Loans and Travel

Greece is ideally suited to a cycle-touring holiday. The roads are of good quality, with wide shoulders and little traffic. This was a welcome change from France and Italy where the roads are generally narrow and congested. The weather in spring is perfect for cycling, with lots of sunshine, little rain and comfortable temperatures. The scenery in Greece is spectacular, and there is no better way to enjoy it than by bike: golden sand beaches, rocky headlands and high sea cliffs making up the coastline, olive groves, lush green hillsides and rugged snow-capped mountains in the interior. The colourful wild flowers in spring add to the already impressive landscape. You will come across a lot of hills when travelling in Greece but keep in mind: the higher you go, the better the view. I prefer variety in cycling terrain anyway. Aside from the natural scenery, there are plenty of man-made sights, such as ancient ruins and picturesque towns, which all add to the Greek experience. The food is excellent for the hungry cycle-tourist, including creamy yoghurt, warm loaves of bread fresh from the oven, savoury pastries and delicious desserts. On a more practical note, all the larger towns have bike shops where repairs can be made and spare parts bought. Specialised equipment can be more difficult to find. Bikes can be easily transported on boats and trains, and even buses. In my opinion, Greece must be one of the best countries anywhere for cycle touring, and cycling is the best way to see a place. I have lots of fond memories from my recent trip, it is a holiday I will never forget.