breakdown cover is included.
20 nights’ accommodation in high-quality hotels.
Eurotunnel Return Trip (Folkestone-Calais): If Folkestone isn’t convenient for you, alternative crossings can be arranged—please see the Q&A below.
Return Overnight Ferry Crossings (Italy-Greece-Italy): Cabin accommodation included for both crossings.
Enjoy an ice-breaking welcome meal, a final farewell feast, and excellent breakfasts each morning at the hotels.
Full access to all leisure facilities at each hotel.
Detailed route plans, maps, and GPS coordinates for Garmin/TomTom devices.
A comprehensive daily schedule with sights, suggested lunch stops, and fuel locations.
What's not
Fuel.
Toll charges
Admission charges.
Occasional hotel parking charges.
Meals and drinks other than 
specified above.
Travel/breakdown insurance covering repatriation back to the UK.

Full Pricing

Bike Option Single Rider Price
(Total for 1 rider, 1 bike)		 Rider & Passenger
(Total for 2 riders, 1 bike)		 Two Bikes, Shared Room
(Total for 2 riders, 2 bikes)
Own Bike £8995 £12590 £15790
HD Ultra Limited £15895 £19490 £29590
HD Street Glide £15895 £19490 £29590
/BMW K1600 GTL £14515 £18110 £26830
BMW R1250GS £13595 £17190 £24990
BMW R1250RT £13595 £17190 £24990

Rental prices calculated based on 23 rental days (minimum required for this tour). All prices are total.
For this table, the "Two Bikes, Shared Room" prices assume rental of two of the same model, which isn't required and in some cases may not be possible.
All bikes come with luggage included. Top boxes and GPS can be rented, subject to availability, for an additional charge.

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Common questions about this trip

Can I get a different crossing on this trip?

Of course! Many of our clients prefer to take a ferry from further north. If you’d like to do this and meet the group at the first night’s hotel, just let us know in the comments section of your booking form. We’ll then deduct the cost of the Eurotunnel crossing from your booking.

When is the best time of year to do this trip?

While weather can be unpredictable, most of this route enjoys warm and sunny conditions, but it shouldn’t be too hot. A combination of vented gear and waterproofs with some base layers should cover all weather possibilities. We provide a full kit and packing list, and we’re happy to offer advice on packing for any of our trips.

Will I find this tour too tiring?

We design all our tours to be suitable for riders of all abilities, with plenty of stops and rest days built in. While these longer tours could be shortened by 4-5 days, we intentionally include multiple rest days and avoid motorways where possible, so you can enjoy the ride and arrive at your hotel with time to relax before dinner.

More information
For general information on planning and preparing for motorcycle trips including what to pack please see our Prepare for your trip section.
More Information
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