Cycling vacations Walking vacations Group tours

Hans en Grietje

For September 2018, we were looking for an individual cycling vacation of about 20 days in a beautiful area at the vacation fair. There were several providers, but none of them could offer it ready-made. At all the organizations, they had tours for shorter periods. It was possible to join several tours together, but we would pay for the organization and extra costs of bike changes, transportation and overnight stays. At Eye4cycling, they thought with us and planned a route from Macedonia to northern Greece. A period of 20 days with some (possible) rest days and an average of 60 km per day in partly mountainous terrain. We had to book the air travel there and back ourselves so we could pick the most favorable flights, although they were willing to mediate. After a few weeks, we decided to do this, because it was the best proposal. However, the return flight from Thessaloniki to Amsterdam would cost 180 euros more per person on the scheduled date than 3 days later. Within 1 day, Eye4cycling arranged for us to spend only 120 euros more for 2 people for 3 days longer stay at the last hotel. Now that’s service. All scheduled transits went exactly as scheduled. The first evening we arrived at the hotel in Ohrid at 10 p.m., but there was no problem at all in getting us another hot meal. The next morning the bikes were arranged. These were of excellent quality and rode lightly. We did not need the included emergency/repair kit, but it did make us feel safe. The navigation entered, except for one minor glitch, always took us to our next hotel without any problems. The route was, as we had hoped, variable in landscapes so that we could experience different nature each day. It was striking that we drove through beautiful valleys with almost uninhabited villages because young people prefer cities, or even better, the rich West. The hotels were also very diverse, but all of good quality. The quality of food and drink in both Macedonia and Greece are of good quality, especially Macedonia is very cheap. The 3 extra days in Thessaloniki were a wonderful addition in this historic city. We were so pleased with the organization that we offered to make a positive report on it. Hans en Grietje (for privacy reasons, the names are made up)

Hans en Grietje2024-01-20T15:29:30+00:00

Jaap de Jong

As an autumn vacation, we made the cycling trip from Orhid (Macedonia) to Meteora (Greece). Out for the sixth time with Eye4Cycling. That actually says it all. And again, this will not be the last time. The coaching by Raymond and his assistant Peter was again excellent. It was our second time in Macedonia. Ohrid is becoming a familiar town where we have addresses by now. We had driven the first part in the opposite direction last time. Dan looks different again, especially because of the landmarks. The overnight stays are in such special and beautiful places that we loved coming back. We biked through a fairly unspoiled and untouched landscape. The same was true for the first Greek days. Quiet, calm, little tourism. A gentle run-up to the highlight: Meteora. A spectacular mountain landscape, about which Wikipedia says: Centuries of wind and water erosion (once the Thessalian plain was an inland sea) have given the rock formations their specific and difficult to negotiate appearance. Starting in the ninth century, hermits climbed up here, followed in the 11th century by monks expelled elsewhere. In the fourteenth century, monks began building monasteries. It became 24, of which six now remain in good condition. These, of course, attract many tourists, who are transported on and off by bus. Being early will keep you ahead of the large stream of visitors. We hadn’t really read up beforehand, which made Meteora even more surprising. To conclude, we walked around Thessaloniki for two more days. The second and busiest city in Greece. Not beautiful, but interesting because of its eventful history, for example as the birthplace of Atatürk (the architect of modern Turkey). We lucked out with our traveling party, like-minded sporty couples who, like us, liked to spend evenings looking for a nice restaurant with local food.

Jaap de Jong2024-01-20T15:29:30+00:00
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