Penguin Travel

This is an unconventional cycling tour combined with sailing on a yacht around the Dalmatian archipelago. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Solta, Hvar, Mijet islands and Peljeseac Peninsula on the bike and lying on the sun chair on the deck of the ship. Most of the islands have been populated from antic times and altogether with their pristine nature have also rich history and numerous monuments from the past to explore. We go on land with the bikes on different harbors and towns and while we cycle enjoying wonderful views the ship sails to the next harbor. After the cycling we go on pleasant walks in the towns and visit restaurants with local traditional Mediterranean cuisine. The cycling is organized in a way that you can choose between shorter cycling on mountainous terrain or longer ride without big uphills and downhills. You can also skip the cycling and choose to explore the variety and natural world of the islands at your pace. It is a perfect holiday for families or friends with different level of cycling experience. There are also a great number of various activities for those who don’t feel like cycling.

Tour highlights:

• Solta island – the 13th biggest island in The Adriatic sea Solta is famous for its mountainous relief, untouched nature, rich vegetation and flora, typical Adriatic villages and towns and rich history.• Hvar island – the third biggest island in The Adriatic sea famous for its rich vegetation of palms, aloes, pine trees, laurel, many herbs like rosemary and lavender and peaceful coves and islets filled with a multitude of pleasant scents. Its name comes from the Greek word Pharos (lighthouse).
• Korchula island – one of the most famous and interesting Adriatic islands, a birth place of the famous traveler Marco Polo.
• Korchula town – the administrative center and historic heart of Korchula island. The town is famous for its preserved Medieval old town and numerous historic buildings including wall towers, cathedrals, palaces, churches and others.
• Mljet island – proclaimed for a national park it is one of the most beautiful Adriatic island with panoramic landscape of well intended coastline, cliffs, reefs, numerous islands and covered with untouched natural forests hills, which rise steeply above the sea and hide numerous ancient stone villages. The geological phenomena The salty lakes, the typical Mediterranean karst relief and historical heritage dating back to the eras of the Illirian tribes, the Roman Empire and the Republic of Dubrovnik add to the enchanting attractiveness of the island.

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Departure dates:
24 April 2010
01 May 2010
08 May 2010
15 May 2010
18 September 2010
02 October 2010
09 October 2010

Country region:   Middle Dalmatian coast

Price without flight ticket:    490 EUR

Additional price information:   NOTE: Price for departures on 15 May + 02 October - 550 EUR; 18 September - 615 EUR

SPLIT - SOLTA - BRAC - HVAR - KORCULA - MLJET - PELJESAC - OMIS - SPLIT

Trip plan:

Day 1: Split - Solta Island
Arrival in Split. Check-in the ship from 11:00 h to 13:00 h and accommodation in the cabins. You sail towards the closest island Solta famous for its untouched nature, Mediterranean vegetation, herbs, olives, wine yards and typical Dalmatuian architecture. The many lavender and rosemary plants give the island its spicy scent. In the evening you will ferry over to Brac Island and spend the night in the harbor of Milna, whose picturesque natural stone houses form the border of a deep bay.  (approx. 25 km / 15 miles of cycling)

Day 2: Brac Island
The first stage begins with a long, but even climb to the crest of a hill, past mulberry and fig trees, pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. The famous Vugaca (white) and Murvica (red) come from this island. The white marble visible here was used for, among other things, the White House in Washington and the Reichstag building in Berlin. The breathtaking panoramic views of the neighbouring island of Hvar on the descent to the beach at Bol are well worth the effort of the ascent. In Bol one can see the Golden Horn, a sand spit whose point turns from one side to the other with the wind. After a break for swimming and a stroll through Bol, the ship heads for Hvar, the longest Adriatic island. It anchors for the night in Jelsa harbour. (approx. 45 km / 28 miles of cycling)

Day 3: Hvar Island
The island of Hvar is above all famous for its multicoloured fields of rosemary and lavender. It is sometimes called the lavender island. Olives hang on the trees, and in autumn the oranges shine in the sun. The clear blue sea contrasts beautifully with the ancient cities of Hvar. Hvar also receives more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the Adriatic (2718 hours a year). This stage makes its way through the many small villages of the island with their picturesque stone houses. The tour stops at the historical city of Hvar. As well as the Cathedral the city contains many late Gothic palaces. There is an opportunity to visit the cathedral and the historical Theatre. In the evening the ships moves to the island of Vis. (approx. 25 km / 15 miles of cycling)

Day 4: Korcula Island
The peaceful and secluded gardens of Cypress trees here make Korcula perhaps the most beautiful of the Adriatic islands. The tour travels to Blato, a city which like Rome was built on seven hills. We continue over a 300m / 980 ft high street to Smokvica, which along with Venice, proclaims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. The destination is the medieval town of Korcula with its narrow winding streets. Here we spend the night on board the ship. (approx. 45 km / 28 miles of cycling)

Day 5: Mljet island National Park
The island of Mljet is also known as Honey-Island. In the twelfth century Benedictine created a monastery here, beautifully secluded, and surrounded by pine and oak forests. Today this area is a National Park and the highpoint of any tour of Dalmatian. The pine forest here is one of the most spectacular in the Mediterranean region. On the bikes we tour around the saltwater-lake, in which there is actually another island. The ship brings you that evening to the Peljesac peninsula.  (approx. 20 km / 12 miles)

Day 6: Peljesac Peninsula - Makarska
Peljesac is certainly a peninsula, strictly speaking, but life here is very much like that on an island. In the morning the cycle-tour leads you into the backcountry and past the most famous wine growing area in Dalmatian (the delightful Dingac comes from here) and on to Orebic. On an idyllic day we cycle on until we get to a climb that brings us up to almost 1,000 ft above sea-level. From here you will enjoy a magnificent view to the neighbouring island Korcula. A downhill of almost 4 miles leads to Loviste, a small town in the north of the island, where lunch will be served on the ship. Our boat brings us to popular holiday resort Makarska on the base of the 5,500 ft high Biokovo mountain range. The rocks of that impressive mountain make the Makarska coast so impressive, since they reach right to the waterline.
(approx. 30 km / 18 miles)

Day 7: Omis - Split Trogir
Another bike tour on the mainland leads us from Omis along the valley of the Cetina river right underneath the Mosor Mountains. You will pedal in landscapes with quickly changing characters while small and quiet roads lead us back to the important city of Split, where you can make a tour of the important Roman Diocletian-Palace. After a relaxed city walk in this world-wide unique historic town return on our boat. (approx. 58 km / 36 miles)

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure.

Included in the price: 7 nights accommodation on the ship with half board (breakfast and dinner), local English-speaking bike guide throughout the tour.

Not included in the price: International flight tickets, tourist tax 16 Eur per person/per week paid on spot upon embarkation, entrance fees for the sights, tips, insurances, alcohol drinks, lunches and other personal expenses.

Accommodation and food: You stay in double bedded cabins on main deck with private WC and shower. Boarding is on halfboard (from dinner on day 1 till breakfast on day 8).

Price of extra services: Bike rental - 100 EUR per person/per week; supplement for single use of cabin - 345 EUR

Practical information:  Cycling remarks:- The cycling is made on lower altitude (335m max) mainly on coastal roads going from time to time inland.- Be sure to take enough water and sun protecting items during the cycling.- Road conditions in the regions of cycling are good. However some stages of the cycling routes are on macadam roads. M/B Aloha is a nice comfortable sailing ship made in 1951 and reconstructed in 1988 and 2006 perfect for exploring the beauties of The Dalmatian coast. It has 100sq.m. sun deck with sunshades, chairs & tables. The boat also has common toilettes and 2 showers on the main deck. The ship has an authentic restaurant where the meals will be served, bar with TV, hi-fi stereo, DVD, CD. All cabins have toilet, shower, sink, locker, power supply, wardrobe, pillows, blankets and 3 towels per person. All cabins have single air condition unit also adjustable for heating. Safety according to world safety standards – fire alarms in cabins and all closed rooms on the boat, 2 pumps for firefighting and 8 firefighting devices, rafts for 50 people, life jackets for all on board.

Recommended travel period of the year:   April - October

Tour difficulty:   B 

Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.

Reservation System Code: CROCYCFIT

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