Cycling the Dalmatian Coast
8 Days Starting in Split and ending in Dubrovnik
Visiting: Croatia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MVJ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Known to have the clearest waters in the Mediterranean and undoubtedly packed with historical and cultural interest, the Dalmatian Coast is one of the true wonders of Europe. We follow some of the best cycling routes the area has to offer with much of the tour taking place on the long and beautiful islands of Hvar and Korcula, travelling by ferry between the islands. The scenery alternates between seaside villages, tiny medieval towns, and pretty pebble bays. We end our journey in the fascinating UNESCO city of Dubrovnik where we spend two nights soaking up the atmosphere of this uniquely preserved city.
Highlights
Itinerary
Start Split; If arrival times allow, there will be time to look around the
old quarters of the city and a visit to the UNESCO Diocletian Palace, we may
have time for dinner or a snack before we get back to the Split ferry port to
take an evening ferry to Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. We then continue
by road to town Hvar where we spend the first two nights.
Please note: /the ferry leaves at 20.30. The group flight varies per
departure and the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. /
Day 2
Our first cycle is a circular ride exploring the island of Hvar. We start
with a transfer to Stari Grad where we do our bike fitting before we start
cycling along an old Roman road to Vrbovska and then follow the coastal road
towards the village of Jelsa. Here we take a break before heading back to
Stari Grad for an optional lunch. After lunch, we continue our cycle back to
the town of Hvar. We will cycle up a challenging hill to a viewpoint
overlooking the island of Brac with breathtaking views. When we return to
Hvar, we will have a chance to wander around the narrow streets of this
quintessential Dalmatian town. Rather like a mini Venice, the streets of Hvar
are marbled and there are elegant gothic palaces and cathedrals inside the
city walls.
Day 3
Today we start with a transfer to Jelsa and we ride east along the narrow
part of the island with views of both coasts as we head to the port of
Sucuraj. The road is generally quiet and there are a couple of challenging
climbs today to get you warmed up, however, the support vehicle will be
available for anyone who doesn’t want to cycle up the hills. Heading east,
we have wonderful views of the mountainous mainland and the turquoise waters
and we pass small villages, olive groves and tiny vineyards on our way to
Sucuraj. From Sucuraj we take a ferry to Drvenik on the mainland, transfer by
bus to Orebic, then catch another ferry to Korcula which is the historic
centre of the island and in a lovely setting on the Peljesac Channel. It is
also known for its outstanding cultural and historical heritage with a long
tradition of seafaring, shipbuilding and stone-masonry, as well as being the
birthplace of the adventurer and traveller Marco Polo. Once on Korcula, we
have a short 15min transfer to the small town of Lumbarda which will be our
base for the next three nights.
From June to September a ferry runs from Ploce to Trpanj, and from here we
will take the bus to Orebic and then the ferry to Korcula. This shortens the
time spent on the bus travelling from Drvenik to Orebic and makes the journey
a bit more fun and picturesque.
Day 4
Today we have a free day to relax in Lumbarda, go for a swim at the sandy
beach on Przina or explore the charming town of Korcula at your own pace.
There is an optional visit (with bikes) to the picturesque island of Mijet.
Those choosing to explore Mljet and its famous national park will take a boat
ride to Pomena, which is also the entrance for the Mljet National Park. Here
you can enjoy a very scenic but short ride around the two lakes.
Day 5
After breakfast we will start our circular ride on the forested island of
Korcula. We start with a transfer to Vela Luka and from here we ride to the
pretty village Brna near Smokvica before transferring to Pupnat where we will
have lunch. From here we get back on the bikes and cycle all the way back to
Lumbarda after a great exploration of the island. Today is a busy day and
there are some hills, but we will use the support vehicle where necessary.
Day 6
After a short ferry ride (approx 20 minutes) to the Peljesac Peninsula we
follow this narrow and rugged finger of land. The route passes through olive
groves, quiet villages and the famous vineyards hugging the steep slopes
descending to the clear waters of the Adriatic. We complete our ride along an
easy unpaved track to the tiny cove at Zuljana. From here the traffic levels
increase so we take our support vehicle to Dubrovnik. En route there is a
short stop at the small historic settlement of Ston, a beautiful example of a
fortified town and Dubrovnik-style architecture. We should arrive in
Dubrovnik in the late afternoon. We spend two nights in a lovely hotel which
is a 10-minute public bus ride from the old town of Dubrovnik. This evening
we will have a guided tour of the Old Town of Dubrovnik.
Day 7
Dubrovnik exudes old-world charm. Located right on the Adriatic, the fine
religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and the jumble of
red-tiled roofs make this a truly enchanting place. The shelling of Dubrovnik
by Serb troops in 1991 and 1992 outraged the world. Fortunately over the last
15 years great care has been taken to re-build the damaged parts of Dubrovnik
and the city has now returned to its former glory. The old town, or Stari
Grad, is filled with cobblestone streets, fountains, churches, palaces and
museums — all built from the same light-coloured stone. There are no motor
vehicles in the quiet city, but at night the streets come alive as locals and
visitors take an early evening stroll along the Stradun, the main street,
covered in smooth shiny marble. Dubrovnik is famous for its fine seafood, and
what better way to end our Croatian experience than splashing out on a feast
of freshly grilled fish within Dubrovnik's city walls.
*
*
Day 8
Bus transfer to Dubrovnik airport. Fly to London.
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What's Included
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Local bike hire
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All breakfasts
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All accommodation
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Tour leader throughout
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All transport and listed activities
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Flights from London (if booking flight inclusive)
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Food
All breakfasts are included throughout.
For breakfast, you can expect a continental buffet serving a wide selection
of food from cold meats, cheeses, bread, and eggs to pastries, yoghurts,
jams, and fruit as well as tea and coffee.
Croatian cuisine is a mixture of fine seafood, grilled lamb, pizza, pasta,
and salads, with influences from Central Europe, Italy, and other parts of
the Balkans.
A popular optional lunch spot in Pupnat (Korcula) is Mate restaurant. Lunch
here is often a highlight of the trip. A selection of homemade produce is on
offer with a drink and comes to around 155kn/20EUR. Credit card not
accepted.
Another highlight in Korcula is an optional dinner on day 5 at an
agrotourism. Dinner here is around 200kn/27EUR for their set menu. Credit
card not accepted.
Accommodation
We have a trio of bases for this cycling adventure in Croatia: the two islands of Hvar and Korcula, plus the seaside city of Dubrovnik. In each, we have chosen hotels that are close to the beach and are ideally placed for our cycling.
Below are the hotels we typically use:
Hvar: Labranda Senses (nights 1 and 2)
Our first two nights are spent at Labranda Senses, a resort just 165ft (50m) from the sea. It's an excellent spot to ease ourselves into our trip, with a sunbathing terrace, reading corner and mini gym/fitness room. Most of your free time, however, will likely be spent either on the hotel beach (where there are deckchairs) or the pool.
Korcula: Hotel Borik (nights 3-5)
Immerse yourself into the little village of Lumbarda with a stay at Hotel Borik, which occupies the one-time summer palace of the Miroševic family. The property has an open-air swimming pool, lounge bar and restaurant. The rooms are fairly basic, but the main street in the village and the pebbly beach of Tatinje are just a walk away.
Dubrovnik: Hotel Vis/Hotel Komodor (nights 6 and 7)
Our final nights are spent at either Hotel Vis (above) or Hotel Komodor, both three-star beachside properties. The 151-room Vis hotel, sandwiched between pine trees and the Adriatic, has a rooftop terrace, bar, and a seaside restaurant serving local and international cuisines. The Komodor has 113 rooms, which are split between the main building and an annex. The seaside promenade is just a five-minute walk away and there's a pool at the hotel.
Worth knowing
During the low season, some hotels close their pools. However, the sea is never far away when you would like a swim.
Some hotels we use don’t have lifts.
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No vaccinations are obligatory.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
The hotels used throughout the trip are of a good standard
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 year age people can go on this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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