Island Hopping In Southern Dalmatia With Premium Boat

International group tour with German/English-speaking guide.

A week-long cycle cruise between the hilly Dalmatian islands in the turquoise waters off Split. By boat and bike, you'll explore 5 beautiful islands, as well as some smaller roads on the mainland. Scenically, it’s a very varied tour through diverse nature. You pass through lavender fields, olive groves, vineyards and lots of plantations with kiwis, mulberry trees and fig trees. The reward for your cycling efforts on getting up the ridges consists of wonderful panoramic views of the entire archipelago.
Your biking adventures will be complemented by refreshing swimming or snorkelling trips (bring your own mask), relaxing on the sun deck or perhaps a game of cards with your fellow travellers. There will be sightseeing in the many small ports and lagoons we pass, as well as exciting visits to local restaurants and bars in the small villages along the way.  

The cycling is not mandatory, but a tempting offer. If instead, you wish to explore on land or stay on the boat until the next meeting point, you're free to do so. But please note that the boat's route and ports of call are based on the cyclists' needs.

The tour is for everyone, however the cycling challenges will set a lower age limit, and we recommend that participating children are at least 12 years old.

On these tours with guests from different countries, new friendships are often formed across all language barriers, and it’s exciting to reconnect and exchange different experiences after the day's activities, while relaxing in the evening. 

Please note that this cycling cruise is with newer Premium boats with more spacious cabins than on the cheaper boats. The boats are very well-run, providing high quality and good service.  
All cabins have private bath and toilet, mirror, air-conditioning and hairdryer. The cabins below deck have windows that can be opened when in port. With the other cabins, the door can be opened to the outside.  All bunks are 200 cm long.

M/S Romantica is a modern motor sailor, built in 2007. The boat is 32 m long and 7 m wide.  The 16 cabins are 9-10 sqm each and with limited closet space. 7 double cabins below deck (2 with double bed, 2 with double bed and one extra bunk, 3 with 2 single beds). 9 cabins are located above deck (5 with double bed and 4 with 2 beds). The double beds are approx. 160 cm wide.
There have been paid attention to every detail in the common living rooms, and there’s ample space in all the common areas. At the stern there’s a bathing platform, so it's easy to jump in the turquoise blue sea, and the most important feature: a large sun deck where you can relax and enjoy the sun and the view.

M/S San Snova is a charming motor sailor built in 2009 exclusively for use in the archipelago of Croatia. It's built in oak and combines the classic ship traditions with a beautiful and modern interior. The boat is 31 m long and 8 m wide. The 14 cabins are 9-14 sqm each. There are 11 cabins above deck, each with a double bed (140 cm wide). 5 of these cabins have an extra bunk. There are 3 cabins below deck with 3 bunks.  
There are lovely common areas with sun deck and cover, so you can sit outside in the shade. 

The tour is partly full board: 4 days with full board (breakfast, lunch or packed lunch and dinner) and 3 days with half board (breakfast and either lunch/picnic or dinner depending on the day's program). Your first meal is dinner on the day of arrival, and your last meal is breakfast on the day of departure.

There is a bike guide on board who cycles along on the day stages, so the meals are adapted to accommodate the day stages.

Day 1. Arrival at Trogir Harbour
Check-in on the boat is between 14.00-14.30h, and at 15.00h the boat sets out on the first stretch of the cruise to the island of Brac. Overnight in Milna.

Day 2. The islands of Solta and Hvar, approx. cycling approx. 20 km + 20 km
After a short morning boat trip to Stomorska, it’s on to the next island of Solta. The island of Solta is referred to as "the quiet island". We cycle along fenced fields, numerous olive groves, fig trees and wonderfully fragrant lavender fields that mix with the spicy scent of rosemary. Enjoy the colours, fragrances and fresh air on this stage. We'll visit a local beekeeper who'll tell us about the bees, honey and propolis and its healing effect. We return to Stomorska and sail over to the lovely nature harbour at Stari Grad. In the afternoon we'll do a bike ride to the small port villages of Jelsa and Vrboska (known as Little Venice). We return to Stari Grad (The Old Town) which, for good reason, has become a mecca for artists and art lovers.

Day 3. The islands of Hvar and Korčula, cycling approx. 22 km
Hvar is the longest island in the Adriatic Sea and the island that enjoys the most hours of sunshine. We take a bike ride along an almost traffic-free road, through beautifully located little villages and on to the island's main town, Hvar. We'll visit the magnificent Renaissance square and enjoy the view from the Spanish fortress located high above the town. We jump on board again and cruise over to Korčula Island. Overnight in Vela Luka.

Day 4. The island of Korčula, cycling approx. 62 km
Korčula is by many considered to be the most beautiful of the islands. In the shadow of the cypress trees and through stunningly beautiful nature, we cross the island from west to east. Our cycling route leads us through the village of Blato, which, like Rome, is built on seven hills. We follow the road across the pass to the Pupnat Bay with a breath-taking view, and finally on to the town of Korčula, where we have time to take a tour through the wonderful old town with its narrow alleyways. The lunch stop will be in a local restaurant along the way.  We stay overnight in Korčula town. 

Day 5. The island of Brac, cycling approx. 27 km
We sail to the island of Brac, famous for its shiny white marble which, among other places, has been used in the White House in Washington and in the Reichstag building in Berlin. After lunch, we cycle from Sumartin to Selca and on to the beautiful town of Pučišća. Overnight in Pučišća.

Day 6. Omis - Split, cycling approx. 25 or 44 km
In the morning we head for Omis, from where we cycle through the Cetina Valley with beautiful, rugged rock formations along the river itself. After 18 km, we have the choice between doing a four-hour rafting trip on the Cetina River (not included in the tour price) followed by a short 7 km bike ride back to the boat, or to extend the cycle route (no rafting) to 44 km, riding on small roads through versatile landscapes until we again reach Omiš and its pirate castles. In the afternoon our boat brings us to Split. The old town of Split, built around the Roman Caesar Diocletian's Palace around the year 300 AD, is a part of UNESCO's world heritage. Overnight in Split.

Day 7. Split - Marjan, cycling approx. 15 km
In the morning we prepare for our final stage of cycling to Marjan. A popular recreation area among the inhabitants of Split. From here, there is a great view of the city and the surrounding islands. We board the ship and enjoy the last crossing to Trogir. There is still plenty of time to visit the Old Town, listed as a world heritage site. This last evening we'll finish with a nice and festive dinner in company with all the guests, crew and tour guides.

Day 8. Trogir - Departure Day
Departure after breakfast, unless you have booked extra nights at a hotel in Trogir.

Reservations: The stated itinerary is indicative. If weather conditions etc. makes it necessary to change the schedules, it’s the captain who makes that decision.

We have two different boats on this tour, starting and ending on Saturdays in the port town of Trogir. On some dates both boats are sailing and on other dates only one of the boats is sailing. There are also weeks where there is no tour leaving.  

With M/S Romantica 2018: March 31st, April 7th and 21st, May 5th and 19th, June 2nd, 16th and 30th, July 14th and 28th, August 18th, September 1st, 15th and 29th, October 13th.

With M/S San Snova 2018: April 21st and 28th, May 5th and 12th, June 2nd, 9th,16th and 23rd, August 25th, September 1st, 8th and 29th, October 6th.  

On all departures with San Snova (except on August 25th and September 8th) it's possible to choose a mountain bike tour. On these departures, there will be two bike guides: one for the hybrid bike group and one for the mountain bike group. When booking the tour, please let us know which of the two options you want.  

The price of the tour does not include gratuity (tips). On cruises, it's standard to tip the crew. The level is approx. 5% of the price of the tour, and in your cabin, you’ll usually find an envelope already prepared for tips, or the tips can be put in a glass at the bar.

On this tour, the guests are of different nationalities, and there is a German and English-speaking guide on board that accompanies the daily stages of cycling. You’re also welcome to cycle on your own or stay on board.　

If you want to cycle on your own, you can borrow maps on board. Unfortunately, there are generally no good cycling maps, however, it's possible to manage with the ones provided and with tips from the local bike guide.

You can choose to either bring your own bike (max. 22 kg) or rent one (must be booked in advance). 

The standard bikes are 21-gear hybrid bikes equipped with rear rack bag and water bottle. The bikes are geared and equipped for cycling on roads which in some places offer steeper climbs and uneven surfaces.  
Bike insurance against damage and theft can be taken out on board, price 10 EUR/week.

Electric bikes can be rented (limited number available). Must be booked in advance.

Use of bike helmet is mandatory - bring your own or rent one on board (limited number available - reservation is recommended). 

This cycling cruise must not be compared to our cruises along rivers and canals. The Dalmatian Islands are all mountainous, and the daily stages of 20-48 km cycling will offer 200-500 altitude meters. The climbs can be long, but not insurmountable, and anyone with a reasonably good level of fitness should be able to participate in this category 3 tour. You are rewarded with breath-taking views of the sea and beautiful descents.  
There are no cycle paths, but traffic is sparse and it's rarely heavy or disturbing traffic. The route selection is primarily on smaller paved or gravel roads, but since, on many of the islands, there's only one possible road, it's necessary to share with the cars on some of the sections. The bikes are low geared, the pace reasonable, and the day stages manageable. In some places, it's possible to either shorten the route or choose between more or less hilly alternatives.　
In order to get the most out of the tour, you must like challenges and have a reasonable level of fitness. 

A bike guide is cycling the stages with you, but you can also choose to cycle on your own (maps are provided). It's also possible to skip the cycling and instead stay on the boat or go exploring on land.  

 * We note that the map is indicative and therefore does not contain precise route information.

By plane
This tour doesn’t include transport to/from Trogir. Trogir is only about 6 km from Split airport. A taxi from Split Airport to the Trogir harbour costs about 20 € each way.

By car
Guests arriving by car may get designated a parking space. Price approx. 50 €/week.