CYCLING TOUR FROM SPLIT TO DUBROVNIK
Start the bike tour in Split, where the roman emperor Diocletian spent his declining years in an enormous palace,
today UNESCO protected site. We cycle and explore the islands Hvar and Korcula, discovering their secrets,
monasteries, churches, old fisherman villages, beautiful stone architecture with islands’ natural beauties and
tranquility. Riding through vineyards we will have a chance to try this nectar of gods. We will see the longest
fortified walls in Europe and have a chance to try famous Ston oysters and mussels. Our bike tour ends in Dubrovnik,
the pearl of the Adriatic! On this tour we will taste the culinary delights of the region and enjoy in the preparation of
food in a Mediterranean traditional way! Fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, olive oil and seafood are some of the
reasons why gourmands consider this food to be the healthiest and tastiest in the world!
Bike with us along the Croatian coast, called Dalmatia, spreading from Venice till the Montenegro. Dalmatian area is
very attractive for bike rides; with its islands, charming villages and towns constructed in the Greek times, with its
preserved nature, hills, mountains, bays and amazing coastline.
Let our local tour leaders show you the best of the country and its magical spots!
Stay in the most beautiful towns of Dalmatian coast: Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar and Korcula!
DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1: SPLIT
We will meet you at the airport and shuttle you to Split, a 1700 years old town which is the administrative and cultural
centre of Dalmatia. With the passing centuries, the original architecture of the Split has been inevitably altered, but the
people of Split, reused the structure of the palace, damaging it as little as possible, under Byzantine, Venetian and AustroHungarian rule. Take a walk into the old town, wonder around its narrow streets and squares, see the Jupiter's temple and
the original Egyptian sphinx, meet the locals, see the one of the biggest open fish markets in Croatia and enjoy the wine
cellars of the Palace. We will do the bike fitting and suggest a test ride along Marjan hill, the famous recreational place in
Split. Enjoy the rolling coastal ride before easy climb to the top of Marjan, from where you will have a splendid view on
Diocletian’s Palace, and all the islands you will be biking on the next few days. In the evening we will gather for an
introductory meeting and a dinner.
Distance biked: 0 – 20 km, test ride
overnight: Hotel Slavija, 3* Split
Highlights: Split, Diocletian’s palace, Marjan hill,
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: EXPLORING BRAC
Today we take 45 min ferry ride to Island Brac, located just in front of Split. Various riding options and distances, from easy
25 km to big 80km+ loop rides. This day provides many different activities, from great biking to beach explorations, different
restaurant options and cultural sites. Optional visits to stone carving galleries, what this island is famous for. Some quite
important world buildings were build with the stone from the Island: White house in Washington, parliament house in
Budapest, Diocletian’s palace in Split….In the late afternoon return to your hotel in Split with ferry.
Distance biked: 0 – 80 km
Overnight: Slavija, 3* Split
Highlights: Island Brac, stone sculptures, art gallerie, stone carving school, coastal and inland towns,
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: ISLAND HVAR - ISLAND OF LAVENDER; VINEYARDS AND ROSEMARY
Riding on the island Hvar we will be passing among lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards. The island is noted for its
lush vegetation of palm trees, agaves, myrtle, rosemary, pine woods and extensive lavender fields, spoiling our nostrils with
healing aromatherapy in the air of this island. Cycle through scenic and mostly flat road on the north side of the island,
passing coastal villages of Jelsa and Vrboska. Enjoy quiet, back roads passing through charming villages, before we start off
with the climb to an ancient town, nowadays almost deserted, where the story about the lavender began. Once on the top of
the island, you will see a lot of stone piles stretching through the island hills and fields, the result of diligent villagers who
thus 'liberated' the land so they could plant lavender or similar crops. Enjoy amazing views on the surrounding islands and as
a reward at the end of today's cycling, enjoy a great downhill to Hvar town.
Spend the afternoon in Hvar and visit its main attractions; 7th century AD walls, Venetian loggia, and the oldest municipal
Theatre in Europe or just have a coffee or bevanda in one of the most beautiful squares of Mediterranean. Hvar is listed
among world's top 10 destinations, you must see for yourself why!! We will have dinner together and taste some ancient, yet
innovative flavors from the island Hvar!
Distance biked: 25-50 km,
Overnight: Hotel Palace,3* Hvar
Highlights: Island Hvar bike ride, lavender fields, coastal rides, inland rural villages, town Hvar
Meals: breakfast and dinner
DAY 4: KORCULA – VENETIAN FORTIFIED TOWN
Today we take a boat to an ancient Greek colony dating back to the 4th century BC – Korcula. Famous for its white wines Posip, Rukatac, Grk, beautiful old towns, villages and dark pine forests that covers the island and which was used for
shipbuilding. You will have an option today to do a loop ride on the island or just relax and wander in Korcula - Venetian
fortified town and narrow streets irresistible to today's visitor, just as they impressed medieval travel writers like Marco
Polo, who began his life journey in this town. You will be biking along beautiful old towns, unique small villages and
discover its hidden coves. There are few options today, either ride on easier coastal road or do some climbing and rolling
hills.
Distance biked:0 – 45 km,
Overnight: Hotel Marco Polo,4* Korcula
Highlights: island Korcula, wineries, amazing natural sceneries, ancient towns and villages
Meals: breakfast
DAY 5: KORCULA
Today we explore the whole island Korcula; starting in Vela Luka and finishing up in Korcula town, a Venetian fortified
town with narrow streets irresistible to today's visitors, just as they impressed medieval travel writers like Marco Polo, who
began his life journey in this town. You will be biking along beautiful old towns, unique small villages and discover its
hidden coves. Tonight we taste Island’s Korcula specialties, prepared in a traditional style; goat cheese, prosciutto, homemade
macaroni and other meals which have been prepared in a same way as our ancestors did
Distance biked:0 - 60 km,
Overnight: Hotel Marco Polo, Korcula
Highlights: Korcula town, wine tasting and agro tourism dinner, coastal rides
Meals: breakfast, wine tasting with dinner
DAY 6: ZINFANDELS HOME AND LONGEST WALLS IN EUROPE
Today we ride across peninsula Peljesac, home of Croatian best known red wines Dingac and Postup, made from the Plavac
Mali vines, close cousin to Zinfandel of California, and Primitivo from Calabria. Our today’s destination is Mali Ston, well
known for the longest fortified city walls in Europe and famous for its oysters and mussels from the well-known Ston oyster
beds. In Mali Ston we say goodbye to our bikes because this is our last day cycling, we shuttle in the afternoon to enter thick
stone walls of Dubrovnik. Visit the pearl of the Adriatic, one of the worlds’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities. With
its strategic coastal position, the city has been an important power since the 13th century, and its long and storied history is
told in its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. Farewell dinner
together tonight in Dubrovnik!
Distance biked: 20-60 km,
Overnight: Valamar hotels, Dubrovnik
Highlights: Peljesac peninsula and wine area, Mali Ston, coastal ride to Dubrovnik and city of Dubrovnik
Meals: breakfast, and dinner
DAY 7: END OF TOUR
Today the tour ends after breakfast in Dubrovnik! You might want to extend your stay in Dubrovnik, visit neighboring
countries of Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina, or just relax in Stradun (Dubrovnik's main square) and/or the near
beach!
START/END OF BIKE TOUR:
The tour starts on June 8th in Split and ends on June 14th in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik airport is 20 km from the Dubrovnik town. There are official airport buses leaving every couple of hours and it
takes about 30 min for them to reach airport. Taxis will be at the airport in about 20 min!
Other departure dates upon request, from June till September, for groups with minimum of 4 persons!
PRICE PER PERSON:
Price per person sharing a room: EUR 2.390,00
Single supplement: EUR 300
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
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Lodging in the most beautiful Dalmatian towns: Split, Hvar, Korcula and Dubrovnik
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small group sizes, min 4 guests, maximum 10 guests
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Daily breakfast, 4 gourmet dinners, 2 wine tastings, fruit and drinks during the rides
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Choice of good quality road or hybrid bike, water bottle and bike bag(small)
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Local bilingual guides: knowledgeable, with exceptional customer service
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van support with driver, water and snacks, all transportation, luggage shuttles
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All boat/ferry transfers
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Wine tastings as mentioned in itinerary
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Split airport pick up (for the starting date only)
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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Airfare
-
Travel insurance
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Optional excursions such as kayaking, diving, other sailing tours
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tips or any kind of gratuities
-
airport drop off at the tour end (in Dubrovnik)
Hotels:
Hotel Slavija Split - www.hotelslavija.hr/
Hotel Palace, Hvar - www.suncanihvar.com/the-palace-hvar.html
Hotel Marco Polo, Korcula - www.korcula-hotels.com/en/hotels/hotel-marko-polo.php
Hotel Tirena Valamar, Dubrovnik - www.valamar.com/tirena-hotel-dubrovnik
RATING:
On this tour there are options for easy rides as well as moderate ones; the tour is suitable for riders who have some biking
experience and a reasonable level of fitness, which means occasional sport activities. There are 6 riding days with an average
daily mileage of 35 km. Croatian islands are not flat! During the tour there is a van support always somewhere around, and if
you feel like 'that hill is just too long', do not worry, we are there to give you a small push.
Daily distances: 0 – 80 km per day.
Total distance biked: 100-290 km in 7 days
GROUP SIZE: min 4 - max 12 people
Departure dates 2013: June,08