Island Hopping by Bicycle through Central & Southern Dalmatia

1 week ex Trogir – departures on Saturdays

 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 – it is used for buildings all over the world, including the White House in Washington. After arriving in Supetar, we take our bikes and ride over Splitska and Postira to Pucisce and then back to Supetar, where we will have dinner on board. Overnight stay in the harbour of Supetar (approx. 45.8 kilometres by bike).

 2nd day: Today we will cross the island of Brac, from north to south – our destination is the resort of Bol, with one of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean area, the Zlatni Rat (the Golden Horn). The route takes us through Mirca, Sutivan, Lozisca, Nerezisca and Gornji Humac to Bol - on the road, we will have lunch and enjoy a glass of wine in a typical Dalmatian “Konoba”. Those who after riding uphill to the height of some 500 meters above sea level, are aiming even higher, can join us “mountaineering” all the way up to the Vidova Gora Mountain – with its 778 meters the highest mountain on the Adriatic islands. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the islands of Solta, Hvar and Korcula, the peninsula of Peljesac and the “Golden Horn” beach. After arriving in Bol, we load the bikes on the deck and set sail towards Jelsa, on the island of Hvar. Dinner and overnight stay in the picturesque harbour of Jelsa (approx. 47.0 km, or 63.0 km).

 3rd day: Today’s bike ride is a bit shorter – we ride through endless fields of lavender and vineyards to Stari Grad, the oldest settlement on the island. Hvar is the Adriatic island with the most hours of sunshine and the mildest climate. We continue from Stari Grad through Selca, to the capital Hvar, where in the afternoon we will go back on board. We will have lunch in a “Konoba” in one of the small island villages; dinner on board. Due to the large number of ships and yachts, it may be crowded in the small harbour of Hvar; therefore the captain may decide to moor in a nearby cove, instead of spending the night in Hvar (approx. 39.0 km).

 4th day: After breakfast we set sail and head towards the “forbidden” island of Vis. Under socialist rule there was a major military base on the island, therefore foreigners were not allowed to visit. As part of the democratization of the country, the military has withdrawn, and on the former runway of the military airport now wine is cultivated. Vis is a subtropical paradise with widely unspoiled nature. Upon arrival at the port of Vis we continue by bicycle to the second major city on the island – Komiza. Time for lunch in Komiza, and then we will ride back to Vis. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in the harbour of Vis (approx. 35.5 km).

 5th day: “Cast off!” early in the morning, and after about three hours cruise, we will run into the bay of Vela Luka on the island of Korcula. The island – its antique name is Korkyra – is also called “the Black Island”, due to its vast pine forests. Past Blato, Smokvica, Cara, Pupnat and Zrnovo, our route takes us to the town of Korcula, in the southeast of the island. We will circumnavigate the toughest gradients on small local roads. On the way we will stop in a “Konoba” or tavern. Dinner is served on board, with a magnificent view on the stunning backdrop of the old town of Korcula. Overnight stay in Korcula (approx. 50.5 km).

 6th day: We leave Korcula and enjoy the view over the Old Town in the morning sun, while heading northwest towards our next destination – past the peninsula of Peljesac and the islands of Hvar and Brac, towards the mainland. We tie up at the port of Omis, a small town at the mouth of the river Cetina. On our bikes we will ride inland, through the river canyon. Next we ride along the River Cetina with its crystal clear waters, to the “Radmanove Mlinice”. The Radmanove Mlinice are old mills, where once, powered by the water of the Cetina, grain was ground into flour. Those participants, who opted for the shorter option, have the opportunity to swim in the River Cetina, before returning to Omis and board the ship. Otherwise, the tour from here leads us up to the village of Podaspilje. The village received its name from the numerous caves that are located in the mountainous terrain above the village (Podaspilje = “below the caves”). From here you have a fantastic view over the forested canyon and the Cetina River. In the village of Svinisce we will have lunch in a tavern before returning to Omis (approx. 13.0 km and 42.5 km).

 7th day: We will sail two hours from Omis 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 villages on the island are called (Gornje, Srednje, Donje Selo). In Maslinica – the village is 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.