Cruise combined with light cycling and hiking in beautiful Croatia! Enjoy the serenity of the Kvarner Bay and surrounding islands with their numerous trails and paths where nature and tradition along with astonishing views of the islands form a unique experience for all your senses. Cycle and hike/walk (with a local professional guide) across the island where the ship waits to pick you up and to take you to the next island for you to explore on foot and by bike!
Highlights:
♦ Opatija - a popular summer and winter resort, surrounded by beautiful woods, known for its symbol - the statue Maiden with seagull
♦ Krk Island - the largest island in The Adriatic sea and the most populous, popular destination due to its proximity to Slovenia
♦ Cres Town - a town with narrow streets, where cars are not allowed and where one can buy homemade olive oil and wine
Itinerary:
Day 1. Opatija - Krk Island
Check in at Opatija harbor between 11:00 till 12:00 with departure at
13:00h. Lunch on journey to Krk island and meet your fellow passengers and the crew. Krk is the largest of the Kvarner islands with immense variety of villages, gentle green promenades, bare rocky wilderness, tiny isles and hundreds od hidden bays and beaches. Walk through the old city centre, dominated by cathedral complex. Overnight in town of Krk. -/L/-
Day 2. Krk Island - Rab Island
Cycling tour through Mediterranean scented vegetation, olive groves and dry-stone walls to the biggest field on the island - Vrbnik's field with its famous golden yellow wine - the Žlahtina. Vrbnik is situated at almost 50 meters high rock and has the rich history. Here you will rest while tasting wine, cheese and prosciutto. Continue to Punat valley with spectacular view of the small island of Košljun. Return to Krk and sailing to Rab island, known as the 'island of love'. Here we spend the night in the harbor encircled by medieval walls, Romanesque church towers, churches and palaces, stone streets and ancient facades. B/-/D
Length: 30 km, Total ascend: 650 m, Highest point: 210 m; Surface: 95% paved road, 5% macadam, Difficulty level: 3/5
Day 3. Rab Island
Breakfast in the town situated under four church towers. Hike tour to the highest point of the island - Kamenjak hill and Straža peak (409 m) to enjoy the stunning views of the Velebit mountain to the east and Kvarner Bay on the west. You will just love it. Descend to the ship for lunch. Afternoon bike tour to the greenest part of the island and the largest forest area named Dundo. Swimming break in the picturesque bay St.Mara. Overnight in Rab. B/L/-
HIKE: Rab - Kamenjak – Rab: Length: 11 km; Total ascend: 560 m; Highest point: 401 m; Difficulty level: 4/5; Duration: 3 h
BIKE: Rab - Sv. Mara – Rab: Length: 16 km; Total ascend: 80 m; Highest point: 20 m; Surface: 95 % paved road, 5% macadam; Difficulty level: 1/5
Day 4. Rab - Pag - Ilovik
Sailing to the neighboring island of Pag. Bike tour from small fishing village Tovarnele to Novalja. Cycling through a thousand years old olive trees and many stone walls that were built by the residents as protection against the wind. Be careful when cycling due to many wondering sheep. This island is world famous for its cheese so we highly recommend to taste it. Upon arrival in Novalja we continue our cruise to the island of flowers - Ilovik. Afternoon walk through the island absorbing scents of oleander, eucalyptus, palms, roses and other flowers. Optional Captain's dinner party on board with overnight in Ilovik.B/L/D
BIKE: Lun – Novalja: Length: 21 km; Total ascend: 300 m; Highest point: 130 m; Surface: 100 % paved road; Difficulty level: 2/5
HIKE: Ilovik island: Length: 6 km; Total ascend: 180 m; Highest point: 90 m; Difficulty level: 2/5; Duration: 1,5 h
Day 5. Ilovik - Lošinj
After breakfast, we leave for Mali Lošinj. Hike tour from Mali Lošinj to Sveti Ivan (250 m) hill where you can enjoy fantastic view to the southern part of the Lošinj archipelago. After relax, descend in the direction of Veli Lošinj, the picturesque village with colored houses and gardens. Return to Mali Lošinj to have lunch on board. Afternoon easy bike tour and visit one of the many bays surrounded by pine trees on the lovely Čikat peninsula. Overnight in Mali Lošinj with its famous waterfront and visit Museum of Apoxyomenos - the bronze statue of a young athlete. Free evening to explore the flavors and fragrances of traditional cuisine. B/L/-
HIKE: M. Lošinj - Sveti Ivan - V. Lošinj - M. Lošinj; Length: 11 km;Total ascend: 340 m; Highest point: 225 m; Difficulty level: 3/5; Duration: 3 h
BIKE: Čikat peninsula: Length: 15 km; Total ascend: 100 m; Highest point: 45 m; Surface: 100 % paved road; Difficulty level: 1/5
Day 6. Mali Lošinj - Osor - Cres
Cycling to the small villages of Ćunski and Nerezine below the dominant highest peak of Lošinj - Osoršćica. After we continue to the old town of Osor situated at a narrow channel between Mali Lošinj and Cres islands. In Roman times, Osor was an important center of trade on the route to the ports of Northern Adriatic. Departure to the town of Cres during lunch. Free afternoon in Cres with overnight. B/L/-
Length: 22 km; Total ascend: 200 m; Highest point: 80 m; Surface: 95 % paved road, 5% macadam;Difficulty level: 2/5
Day 7. Cres - Lovran - Opatija
Enjoy morning cycling around Cres town. Time at leisure at the numerous seaside cafes and small shops in Cres. Buying souvenirs and olive oil. Lunch is served as we depart towards the mainland and stop at Lovran for a lovely walking tour on the famous Franz Joseph promenade, better known as the Lungomare. Enjoy the numerous cafes and restaurants in Opatija or at the nearby fisherman's village of Volosko. Overnight in Opatija. B/L/-
BIKE: Cres Bay: Length: 15 km; Total ascend: 130 m; Highest point: 30 m; Surface: 100 % paved road; Difficulty level: 1/5
HIKE: Lovran – Opatija ; Length: 8 km; Total ascend: 80 m; Highest point: 15 m; Difficulty level: 1/5; Duration: 2 h
Day 8. Departure
Early morning breakfast and departure
How to get there: Opatija is close to Pula, Rijeka, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Trieste airport. From any of these airports private transfer can be arranged to Opatija. From Zagreb to Opatija, you can take a bus all year round. The travel time is between 3 and 4 hours, and all bus departures are from the bus station in Zagreb. You can read more and check bus chedules online here.
Important to know: The length of the daily cycling routes is estimated and informative and depends of various detours or short cuts that can be done on route. All boat routes and cycle routes are weather dependent and therefore may be locally changed by decision of your captain and tour guide.
Necessary equipment: hiking shoes, backpack, extra clothes, rain/sun protection
Recommended travel period of the year: spring - autumn
Price Includes:
7 nights accommodation on the ship in twin-bedded cabins on deck with private WC and shower
half board (breakfast and lunch most days; sometimes breakfast and dinner - depending on the daily activities)
local English-speaking bike & hike guide
Not Included:
International flight tickets
transport airport-ship-airport
tourist tax: 40 EUR per person/per week paid on spot upon embarkation
entrance fees for the sights and the national parks
tips
insurances
drinks and meals not mentioned above
personal expenses
Additional Services:
Single cabin: + 50% of the price
bike rental: 115 EUR per person/week (bikes are equipped with helmet; bottle holder and small bag)
e-bikes: 170 EUR (limited availability)
Cabins below deck at lower price are available: price on request
Gallery
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No special experience is needed; everyone who is in condition to cope with long Saturday walks in the forest can also cope with these tours. As a rule, the trips are short and at a low altitude. Often, it is your choice to join or skip a day-tour. The routes follow a hilly terrain without steep ascents and descents. Normally we walk 3/5h a day.
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.
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