SOFIA - THESSALONIKI Bike Tour (29 August - 7 September 2024)

Sofia - Thessaloniki, 560 km by bike... Ready to go ?!

Our bike tour begins in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, with its imposing city center buildings dating from the Soviet bloc era...

...and the no less impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

But, from the first stage, you are in the middle of the countryside against a backdrop of the Balkan mountains.

Certainly, the Seven Rila Lakes, considered the most beautiful natural space in Bulgaria, will amaze you !

You will access this natural wonder by chairlift and stay in a comfortable lodge in the middle of the mountains to hike the Seven Rila Lakes early the next morning, before getting back on the bikes !

You will cross many other beautiful natural spaces, such as Berovo, in North Macedonia...

... or Rusinovo, also in North Macedonia...

... when it is not the deep, peaceful and deserted countryside...

... where the old houses, often in poor condition, have not lost their charm of yesteryear.

You pass through little towns...

... sometimes nestled at the foot of the superb white cliffs of the Balkans, like Rila...

... before sinking into the gorges which lead to the Monastery of the same name.

Founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church, partially destroyed by fire then rebuilt in the 19th century, the Rila Monastery played an important role in the social and spiritual life of medieval Bulgaria. UNESCO World Heritage since 1983.

Characteristic of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th-19th) and symbol of the Bulgarians' cultural identity after centuries of Ottoman occupation. The visit is included in your package, as well as the accommodation in the 5* Resort next to the monastery !

Our bike tour passes other religious buildings striking in their beauty, such as the Hamzali Church (North Macedonia)...

... or by their history like the Vodoca Monastery (North Macedonia), founded in 1018 and dedicated to the martyr Leontius of Tripoli, a Phoenician soldier who was not afraid to preach the Gospel and was accused of proselytism.

Change of scenery upon arriving at Lake Dojran, straddling the border between North Macedonia and Greece...

... where angling from wooden pontoons seems to be a well-continued tradition.

Once you arrive in Greece, the mountains gradually move away.

When arriving at Kilkis, the terrain flattens out.

Then our bike tour takes you gently downhill to the Aegean Sea to reach the bustling metropolis of Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki leaves no one indifferent, with its location, its century-old tower, its beautiful Orthodox churches,... A tour by tourist bus or an aperitif at the top of the OTE tower (360º) will be offered to you.

But it's not over... You head back to the east of Thessaloniki for a 2-day tour in the superb Chalcidiki peninsula...

... with its pretty beaches and small coves, with (almost) no one on the horizon...

Summary

SOFIA - THESSALONIKI 10 days, 9 nights

Sofia ↠ Seven Rila Lakes ↠ Rila Monastery ↠ Delchevo ↠ Strumica ↠ Kilkis

↠ Thessaloniki ↠ Epanomi Beach ↠ Agia Triada Beach, Thessaloniki

560 km by bike in 8 days, or 70 km on average per day, so less than for our other routes, but the elevation gain in the first stages is significant ! Good physical preparation will therefore be required, but it remains cycle tourism, everyone at their own pace, with as many stops as necessary, if only to appreciate the sublime landscapes ! Good dinners and premium accommodation will compensate for the effort spent cycling during the day...
The first 4 stages cross the southern Balkans, in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, in a magnificent rural and mountainous setting, with significant elevation changes and some highlights, such as the Seven Rila Lakes where you will stay in a lodge in the middle of the mountains to go for a morning hike in the most beautiful natural space in Bulgaria, before cycling by road to the no less exceptional Rila Monastery. The 5th and 6th stages cross the plains of northern Greece, through cultivated fields, lakes and forests, to reach the very lively Thessaloniki. And the last 2 stages, the shortest, form a loop in the magnificent Chalkidiki peninsula bordered by the Aegean Sea, with beaches and small coves to enjoy without moderation. Last night on the beach, in a 5* resort, like near the Rila Monastery on the 3rd evening !
Stages with varied relief, amazing and contrasting natural landscapes, surprising towns (Sofia, Strumica, Kilkis, Thessaloniki, etc.), small typical villages with welcoming locals, interesting cultural visits, delicious local culinary specialties, etc. This is a complete program, with the guarantee of returning home in great shape, with a rested head, in fact full of good memories !

HIGHLIGHTS

* The exceptional setting of greenery and mountains in the southern Balkans (in Bulgaria and North Macedonia)

* The two most exceptional sites in Bulgaria (outside Sofia) : The Seven Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery

* The lakes, plains and small peaceful villages of northern Greece

* The relaxing 2-day tour on Chalcidiki peninsula
* The crossing of small towns and villages, in contact with quiet and welcoming natives
* The Orthodox monasteries and churches with rich architecture and bright colors along the cycling route
* The capital Sofia and the metropolis Thessaloniki, rich in history, monuments and architecture
* The gastronomy in the three countries, which really deserves to be known

Forget the stress of everyday life, take a little break to spend a few days in fabulous landscapes !

Route Map

D0 Arrival in Sofia Bulgaria

D1 Sofia - Seven Rila Lakes (81 km) "

D2 Seven Rila Lakes - Rila Monastery (77 km) "

D3 Rila Monastery - Delchevo (69 km) North Macedonia

D4 Delchevo - Strumica (91 km) "

D5 Strumica - Kilkis (81 km) Greece

D6 Kilkis - Thessaloniki (55 km) "

D7 Thessaloniki - Epanomi Beach (47 km) "

D8 Epanomi Beach - Agia Triada - Thess. (56 km) "

D9 Leaving Thessaloniki "

THE BIKE GUIDE

* The bike guide is responsible for leading and managing the group throughout the different stages of the Bike Tour. He/she speaks several languages, including English.

* He/she is your first interlocutor for all subjects related to cycling (itinerary monitoring, small repairs,...).

* He/she carries the first aid kit and, if necessary, activates external services (insurance, mechanical repair, rescue,...).

* Always with the group, he/she regulates cadence so that everyone arrives at the end of the stage. But each one is free to ride with the group or solo, to meet the group later in the day or in the evening at the hotel.

* He/she facilitates check-in and check-out in hotels, restaurant orders, border crossing procedures, access to tourist sites.

THE RENTED BIKE, with accessories and adapted to your route

Our rental bike package includes :

* Touring Bike adapted to your route (Premium brands, according to

availability : Drag, Bianchi, Dynamics, KTM, Raymon Touring 5.0,...)

with rear rack to attach panniers

* 40L Rear Panniers (2 x 20L Panniers)

* Helmet

* Bike Lock

* Repair Kit, Spare Tubes, Pump & Tools

* Take the bike in Sofia and leave the bike in Thessaloniki

OBS. : If you intend to bring your own bike, please let us know and Dream Sports Adventure will compensate you for the value of the bike rental, noting however that the transport (air, trail,...) of your bike requires special packaging and can easily cost more.

Accomodation

Comfortable single, double, twin suites with breakfast included and personalized customer service

Charming Hotels, Spas and Resorts in quiet and lovely areas, preferably surrounded by nature

Cycling Stages

Day after day, discover each stage of the Sofia - Thessaloniki Bike Tour, through the pretty landscapes of western Bulgaria, eastern North Macedonia, the Chalkidiki peninsula and the Aegean Sea... And think no more : sign up for this wonderful experience !!