At a Glance
Pedal your way into a scenic 8-day guided cycling tour along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. This is your chance to tick off your bucket-list bike journey through Croatia. You'll ride the most iconic routes of the Dalmatian Coast, exploring the enchanting islands of Hvar and Korčula and the lush vineyards of the Pelješac Peninsula. This adventure leads you from spectacular island routes to the historic grandeur of Dubrovnik, including an optional ride to Mljet National Park, ensuring you experience the very best of Croatia's celebrated cycling destinations.
Your adventure begins in Split, then crosses into island life on Hvar. Experience a sea accompanied, slow-paced rhythm over the next few days, where we’ll climb into viewpoints serving endless views, cycle coastal roads with the sea always close, and roll through old towns like ...
Trip Highlights
|
|
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in deluxe hotels on a twin-share basis
- 7x Breakfast, 1x Dinner
- Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
- Group arrival and departure transfers available
- Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
- Local bike hire of a fully serviced Cube Aim SL (touring/hybrid) bike
Itinerary
 |
Welcome to Split, Croatia. Your adventure officially starts with a meet-up at the ferry port before we hop on board. The 1-hour 50-minute ferry to Stari Grad (on the island of Hvar) is scheduled to leave at 2:30 pm, though times may shift slightly if needed. Once we touch down, the journey continues by road to accommodation for the next two nights near Vrboska. Around 6 pm, we gather as a group to connect and chat about what’s ahead. Then, to properly kick things off, we enjoy a warm, welcoming Croatian dinner (courtesy of the tour leader), shared with stories of the many adventures lying ahead. The Aminess Younique Senses Resort is nestled in a lush pine forest, just a pleasant 15-minute walk (about 1 km) from the charming town of Vrboska on the island of Hvar. The resort offers comfortable rooms with sea or garden views, many featuring balconies. Its prime location near the sea allows guests to snorkel in the clear Adriatic, swim, or simply relax on the pebbly beach. On-site facilities include a seasonal freshwater outdoor swimming pool with a sun terrace, a buffet restaurant offering and a full-service spa for ultimate relaxation. |
Aminess Younique Senses Resort, Vrboska (or similar) 
Dinner  |
Approx 40 km (25 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 1,176 m (3,858 ft) Today marks our first cycling day, as we set off from the hotel in the morning. The ride starts easily and follows the coastal road to the village of Jesla, with the sea beside us most of the way. From Jesla, the ride becomes more challenging as we take on a steady 8 km (5 miles) climb up to Stari Grad, where we stop to rest and enjoy lunch after the effort. In the afternoon, we mount our saddles again for a ride to the town of Hvar. Along the way, we conquer one more tough hill leading to a viewpoint over Brač Island, and also the perfect spot to just stop and soak in the vistas. The town of Hvar is often called a “mini Venice,” and is full of marble lanes, old Gothic buildings, beautiful palaces, and cathedrals tucked inside historic walls. Once we arrive, there’s some time to explore its narrow stone streets before we wrap up the day in Hvar and transfer back to the hotel. |
Aminess Younique Senses Resort, Vrboska (or similar)
Breakfast  |
Approx. 42 km (26 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 340 m (1,115 ft) By morning, we transfer to Jesla, then set off cycling east along one of the narrowest parts of the island. This path runs between two coastlines, so at times you can see the sea on both sides as we make our way toward the port of Sućuraj. It’s mostly a quiet route, with a couple of steady climbs to get our legs working early on. If the hills feel a bit much, the support vehicle is always on standby to give you an assist. As we ride, the views really open up. You can see rugged mountains on the mainland side, bright turquoise water below, and small villages along the way, surrounded by olive trees and small vineyards. Reaching Sućuraj, we switch the pace completely and take a private boat across to Korčula’s old town, the historic heart of the island. For thousands of years, life here has been shaped by the sea. Traditions like shipbuilding, stonework, and sailing are still a big part of everyday life, and the town is also known for its connection to the legend of Marco Polo’s birth. Note: if the weather isn’t on our side, we’ll travel via ferry through the mainland instead. |
|
 |
Reached by a short walk (about 10-11 minutes) from the Korčula Old Town and the ferry terminal, the 4-star Marko Polo Maradiso Hotel provides air-conditioned rooms with views of the sea. In some rooms, guests are treated to a surreal greenery, and for moments of relaxation, a beauty & gym center with Finnish and Turkish saunas. Marko Polo Maradiso is also relatively close to the sea, so you can access a pebble-and-rock beach immediately and unwind in an outdoor seasonal pool with a terrace and sun loungers. |
Marko Polo Maradiso Hotel, Korčula (or similar)
Breakfast  |
Today is free to fully relax in Lumbarda and curate your own pace of moments. You can choose to keep it simple: find a nice spot, stretch out, and enjoy the calm surroundings. If you feel like getting into the water, head to Pržina Beach, one of the few sandy beaches in the area, for an easy swim in the clear, shallow sea. Alternatively, you may choose to take some time to explore the small town of Korčula, where you can walk through its quiet streets, stop for a coffee, and just soak up the atmosphere. Want some active adventure? There’s an optional trip to the island of Mljet with bikes. We take a boat to Pomena, which is the main entrance to Mljet National Park. From there, take the reins on the saddle and go for a short, relaxed ride around the park’s two lakes. The route is easy and very scenic, with shaded paths, still water, and plenty of spots that invite you to stop, take a break from pedaling, or even go for a swim. |
Marko Polo Maradiso Hotel, Korčula (or similar)
Breakfast  |
Approx. 45 km (28 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 832 m (2,730 ft) After the morning meal, we set off for a day of riding on the green, forest-covered island of Korčula, also one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic. But first, we hop on a short transfer to the laid-back port town of Vela Luka, where our bikes are primed and ready for our journey east. Setting in the ride, we pass through quiet countryside and small villages, including the hilltop village of Pupnat, where you see stone houses and wide views across the island. This route brings a mix of gentle stretches and a few steady climbs, making it a full and rewarding cycling day. While the day is more active, there’s no pressure to push too hard as the support vehicle is always nearby if you need a break or want to skip a section. |
Marko Polo Maradiso Hotel, Korčula (or similar)
Breakfast  |
Approx. 18 km (11 miles), 2-3 hours cycling, Elevation gain: 397 m (1,302 ft) After a short 20-minute ferry ride, we reach the Pelješac Peninsula, a long, rugged stretch of land that feels wild and untouched. Beginning here for our day’s cycling stretch, we get on the way, following a winding route through silvery olive groves, quiet stone villages, and steep vineyards that seem to spill down toward the bright, clear waters of the Adriatic. The shift in scenery is also very noticeable with constant changes, opening up to wide coastal views one moment, then drawing back into peaceful countryside the next. At the end of our ride, we switch to the support van and continue south toward Dubrovnik, pausing for a stop in the small settlement of Ston along the way. This ancient salt town feels like a transport back into medieval times, with its mighty fortifications (the longest preserved defensive walls in Europe) and urban layout modeled after Dubrovnik itself. By late afternoon, we arrive in Dubrovnik, where the energy picks up again. For the next two nights, our accommodation is just a short bus ride (€2.50 for each trip) from the Old Town, making it easy to come and go. Come evening, we step straight into the glory of the city with a guided walk through the Old Town. walk past narrow alleyways, worn stone streets, and towering walls that have watched over the city for centuries. |
|
 |
Nestled on its own private pebble beach in the tranquil Lapad Bay, you’ll stay at Hotel Vis. Spend your days basking under the Croatian sun on the terrace, or savour authentic Dalmatian cuisine at the main restaurant as you gaze upon the breathtaking panorama of the Elafiti Islands. |
Hotel Vis, Dubrovnik (or similar)
Breakfast  |
Dubrovnik has a way of pulling you straight into the past. Set right on the edge of the Adriatic, the city is wrapped in thick stone walls, with a sea of red-tiled roofs, grand churches, and elegant buildings rising behind them. In the early 1990s, during the Siege of Dubrovnik, the city walls suffered heavy damage from shelling, shocking the world. But with years of careful restoration supported by UNESCO, Dubrovnik has been beautifully brought back to life and today shines once again, much as it did in its historic prime. Everything in the Old Town, known as Stari Grad, feels timeless: smooth stone streets that wind past fountains, churches, palaces, and small museums, all built from the same pale stone that seems to glow in the sunlight. There are no cars here, so the city feels calm and easy to explore on foot. Evening scene here brings with it a shift in atmosphere. People gather and wander along the Stradun, the main street where the smooth stone glows softly under the lights. There’s a relaxed energy in the air, as both locals and visitors stroll side by side, simply enjoying the moment. There’s no better way to end the journey than sitting down within the old city walls to enjoy what Dubrovnik prides itself on: fresh, simple seafood. Think grilled fish, a glass of local wine, and that feeling of being somewhere truly special. |
Hotel Vis, Dubrovnik (or similar)
Breakfast  |
The last few days have been full of great places and experiences, but now it’s time to head home. Savour one last breakfast, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey. Bid your farewells for your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
None
Breakfast More Info
- The departure point is Split
- The finish point is Dubrovnik
- The closest airport to Split, Croatia, is Split Airport (SPU), also known as Resnik Airport. It is located approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of Split's city center, near the town of Kaštela. The drive from the airport to Split typically takes about 20-30 minutes, making it the most convenient option for travelers heading to Split.
- Airport transfers are only included with scheduled group transfers from Split Airport (SPU), provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. This is the easiest option. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us. Other options:
- Meet at the ferry port: The ferry port is small, so it’s easy to find the group. From Split airport, take a shuttle bus to the main bus station in Split, which is opposite the ferry port. You should be there by 1.30pm, and the ferry leaves 2.30pm. You should meet by the quay to Stari Grad, Hvar – the central quay. It is roughly across the road from the FlixBus sign and quite near the restaurant on the quay. You will see your guide and look out for the white sign to Stari Grad. Another option
- Make your own way: you need to get from Split airport to the ferry port and onwards from there
Croatia has one of the sunniest climates in Europe, and some regions are notoriously free from rain. We generally travel off-season, so you should expect some variation in temperature and possibly some rainfall. Temperatures can be high, particularly in July, averaging around 30C (86F).
The biking level on this trip is rated Level 4 Moderate & Challenging.
Level 1 Easy: Ideal for those on their first cycling trip. No prior cycle touring experience is necessary, but you should be reasonably fit. Expect two to four hours on the saddle per day, almost entirely taking paved roads. Average distance per day: 12.5mi-25mi (20km-40km). Maximum distance per day: 31mi (50km). Average elevation gain per day: 0ft-330ft (0m-100m), Maximum elevation gain per day: 985ft (300m)
Level 2 Easy & Moderate: Ride from three to five hours per day, mostly on paved roads. Longer distances will be on good surfaces with limited elevation gain. Some prior cycle touring experience would be useful, but is not essential. We recommend you should be reasonably fit. Average distance per day: 18.5mi-37mi (30km-60km). Maximum distance per day: 50mi (80km). Average elevation gain per day: 330ft-1,310ft (100m-400m). Maximum elevation gain per day: 1,970ft (600m)
Level 3 Moderate: We recommend you are a confident cyclist with good fitness and some experience of longer rides. You’ll be on the saddle for five to seven hours a day and should expect to tackle some bigger climbs or longer distances. Average distance per day: 25mi-43.5mi (40km-70km). Maximum distance per day: 62mi (100km). Average elevation gain per day: 330ft-1,965ft (100m-600m). Maximum elevation gain per day: 3,280ft (1,000m)
Level 4 Moderate & Challenging: An adventure for experienced cyclists with good fitness. Expect five to seven hours of cycling per day, with some big climbs and sometimes over more challenging road surfaces. Average distance per day: 31mi-50mi (50km-80km). Maximum distance per day: 68mi (110km). Average elevation gain per day: 660ft-2,790ft (200m-850m). Maximum elevation gain per day: 4,920ft (1,500m)
Level 5 Challenging: Ideal for experienced cyclists with very good fitness. You should feel comfortable cycling six to eight hours per day, including longer distances or tougher climbs, possibly over tricker terrain. Average distance per day: 31mi-56mi (50km-90km). Maximum distance per day: 75mi (120km). Average elevation gain per day: 655ft-3,280ft (200m-1,000m). Maximum elevation gain per day: 6,560ft (2,000m)
 |
Local bike hire of a fully serviced Cube Aim SL (touring/hybrid) bike: Suspension: Front suspension |
- Route: We mainly follow paved roads; where possible, we use the older roads on the islands, which tend to be quieter and made of hard gravel. The route is generally rolling but there are a few challenging hills that can be tough in the warm weather. At times, we follow roads or tracks with a steep downslope to one side. Certain sections do not have a barrier. 4 cycling days plus 1 optional day ride. Average distance is28mi (45km) per day with full vehicle support. Terrain is90 percent paved roads, 10 percent gravel roads.
- Support: A support vehicle follows us, so it is possible to miss some of these harder sections if you prefer. Experience: No specific cycling experience is required but you should be comfortable on a bike and have a good level of fitness.
- Transport: The group is accompanied by a transfer bus, and a trailer to carry the bikes.
- Food: For breakfast, expect a continental buffet with a wide selection of food from cold meats, cheeses, breads, eggs, pastries, yoghurts, jams, fresh fruit, and hot drinks like tea and coffee. Croatian cuisine is a mixture of fresh seafood, grilled lamb, pizza, pasta, and salads, with influences from Central Europe, Italy, and the wider Balkan region. Lunches and dinners are generally enjoyed at local restaurants and taverns (konoba’s), offering regional specialties and seasonal ingredients. During the trip there may be opportunities for optional meals at local restaurants or family-run farms, where homemade dishes and regional products are often served as part of a set menu. Prices vary depending on the venue and menu, and in some smaller establishments payment by cash may be preferred. Lunch and dinners cost in the region of €30 -€45 per person.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 100 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 100 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 100 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 100 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
