Croatia bike tour, Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro from Split to Dubrovnik

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast Biking - Trip Overview
Includes one day of biking in Montenegro

This Central Dalmatian island-hoping bicycle adventure begins at one World Heritage city, Trogir, and ends in another, Dubrovnik, and is sure to make clear to you the differences between tourism and travel. As you bike within these pristine conditions and through its coastal towns and islands you also discover the remains of its forts, fishing villages and fortified towns from the Ancient Greeks to the Venetian Realm.

Days 1-2:Krka National Park & Island Jewel:
Enjoy Trogir’s marble streets and wide waterfront promenade. Tour Split and Sibenik, the oldest Slavic towns. Krka National Park offers thundering waterfalls and karstic caves, cliffs and chasms.

Days 3-4: Hvar Island:
Forty-eight islands dot Split’s seafront, and we trace lush Lavender laden Hvar to the lively medieval port town of Hvar Town, an air of Venice without crowds. Covered in luxuriant color alongside a cobalt sea, Hvar Island is eye candy. You'll see as we cross the entire island.

Days 5-6 Home of Marco Polo & Zinfandel Wine:
Korcula offers prehistoric and Ancient Greek habitations, and now produces the most wine in Croatia. We will taste. We ride along the Peljesac Peninsula to Dubrovnik, a medieval jewel.

Days 7-8 Montenegro & Dubrovnik:
The magical unspoiled oasis of tranquility is that of Kotor Bay in Montenegro. Its too inviting to pass. We explore its many treasures, then return to Dubrovnik for a grand feast and a private city tour before departure.

Inclusions:

3 & 4-star accommodation with breakfast
All full course dinners except two
Winery Visits & tasting
Private City Tour of Dubrovnik
BIKE RENTAL of quality upright 27-speed touring bikes equipped with handlebar bags (your clipless pedals can be mounted; but remember to bring your shoes, bike gloves and shorts…) Quality road bikes are available upon request at an additional charge
Route note, maps and marked routes
All tour transfers including meet/depart, van support and luggage transfer
All entrance fees mentioned in itinerary

Not included: Airfare, beverages, trip insurance (strongly recommended), personal items, guide tips.

Bicycling the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia- Detailed Trip Itinerary

Merv & Corrine

Peace was settled in 1995 and ever since Croatia has made a determined effort to regain its prominence as a premier international travel destination. The seas are still crystal clear, the islands lush and the fishing villages unspoiled as ever. As you bike within these pristine conditions and through its coastal towns and islands you also discover a land rich cultural heritage. The many palaces, temples, and amphitheaters from the Roman Empire evidence this as well as the remains of its forts, fishing villages and fortified towns from the Venetian realm. This Central Dalmatian island-hoping bicycle adventure begins at one World Heritage city, Trogir, and ends in another, Dubrovnik, and is sure to make clear to you the differences between tourism and travel.

Day 1-2: Emperor’s Palace & National Park

Hvar You should arrive a day early to acclimate and explore Split, which rose to fame in the year 245 AD due to the Roman Emperor Diocletian building his retirement palace here, which is not far from the town from where he was born. A short transfer takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage town of the completely walled jewel Trogir. The city was founded by Greeks at the end of 3rd c BC then the Roman and Byzantine Empires ruled. Within the wide waterfront promenade that encloses a maze of marble streets are featured gothic and renaissance palaces and an atmosphere that makes travel so sensory. We embark on a short warm-up loop that offers incredible views of the Dalmatian Coast. On day two we embark on an undulating ride above the Dalmatian Coast and into the Krka National Park, a landscape of karstic caves, cliffs, chasms and waterfalls that need to be explored. Lodging: Two nights in Trogir in small, comfortable hotel along palm-fringed promenade.

Lodgings: A very friendly 3-star in the heart of the historic center.

Dinner: A outdoor Seafood Restaurant with plenty atmosphere & healthy servings

Day 3-4: The Island of Hvar

Barbra The short van transfer takes us to the ferry for Hvar Island, often referred to as the Madeira of the Adriatic. Covered in color from luxuriant green, brilliant patches of lavender, rosemary and heather alongside a cobalt blue sea warrants the comparison as the scenery is nothing short of eye candy. We cycle completely across this narrow island first staying in incomparable Hvar Town and then covering the second half of the island the following day. Cultural highlights offer us a bit of everything from wineries to monasteries, scuba diving and nudist beaches. We stay on the island at medieval Hvar Town where the 13th c walls hide the gothic palaces within its narrow back streets. A long seaside promenade winds along the sea and the car free marble streets of Hvar have an air of Venice without the crowds.

Lodgings: In Hvar town on the waterfront .

Dinner: Excellent restaurant along the narrow streets of the historic center.

Day 5: Korcula Island

Today we take the ferry over to Korcula and explore this exquisite jewel claimed to be the home of Marco Polo. Korcula, an island with caves of prehistoric origin and a rich cultural history that started with Greek settlements from the 6th c BC. Today the island is rich in vineyards, olive groves, small villages and hamlets with medieval walled town centers. Korcula also produce more wine than any other region in Croatia and a wine tasting is sure to be arranged. Our ride crisscrosses the 47km long & 5 to 8km wide island, then at the western end at Vela Luka where we examine the prehistoric roots of the island we settle in for the evening.

Lodgings: 2-nights at a beautiful 4-star villa along the sea with outstanding views of the islands dotting the waters.

Dinner: First class cuisine at our Villa

Day 6: The Real Zinfandel is Discovered

As if you haven't seen enough incredible scenery, the quite road we ride has to be the most dramatic coastal stretch we have ever discovered; and that is saying something. As we ride down the Peljesac Peninsula we stop to sample the wine that eventually made its way to California. The origin to this grape was unknown until recent times and it was discovered that this Peninsula was its home. We stop to sample this fine way as we make our way to Ston and Mali Ston. Ston is known to have the longest city walls in Europe and if you like we can try oysters and mussels from the well-known Ston oyster beds. Our day ends at the World Heritage UNESCO site of Dubrovnik.

Lodgings: Along the waterfront, a 3-star hotel with extremely friendly staff.

Dinner: free night out Montenegro

Day 7-8: Montenegro and Dubrovnik

In the morning we transfer to Montenegro to ride the the Bay of Kotor. This winding bay is sometimes called Europe's southernmost fjord, and is in fact a submerged river canyon of the disintegrated Bokelj River which used to run from the high mountain plateaus.

As we take in the beauty of this incredible gulf, inhabited since antiquity we will take time to explore the well preserved medieval towns of Kotor, and Perast. On our return we have a grand farewell meal along the waters of the historic district of Dubrovnik with enough time to stroll the streets for gelato. In the morning we treat you to a private city tour of Dubrovnik and then say our adieu's.

Lodgings: Same as previous night

Dinner: along Dubrovnik's waterfront

Transportation Logistics

Links to helpful sites for getting to or departing Croatia:

Arriving-in-croatia

Viamare (for meeting/departing your tour by ferry to/from Italy)

There are several low cot carriers flying into and out of Croatia from most European cities. Please call our office at 1.800.549.2363 for other suggestions.