Islandhopping in Croatia
Distance: 45 - 75 km average per day Altitude meters: 500 - 800 altitude meters per day on average. Now and then longer and steeper slopes without being predominant.
On this E-bike & Bicycle cruise in Southern Dalmatia you discover the exceptional natural beauty of the South Dalmatian coastline and island world on board an elegant motor yacht. The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes.
Highlights such as the Diocletian Palace in Split, the picturesque old town of Korčula and the lavender island of Hvar combined with islands of simpler heritage, provides an unforgettable travel experience. A true cultural insight.
Depending on the wind and weather it can occur that this tour is operated in reverse.
Individual arrival by car to Trogir or by plane to Split airport, which is about 4 mi./ 6 km away from the harbor of Trogir. After check-in on the motor yacht between 2 and 2:30 pm, the first cruise starts about 3 pm from Trogir to Hvar Island. Stari Grad is the second largest settlement on the Island of Hvar and well known for its important harbour. Overnight stay in Stari Grad.
After breakfast we set off on a bike tour from Stari Grad to the capital city of Hvar. We will have plenty of time on arrival to visit the magnificent Renaissance Square of Hvar town and enjoy the view up to the Spanish Fortress situated high above the city. Back on board again and cross over to Vis Island. Overnight stay on Vis.
Vis is the furthermost island from mainland Croatia. A Greek colony called Issa has been on the island 2,300 years ago. Due to its strategic location it was a military zone until 1995 and prohibited for foreign tourists. Today we have the opportunity to explore the lovely island by bicycle. After cycling, the boat takes us to the Island of Korčula. Overnight stay in Vela Luka.
Today we discover the island of Korčula by bicycle and enjoy our lunch break in one of the local restaurants. The calmness and remoteness, the vast vegetation and cypress gardens have given the shape to probably the most beautiful Dalmatian island. Our cycle tour leads us via the village of Blato, like Rome, built on seven hills, along a pass road across Pupnat bay and finally to Korčula town, where we have time to take a walk through the wonderful old town with its narrow “fishbone-like” alleys. We stay overnight in Korčula town.
Today we cruise to the island of Brač, which is famous for its radiant, precious limestone that was, among others, used for the White House in Washington and the Reichstag building in Berlin. After an extended swim break followed by lunch, we start our cycling trip in Pučišća. With an initial climb we will be rewarded with fantastic views over the neighboring islands before descending to the harbor of Postira. From here we take the coastal road back to the boat in Pučišća where we spend the night. The quaint harbour town is home to the most famous stone mason schools in Croatia and the works of the students can be seen on display throughout the town. The night is spent in Pučišća.
During breakfast the boat brings us to the city of Split. The old town of Split, built adjoining the famous palace of the Roman Caesar Diocletian, is a UNESCO world heritage site. Today we have the choice either to go rafting through the Cetina Canyon (not included in the tour price) or to explore the wonderful Marjan forest Park in Split by bike. The rafting group will follow the river downstream gaining a unique perspective of the canyon and its flora and fauna. The cyclists will enjoy a short, but scenic, bike tour through the green heart of Split accompanied by an extensive swim break at a local beach. In the afternoon we can explore the bustling city of Split again together as one group. Overnight stay in Split.
After crossing over to Rogač on the island of Šolta we commence our last cycle tour. Walled fields, numerous olive groves, locust bean and fig trees line the roads. The herbal smell of rosemary accompanies us along our tour through this island. Our boat awaits us in Rogač and we enjoy our last crossing back to Trogir where, if time permits, we can take a tour of the old town which is a world heritage site. The last evening aboard our ship follows a nice tradition. While enjoying a communal dinner in a cosy atmosphere you will have the chance for a last get-together with your crew and your tour guides.
After breakfast disembarkation until 9 AM and individual trip home or extended stay in Dalmatia/Croatia.
South Dalmatia
Our cycle tours fit for both: hybrid and e-bikers. You have to decide beforehand, which bicycle you like to rent, if you decide to rent one. The cycle tours require a good basic level of fitness. The tours and the elevation gain are very manageable with an e-bike (20-60 km and 400-700 m of elevation per day).
The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on the tour on a gravel bike, should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. We thank you for your understanding.
The tours will take us up to a height of 200 to 650 m above sea-level. The day-tours from 12 to 37.5 mi. (20 to 60 km) will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints. Participants will also need to master long and steep climbs, during which they are, however, also permitted to push their bicycles. We traverse mostly asphalted roads, which are rarely frequented outside the holiday seasons.
You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or to spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.
Please note: departure is on Friday
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 20,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
Flat rate for bottled water and tourist taxes: € 60,- for adults or € 30,- for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)
19 April & 17 May
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.590,-
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.190,-
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.840,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.390,-
12 July - 02 August & 04+ 18 October
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.690,-
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.290,-
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.940,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.490,-
31 May
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.790,-
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.390,-
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 2.040,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.590,-
16 August - 30 August & 20 September
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.890,-
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.490,-
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 2.140,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.690,-
Rental gravel bike per week € 180,-
Rental road bike per week € 180,-
E-bike per week € 200,- (private e-bikes are not allowed on board)
Bike insurance € 20,-
Embarkation takes place between 2 and 2:30 PM. The boat leaves Trogir harbor at 3 PM and takes you Hvar Island.
The mooring place of the boat is in the harbor along the Obala Bana Berislavica in Trogir.
For all tours starting in Trogir the nearest airport is Split (SPU), situated at a distance of only 6 km/4 miles from Trogir. The harbor can easily be reached by taxi. That takes about 15 minutes and costs about € 20,-. Or you can prebook an exclusive airport transfer from Split airport to Trogir harbor, price on request.
If you travel by car we advise to plan your route on viamichelin.com. Please keep in mind that you have to buy a toll sticker for passage through Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. To avoid delays you can buy those stickers in advance. There is a parking next to the port. The use of this parking costs € 60,- for a week and must be paid upon arrival to the tour guide. If you car is longer than 6 m, then these costs are € 120,-.
On this tour the following barges are scheduled
For the duration of the tour we supply you with a waterproof pannier by Ortlieb, a practical way of carrying drinks, bathing gear, camera etc
By this tours you can rent the following bikes:
Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
An e-bike powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances. Standard components in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch rims with puncture proof tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (German/English).
The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering consist of 2 x full board and 5 x half board. Catering starts with dinner on the arrival day and ends with breakfast on departure day. Lunch can be packed or a picnic as well. The food served on board is traditional and characteristic for the country. Higher nutritional demands of bikers are taken into account. Breakfast on board generally includes at least bread, butter, cheese, ham, coffee and tea. For lunch/dinner the chef generally serves light fish or meat dishes or vegetarian meals.
If you wish to eat vegetarian food or have distinctly different eating habits please inform us in time BEFORE your arrival. Please keep in mind that special food requirements cannot always be met in all details.
If you have extensive food allergies we ask you to give us a list of the food that you can eat. This should be done before your arrival so that the cook can be instructed to plan and shop accordingly.
If you need gluten free meals then please note that due to the small size of the kitchen and the available equipment on board, we cannot guarantee that your food will not come into contact with kitchen utensils in which gluten-containing foods have already been processed.
So if you have a serious celiac disease, where the food must not come into contact with utensils in which food containing gluten was prepared, then we would recommend not to participate in the trip as the risk of an allergic shock would be too high. If it is a (mild) gluten intolerance it is not a problem
One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time!
E-Bike Level 1 / Hybrid Bike Level 2 - 3
Our cycle tours are suitable for both: hybrid and e-bikers. You should decide beforehand, which bicycle you wish to rent. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or to spend time on board the boat, instead of taking part on a planned cycle tour.
Requirements for hybrid bikers (level 2-3): When riding on a hybrid bike this tour requires a basic level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from regular cycling. The tours will take us up to a height of 200 to 650 m above sea-level. The day-tours from 12 to 37.5 mi. (20 to 60 km) will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain and can be completed without any time-constraints. Participants will also need to master long and steep climbs, during which they are, however, also permitted to push their bicycles. We cycle mostly on asphalted roads, which are rarely frequented outside the holiday seasons.
Requirements for e-bikers (level 1): When riding on an E-bike this tour is suitable for people with a good basic level of fitness. The tours and the elevation gain are very manageable with an e-bike (30-60km and 400-700 m of elevation per day).
Guided group pace
This is a tour specially designed as an E-bike tour. The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on this tour on a regular bicycle should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. We thank you for your understanding.
Requirement to wear a helmet
Helmets are mandatory on our bike tours. It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and France. The common language on board is English.
The ages vary between 35 and 75, but of course we have younger (even babies and kids) and older guests. In particular it is quite possible during the school holidays that children might be booked on your tour.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (and that is almost never the case!), The guide organizes an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours.
Yes, free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route that the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.
