Self-Guided Bike Tour in Dalmatia, Croatia

DAY 1: SPLIT
Welcome to the ancient Mediterranean town of Split. Split is located in the middle of the Croatian coast and is the administrative and cultural center of Dalmatian-coastal area of Croatia. Depending on your arrival we will meet you at your hotel, fit your bike and give a you a briefing about your cycling holiday. Then it is off to explore the 1700 year old Palace of Diocletian - an UNESCO World Heritage site, the Peristyle, Diocletian's mausoleum, Jupiter's temple and Romanesque houses. Next, you will cycle along the beautiful hills of Marjan, the main recreational venue for the citizens of Split.  

Distance biked: 0 – 20 km, test ride
Accommodation: Hotel Globo, Split
Highlights: Split

DAY 2: WEST SIDE OF ISLAND BRAC-COASTAL RIDE AND INLAND ANCIENT TOWNS
After a leisurely ferry ride you arrive on the largest island of the Central Dalmatian group of islands and the third largest among the Adriatic islands - Brac. This island is rich with historic sites dating back to Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages and, of course, modern times. Today, there are twenty-odd settlements on the island. You will begin your day with a ride to Sutivan, a fisherman settlement on the northern coast of Brac. After leaving Sutivan there is a climb where you pass through the picturesque village of Lozisca. Continue through the settlements in the interior towns, which are older and richer in cultural and historical monuments and much more interesting architecturally than the coastal ones. Your ride takes you through Dracevica, Nerezica and Donji Humac. And just before the last downhill to Supetar, we suggest you take a lunch break in a konoba - a local restaurant which is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. If you want to extend your ride, you have the option to go for a coffee in Milna village, a  beautiful naturally protected bay  full of boats, yachts.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance biked: 0-30 km, extra ride 48 km,
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Adriatica, Supetar
Highlights: Island Brac, Supetar, coastal ride and towns, ancient inland villages

DAY 3: EAST SIDE OF ISLAND BRAC - VISIT ISLAND'S MUSEUM AND STONE CUTTING SCHOOL
Today we suggest a ride to the east side of the island.  This will take you to Splitska where you will follow a quiet road along the scenic north-east coast. You'll have views across to the mainland throughout the ride. Stop in the town of Skrip and explore the oldest settlement on the island and its Island Museum. Continue to Postira, a quaint fishermen village and  on to Lovrecina with its sandy beach and ruins of a large early Christian basilica from the the 5th century. This might be a great spot to stop for a swim break. Back on the bike, ride on to Pucisca, a charming little town well know for its stone quarries. It is this town's precious white stone which was used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split and The White House in Washingtonm, D.C. You might wish to visit one of the oldest Stone Cutting Schools in Europe and see students carving in the same way as their ancestors.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance biked: 0-36 km, extra ride 70km
Overnight: Hotel Villa Adriatica, Supetar
Highlights: beaches, coastal ride, fisherman villages, stone cutting school, Pucisca

DAY 4: ISLAND BELVEDERE-VIDOVA GORA AND BOL WITH ITS FAMOUS PEBBLE BEACH ZLATNI RAT
Your route and goal today is to reach the island’s summit, Vidova Gora. This lookout is known as the summit of the Adriatic and offers some spectacular views. The highest peak of all Adriatic islands – Vidova Gora(778meters), provides a breathtaking view of the slopes of the south side of the island, the town of Bol and the famous beach Golden Cape (Zlatni rat) as well as on the islands of Central Dalmatia. At this altitude, even the Italian coast may be seen. Vidova Gora hides many wonders of nature: from the dense forest of authentic black pine trees and its rich herbal and animal world to numerous caves and pits. (There is also an easier option if you don’t feel like riding to highest point of the island.) Your ride continues on with biking to Gornji Humac, where you should try some of original islands specialties, before a great downhill to Bol, the oldest coastal town on the island Brac. Bol didn't take the usual position like other coastal towns in the amphitheatrically slopes of the protected bays. It stands alone and separate on the southern, open part of the island, with its beaches connected like a necklace of pearls. You might want to visit the famous pebble beach Zlatni rat, one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance biked: 0-50 km
Accommodations: Hotel Borak, Bol
Highlights: Golden cape – famous beach in Bol, Vidova Gora-highest point of all Adriatic Islands

DAY 5: ISLAND HVAR – COASTAL RIDES AND BEAUTIFUL HIDDEN INLAND VILLAGES, LAVANDER FIELDS AND TOWN HVAR
Today you take a privately owned boat crossing the channel to fishermen's village of Jelsa, Island Hvar. Your riding route on the island of Hvar will take you through lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards. You will be riding along the scenic and mostly flat road on the north side of the island, and passing through the towns of Jelsa, Vrboska, before reaching Stari Grad(literally old town) - which is actually the oldest settlement on the island and one of the first in Europe, founded by the Ancient Greeks (Pharos). After few warm up miles, a challenging uphill climb awaits you.  Along the climb you will pass rosemary and lavender fields and ancient Greek walls. Enjoy beautiful of the island from the top before a great downhill to Hvar. And as it was your last ride of the trip, why not have a few drinks in the ancient Piazza that commands an amazing view of 7th century AD walls, Venetian loggia and the oldest municipal Theatre in Europe.

Meals: breakfast
Distance biked: 30-45 km
Accommodation: Hotel Riva, Hvar
Highlights: Island Hvar, Jelsa, Lavender fields, town Hvar

DAY 6:
Today your tour ends in town Hvar. You might wish to extend your stay in Hvar, relax in the beautiful Venetian style piazza or take an adventure trip like sea kayaking to nearby islands.

Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Hvar