2013 Istanbul to Corfu (TURKEY & GREECE)

Tonight's accommodation is an 'optional extra', not included in the tour cost.

While in Istanbul enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the most intriguing cities in the world. We walk the major highlights of the historic city, such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern followed by a Bosphorous cruise and welcome dinner for the group.

Today we catch the ferry to Bandirma, a commercial centre with its harbour serving as one of the major ports for trade between Istanbul and Izmira on the Marmara Sea. This northwestern city was used by Christian Crusaders as a base of operations against the Greeks during their 13th century campaigns under the expansion of Byzantine Empire. Here we will get set up on the bikes and make final preparations before heading out tomorrow as we begin our ride towards Greece.

Today's ride is a picturesque day across the low hills of southern Marmara region towards the Aegean Sea. The scenery will help you push through the kilometres as you near the district of Lapseki, famous for its cherries and it's annual cherry festival.

This morning we cycle 65km to Troy, the city, both factual and legendary, located in northwest Anatolia in what is now Turkey, southeast of the Dardanelles and beside Mount Ida. It is best known for being the setting of the Trojan War described in the Greek Epic Cycle and especially in the Iliad, one of the two epic poems attributed to Homer. We then cycle 35km to Canakkale to take the ferry to Eceabat, a small, easy-going waterfront town with good access to the main Gallipoli sites which we will visit tomorrow. Ferries dock by the main square, Cumhuriyet Meydani, which has restaurants, hotels, ATMs and shops. Group dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Today is a very special day as we head out early to make the most of our time in this amazing place that has a place in the hearts of many Australians, New Zealanders and Turkish alike. The Battlefields and monuments of the Gallipoli peninsula are scattered right through our ride today as we stop at Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and other memorials taking in the eery and affecting atmosphere of the location. We arrive at the end of the day in the town of Gallipoli (Gelibolu) for our overnight accommodation.

Today is our last push through Turkey towards the border to Greece which we cross tomorrow. Yesterday's experience will be repeating in your mind as you wind down the kilometres towards Ipsala where we have our last group dinner in Turkey. For anybody booked on the short ride option, this will be your last night with the group before returning to Istanbul.

Today is a short day, allowing us plenty of time to cross the border into Greece. Once across we head towards the coast, having lunch at Feres, a lovely setting near the Evros River, which flows into the Mediterranean waters. We then head west to Anthia, then onto Alexandroupoli, which is right on the coastline.

Today is a big day, so it's an early departure then cycle along the coast for 30km, magnificent scenery, then north west through lovely villages before crossing the Filiouri River to Komotini an ancient city from the Byzantine era. It's now direct west through stunning country cycling along the base of the mountain range of northern Greece.

We leave the city of a thousand colours and continue to cycle below the magnificent vista of mountains to our right. We stop for a break at the Nestos River, a massive overflow from lakes high in the mountains. Krinides is our overnight, a town and ancient site that includes the archaeological site of Philippi.

Departing this fascinating historic village we cycle through lush farmland of chestnuts and oriental plan trees, with lots of creeks and rivers running off the 2000 meter Pangeon mountain range and the northern mountains of Macedonia. We lunch beside the massive Strymon River, flowing all the way from Bulgaria, near where it enters the Aegean Sea. Its then a beautiful ride along the Mediterranean coastline to the port of Stavros for an overnight stay.

We now head direct west across relatively flat roads, passing through Rentina before cycling alongside two stunning lakes, the Volvi and Koronia covering over 50km before our overnight and rest day at Thessaloniki.

A UNESCO world heritage site, Thessaloniki was an important metropolis of the Roman period. Explore these fascinating places, visit the White Tower, museums, markets, and try to imagine back 2,300 years, to when King Cassander named the town after his wife Thessalonike, half sister of Alexander the Great. Nike being Greek for victory.

Heading south west, we cycle through lots of little villages before crossing the Aliakmon River, then pushing down south, with the Pieria Ori mountains once again on your right, we cross many creeks and rivers which are beautiful, although they do tend to give the cyclist a roller coaster ride. Lunch at Katerini, then cycle alongside the biggest mountain in Greece, the mighty Olympus, with overnight beside the national park surrounding this monster.

These are fairly short days, with lots of beautiful scenery in them there hills. We go around the base of Mt Olympus, Greece's highest point, marveling at its grandeur.

The name Meteora means 'suspended rocks' and you will not be disappointed. Six monasteries are built on top of natural sandstone rock pillars and are an incredible sight another UNESCO site, its beauty is staggering. The 11th century was when inquisitive hermit monks set foot here, and stayed, eventually building 20 monasteries on top of the pillars, seeking safety from the Turkish occupation.

This magnificent country shows us its beauty as we climb up and down the valley, through tiny villages, older locals sitting outside absorbing the sun wishing they were on a bike, crossing their country. The lovely village, like most villages are cramped together to give safety, and now a real community feel as you cycle through. These places have seen many wars during the centuries, however now it's quiet, peaceful and beautiful. Overnight Metsovo

Crossing the mountains, we have a break at Votonossi, high in the hills before we descend to Ioannina, perched right beside the major lake Pamvotis. A big city, founded by the Byzantine Emperor was home to inhabitants as far back as 38,000 years ago. Now a busy city with historical structures, museums and the like we are able to stay in some incredible accommodation. The Ottoman Turks took over the city in 1430, even though the walls for protection stood tall. Much has happened in their history but this cycling tour makes time to explore the wonders of time.

Another day of beauty through the mountains, visiting tiny villages, tasting lovely home baked breads, tasty meats, olives and the natural home grown vegetables. The coast is a welcome sight as you descend to the busy harbour, with ferries heading off in all directions. We board the one heading to Corfu, a majestic holiday island for the rich, famous and lucky bike riders. Tonight we celebrate our incredible epic journey across nature's wonderland. Overnight Corfu

Today is a rest day on this wonderful island. Have a day on the beach reminiscing about your cycle tour, go to a museum or church, or visit one of the affluent towns & villages that are home to beautiful houses and accommodation. Corfu has an International airport, some will fly out from here at the end of the tour and some will catch the ferry tomorrow to Bari to continue on Leg 21 to Rome. Accommodation tonight is an optional extra.

If you are continuing with us on Leg 21, today we will catch a ferry to Bari, Italy. It is an exciting ride that will finish in the eternal city of Rome. See Leg 21 for more details.

Feel free to contact us at any time through our website ‘Contact Us’ page, phone or email. We love what we do and want to get you on the best bike ride for you. Speak to us about what's on your mind and we'll help you make your decision.

This is your chance to be on a once in a lifetime tour, cycling through countries and areas that are off the beaten track and offer a cycling experience like no other. Being part of of our Cycle Legs rides from Australia to London is not just a bike tour but your chance to do something so different and out of the ordinary that it will give you stories to tell for years to come.

On Cycle Legs Europe 2013 from Turkey to Italy, Phil and Susan McDonald, the owner-operators of the business, will be on tour with you as riders, organisers and tour leaders along with our local tour operators & guides. The safety and confidence that comes with that is one of many great reasons to book your cycling holiday with us.

AllTrails is a proud Australian owned company with a great reputation in the bicycle tour industry. We have earned that reputation through hard work and dedication and we sincerely care about every person on every tour. Our large community of loyal AllTrails riders that keep coming back year after year are testament to the high standard of tours that we provide. We consider ourselves the best in the business and we always make sure that our tours represent great value at a fair price.

Most of our Cycle Legs tours will average around 100km per day - a few longer and a few shorter. In most cases we will head out early after a good breakfast and finish the full day's ride by early to mid afternoon. Try to get to a point in your training where you are comfortable riding 20-25/km per hour on the flat which is the speed that we will cruise at under good, flat cycling conditions.

Remember that practice makes perfect so if you have not ridden much do not be disheartened if these goals seem a long way away – keep training and you will get there. Remember that we have a support vehicle to pick up those riders that decide to ride only part of any day.

We suggest that you do most of your training on the bike, on the road – not indoors on a trainer. On the road you are getting the goods and the bads of cycling, especially passing traffic, potholes, people and other obstacles. Try to get up to a level where you can ride a 115+km distance for 2 days in a row or more including some good hills. A training schedule will be sent to you in your welcome pack after you make your deposit - let us know if you would like to see this today and we will send you one.

Always a big part of any cycling holiday! Check tour details for meal inclusions on your ride. Our emphasis is on fresh food and balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, fruit and vegies catering for a cycling holiday. We successfully cater to most dietary requirements, however feel free to contact us with any questions. Many meals are included as part of our tours, however you may be required to purchase some meals. See the 'Day to Day' tab for more details, or click the 'Generate Itinerary' button.

We always try to obtain great accommodation in the best location for you to rest your weary head (and legs) in each town whether it be a motel, hotel, cabins or similar, usually 3-4 star. Accommodation is carefully selected according to quality, location, view, hospitality, and/or food, group size, routes and distances. We take great pride in the accommodations we offer our guests and one thing you will agree with, having stayed in these hotels, is that they offer a wonderful variety, ranging from the more elegant modern (even boutique-style) establishments of the larger towns and cities, to the cozy traditional guest houses, that blend in nicely with the the more rural areas. In general the accommodation is very good with ensuite bathrooms. On occasion we travel through some very small towns where accommodation is extremely limited. If for whatever reason, such as limited options, the accommodation one night is below normal standard, we strive to improve this with an extra good room the next night or nights following.

On the online entry form you can nominate any travelling companions that you would like to share a room with and/or be accommodated close to so that couples or friends can be roomed together. This can be in a double bed or in twin beds. If you are travelling alone like many of our riders, you can choose to 'twin share' where single riders are paired with other riders of the same gender and sometimes changed at each accommodation to create interest in sharing rooms. Single Supplement is also available for those that would like their own room for the whole trip. If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow room-mates we suggest booking your own room.

Not a problem! You’ll find other like-minded cycling companions taking part in our rides. If you’re a solo traveller we will pair you with other solo travellers of the same gender in twin share accommodation or you can opt for Single Supplement (additional cost) to receive a room of your own.

If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow room-mates we suggest booking your own room (single supplement cost). This is not just a courtesy to your fellow travelling companions, but will also give you the space & privacy you need to enjoy your sleep after a long day on the bike.

Istanbul is serviced by a major International Airport. Your pre-departure information will have full details of our Istanbul Hotel where we will be staying. One night of pre tour accommodation is included in the Leg 20 tour price on Sunday 26 May, however you can book accommodation before this night as 'optional extras'. A taxi airport transfer will cost approx 40 Turkish Lira (AUD22). A pre-arranged private car will be approx AUD15 more expensive.

Corfu is a major tourist destination so is serviced well by air and water. Your tour cost includes a night of accommodation on Wed 12 June. For those continuing on with us to Italy, we will leave on the ferry on Fri 14 June. Extra accommodation can be booked in Corfu on Thu 13 June (see our 'pricing' tab). Your tour cost includes transfers to and from the airport or ferry as you require on Thursday or Friday.

European motorists have a great reputation for being cyclist-considerate. We at AllTrails have a great safety record however cyclists have to play their part in keeping well over to the side of the road where possible. You will also be briefed before each day's ride pointing out parts of the road that may get narrow or have any known hazards.

Our tours have been specifically scheduled to take into consideration the best time of year to travel to that destination. This takes into account the temperate range, possible rainfall and the prevailing winds. Of course, we can’t ever control the weather however this only adds to the adventure and excitement of your travel experience!

For more specific weather and climate information visit www.bom.gov.au or for our international tours visit www.worldweather.org

Yes, you can. please contact us for more details.

A tour guide with bike mechanical knowledge will be part of our crew and will have most items that are required, including a good stand-pump for different valves. Cyclists with rare or different bikes are asked to contact us at AllTrails as parts can often be very difficult to obtain.

Road bike is best but you could also choose a hybrid or mountain bike with slick tyres. Contact us to discuss the terrain of your chosen leg(s). In some places that we go to, bike shops and spare parts can sometimes be difficult to find so you need a good reliable bicycle. We can organise bike rental through our local contacts in Europe.

Road bike:

A specialist road bike is best on our European route as the roads are generally very good although flat handlebars will give you more stability and maneuverability and you will also be able to increase your awareness of the amazing scenery and atmosphere from a more upright position.

Hybrid:

A strong, light frame, straight or drop bars and comfortable seating position. Smooth road tyres, triple crank set, with 15 gears or more. This ride is about seeing the scenery, the lifestyle of the local people and the many things that present themselves on the journey.

ALL BIKES NEED:

- Good braking system

- New tyres (smooth road surface tyres, no nobby tyres)

- New tubes

- Rear-vision mirror. Cyclists often deviate a metre or two out on to the roadway when turning their neck around to see what is behind them, so a mirror is very helpful to see who and what are behind you and how close. When you get used to using one they are great.

- Triple chain ring. There are a few hills that are quite steep and a triple chain ring on the front set is a handy helper when you have run out of gears when climbing.

We also strongly suggest:

- Allen key set (self serve)

- Bike computer to keep track of your distance, speed, elevation etc.

- Bum bag for your camera and other valuables.

We suggest you carry a spare tube, a full water bottle and your own personal goods such as camera, wallet and perhaps rain gear if it’s threatening. We transport your luggage, day packs, food & extra water. A detailed list of what is required and provided will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack.

People from all parts of Australia and overseas. Ages generally range from 30 - 70 with the average age about 50 years old. Adventurous cyclists usually about 40% women & 60% men with a mix of singles, friends and couples.

In many cases you will need a visa to enter countries on our Cycle Legs route. A visa is a form of permission for a non-citizen to enter, transit or remain in a particular country. We do not issue visas for overseas travel and cannot provide definitive information on visas. Only the representatives of the countries you plan to visit can provide up-to-date information about their visa requirements. For all countries, contact your nearest embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit well in advance of travel. For Australian passport holders, additional advice can be found on the Smartraveller website www.smartraveller.gov.au.

Yes, yes, yes. Make sure that you are covered for every country that you are travelling to and ensure that you are covered from and including the day you leave and arrive back home. Due to the nature of our rides we are sometimes in remote areas during the course of a ride. Ensure that you have medical insurance that would cover the cost of a helicopter ambulance to transport you to the nearest hospital.

We also recommend getting your travel insurance in place immediately after you book your ride so that you are covered for any events which may lead to you having to cancel your trip.

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for all our Australian rides at the time of deposit and ensure that it includes coverage for cancellation fees if for some reason you are not able to travel. For our international tours we require all participants to have Travel Insurance to assist you in the event of a medical emergency, lost baggage, personal liability, cancelled tour or any other trip related issues.

Should you wish to change your booking with AllTrails to a different tour, there will be a very reasonable service charge. We try to keep this figure as low as possible to allow flexibility where we can as we want to make sure that you get on the right tour for you.

For cancellation and refund policies for your tour click the ‘Terms & Conditions’ button on the relevant tour page of our website.

We recommend you bring a soft bag or backpack. We advise against bringing a suitcase as they are bulky, difficult to stow on board vehicles or trailers and heavy. You may be required to lift or carry your own luggage from time to time, e.g. into accommodation. Any excess luggage may need to be stored or forwarded on to your final destination at your own expense.

Information about what to pack is included as part of your Pre-Departure information. Generally we advise that you pack as light as possible.

Phil and Susan McDonald, owner-operators of AllTrails, will often be a part of the leadership group on each of the Cycle Legs rides but we also have some very impressive and knowledgeable local bike tour operators that we partner with in each region that we visit on our Cycle Legs route. These local partners will be helping us navigate through their countries assisting us in understanding and appreciating the local cultures and people and also helping with communications and guiding. You can find more information about our local partners in the information section of each ride.

Part of the appeal of a holiday is to get away from the hassles of everyday life! If you can’t leave home without your mobile phone, check with your service provider to see where you will have coverage overseas and also that global roaming has been activated on your phone.

As you may not always have mobile phone coverage, particularly if you travel into remote locations, it is sometimes good to purchase a phonecard or calling card when you arrive at the start of your tour, as many public telephones do not take coins. Otherwise it may be cheaper to purchase a local SIM card on arrival at your destination, or you can purchase a 'Travel SIM' which is SIM card that you put in your phone and works in many overseas countries. For more info see: www.travelsim.net.au.

Some towns may have an internet café or access to an internet terminal, so you may be able to check your emails from time to time while you’re away. If you don’t already have a web-based email account, it is a good idea to set one up before you leave, e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail.

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH USING YOUR MOBILE PHONE TO ACCESS THE INTERNET OVERSEAS. PHONE PROVIDERS CAN CHARGE EXTREMELY HIGH RATES.

Full reconnaissance trips are done along the route of our Cycle Legs tours before we host a tour on that route and we avoid any places that we deem to be too dangerous to ride through. Safety is without question our number one priority. Phil and Susan, owner-operators of AllTrails are often part of the crew and riding group on the legs to London so safety will be constantly monitored before and during the trip.

In saying that, a Cycle Legs ride is more like an expedition than an average bicycle tour, so there may be times when we are faced with unexpected and unavoidable difficulties. We will tackle these hurdles with the utmost consideration and professionalism as we have always done. We recommend that you visit your local government travel advice website such as www.smartraveller.gov.au (Australian passport holders) to learn more about your destinations, and feel free to contact us in regards to any specific queries that you may be concerned with.

If you are purchasing a new bike for this ride or wanting to make some upgrades here a few points to consider:

Bike set up: Unless you are accustomed to riding long distances or are very flexible set your bike up for comfort rather than optimum aerodynamics. A more comfortable upright position is most easily achieved by raising the handle bar and moving the seat forward.

Wheels: Do not go too light. High-end road bikes often allow you to choose different wheel sets or if you are considering upgrading, the lightest wheels might be the fastest, but they are not always the strongest. The heavier you are the more important this is. Cheaper wheels are heavier and generally have more spokes, but are also quite robust and easy to repair, so if this is your price bracket then there is not too much to worry about. If you looking at getting some fast wheels and you are over 90kg ask your bike shop for advice and even do some research online or within your bike community.

Tyres: Durability is the most important feature for long distance rides. When choosing your tyres look for features like anti-puncture and Kevlar lining. A harder rubber also allows you to get more kilometres out of each tyre. A popular choice amongst our cyclists are the Continental Ultra Gatorskins in either the 23mm or 25mm width.

Gearing: As a rule; the more gears you have the easier it is to climb hills. The standard configuration of gears found on road bikes does not suit everyone. If you find yourself running out of gears while climbing, needing to get out of the saddle to get over a hill or ride with a high cadence it might be worth considering one or both of these options. Replace the cassette with a larger one (more teeth)and/or get a compact crank. A compact crack tries to do what the triple chain ring crank does in just two chain rings. If you already have a triple, this is not for you. The compact crank slightly reduces your big chain ring size and significantly reduces your small chain ring size making it much easier to climb hills and spin your legs faster rather than harder.

• Airfare and transportation to and from the tour pick-up/drop-off locations

• Accommodation before and after the tour other than stated on the 'day to day' inclusions (pre & post accom can often be booked by us - check the ‘Optional Extras’ under the ‘Pricing’ tab)

• Personal accident or travel insurance

• Personal items purchased during the tour

• Some meals may not be included allowing you the opportunity to explore the regional cuisine and choose your own meal. Check tour details for more information.

• Optional activities and sightseeing

You can download an AllTrails brochure from our homepage, otherwise contact us with your postal address and we will mail you a copy.

Absolutely. We will be happy to give you the names and telephone numbers of people who have participated in the ride or a similar ride that you are considering. Where possible we will provide you with the details of someone within your city or state.

Another good place to look is our ‘Testimonials’ page.

Contact us if you would like to find out about booking an info session for your group of friends, or if you would like to find out about a travel talk happening near you in the future.

Be inspired, hear from the experts, learn more about a destination and even book your tour on the night.

Right here, right now. Click the 'Book Your Place Today' button, or call us in the office on +61 3 9645 3355 or email alltrails@alltrails.com.au for more information.