Dalmatia - South PLUS Bike and Boat

A deluxe bike and boat cycling holiday around the serene and beautiful islands of South Dalmatia. Live aboard a deluxe motor yacht exploring the timeless, evocative islands of Hvar, Vis, Korčula and Šolta. Each has it’s own unique character and flavour, providing a completely new cycling experience each day.

This is a truly magical cycling holiday, the sparsely populated islands of South Dalmatia provide the perfect environment for escaping the everyday hustle and bustle, allowing you to fall into an intoxicating rhythm of cycle, swim, eat, sleep, repeat.

The above video shows the sights and scenes along the route.

Your deluxe motor yacht, complete with friendly crew and cycle guides, offers comfortable, air-conditioned cabins and is the perfect vessel for exploring the Dalmatian Islands in style. Each day the boat will moor in a different but always idyllic harbour where you will disembark for the day’s ride. The bike guides remove the need for maps and route notes allowing you to relax and enjoy the rides without having to worry about navigation. While you are riding, the boat cruises around to the other side of the island and is waiting for you when you arrive.

Most afternoons the boat will cruise to a quiet bay for a swim stop. The bathing platform on the boat’s stern makes entering and leaving the water easy for all and there are also stand-up-paddle boards available as well.

The highlights of the week are many and varied but stand-out memories include the view over Hvar Town from the Spanish Fortress, cycling around Vis, the quietest and most remote of the Dalmatian Islands and swimming from the boat to cool off after a long ride. The ride from one end of Korčula to the other is very special and maybe you’ll agree with our opinion that it is the most beautiful of the Dalmatian Islands. The optional rafting excursion in Cetina Canyon on the mainland is very exhilarating and the opportunity to explore the ancient, winding alleyways of Split old town, complete with bohemian bars and an emperor’s palace should not be overlooked.

The final day’s ride on Šolta, where the scent of lavender and wild rosemary accompany your ride, is a fitting finale to a truly memorable cycling holiday

The cycle rides cover between 12 and 30 miles along on asphalted lanes and quiet roads. The terrain of these islands is always undulating and you will have climbs to contend with each day. State of the art e-bikes are a popular, pre-bookable option and are recommended for anyone concerned about the hills but regular hybrid bikes are of course available too.

Dalmatia - South PLUS Bike and Boat

A deluxe bike and boat cycling holiday around the serene and beautiful islands of South Dalmatia. Live aboard a deluxe motor yacht exploring the timeless, evocative islands of Hvar, Vis, Korčula and Šolta. Each has it’s own unique character and flavour, providing a completely new cycling experience each day.

This is a truly magical cycling holiday, the sparsely populated islands of South Dalmatia provide the perfect environment for escaping the everyday hustle and bustle, allowing you to fall into an intoxicating rhythm of cycle, swim, eat, sleep, repeat.

The above video shows the sights and scenes along the route.

Your deluxe motor yacht, complete with friendly crew and cycle guides, offers comfortable, air-conditioned cabins and is the perfect vessel for exploring the Dalmatian Islands in style. Each day the boat will moor in a different but always idyllic harbour where you will disembark for the day’s ride. The bike guides remove the need for maps and route notes allowing you to relax and enjoy the rides without having to worry about navigation. While you are riding, the boat cruises around to the other side of the island and is waiting for you when you arrive.

Most afternoons the boat will cruise to a quiet bay for a swim stop. The bathing platform on the boat’s stern makes entering and leaving the water easy for all and there are also stand-up-paddle boards available as well.

The highlights of the week are many and varied but stand-out memories include the view over Hvar Town from the Spanish Fortress, cycling around Vis, the quietest and most remote of the Dalmatian Islands and swimming from the boat to cool off after a long ride. The ride from one end of Korčula to the other is very special and maybe you’ll agree with our opinion that it is the most beautiful of the Dalmatian Islands. The optional rafting excursion in Cetina Canyon on the mainland is very exhilarating and the opportunity to explore the ancient, winding alleyways of Split old town, complete with bohemian bars and an emperor’s palace should not be overlooked.

The final day’s ride on Šolta, where the scent of lavender and wild rosemary accompany your ride, is a fitting finale to a truly memorable cycling holiday

The cycle rides cover between 12 and 30 miles along on asphalted lanes and quiet roads. The terrain of these islands is always undulating and you will have climbs to contend with each day. State of the art e-bikes are a popular, pre-bookable option and are recommended for anyone concerned about the hills but regular hybrid bikes are of course available too.

Itinerary

The daily rides cover between 12 and 37 miles along mostly asphalted quiet lanes and minor roads. The terrain is always undulating and you will have some climbs to contend with each day. E-bikes are a the most popular bikes on this route

The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.

Day 1 : Trogir – Hvar island

The pretty port of Trogir is just a short 6 km taxi or bus ride from Split Airport. On arrival, check in on board your boat between 2pm and 2.30pm. At around 3pm the crew cast off and we enjoy an afternoon cruise to the pretty port of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. After dinner why not step ashore for a stroll around the pleasant little port.

Day 2 : Islands of Hvar and Vis
13 miles/20 kms

After breakfast we disembark for our first ride and begin to climb up a winding road that leads us up onto a ridge running the length of the island. The views get progressively more spectacular and aromatic lavender fields line the route attracting flights of brightly coloured butterflies. The winding descent to Hvar town on the other side of the ridge is long and exhilarating. Hvar town is a vibrant place, with bustling quayside bars and a picturesque Spanish fortress standing guard above. Enjoy a drink or snack in one of the fashionable quayside bars until the boat arrives.

We then embark on an afternoon cruise across to the island of Vis. Time allowing, we’ll drop anchor in a quiet bay for our first swim-stop – one of the great pleasures of this type of holiday. The boat then moors for the night in the pleasant littler port of Vis.

Day 3 : Vis Island
20 miles/32 kms

Vis is the outermost of the Dalmatian islands and until 1995 was closed to tourists due to it’s strategic location. You’ll really enjoy exploring this quiet and beautiful island by bike. The route leads us across the island on a gently ascending road that then descends quickly, via a series of exhilarating switchbacks, to the charming village of Komiza on the west coast.

After exploring the village and enjoying a refreshment at one of the relaxed quayside bars we mount up and leave the village, this time following a quiet coastal road with jaw-dropping sea views off to the right. The road then winds inland through a peaceful fertile valley covered in vineyards before descending back down to Vis where the boat and lunch are waiting for us.

In the afternoon we leave Vis and enjoy a leisurely cruise to the nearby island of Korčula. On route we’ll stop in a quiet bay for a swim, before mooring in the pleasant port town of Vela Luka on Korčula for the night.

Day 4 : Korčula Island
38 miles/60 kms

Korčula is stunning – by common consent the jewel in the Dalmatian archipelago crown – and today we will cycle from one end of it to the other. A gentle climb leads us inland through aromatic pine forests and after an exhilerating descent we begin to follow a quiet road alongside the island’s incredibly picturesque south coast. Hamlets of tiny houses, many covered in bougainvillea, enjoy million dollar views of a coral blue sea dotted with tiny islands. We may be tempted to stop for a swim as there are many small beaches along this lovely stretch of coast.

A stunning taverna provides us with a wonderful lunch (payable locally) and after refuelling we take on a gentle climb that is rewarded with fabulous views of picturesque Pupnat Bay.

Towards the end of the ride we cross to the north coast and enjoy a long, winding descent with more stunning views of an impossibly blue sea and the Pelješac peninsula across the strait. For the last few kilometers we follow the coastline eastwards. Windsurfers and kitesurfers flit backwards and forwards enjoying the wind funnel effect created by the narrow strait and adding even more colour to this incredibly vivid day.

Finally we round a corner and the stunning island capital comes into view. The fortified town of Korčula juts out into the Adriatic and looks like a large ship moored to the island. After dinner we highly recommend stepping ashore for a stroll through the narrow alleys of this atmospheric and bustling old town.

Day 5 : Island of Brač
28 miles/45 kms

A morning cruise brings us to Brač, the largest island of central Dalmatia. The white limestone from this island has been used to build some iconic buidings around the world such as the White House in Washington DC and the Reichstag in Berlin. After an extended swim stop and lunch on board we moor in the gorgeous natural harbour port of Pučisća and embark on a very pleasant afternoon ride to the nearby port of Postira and back again. The initial climb gives way to fantastic views across the strait to the mainland.

We moor for the night in the pretty port of Pučisća

Day 6 : City of Split (rafting option in Omiš)
10 miles/17 kms

A morning cruise takes us across the strait to the city of Split on the mainland. We have a choice today of either biking around the Marjan forest and peninsula adjacent to the city, (stopping at a lovely beach for a dip along the way), or opting for a 4 hour rafting excursion on the Cetina river (not included and payable locally). If you opt for the rafting you’ll be picked up from the boat by a bus and driven down the coast to the town of Omis, the starting point. The rafting is great fun and each raft has a well trained instructor who ensures the trip is exhilarating but safe. The river and canyon are protected and the scenery and water clarity are amazing. The bus is waiting for you at the end of the rafting experience to take you back to Split

In the afternoon there is time to explore the fascinating and bustling old port town of Split. We highly recommend a tour of the famous palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian. The adjoining maze of streets that make up Split’s old town are also inviting, never more so than after dark when all the cool little bars, clubs and restaurants come alive.

The boat remains moored in Split overnight.

Day 7 : Šolta Island
12 miles/20 kms

During breakfast we cruise to the pretty harbor of Rogač on the island of Šolta for our final cycle tour. The ride traverses the serene island, passing fragrant fields of lavender and wild rosemary. We re-board the boat in Rogač and cruise slowly back across the sea to the boat’s home port of Trogir. The old-town is a rabbit warren of narrow winding alleys, lined with tiny restaurants, shops and cafes. Feel free to lose yourself – it’s not that big – and sooner or later you’ll wind up on the quayside once more.

The Captains’s farewell dinner is always an enjoyable affair, moored up on the bustling quayside adjacent to the lovely old town.

Day 8 : Trogir - end of trip

After breakfast its time to disembark, by 9am, and head for home or your next adventure.

Bikes

On this tour you can choose to rent either a gravel bike, a road bike or an e-bike. Unless you are a regular cyclist, used to taking on regular climbs, we highly recommend opting for the e-bike which is the most popular option.

The e-bikes and gravel bikes come with panniers but if you opt for a road bike you will need to bring a small back pack for your personal items.

We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. A very limited number of helmets are available on board and must be pre-booked at the time of booking. It is mandatory to wear a helmet.

Accommodation

Magellan (superior plus)

The Magellan is a very stylish motor yacht with modern, elegant cabins and public areas.

She has 19 spacious guest cabins, 11 upper deck cabins and 8 lower deck cabins. Both decks features twin cabins, with separate single beds, and double cabins with a small double bed. All cabins are equipped with en-suite shower/wc and air conditioning. Upper deck cabins feature a small window and the door opens out to the fresh air while the below deck cabins open to the inner galley and have a small porthole.

On the main deck there is an elegant dining/saloon area with bar as well as a covered quarterdeck. The spacious sun deck is the perfect spot from which to watch the gorgeous scenery drift by.

Cabin share option for single travellers, subject to availability.

Meals

A buffet breakfast and one or two warm meals are provided daily. The meals are prepared by the on-board cook who uses locally sourced fresh ingredients. The catering consists of 2 days of full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and 5 days of half board (breakfast and lunch or dinner).

On-board payments: Cash only, no debit/credit cards.

The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.

Getting there

Fly to Split airport and then transfer by taxi or public bus to Trogir, 6 kms away.

Research flights from the UK here.

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