Island hopping by boat and bike

Southern Dalmatia by mountain bike

8 days / 7 nights, approx. 275 Km (170 mi.) by bike

 

Introduction

This trip is an mountain bike variant of our classical „Southern Route“. No off-road route or island will be left untouched by the tour. Discover, by traversing mostly deserted pathways, the sparsely populated region of Dalmatia. The tour by bike and boat, which will take you to Brac Island with its impressive stone reliefs, to the wineries of Peljesac Peninsula, to the green Mjiet and Korcula islands, as well as to the lavendar island of Hvar, will give you the opportunity to get to know the rich variety of this region in an active way. You will fall in love with the fully restored wooden yachts LINDA or KAPTEAN JURE and with the comfort and excellent catering they provide during your one-week stay in one of the cosy cabins.

Course of the Tour - Day 1 (Sat) Split (Cycle route approx. 20 km/12 mi.)
Palace of Diocletian Lions
Individual arrival by car to Trogir or by plane to Split airport, which is about 5 km away from the boarding harbour of Trogir. After check in on the motor yacht the first small cruise begins at 1 pm from Trogir to Split. Here you will undertake your first cycle tour to the Marjan mountain, a popular relaxation destination for the inhabitants of Split. After dinner your guide will accompany you on a walk through the old town of Split, which is built into the famous place of the Roman Caesar Diokletian and is a world heritage site. Overnight stay in Split.
Day 2 (Sun) Cetina Canyon (Cycle route approx. 43 km/27 mi.)
Mountainbiker
After a short crossing to Omis you will cycle into the valley of the Cetina river, which has buried itself deep into the cliff faces. You will return to Omis with its pirate castles by way of small side roads through varied landscape. You also have the option of taking part in a 2 hour rafting tour on the Cetina river. In the afternoon you will cross over to Brac Island with a swimming break and a cycle tour to Pucisca.  The famous white marble of Brac which can be seen here has been used for the White House in Washington and in the Reichstag in Berlin.
Day 3 (Mon) Brac Island (Cycle route approx. 25 and 25 km/15 and 15 mi.)
Hardun
Today’s route begins in Pucisca with a long but moderate ascent to the mountain ridge of the island, past mulberry, kiwi and fig trees, olive groves and vineyards. The following descent to Bol rewards you for your steep climb with amazing panoramic views of the neighbouring island Hvar. After lunch you will crossover to the island of Korcula whose capital town vies with Venice for the title of the birth place of Marco Polo.
Day 4 (Tues) Pelješac Peninsula and Mljet (Cycle route approx. 45 + 20 km/28 mi. + 12 mi.)
Pelješac impresses visitors even from afar with its Sv. Ilja mountain, which rises almost 1000 metres from the sea. After a short cruise in the morning you will take a cycle tour into the inland of the island, past the most famous winegrowing region of Dalmatia (the excellent Plavac und Dingac wines come from here) to Trstenik. During lunch you will cross over to the green, wooded island of Mljet, which is also known as the honey island. In the 12th century Benedictine monks founded a beautifully situated monastery, which you will see on your short cycle trip. The local pine forest is one of the most beautiful of its kind in the entire Mediterranean region – Odysseus is said to have spent 7 years here. Today this region is a national park and the highlight of every Dalmatian journey. Here you will cycle along the shores of a salt water lake, which contains a further island.
Day 5 (Wed) Korcula Island (Cycle route approx. 67 km/42 mi.)
Korcula Bay of Pupnat
Crossover during breakfast to Korcula Island. The peacefulness and remoteness of luscious gardens with large cypresses dominate the appearance of perhaps the most beautiful Dalmatian island. You will then take a bike tour along amazing asphalted and non-asphalted panoramic routes to the south west of the island to Brna. From here you will continue on to the village of Blato, which like Rome is built on 7 hills and then finally onto Vela Luka, where you will spend the night.
Day 6 (Thurs) Hvar Island (Cycle route approx. 25 and 25 km/30 mi.)
Lavender
After arriving in Hvar you will take an interesting tour around the town, across the large Renaissance square, which is lined with the cathedral and many late gothic palaces. Today’s cycle route leads you along the almost traffic free pass road through small villages. After lunch in Stari Grad you will cycle to the harbours of Jelsa and Vrboska, which invite you to have an extended break there. You will overnight in Stari Grad, which has become a Mecca for artists and art lovers in the past few years.
Day 7 (Fri) Solta Island (Cycle route approx. 19 km/12 mi.)
Trogir Harbor
After crossing over to Stomorska on the island of Solta you will commence your last cycle tour. Walled fields, numerous olive groves, locust bean and fig trees line the roads. The herby smells of lavender and rosemary will accompany you along your tour of this island. In Maslinica you can load the bikes onto the ship and enjoy your last crossing back to Trogir, where if time permits, you can take a tour of the old town which is a world heritage site.
Day 8 (Sat) Check-out
Captain Ante
The guests are expected to check out after breakfast, i.e. by 9 am.
General Information

Alterations 
We reserve the right to make alterations to the planned route due to changing wind and weather conditions, and where required by organisational necessities.

Requirements (level 2-3)
The bike-tours require a basic level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from steady cycling. The tours will take us up to a height of between 200 and 500 m above sea-level. The day-tours from 30 to 60 km will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints. Participants will also need to master long and steep climbs. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike-tour. We will traverse partly stony, partly asphalted and for the most part deserted pathways. Each day you can either decide to bike alone, using the information and maps provided, or join the two tour guides or other participants.

Bringing Children
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and of a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1,40 m (4.6 ft.)

Catering
The on-board cook is a member of the crew and will prepare a large breakfast and two warm meals per day.

Participants
Minimum: 16 participants
Maximum: 30 participants

Services

Services included

  • 8-day-trip on a motor yacht with a crew of four
  • 7 nights on a motor yacht in a double cabin with shower/toilet
  • 7 x full board on the ship
  • Bed linen and towels
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • 7 guided cycling tours as described in itinerary
  • Entrance fees of the National parks
  • Overview Maps of the single cycling trips on board

Additional optional services

  • Charge for a cabin on deck: 50 Euro/person
  • Charge for a single cabin or a double cabin for single use below deck: 200 Euro (on request)
  • Charge for a single cabin or a double cabin for single use on deck: 300 Euro (on request)
  • A ½ double cabin can be booked without supplement
  • 24-speed MTB with front suspension 70 Euro
  • A safe parking space: 40 Euro (to be paid on-site)
  • Additional night (B&B) near Trogir: from 40 Euro /Person in double room and 50 Euro  in single room

Additional costs

  • Visitor’s tax and local charges 20 Euro (to be paid to the captain)
  • Drinks on board (tally sheet)
  • International banking fees 50 Euro
  • Tips for crew and tour-guides
  • Taxi transfer airport – ship in Trogir (one way 15 Euro)

Reductions

  • In combination with our national parks of Dalmatia Tour you get a total reduction of 50 Euro per person.
  • You can book a cabin for three persons and get a 50 % price reduction for the third person (regardless of age). Further the third person doesn’t have to pay the on deck charge. These cabins are furnished with a French bed and a single bunk bed above. (only possible on ship LINDA)