Bike Cruise - Island hopping Dalmatia

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

This guided cycling tour in Dalmatia starts on Brač Island and ends in Omiš. During your tour you will explore amazing coastlines, 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 - Island Brač (Milna) (L)

Bike Course: 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 1pm with lunch as first service. Two-hour journey to the island of Brač is the best time to meet your fellow passengers and the crew. Up on arrival in Milna you will cycle to Bobovišća on the sea. This little hamlet, set on the western side of island Brač just under the top of the mountain, seems somehow squeezed on the sunny slope, overlooking the sea. You will be able to have a swim here or just a coffee. Up on return to Milna we suggest you to take a ride along the coast. Overnight in the harbor of Milna.

Day 2: Brač Island (B, D)

Bike Course: 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 35 kilometers long drive you will have opportunity to try domestic food and vine at little shepherd village called Gažul with stone houses situated in authentic Brač platform (lunch is optional and cost approx 16 eur). After nice and long break you still have 10 km to get to 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 Horn beach (approx 2,5 km from the port so take a bike to get there). In Bol you can take a swim or stroll through Bol. Overnight in Bol.

Day 3: Hvar Island   (B, L)

Bike Course: 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 coastal gravel road from Jelsa towards Vrboska and then we descend on an old road towards Stari Grad where we will have a refreshing stop. Starigrad is one of Croatia's oldest towns, dating back to 385BC 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 behind 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 in Hvar.

Day 4: Korčula Island  (B, D/L)

Bike Course: Vela Luka - Korčula (approx 44 km) or Račišće - Lumbarda - Korčula (approx 24 km) - to be confirmed on the spot as Vela Luka – Korčula is very demanding trail and not suitable for less fit 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 old Greek name Korkyra Melaina is especially due to the rich cover of pine woods. The peaceful and secluded gardens of Cypress trees here make Korčula perhaps the most beautiful of the Adriatic islands. Korčula, along with Venice, proclaims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo so you will meet the name Marco Polo everywhere when you get to Korčula island. The destination is the medieval town of Korčula constructed looking like a fishbone, main “bone” (street) going from main gate to the peak of the old town. Overnight in Korčula.

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

Bike Course: National park Mljet (approx. 15 km) DIFFICULTY LEVEL 1
Surface: Paved, gravel
Inclination: Flat
Highest point at: 65 m

While we enjoy our breakfast the boat will drive us to 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 a depth up to 46 m and the Small Lake with an area of 24 ha and a maximum depth of 29 m. The bikes we tour around the saltwater-lake, in which there is actually another island where in the twelfth century Benedictine created a monastery, beautifully secluded, and surrounded by pine and oak forests. After lunch you can take a swim in Small Lake or take another self drive ride. Overnight in Pomena (Mljet).

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

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

After breakfast we will enjoy the sail towards 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 will enjoy the landscape, which will help you get through the difficult part. The cycle-tour leads you into the backcountry 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. How much this ride will be difficult depends how fit you are. Those who feel tired can join the ship in Orebić, the picturesque townlet, the town of sea captains and sailors. The rest of the group will continue the 18 km long road towards Lovište where lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon our boat brings us to one of popular holiday resorts on Makarska Riviera on the base of the 5,500 ft high Biokovo mountain range. Overnight in Baška voda or Makarska.

Day 7: Omiš & Split (B, L)

Bike Course: 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 last ride of our Dalmatian adventure, this time to Radman’s Millis, a popular resort where you will enjoy the beauty of a natural park and canyon of the Cetina river, known for famous movie Winetou that was filmed there. You can see also stone mill wheels dating from the 17th century. Up on return to Omiš you can visit the fortress Mirabella which provided safety from the enemy to the local inhabitants during the period of the infamous pirates of Omiš. The view from the fortress of Mirabella stretches over the entire old part the entire Channel of Brač island. After lunch the ship lead us back to the monumental city of Split which is under UNESCO protection and it is a part of the world heritage. Here we find an abundance of Roman architecture - of special interest is the Diocletian palace. Overnight in Split.

Day 8: Disembarkation Split  (B)

Breakfast at 9:00 am and then disembarkation to make your own way home.


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

CYCLING ROUTE: The length of the daily cycling routes is estimated and informative and depends of various detours or short cuts that can be done on route. Sailing and cycling routes may be changed on the spot due to weather conditions and 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 on personal bicycles during bike tours and transportation from land to the ship and vice versa

FOOD: Half board is served with continental breakfast and either lunch or dinner. During our cycling routes we recommend stops at local restaurants where you can sample the local specialties. These meals are not included in the price of the trip but are paid by the customers. 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.

BIKE RENTAL INCLUDES BIKES EQUIPPED WITH BOTTLE HOLDER, BAG CARRIER, SMALL BAG & HELMET

 

VISITOR’S TAX & PORT FEES for the cruise ARE NOT INCLUDED (to be paid on the spot on the ship) – EUR 20. - per person per week

• Bike rental: EUR 100.- per week netto
  Full Board supplement: EUR 115.- per person/week, (gross) min.10 pax required.
• Drink supplement: EUR 16. - per week – incl. choice of 1 drink - glass of wine, 1 beer or 1 soft drink with lunch
• Water supplement: EUR 20.- per person per week (netto) – includes 1,5 l of water per person per day- to be paid on the spot
• English breakfast supplement: EUR 40.- per week (netto) - incl. 2 eggs, bacon, tomato and mushrooms, or fruit & yoghurt, or similar (regular continental breakfast included in price of the cruise includes: coffee, tea, milk, glass of juice, cereal, bread, a variety of spreads - butter, honey, jam, soft cheese; daily additions such as ham and cheese or boiled eggs, frankfurters, salami etc.) 
• Wedding renewal package: EUR 100,- (netto) per couple – includes renewal ceremony performed by the captain, certificate, champagne, gift
• Extra towels: Extra towels can be rented for EUR 3.- & beach towels EUR 5.- per week/towel. Katarina Line beach towel can be purchased on arrival for EUR 10.-
• Parking: Possible  from  EUR 10 – 15 daily
• Airport transfers: To Opatija various airport possibilities (Zagreb, Trieste, Ljubljana, Venice) – price on request; FREE OF CHARGE. Katarina line provides free local transfers to and from hotels in Opatija.
• Pre/post cruise accommodation: Prices vary from EUR 20 per person/night depending on accommodation type and season - private villas, hotels, etc.

• 150 EUR per person upon reservation
• Rest of the payment one month prior to arrival

* Bike cruise with professional guide. Biking recommended equipment biking shoes, backpack, extra clothes, rain/sun protection.
* Participant agrees to abide to the decisions and instructions given by the guide who reserves the right in changing the itinerary according to weather conditions

• The Captain reserves the right in changing the route in case of bad weather conditions 
• Departures are guaranteed. Katarina line reserves the right in cancelling departures with less than 10 participants and changing ship name if need arises
• Guests are obliged to follow ship rules (found in written form on the ship) especially with regards to bringing drinks on board.
• In case of bad behavior Katarina Line/captain reserves the right in asking clients to disembark