Featured Departure – Biking Croatia: Our bike tours in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia’s smallest and most sparsely populated region, will take us past unique little towns and beautiful island countryside. This tour will let us experience the Island of Brac with its famous marble quarries, the beautiful island of Korcula, and the lavender Island of Hvar. We’ll travel through the towns of Trogir, Hvar, Stari Grad and Korcula, several of which are recognized by the UNESCO for their historical significance. (Romantica Photos: One, Two, Three, Four, Five)
Biking Croatia: Day 1: Split (20 km; 1 km = 0.62 miles)
We suggest you arrive as early as possible in Trogir to give yourself some time
to explore this lovely port town on your own. Reminiscent of Venice, you could
spend hours roaming around — but do make sure you find our boat at the
pier before you start to wander! After check-in at 1 pm, our motorized boat
will take you on the first little cruise from Trogir to Split, our home for
the night. Our first day of biking will have us pass fields surrounded by ancient
stone walls, olive groves, fig and berry trees on our way to Marjan Mountain,
a popular destination for locals. The air here is redolent with the scents
of the lavender and rosemary bushes that cover the island. After dinner, your
guide will accompany you on a walk through part of Split's Old Town. This UNESCO
World Heritage site was originally palace to the Roman Emperor Gaius Diocletian.
Day 2: Cetina Canyon (43 km)
After a short crossing to Omis, we'll bike to the valley of the Cetina
River, which has etched itself deeply into the cliff side. We'll wind
our way along quiet side roads and through varied landscapes back to
Omis and its pirate castles. We'll stop for a swim break in the crossing
to Brac Island, and for the very keen, there is an optional ride which
will depart from Pucisca. The white marble which you'll see in this area
was used for many famous buildings such as the White House in Washington
and the Reichstag (German parliament building) in Berlin. (There is a
kayaking option available for those who don't wish to bike).
Day 3: Brac Island (30 km)
Today's ride starts with a long but gentle climb to the top of the island‘s
mountain. Our ride meanders past mulberry, kiwi and fig trees as well as
olive groves and vineyards as we make our way to the town of Bol. The next
part of the ride rewards us for the ascent with the legendary panoramic
views across to the neighboring island of Hvar. After lunch, we will enjoy
a cruise to the gorgeous island of Korcula, and spend the night here. Korcula,
besides being a stunningly beautiful island, also competes with Venice
in its claim to being Marco Polo's birthplace. Finish the day with a walk
through the winding streets to visit the house where he may have been born.
Day 4: Peljesac Peninsula & Mljet (26 + 12 km)
You'll anticipate Peljesac long before we arrive, since the Sv. Ilja mountains
are visible from afar; they rise to almost 1000 M above sea level. After
a short water crossing in the morning, our next ride will take us through
the backcountry and the famous wineries of Dalmatia (the outstanding
Plavac and Dingac wines originate from here) to Trstenik. During lunch,
we'll cross to the wooded island of Mljet, also known as Honey Island.
In the 12th Century, the Order of St. Benedict founded a monastery in
this isolated fairyland, a region thick with pine and oak forests. Today
it is a national park and the highlight of every Dalmatian tour. The
pine forest here is the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Legend has
it that both Odysseus and Saint Paul were shipwrecked here, and you'll
wish you were, too, once you begin exploring. Well, except for the shipwreck
thing.
Day 5: Korcula Island (67 km)
Lush gardens and cypress trees dominate what is perhaps Dalmatia's most
beautiful island. First we will bike along the 12 km long coastal road
to Racisce for lunch. After a short pushing stint to Pupnat and a trip
along the 200m old high mountain road to the Bay of Pupnat, we 'll arrive
in Blato, a town built on seven hills, just like Rome. We will stay the
night in the port of Vela Luka.
Day 6: Hvar Island (45 km)
Hvar Island is known for its fields of lavender and rosemary, so it’s
sometimes called The Lavender Island. The vineyards, and orchards of olive
and orange trees, overflow with ripe fruit in September and October. The
clear, cobalt-blue sea contrasts magnificently with the ancient island
towns on Hvar Island. In fact, Hvar is the sunniest island in the Adriatic.
After arriving at Hvar’s dock, you can enjoy a stroll through the
large Renaissance-era square — surrounded by the cathedral and many
late-Gothic palaces. Afterwards we’ll roll along the island’s
gentle hills, bike to the port towns of Jelsa and Vrboska, with its picturesque
military church. We’ll finish in the historic village of Stari Grad,
which can be reached via the car-free mountain road.
Day 7: Solta Island (19 km)
We'll start our last day of cycling in Stomorka on the Island of Solta.
Just as gorgeous and peaceful as the rest of the tour, you'll be able
to reflect on the beauty of the past week as you cycle by walled olive
and fig groves and fields of lavender and rosemary. In Maslinica, we'll
load the bikes back on the boat and enjoy our cruise back to Trogir.
The boat arrives early, so you can fully enjoy Trogir's Old Town, which
is another UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Day 8
After our last breakfast reminiscing about the week's adventures, we will
begin our journey homeward or beyond. We will be sad to see you go, but
happy to have made new friends, and renewed the bonds of friendship with
old companions.
Details on this tour are subject to change
Featured Departure: Croatia
2011 Season
Two dates only! June 25-July 2 • September 3-10
* We made a mistake, so we have
two above-deck cabins available in September for only
€750 per person. They won't last long!
NEW Prices
Below-deck Room: €1149/person (€ is the Euros
symbol)
Above-deck Room: €1199/person
Port tax + Local charges: €20
Single Supplement: €500
Bike rental: €99
Inclusions
• 7 nights' accommodation on the motorised boat in
a double cabin with private shower and commode
• 8-day cruise, 7 nights of full board on the
ship (all meals included)
• 7 days of guided bike tour as described
• maps for the daily routing
• Please note: This tour is guided, but doesn't include van support
Not Included
Port tax and local charges (see above)
All drinks (on or off the boat)
You can find our Bike Tour of Croatia here.
