Island Hopping by Bicycle through Central & Southern Dalmatia with Dubrovnik

1 week ex Trogir – departures on Saturdays

 Following the longlasting success of our island hopping tour through Central and South Dalmatia, for the season of 2009 we have responded to our guests’ requests and planned a second bike tour, starting from Trogir. Highlight of this new route is certainly the visit of Dubrovnik, where the bikes will stay on the deck, but we will have the great opportunity to enjoy the unique flair of the “Pearl of the Adriatic”.

 1st day: Between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, boarding in the port of Trogir; shortly after we weigh anchor and head towards Supetar on the island of Brac, the third largest island in the Adriatic Sea. Brac is also known for its white limestone, which is mined here – buildings all over the world, including the White House in Washington, or the Reichstag in Berlin, are built out of it. After arriving in Supetar we take our bikes and ride over Splitska and Postira to Pucisca. Overnight stay in the Port of Pucisca (approx. 23 km by bike).

 2nd day: After breakfast, we leave the island of Brac and head toward Peljesac, the second largest peninsula in Croatia. In Loviste, a small town tucked in a bay on the northwestern end of the peninsula, we unload the bikes and ride past Viganj and Kuciste to Orebic. Orebic is the capital of the peninsula and is located at the foot of Mount Sveti Ilija (961 m). From here, we will enjoy a magnificent view over the sea and the island of Korcula. We continue through the wine regions of Postup and Dingac, all the way to Trstenik, where we will spend the night (approx. 44 km).

 3rd day: We will ride our bikes to the small town of Zuljana, where there is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic Sea. We then continue to Ston and Mali Ston, two villages connected by an impressive wall. The wall was built in the 14th Century; it is 5.5 kilometres long, hence, the secondlongest in the world. There is also the oldest and largest saline (marine salt works) of the entire Mediterranean area, which was built before Christ. Mali Ston is widely known for its mussel and oyster farming. After a break in Ston, our tour takes us 3 km back to Prapratno, where we will board our ship and sail to the Elafiti Islands. Overnight stay in a bay on the island of Jakljan (approx. 40 km).

 4th day: The Elafiti archipelago consists of thirteen islands and islets, of which only three are inhabited – Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep. The islands used to be the summer residence of the Dubrovnik aristocracy, and you may still admire many magnificent mansions. Today’s short bike ride takes us from Sipanska Luka to Sudjuradj on the island of Sipan. From here we will cruise to Dubrovnik, where we will arrive at lunchtime. Enjoy the afternoon and the evening, discovering the unique old town of Dubrovnik, which looks like a museum. The distance from the port to the old town is a good half hour walk or a few minutes by bus, which leaves from right next to our ships (approximately every 15 minutes, the fare is 10 kunas, last bus at around 2.00 am). Stroll through the famous “Stradun”, take a walk along the massive city walls and visit the countless attractions. Dinner on board and overnight stay (approx. 9 km).

 5th day: We leave Dubrovnik and sail to the island of Mljet. Part of the island was declared a National Park – two saltwater lakes (in the larger of the two lakes there is a small island with a former monastery) are connected to the sea by a narrow channel. We anchor in Sobra and continue on our bikes. At an easy pace we will ride through the forests of the island to Pomena. Here, the ship will be waiting for us to take us to Korcula. Korcula has one of the most beautiful old towns in Dalmatia and because of its fortresslike appearance it is often called “Little Dubrovnik”. In antiquity, the island was also called “the Black Island”, due to its vast pine forests. Overnight stay in the harbour of Korcula (approx. 32 km).

 6th day: After breakfast we take a short bike ride to the small fishing village of Racisce. From here we will cruise towards the island of Hvar. After lunch on board and a swimming break, we will reach the town of Hvar, the homonymous capital of the island. We ride through endless lavender fields and vineyards to Stari Grad, the oldest settlement on the island, founded in the 4th Century BC as the Greek colony of Pharos. Hvar is also the Adriatic island with the most hours of sunshine and the mildest climate. Overnight stay in the harbour of Stari Grad (approx. 13 and 24 km).

 7th day: Two hours by ship from Stari Grad to Stomorska, on the island of Solta. Solta is one of the smaller Dalmatian islands and is known among connoisseurs for the high quality, dark olive oil. We will ride through traditional old villages: Upper Village, Middle Village, Lower Village – that’s how the three communities on the island are called (Gornje, Srednje, Donje Selo). In Maslinica, the village named after the Croatian olive tree (“Maslina”), we load our bikes on deck for the last time and return to Trogir after lunch and after the last swimming break. In the evening we will enjoy the unique atmosphere of the old town of Trogir, with its narrow alleys and courtyards, and perhaps we will even listen to a Dalmatian “Klapa” intoning their songs. Overnight stay at the Riva of Trogir (approx. 20.0 km) .

 8th day: After breakfast, disembarkation until 9:00 am.