Dalmatia biking week
Dalmatian hinterland, coast and the islands
Guaranteed departure dates:
22.03.2008., 12.04.2008., 10.05.2008., 01.06.2008.
13.09.2008., 04.10.2008., 01.11.2008.
Get to know the rich natural and cultural heritage of Dalmatia (the coast, islands and the hinterland), unique architecture of old towns, traditional way of life of the local people and local gastronomy - by bike in seven days. Experience the Croatian Mediterranean as it once was.
The objective of daily 40-50 km tours is to arrive to colorful and charming squares of Dalmatian towns where the Mediterranean tradition of locals’ social life on the squares has been preserved until the present day.
The first of 6 daily tours starts in Trilj in the Dalmatian hinterland, passes through the unique eco environment along the gorge of river Cetina and ends in Brela. The second day starts with a ride on the sandy beaches of Makarska Riviera, we take the ferry to the island of Brac where we ride our bikes through an imposing inland all the way to Bol, one of the most famous sandy beaches. The next day we take the ferry to the island of Hvar and we ride our bikes around one of 10 most beautiful islands in the world, after which we take the ferry back to the mainland and visit UNESCO towns Split and Trogir. The road then takes us to Primosten, where we visit several typical Dalmatian bays and protected vineyards along the way. The next day, we visit Sibenik and UNESCO Cathedral of Sv. Jakov (St. Jacob’s). We continue our ride to the unique falls of National Park Krka, from where we take the bus back to Trilj to have an authentic Cetina dinner in Hotel sv. Mihovil. On the last seventh day, we take our bikes to visit Cetina region, one of the most beautiful parts of the mystic Dalmatian hinterland.
Program
- Level of difficulty: Moderate, 2,5 – 3 hrs ride daily
- Daily tour is starting at 9:30 and ending at 17:00
- Minimum 6 persons – Maximum 19 persons
- Minimum age limit: 15 years
- Biking tours are arranged for recreation bikers
- 1. Day
- Transfer by a mini bus from Split airport or the ferry port Split to hotel Sv. Mihovil in Trilj. Overnight in *** stars hotel in Trilj. Authentic dinner in Restaurant Caporice in Hotel Sv. Mihovil
- 2. Day Dalmatian hinterland : Trilj – Cetina gorge – Brela > 50 km
- Start in Trilj, a small tourist town located 30 km from Split, in beautiful natural surroundings at the entrance from the valley into the impressive gorge of river Cetina which is considered one of the most beautiful gorges in Europe, making Trilj a known adventure destination. We start with our bikes in front of Hotel Sv.Mihovil – Avanturist club (adventurer club), along a green valley road full with vineyards to Strmendoc, then across the hill to „Klarici“ an authentic village in Dalmatian hinterland, known for its traditional production of caporsko red wine. We take a short break with refreshments and homemade cheese and bread under the bell. Following is a 10 km light ride and a short descend into the Cetina gorge, crossing over a wooden bridge, where we continue our path on a karts surroundings along river with a view of grey and white tops of the mountain Mosor which follows us all the way to Blato on Cetina. After 10 km, we arrive to village Podgradje, where we take break and have lunch in a local tavern (Dalmatian prosciutto, goldlins, beans with dried meat… ) where proud hosts will tell us a story about „Poljicka republic“. After a short descend to bridge Pavica, we leave vineyards, olive groves, cherry orchards behind and ascend to pass Dubaci with a gorgeous view of Makarska Riviera and island of Brac. A 7 km descend follows to Brela known for perhaps the most beautiful sandy beaches on the Mediterranean. Accommodation and a free evening in Brela.
- 3. Day Makarska Riviera and island of Brac –– Brela- Makarska- Island of Brac - Sumartin –Humac- Bol > 41 km
- The tour starts in Brela, a well known tourist destination, with a ride along beautiful sandy beaches, covered with pine tree tops, all the way to Makarska. When entering the Makarska Square of this typical Dalmatian town, you will feel the warm and quiet south, rich tradition and culture of local people living under Biokovo. We will take a break on the square and wait for the ferry for Sumartin on the island of Brac while enjoying famous Makarska cakes. We disembark from the ferry in Sumartin with our bikes and head towards the inland to Selce and its beautiful squares and cathedrals which tell us a story about an ancient shepherd town growing into a typical Mediterranean town, where stone processing tradition has enabled construction of beautiful churches, houses and squares. When leaving Selce, we leave behind an unforgettable view of bays located a kilometer away and head for a 15 km ride through Brac’s inland unique karsts surroundings. After visiting old shepherd houses and fences, we arrive to village Gornji Humac and environmental Agro- household where Brac lunch is organized. ( Brac lamb and other specialties). After lunch and rest, we descend from the island’s inland to the well known tourist settlement Bol, recognizable for its magnificent beach Zlatni rat and Dominican monastery which we will surely visit. Overnight and a free evening in Bol.
- 4 .Day Island Hvar -– Jelsa – Vrsnik- Milna -Hvar - Brusje – Starigrad > 55 km
- We leave Bol and take a 40 minutes small boat ride to Jelsa on island of Hvar. Island of Hvar is one of the most beautiful islands in the world with rich cultural, historical and natural heritage. In order to be able in one day see why it was declared one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, we shall start our bike ride with sightseeing of Jelsa and its 5 beautiful Jelsa squares with church of Sv. Ivan (St. John’s) from the 15th century. We continue our ride to the island’s inland, through vineyards and olive groves developed by the diligent Hvar residents. Further on, through the tunnel, we arrive to Milna with a view of crystal clear blue sea which gives you a feeling of pleasure and relaxation at the first sight. The road takes us to Town of Hvar, where after visiting the Hvar fortress, Hektorovic’s Palace, we ride our bikes into the Hvarski square, where after visiting Sv.Stjepan (St. Stephen) Cathedral, we have lunch in one of the numerous authentic restaurants on the square. After Hvar’s delicacies and rest, we continue our ride along the famous Hvar waterfront, towards the island’s inland full of aromatic fields of Lavender. The imposing cleared terraced fields of lavender give special beauty to the island’s inland towards Brusje. Riding on the islands’ plateau, we have an unforgettable view of the sea and numerous isolated bays from both sides of the island. After a 20 km ride through the island’s inland, we come down to Starigrad, ancient Pharos, one of the most beautiful towns in Europe founded in 384 B.C. which had a status of a free state. After visiting the archeological sites of Pharos and the summer residence of the Croatian writer Petar Hektorovic, we arrive to Starigradski square with narrow stone streets. Overnight and a free evening in Starigrad.
- 5. Day Coast, UNESCO towns-– Split – Trogir – Primošten > 51 km
- We take the ferry from the island of Hvar and arrive to the waterfront in Split, the biggest town in Dalmatia, cultural and administrative center of the County. The spirit and charm of both the Mediterranean and primarily Croatian warmth are still alive in Split. The first resident of Split was the Emperor Diocletian, who in 293 B.C. built the Emperor’s Palace of 300.000 m2 after withdrawing from the throne as the Roman Emperor. Throughout history, the Palace became a town by settling of refugees from Salona. Thanks to 1.700 years of people continuously living in the Palace, numerous constructions from the ancient times have been preserved. We will be able to feel special and unique way of life of the Split residents by riding our bikes through the narrow stone streets of Diocletian Palace and charming Split squares. After sightseeing ancient monuments, Sv.Duje (St. Duje) cathedral and imposing Peristil, we leave Diocletian Palace, part of Split under the protectorate of UNESCO and continue our 20 km bike ride to Trogir, a small town in central Dalmatia – Town museum with over 2.800 years of history which is also under the protectorate of UNESCO. Rich heritage, original historical constructions, beautiful stone streets are part of the ambiance in which Trogir residents live light-heartedly. There are many anonymous stone houses with ivy-covered family coats of arms. The main Trogir square has special charm with its Cathedral and Rector’s Palace which is the goal of our biking group. After lunch in Trogir, we continue our ride to Primosten through typical central Dalmatian landscapes, with beautiful bays all the way to Primosten’s vineyards which are protected landscape of vineyard complex cleared by hard-working local farmers. Overnight and a free evening in Primosten.
- 6 .Day Coast -– Primosten – Sibenik – National park „Slapovi Krke“ (Krka falls) – Skradin > 48 km
- We start our morning with sightseeing of Primosten, a small Dalmatian town with a prominent traditional architecture, which is 99 % surrounded by the sea and represents a pearl of the Croatian Adriatic. We continue with our bikes, following the sky blue bays all the way to Sibenik, an old Croatian native town from 1290 which is characterized by its special harmony of urban poetics and its natural surroundings. We will be able to feel that harmony upon entering the town with our bikes, which on one side has the bay and the mouth of river Krka, and numerous colorful beautiful islands in front of Sibenik. After riding around numerous fortresses, we come to the picturesque Sibenik square, famous for its monumental sv. Jakov (St. Jacob’s) Cathedral from 1402 which is under UNESCO protectorate. After visiting the Cathedral and having refreshments on the square, we continue our ride into the hinterland towards the National Park „Slapovi Krke“ (Krka Falls) where we have lunch organized on agro – tourist household with typical local dishes. After lunch, we get a special treat - a ride along 6 km long macadam road following the river through unique natural beauties of the national park, all the way to the magnificent Krka Falls. After resting our body and soul in the national park, we visit Skradin and take the bus back to Trilj where an authentic Cetina dinner is prepared for us with music program in Hotel Sv.Mihovil. Overnight in hotel in Trilj.
- 7. Day Dalmatinska zagora (Dalmatian hinterland) -– Trilj - Grabske mlinice (mills) – Sinj- Alkarska ergela (horse herd of the tilters at the ring) – Trilj > 50 km
- A ride through the green Cetina region – an oasis in the karsts of Dalmatian hinterland, autochthons villages where food being produced in a natural way makes for an eco adventure. See why a man and a horse are best friends here. Through knights’ game Alka, proud Cetina residents jealously preserve the rich Croatian cultural heritage of this region. The trail which starts through the green pastures in the valley of Cetina river in Trilj right in front of Hotel Sv.Mihovil is continued with a 3,5 km ride to a distant mouth of river Grab and the settlement Grab with famous Grab mills which today produce the homeland flour using the 600 years old technology. Mills’ sightseeing, a short break and refreshments with homemade doughnuts at host Iko’s, the miller. Ride follows to the trenches’ origins and then to the impressive spring Rude. After refreshments and snacks is village Han, we continue our ride through Glavice to the center of the Alka town Sinj, where at Sinj square – market, we have refreshments and visit the Church and the monastery of Sinjska Gospa (Sinj Madonna). Afterwards, we have a short ride and visit Alka’s (tilting at the ring) horse herd. After five kilometers, we come to river Cetina and as we continue our ride, we will be followed by a quiet river which slowly spirals through the field, surrounded by tall willows, poplars, with nearby mountain tops all the way to Trilj. Festive dinner and overnight in Hotel Sv.Mihovil
Option for day 7: Rafting or canoe safari with picnic.
- 8. Day Trilj
- Transfer to the Airport or Ferry Port Split. The end of the Tour.
Prices
| Rates 2008 | Double Occupancy / per person |
| May, June, September | 1.350 EUR |
| March, April, October, November | 1.300 EUR |
| Single supplement | 105 EUR |
Tour includes
- Arrival & departure transfer from/to Split Airport or pier to/From Trilj
- Accommodation in 3*hotel Sv.Mihovil in Trilj on half board basis and private accommodation 3* (double room with private bathroom on bed & breakfast basis) in Brela, Bol, Starigrad, Primosten.
- 6 lunches (3 at rural households, Hvar, Trogir and Sinj)
- Mountain bikes type Diamond Back with helmets
- Bicycle Tour Leader (English, German, French)
- Supporting vehicle - minivan accompanying bikers and transporting the luggage
- Entrance fees to Museum of the Trilj area and archeological park Tilurij, Museum of the Cetina region,
- Church and the monastery of Our Lady of Sinj, Alka`s Stud farm, Grab’s mills, Krka River National Park
- Cathedral of St Jacob in Sibenik, St Lawrence Cathedral in Trogir, Cathedral of St Duje and basements of the Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Dominican Monastery in Bol, Hektorovic Palace in Starigrad, Hvar Fortress.
- Boat rides: Makarska – Sumartin, Bol-Jelsa, Starigrad - Split
*Note: Guests are individually organizing and paying for 4 dinners in Brela, Bol, Starigrad and PrimoSten where they have free evenings.
