Bike Cruise - Island hopping in central Dalmatia

7-night cruise with guaranteed departure from the port of Split

Guaranteed departures from Split on A-category ship: cabins with private shower/toilet (3rd bed on request), mostly bunk beds with half board service (continental breakfast & lunch or dinner depending on daily activities).

This guided cycling tour in Dalmatia starts on Brač Island and ends in Omiš. During your tour you will explore the amazing coastline, medieval towns, old villages and picturesque bays. Highlights include visiting nice beaches, vineyards, pine woods, cycling on the historic islands and exploring Mljet National Park. Croatia is a land of picturesque islands, rich history, Mediterranean vegetation and mild climate, and the best way to explore it is - without doubt - by bike.

Day 1: Arrival in Split - Brač Island (Milna) (L)

Biking Trail: Milna – Bobovišća NM – Milna (approx 17 km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Surface: Paved, gravel
Inclination: Partly hilly - partly flat
Highest point at: 175 m

Departure at 13:00 with lunch as first course. Two-hour journey to the island of Brač is the best time to meet your fellow passengers and the crew. Upon arrival in Milna you will cycle to Bobovišća Na Moru. This little hamlet, on the western side of Brač just under the mountain top, seems somehow squeezed onto the sunny slope, overlooking the sea. You will be able to have a swim here or stop for a coffee. Upon return to Milna we suggest you take a ride along the coast. Overnight stay in the harbor of Milna.

Day 2: Brač Island (B, D)

Biking Trail: Milna - Bol (approx. 43km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5
Surface: Paved, short part to Gažul village is gravel
Inclination: Very hilly, partly flat, last 8 km downhill
Highest point at: 570 m

After breakfast, your adventure will start with a long but even climb to the crest of a hill, past mulberry and fig trees, pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. The white marble visible here was used for, among other things, the White House in Washington and the Reichstag building in Berlin. After a 35 km long drive you'll have the opportunity to try domestic food and vine at a little shepherds' village called Gažul. Lunch is optional and costs approx 16 EUR. After a nice and long break you still have 10 km to reach Bol. The breathtaking panoramic views of the neighboring island of Hvar on the descent to the beach at Bol are well worth the effort of the ascent. In Bol one can see the Golden Cape beach (approx 2,5 km from the port, so use a bike to get there), take a swim or stroll through the town. Overnight stay in Bol.

Day 3: Hvar Island (B, L)

Biking Trail: Jelsa - Starigrad - Hvar (approx 33 km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Surface: Paved, gravel
Inclination: Flat on the way to Starigrad, hilly from Starigrad
Highest point at: 415 m

The island of Hvar is above all famous for its multicolored fields of rosemary and lavender. The biking tour takes us through small island settlements, fields and vineyards. We ride along the coastal gravel road from Jelsa towards Vrboska and then we descend on an old road towards Stari Grad, where we'll stop to refresh. Starigrad is one of Croatia's oldest towns, dating back to 385 BC when it was a Greek colony called Faros. On the way to Hvar we are passing through villages of Grablje, a wealthy place of hardworking people who were known for their high-quality wine, honey, olive oil, and lavender, and Brusje, the first village after Hvar towards the interior of the island. The tour ends at the historical city of Hvar where you can climb up to the Španjol, a citadel built on the site of a medieval castle to defend the town from the Turks. Overnight stay in Hvar.

Day 4: Korčula Island (B, D/L)

Biking Trail: Vela Luka - Korčula (approx 44 km) or Račišće - Lumbarda - Korčula (approx 24 km) - to be confirmed on the spot as Vela Luka – Korčula is a very demanding trail and not suitable for all groups. DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4/3
Surface: Paved
Inclination: Partly flat, partly hilly, last 5 km downhill
Highest point at: 500 m

Korčula is the island with the most abundant vegetation on the Adriatic. Its ancient Greek name of Korkyra Melaina refers to the rich cover of pine woods. The peaceful and secluded gardens of cypress trees make Korčula perhaps the most beautiful of the Adriatic islands. Korčula, along with Venice, claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, so you'll see his name everywhere on the island. The destination is the medieval town of Korčula constructed in the shape of a fishbone, with the main “bone” (street) going from the main gate to the peak of the old town. Overnight stay in Korčula.

Day 5: Mljet Island National Park (B, L)

Biking Trail: Mljet National Park (approx. 15 km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 1
Surface: Paved, gravel
Inclination: Flat
Highest point at: 65 m

While we enjoy our breakfast, the boat will take us to the lush green island of Mljet, also known as Honey Island. Mljet National Park is a beautiful area of unique charm featuring two connected salty lakes - Great Lake, covering an area of 145 ha with the depth of up to 46 m, and the Small Lake with an area of 24 ha and the maximum depth of 29 m. We tour around the saltwater lake, in which there is actually another island with a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century, beautifully secluded and surrounded by pine and oak forests. After lunch you can take a swim in Small Lake or take another ride by yourself. Overnight stay in Pomena (Mljet).

Day 6: Pelješac Peninsula & Makarska Riviera (B, L)

Biking Trail: Kučište - Orebić - Lovište (approx 30 km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Surface: Paved
Inclination: Partly flat, partly hilly to very hilly, last 6 km downhill
Highest point at: 270 m

After breakfast we will enjoy the sail towards the Pelješac Peninsula, where the life is very much like that on an island. The climb ahead of you is not an easy one, but you can enjoy the landscape, which will help you get through the difficult part. This tour leads you into the outback and past the most famous wine-growing area. Once we reach a viewpoint, an extraordinary sight over Korčula's old town on the other side opens. The difficulty of this ride depends on how fit you are. Those who feel tired can join the ship in Orebić, the picturesque town of sea captains and sailors. The rest of the group will continue along the 18 km long road towards Lovište, where lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon our boat brings us to one of the popular holiday resorts on Makarska Riviera, at the base of the 5,500 ft high Biokovo mountain range. Overnight stay in Baška voda or Makarska.

Day 7: Omiš & Split (B, L)

Biking Trail: Omiš – Radmanove Mlinice - Omiš (approx 12 km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 1
Surface: Paved
Inclination: Partly flat, partly hilly
Highest point at: 160 m

After breakfast we will take the last ride of our Dalmatian adventure, this time to Radman’s Mills, a popular resort where you can enjoy the beauty of the nature park and the Cetina River canyon, known for the famous movie Winnetou that was filmed there. You can also visit stone mill wheels dating from the 17th century. Upon return to Omiš, you can visit the Mirabella fortress which provided safety from the enemy during the period of the infamous Omiš pirates. The view from the fortress stretches over the entire island of Brač. After lunch, the ship will take us back to the monumental city of Split which is under UNESCO protection. Here we find an abundance of Roman architecture; of particular interest is the Diocletian's palace. Overnight stay in Split.

Day 8: Departure - Split (B)

Breakfast at 9:00 AM, after which you'll disembark and make your way home.

Obligatory supplement:

Sojourn tax and port fees (not included in the price, to be paid on the spot) - EUR 20 per person per week

Payment

* Down payment of 150 EUR per person upon booking
* Rest of the payment - one month prior to arrival
* Bike cruise with a professional guide. Recommended biking equipment: biking shoes, backpack, extra clothes, rain/sun protection.
* Participants agree to abide to the decisions and instructions given by the guide who reserves the right to change the itinerary according to weather conditions.

SWIMMING BREAKS: In good weather and depending on the timing, we will have regular swim stops while the ship anchors in secluded bays, or after the cycling and before departure to the next island.

CYCLING ROUTE: The length of the daily cycling routes is estimated and informative and depends on various detours or shortcuts that can be taken while cycling. Sailing and cycling routes may be changed on the spot due to weather conditions and the capability of the respective cyclists on board. Departure is during morning hours, mostly after breakfast.

BICYCLES: Bike rental possible on request. Katarina Line is not responsible for any damage which may occur to personal bicycles during bike tours and transportation from land to the ship and vice versa. Bike rental includes bikes equipped with a bottle holder, a rear rack, a small bag and a helmet.

FOOD: Half board includes continental breakfast and either lunch or dinner. During our cycling routes we recommend stopping at local restaurants where you can try local food. These meals are not included in the price of the trip. There is a possibility to book a captain's dinner, which is paid directly on the spot and is offered by the captain and your tour guide.

The calendar is only an approximation of availability.
We kindly ask you to fill out the reservation form with requested details to get an offer with a booking option.

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