Biking Croatia: Our new bike tour in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia — an absolutely stunning part of the world — will take us through charming towns and beautiful islands. We'll experience the historic island of Korcula with its picturesquely situated old township, the wine growing peninsula of Peljesac and, to the south, the island of Mljet, with its impressive national park. We will tour through the towns of Split, Hvar, Stari Grad and Korculal, towns that include two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so named for their impeccable preservation, historic value, and stunning beauty. Each evening we make our way back to our private boat, which is outfitted with all the necessary comforts, and begin our journey to the next stunning vista, perhaps stopping enroute for a dip in the sparkling clear water.
Experiencing Croatia by bike and boat is absolutely the only way to find the heart of this diverse and poetic country. We look forward to sharing it with you. This Pedal and Sea tour is run in conjunction with our partners in Croatia.
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.
2009 Season — Aboard the Kapetan Jure
May 23-30 • May 30-June 6 • June 6-13 • June 13-20 • Sept 5-12 • Sept 12-19 • Sept 19-26 • Sept 26-October 3 • October 3-10 •
Prices
We've kept prices low for 2009!
Below-deck Room: €1049/person
(€ is
the Euros symbol)
Above-deck Room: €1099/person
Bike Rental: €75
Port tax + Local charges: €20
Single Supplement: €400
2009 Season — Aboard the Romantica or San Snova
June 20-27 • July 4-11 • July 18-25 • August 1-8 • August 15-22 •
Prices
We've kept prices low for 2009!
Below-deck Room: €1149/person (€ is the Euros symbol)
Above-deck Room: €1199/person
Bike Rental: €75
Port tax + Local charges: €20
Single Supplement: €400
Inclusions
7 nights' accommodation on the boat in
a double cabin with private shower
8-day cruise on a motorised
ship
7 nights of full board on the ship (all meals included)
7 days of guided
bike tour as described
maps for the daily routing
Admission to Mljet National Park
(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)
Be sure to also check out our Featured Departure (September 19-26) onboard The Romantica!
