Best of Greece by BMW Performance Centre

Let the Adventure Begin Finally, the waiting was over — today we kicked off our Best of Greece Express Tour! Leaving Athens behind meant a quick hop on the motorway, just to get out of the city hassle. And then… bam — curves, mountains, and that feeling of “yes, this is why we ride.” The first twisties gave everyone a chance to get comfortable on the bikes. Pine forests, sweeping views, and that mix of excitement and concentration only a first day can bring. We stopped in a little mountain village for coffee — strong, sweet, and served with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve known the place for years. A big highlight today: Hosios Loukas Monastery. More than 1,000 years old and still standing proud in the middle of nowhere, it’s a perfect slice of Byzantine history. Walking around its quiet courtyards was like pressing pause before the road called us again. From there it was back to twisties, down to the coast, and finally up the mountain to Delphi. Hard to believe this small town was once the spiritual center of the ancient world, where people traveled from everywhere to hear the words of the Oracle. Today, it greeted us with golden evening light and views stretching all the way to the Gulf of Corinth. Not a bad way to start a tour — great roads, stunning history, and a group already full of smiles. Tomorrow? Even more to come.

The Show Must Go On Waking up in Delphi is something special — the view over the valley with olive trees stretching like a green ocean is just breathtaking. Before jumping on the bikes, some of us took the chance to wander through the ruins. Hard to imagine this place was once the “center of the world,” where kings and generals came to ask the Oracle what their future held. Personally, I think the Oracle would’ve just told us: “Ride your motorcycles, it’s the best decision you can make.” Once we hit the road, Greece showed us again what it’s made of: tight bends, mountain passes, little villages where time seems to stand still. The scenery kept changing from rugged hills to fertile valleys, and the traffic? Almost nonexistent. Just us, the road, and the sound of the engines. In the afternoon, we did a walking tour through the ruins. The temples, the training grounds, the remains of the stadium — all still there, whispering stories of glory. Some of us even ran a lap on the original track, where the first Games took place thousands of years ago. What a feeling — suddenly the history isn’t just something you see, but something you live. Dinner was, of course, Greek — long tables, plenty of laughter, and enough food to feed an entire Olympic team.

Mountains, Curves & Kalamata Olives We rolled out of Olympia this morning, still buzzing from the ancient spirit of the Games, and aimed our bikes toward the mountains. The ride was spectacular — weaving through Langadia, Dimitsana, and Stemnitsa, villages where stone houses cling to the hillsides and time seems to move a little slower. In Dimitsana, we passed the Water Power Museum, which tells the story of how the town once milled gunpowder — a sharp contrast to the peaceful scenery around us. The highlight of the day came along Route 74: a tiny church carved directly into a cave wall. Tucked away and almost invisible until you’re right in front of it, it’s one of those hidden gems you only discover on roads like these. From there, the riding was pure joy — smooth, twisty asphalt, endless corners, and open views. We passed through Megalopoli (smaller than its big-sounding name) and followed quiet backroads until the scent of the sea told us we’d reached Kalamata. Our day ended in a hotel right by the beach. After a hot ride, nothing felt better than cooling off — some dove straight into the pool, others into the sea just across the street. What a ride this was again.

From Coastlines to Castle Walls Leaving Kalamata behind, we rode along the Mani coast, winding through mountains and taking in the rugged scenery that made the Spartans famous for their “laconic” ways — maybe they didn’t say much because they were too busy admiring views like this. After a few scenic stops, including a short photo stop at the Dimitrios shipwreck on the golden sands of Skala, we made a beeline for our hotel. The goal: arrive early enough to relax and still have plenty of time to explore Monemvasia. Once checked in, some of us lounged by the pool while others wandered into the medieval town. Cobblestone streets, towering walls, and a perfectly preserved fortress made Monemvasia feel like stepping into another era. The city tour finally took us to the top of the hill, climbing over slick cobblestones — yes, it was sweaty, but no doubt totally worth it. From up there, the remains of the upper town spread out, and the view over the sea and the town was absolutely spectacular, probably the best of the whole tour. After exploring, a few beers and some gelato later, it was time to head back to the private bus — at least, that was the plan. The 20-minute ride home quickly turned into a full-on party bus. Old-school songs blasted through the speakers, everyone was singing along, and some even showed off a few dance moves in the aisle. Laughter, music, and good vibes made it the perfect way to end a day of riding, sightseeing, and seaside magic.

Twisties never end. Today was all about the ride. No major sightseeing stops, no castles or ruins — just pure riding pleasure. And wow, did Greece deliver. We left Monemvasia behind and headed north, the road twisting and curling through sleepy villages before spitting us out onto the narrow coastal track toward Kyparissi. If you looked at a regular map, you’d probably think this road doesn’t even exist — but trust us, it’s real. And it’s glorious. The stretch from Kyparissi to Fokiano felt like something out of a motorcycle dream. The road wound along the cliffs, hugging the coastline, with the turquoise Aegean sparkling below us. At times, it almost looked like a racetrack: smooth tarmac, curves stacked one after the other, and even painted curbs — the only thing missing were the grandstands. Our first stop came in Laconia, that little gem of a harbour town. Some went straight for a coffee, while others couldn’t resist and jumped once more into the sea for a refreshing dip. A swim break in the middle of a riding day? Only in Greece. For lunch, we ended up in a family-owned restaurant in Kiveri, where we were welcomed like old friends. Out came plate after plate of homemade food — and in true Greek style, the portions were oversized, the hospitality oversized too. It was a warm, genuine hangout with the owners, and one of those moments that remind you why traveling here is so special. From the coast, we climbed back into the Parnon Mountains, trading sea views for rugged peaks and pine forests. The endless switchbacks kept us busy, each curve a reminder of why riding here is pure joy. In the afternoon, we couldn’t resist a spontaneous gelato stop — though “gelato” might be an understatement. This little bakery turned out to be a temple of desserts: cakes, ice cream, sweets in every color and shape. A full-on sugar overdose, way too much to try them all, but nobody left without a guilty grin. By late afternoon, we rolled into Drepano, our stop for the night. The hotel sat right on the beach, the sea just a few steps away — the perfect finish after a long, curve-filled day. Some cooled off in the water, others grabbed a cold beer by the shore, and everyone agreed: this was one of the best riding days of the tour.

From the coastilne back to the capital, one more ride, one more story. Our final riding day. Hard to believe how quickly the week has passed, but Greece wasn’t going to let us leave without one more highlight reel of roads and scenery. We left Drepano in the morning, riding along the coastline toward Nafplio. It’s one of Greece’s most charming towns, with its Venetian fortress towering above and colorful houses wrapped around the harbor. We didn’t have all the time in the world, but even a short stroll through the old town gave us a taste of its beauty — narrow alleys, little cafés, and that Mediterranean vibe that makes you want to stay longer. From there, we curved inland, stopping for our traditional morning coffee in a small mountain village. Sitting on a shady terrace above the coastline, sipping a freddo espresso, and soaking in the view one last time — it was the perfect start. Not long after, we reached one of the absolute highlights of the entire week: the Epidaurus amphitheater. Over 2,000 years old and still almost perfectly intact, it’s considered the best-preserved ancient theater in Greece. Standing in the center of the stage, you could whisper, and someone in the very last row would still hear you. A few of us couldn’t resist testing it out — reciting lines, singing a few verses, or simply clapping hands to hear the echo carry through the stone tiers. For a brief moment, we were all ancient performers, playing to an imaginary crowd of thousands. Truly goosebump material. From culture back to comfort: lunch awaited us at a small, family-owned taverna. No menus, just home-cooked dishes — grilled meat, village salad, and of course, way too much food. The hospitality was once again pure Greek: warm, generous, and impossible to resist. The afternoon brought us back toward the highway and eventually into Athens. The traffic thickened, the scenery flattened, and before long, the Acropolis appeared again on the horizon. A bittersweet sign that our loop through history, mountains, and coastlines was nearly complete. Rolling into the hotel parking lot, there was a mix of relief, pride, and a little sadness. The bikes, dusty and tired, lined up one last time, each carrying the stories of the past week. That evening at our farewell dinner, glasses clinked, stories flowed, and laughter filled the air. Greece had given us more than just roads and ruins — it had given us an experience to carry home. What a week. What a ride. The Best of Greece Express had truly delivered.