Croatia Walk, Bike & Kayak Trio (Dalmatian Coast & Islands, Split to Dubrovnik) 6D5N, Fully Guided

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 24km (15 miles), Elevation gain: 153m (500ft)
Level 2, Approx. 50km (31 miles), Elevation gain: 549m (1800ft)
Level 3, Approx. 55km (34 miles), Elevation gain: 702m (2300ft)

Meet your Trip Leaders at 8 a.m. in the lobby of Cornaro Hotel, located at Sinjska in Split, about a 10-minute walk from the ferry, bus and train terminals. Arrive dressed in your biking clothes and wear comfortable shoes for the bus transfer (flip-flops are a great choice). Bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear and anything else you may want for today's bike ride (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

Embark on a Croatian adventure, a beach person’s paradise, where we start off our journey after assembling in the lively city of Split. Board a shuttle to the tiny yet amazing villages in the Dinara Mountains, a rugged range of national parks which is ideal for bikers. After a biking safety, we are up for pedaling through the trails of the Croatian hinterland that hold gorgeous natural encounters. As you move your two-wheeled conveyance, soak in the extensive views of limestone landscapes, and quaint countryside surrounded by abounding greenery, and take in the awesomeness of the Adriatic Sea below.

Enjoy the first taste of Croatian cuisine enroute to lunch, and be greeted by the huge hills. Wind your way to Omis, a medieval pirate refuge with a fascinating past, by following the Cetina River until it converges with the sea. A short visit to Omis won’t fail to charm you with its ancient buildings, several churches and stunning fortresses dating back to the 13th and 15th centuries. Continue down the coastline until you reach Duce, a lovely village stripe sandwiched between towering stone mountains and the Adriatic. The fascinating regions of Duce featuring modern attractions near the sea and ancient rural delights near the mountain’s foot enthrall you with its old-new variation.

Step into a seaside retreat at Hotel Plaza Duce, and relish its unrushed pleasures like a dip in the pool or simply choose to laze around the adjacent beach. With a sun terrace and 3 types of sauna, you can rest assured that you get enough recharged for the next day’s thrills. We meet together this evening for a celebratory welcome feast of delectable local fare. Enjoy a meal influenced by Mediterranean and European cuisine at the hotel restaurant.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3.2km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 91m (300ft)
Level 1, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 244m (800ft)

Embark on a boat ride to sail to Brac where we will be engrossed by the most Mediterranean island in the archipelago with its arid scrub-covered uplands, cypress woods, olive trees, drystone walls, and renowned cheeses. Since antiquity, Brac has been known for its milky-coloured limestone, which was used to build the White House in Washington, DC, the Diocletian palace in Split, and several other structures in Venice. Once on solid ground, we take a brief shuttle before beginning a climb through a black pine forest toward Vidova Gora, the highest peak of the Dalmatian islands. As we ascend, enjoy breathtaking views of the island of Hvar, which is where we'll be going next. The vastness of the blue waters opens below as you reach the rocky summit of Vidova Gora.

Walk down the mostly-shaded trail to the shepherding community of Gazul, where we have a lunch break. Gazul homes the stone houses and cattle hens giving us little paisible time in the afternoon. After lunch, we take a bus to Bol where we board a private boat for the opulent and well-liked island of Hvar in the southern Dalmatian archipelago. Hvar isn’t a palace to be missed, offering its spectators the best Mediterranean climate, gripping tradition, and nightlife hotspots. The lavender, ancient olive trees and vineyards, and steep limestone ridge add richness of nature’s bounty to the culturally enriched island of Hvar.

We then travel to Hotel Amfora, where we will spend the next two nights. Unwind in the pool or have a leisurely stroll along the beach before dinner. After dusk, we shuttle to the outskirts of town to make the most of the special meal under the olives.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 38km (23 miles), Elevation gain: 336m (1100ft)
Level 3, Approx. 46km (28 miles), Elevation gain: 641m (2100ft)
Level 4, Approx. 65km (40 miles), Elevation gain: 1067m (3500ft)

We set out pedaling through the streets of Hvar for the detailed exploration of the island’s glitz and glamor. We come across constantly magnifying beauty of spectacles as we climb Sveti Nikola, the limestone ridge running through the island’s center. Cycle past quaint lavender fields, vegetable gardens, grapevines, fig trees, and olive groves that are perched atop old stone terraces. Enjoy the view of Brac as you stand on the summit of the hill. Following a lengthy, twisting descent, there is a period of relatively flat riding mixed with a few brief, high peaks. Take in the riveting view of the old town at the 13th century old Španjola Fortress which also houses a museum to discover the historic artifacts discovered around the island’s seabed.

Try the delicious gelato at the beach hamlet of Jelsa before continuing via little towns full of classic stone homes along winding, seldom used roads. With some delectable wine and grappa, we settle down to a prepared meal! Get a pleasure out of tasting some exotic homemade wine, for which the island is famed.

After lunch, you have a choice between taking the shuttle or tackling the hills back to Hvar. Spend some time this afternoon watching people in the main Dalmatian plaza in Hvar Town, which is totally paved with limestone that resembles marble. The magnificent Franciscan monastery from the fifteenth century with gardens that look out to sea is a work of art that is unquestionably worth seeing. St Stephen’s Square welcomes you to get acquainted with the region’s social life and enticing masterpiece of renaissance architecture.

This evening, dine at your own leisure as you explore the nightlife of bustling Hvar Town.

Today, spend a leisurely day soaking in the hypnotic waves of the Adriatic Sea. Sail from Hvar to Vela Luka (or Big Port) on Korcula Island by boarding a private boat in the morning. For in-depth exploration of the coastal inlets and other pelagic marvels, grab a paddle and start off your kayaking venture. Educate yourself with the pedaling strokes and safety skills from the instructors, the foremost thing to do before you begin. For today's kayaking expedition, you must wear sports sandals (or other hardy wet-weather footwear).

Derive pleasure from the passing thrills of the island in the distance as you kayak - the medieval constructions and the dense forests. After that, we take a shuttle to Hotel Liburna, a modern building located next to the water, where we will spend the night. Spend the rest of the afternoon to relax at the hotel's little sandy beach or explore the neighborhood on foot. Take in some spectacular antiquity of medieval churches, squares, and palaces of the walled town of Korcula before savoring a farm-to-table fare in the rural pastures outside the borders of town. Delve into the seaside resort rewarding the view of the calm beach, round terraced pool and luxurious suites.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 18km (11 miles), Elevation gain: 214m (700ft)
Level 2, Approx. 29km (18 miles), Elevation gain: 365m (1200ft)
Level 3, Approx. 47km (29 miles), Elevation gain: 579m (1900ft)

Rig yourself out for a thrilling bike ride through the rolling hills rewarding you with outstanding vistas of islands as you pedal. Take in some gratifying views of the passing classic hamlets, arrays of vineyards and olive groves as innumerable Adriatic vistas unfold on your course. Enroute to Korčula Town, get lost in the beauty of škoji archipelago (a local word for small islands), near the coast. Find out more about the local wines that are specific to the island's east. Opt to rest your legs or gear up for an ebb and flow spin through the Lumbarda vineyards along the hushed rural trails. Commence your bike journey for the day at Korcula Town, the opulent heart of the island and one of many rumored birthplaces of Marco Polo.

The eerie old section of Korcula Town, which is clustered around St. Mark's Cathedral, is renowned for its curvy streets that branch off the main street like ribs - a smart ordonnance for guarding the denizens against the sun and the wind. The town displays a noteworthy impact of the Venetians in the culture and architecture of the town, who acquired and ruled on and off the town for over 800 years. Korcula Town is now a treasure trove of chiseled stone Gothic and Renaissance castles, courtyards, churches, and exquisite arched bridges.

The massive towers and high walls of Korula were constructed in the fourteenth century to protect the city from invading pirates and other adversaries. Spend time roaming in the streets of town. There is an overwhelming variety of religious and artistic sights to spectate while in the quaint town. The finest Dalmatian construction of St. Mark’s cathedral, the town museum which reveals the insights about Greek and Roman culture and depicts some world-war 2 photos, the house of the famous traveler Marco Polo, and the summit of St. Anthony’s hills unfolding the fabulous vistas of Korčula's encompassments from the top, are just a few among many other must-visit attractions which will make you fall for the uncrowded town.

Enjoy your afternoon meal at the local restaurant, and later arrive at Dubrovnik by a brief water taxi ride and a photogenic drive on the Pelješac Peninsula which represents an ideal serene coastal Croatian life. Tonight we stay at the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, which is a modern hotel with soothing Mediterranean hues located outside the city's old town (a World Heritage site). Swim in the indoor pool or simply take in the scenery and as the dusk settles over the ambience. This evening, dine at the city’s historic center.

Today is our final exploration of the quaint delights of Croatia in the town of Dubrovnik, a World Heritage Site. The turrets and towers throng the walled city which takes its spectators to the renaissance era with its splendid architectures, artistic masterpieces and cultural activities. Being one of the filming spots in Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is a paradise for history geeks. After strolling through the limestone routes and taking in the glaring scenes of the Adriatic Sea, we return to the hotel to bid a farewell to our Croatian adventure.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.