Greek isle to draw international cyclists

Cyclists from as far away as Australia are heading to the tiny Greek island of Samos, situated just 12 miles from the Turkish coast, as its attraction to fans of two-wheel transport grows around the globe.

With the majority of departure dates scheduled for the prime summer months between April and August, Aussie tour operator Adventure World has announced it is to double its number of active holidays, with Samos as one of its main destinations.

In addition to the biking holidays, a new program called Secrets of Samos Walk has been developed, which guides visitors around the 500 sq km island showing them not only its rolling green hills and pristine countryside but also its rich cultural and historical heritage.

Samos is famed for its expansive vineyards and olive groves, peppered with small dwellings of locals and has some of the Mediterranean's finest beaches.

Indeed one of the main attractions of visiting Samos for a cycling holiday is the prospect of seeking out those untouched parts of the coastline that are unknown to package holiday tourists.