Breakaway Greece

06/08/2026

I just cycled The Odyssey - to Ithaca - and now you can too!

I have cycled through more than 80 countries, but Greece still amazes me. And this journey - from the Corinth Canal, right across the Peloponnese and out through the Ionian islands – has become one of those rides I can’t stop thinking about.

It had everything I love about travelling by bicycle - I rode through the ancient gates of Mycenae and the vineyards of Nemea, climbed high into the mountains to Vytina, then followed almost deserted roads through olive groves to Ancient Olympia.

From there, the mountains gave way to the sea - I reached a little port and put my bike on a ferry and began island-hopping - across Zakynthos, Kefalonia and, finally, to Ithaca.

Every day felt completely different - mountain villages, ancient ruins, tiny seaside tavernas, long climbs, and huge descents. Ferry decks in the morning sunshine and evening swimming in ridiculously clear waters.

And throughout it all, that best feeling - I was actually travelling somewhere, not just doing a loop and returning to the same hotel, but waking up each morning, packing my things and continuing towards the ultimate Greek destination.

There is something magical about arriving on an island by bicycle. But arriving on Ithaca - the legendary home of Odysseus - felt particularly special.

By the time I arrived, I knew I wanted to share it with other people.

So, I’ve turned my ride into the new Breakaway Greece adventure: ten days of cycling from the Corinth Canal to Ithaca Island, with luggage transferred, lovely locally owned places to stay and two route choices each day - because you don’t have to prove yourself to the gods every single morning.

It will be challenging. There will be mountains and there will almost certainly be moments when you wonder why you agreed to it. But there will also be extraordinary roads, ancient places, boats between islands, long dinners beside the sea and that wonderful moment when Ithaca finally appears ahead of you.

The first Odyssey for guests begins in October 2026. Will you join us?

If these photographs make you feel even slightly tempted, you can see the full trip on our website. Join me to ride one of the oldest and greatest journeys on earth.

Yammas, Chris

18/07/2026

Five years ago, I swapped working on global charity campaigns for a bicycle in a small Greek village.

Today is the anniversary of the day this photo was taken for a campaign I'd organised for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Days like these were the pinnacle of my traditional career.

But they were also rare.

Most of my office life was spent slightly stressed, slightly late, sitting on my arse all day and certainly not being the best version of myself - all whilst trying to create another memorable moment.

People sometimes ask if I miss it. I ask myself if I miss it!?

And I don't - because memorable moments here are not rare, we share them every day - a guest realising they've just climbed a mountain they never thought they could, coffee with my book in a village square, the smell of pine trees on a hot afternoon, guests letting go of their own stresses, swimming in the morning and looking at the stars before I go to bed.

And (most days!) I get to be the best version of myself.

For me, it's a less stressful but richer way to spend my life.

(And yes... today would have been Nelson Mandela's 108th birthday. Working with Desmond Tutu remains one of the great privileges of my life.)

Chris

16/07/2026

Five years ago, I happened upon the paradise of Epidavros in Greece and gave up my office career to start Breakaway Greece

At first, I thought we were creating cycling holidays. Turns out we weren’t...

Over these first five years, we've seen hundreds of guests arrive with busy minds and leave with something much more valuable than stronger legs - they leave smiling, more relaxed and with new friends. They leave talking about their cycling holiday but also the quiet roads, little harbours, long lunches, swims before dinner, how Greek villagers seem to have life figured out, how they've ridden further than they thought they could, and about the conversations that only seem to happen when you're away from everyday life.

Many come back because I think they realised before I did that Breakaway isn't really about cycling. It just happens to be the best way to experience life here.

No packed schedules, no pressure, no endless notifications. Just beautiful places, great food, interesting people and plenty of laughter. Spending time in the simple villages and landscapes of ancient Greece has a way of putting modern life in perspective.

That's the feeling we're trying to create. (These photographs are some of my favourites from the first five years).

They represent what Breakaway has become, and what we hope it becomes even more of over the next five. I'm incredibly excited because, very soon, we'll also be appearing on the cover of a major magazine. It feels like another small milestone as more and more guests join us to spend a week where just life itself feels rich.

If this seems like the sort of week people you know would love - cyclists, partners, friends, or simply someone who wants to spend a little more time living and a little less time scrolling, please share Breakaway with them. There's no higher compliment than welcoming friends of friends.

Thank you to everyone who's trusted us over these first five years.

I genuinely think we're only just getting started.

Chris :)

PS - we can now even help you ride your own Odyssey to Ithaca! (like the movie)

17/06/2026

Breakaway Greece is certainly not your traditional cycling holiday business - you will laugh, cry, work your ass off in the most beautiful location, eat the best fresh Mediterranean food, make friends for life and take your turn to do the washing up!

You will be so engrossed in real life here that you will forget scrolling, worries and the outside world for a week and remember how good simple old analogue life can be.

A week here reminds you that life is pretty simple and problem-free - that most of your 'supposed' worries belong to the outside world and not to your own life.

Thanks to all our Spring guests and everyone in Epidavros - every single person has been a good sport - We've loved every minute!
..and it seems like our guests loved it too!

We reopen on 19th September for the Autumn season! Get in touch soon if you'd like to join us to cycle in a place where just life itself feels rich :)

25/05/2026

Five years ago today, 25th May 2021 - Helen and I started filming with TV's 'A Place in the Sun.' by viewing a house called Villa Rosa in Epidavros, Greece - with the aim of starting a cycle holiday business and finding a life we loved - five years later the only change is the villa is no longer pink, I now rarely get to cycle alone (11 Breakaway Greece guests from America this week) and we live in a village we love! It's still working out :)

20/05/2026

Breakaway Greece is going to be on the cover of a magazine... :)

International cycling magazine, 'Cyclist' joined us on one of our big rides to photograph the cover and write a big feature in their magazine for later in the year - it will make Epidavros and the Peloponnese look as amazing as it is!

Editor: Pete, Photographer: Patrik, Local guide: Dimitris Ginis

14/05/2026

They made a fun little movie around our home in Epidavros

45 likes, 2 comments. "EPIDAURUS - Enlighten Your Soul (Official Video / Greek Subtitles)"

03/02/2026

Join our previous happy cycling guests and ride the best of Greece this Spring!

We now only have availability on the weeks of 2nd, 9th and 16th May - all other weeks sold out.

We can arrange a break and routes around exactly what you want to do; tough or relaxing cycling with coffee stops at ancient sites on quiet routes - with plenty of end-of-day swimming and local Greek tavernas!

All weeks include amazing coastal roads and hillside climbs, a ride to a Greek island and a loop around it, to Nafplio - the first capital of Greece, Methana Volcano, over the oldest standing bridge in the world, Epidavros 12,000-seat amphitheatre and the best bakeries, taverns and coffee shops of the Peloponnese.

Get in touch for full details.