Croatia

Cycling Croatia's Dalmatian Coast

Trip code: C07DA

Guided group cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 2
Moderate

Operated by
Exodus Travels

Printed route
directions

SUMMARY

  • Operated by our sister company, Exodus
  • Spectacular coastal cycling routes Explore the mainland and islands on two wheels Discover the Unesco city of Dubrovnik

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • All breakfasts All accommodation All transport and listed activities Tour leader throughout Local bike hire Free group arrival and departure transfers available

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Discover the Dalmatian Coast by bike, where the clear Mediterranean waters of the Adriatic edge culture-packed cities and villages. On this popular small-group trip, we take the most scenic cycling routes around, with much of the tour on the long, beautiful islands of Hvar and Korcula. It ends in storied Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, a medieval city with a UNESCO-protected old town and a celebrated seafood scene to rival any in Europe.  

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Start Split; ferry transfer to Hvar

We start our Croatian adventure in Split, where we gather at the ferry port to take a service to Stari Grad on Hvar island. We then continue by road to Hvar town where we spend the first two nights. Please note: The ferry leaves at 2.30pm. The timings may be adjusted for logistical reasons. Accommodation: Labranda Senses (or similar)

You stay at Selected hotels.

hotel details

 equivalent

Hotels, Jelsa to Dubrovnik


The hotels used throughout the trip are of a good standard. All are clean and comfortable, most have air conditioning and swimming pools or are close to the beach allowing you to have a swim after a day on the bike. Croatia is not the cheap destination that some might expect and hotels can lack a little character, especially in the more popular destinations like Dubrovnik.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts are included throughout. For breakfast you can expect a continental buffet serving a wide selection of food from cold meats, cheeses, bread and eggs to pastries, yoghurts, jams and fruit as well as tea and coffee. Croatian cuisine is a mixture of fine seafood, grilled lamb, pizza, pasta and salads, with influences from Central Europe, Italy and other parts of the Balkans.


Day 2: Circular ride exploring Hvar island, including Hvar town and a 5mi (8km) climb

Our first day is a circular ride exploring Hvar island. We start with a transfer to Stari Grad where we do our bike fitting before we cycle along an old Roman road to Vrbovska and then follow the coastal road towards the village of Jelsa. Here we take a break before heading back to Stari Grad for an optional lunch. After lunch, we continue our ride back to the town of Hvar. We will cycle up a challenging hill to a viewpoint overlooking the island of Brac with breathtaking views. When we return to Hvar, we will have a chance to wander around the narrow streets of this quintessential Dalmatian town. Rather like a mini Venice, the streets of Hvar are marbled and there are elegant gothic palaces and cathedrals inside the city walls. Accommodation: Labranda Senses (or similar)

Day 3: Ride east along the island to the port of Sucuraj; ferry via mainland to Korcula

Today we start with a transfer to Jelsa and ride east along the narrow part of the island with views of both coasts as we head to the port of Sucuraj. The road is generally quiet and there are a couple of challenging climbs today to get you warmed up, however, the support vehicle will be available if you don’t want to cycle up the hills. Heading east, we have wonderful views of the mountainous mainland and the turquoise waters and we pass small villages, olive groves and tiny vineyards on our way to Sucuraj. From Sucuraj we take a ferry to Drvenik on the mainland, transfer by bus to Orebic, then catch another ferry to Korcula which is the historic centre of the island and on the Peljesac Channel. It is also known for its cultural and historical heritage with a long tradition of seafaring, shipbuilding and stone-masonry, as well as being the birthplace of the adventurer and traveller Marco Polo. On Korcula, we take a 15-minute transfer to the small town of Lumbarda which will be our base for the next three nights. From June to September a ferry runs from Ploce to Trpanj, and from here we will take the bus to Orebic and then the ferry to Korcula. This shortens the time spent on the bus travelling from Drvenik to Orebic and makes the journey a bit more fun and picturesque. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)

Day 4: Free day in Lumbarda; optional visit (with bikes) to picturesque island of Mljet

Today we have a free day to relax in Lumbarda, go for a swim off the sandy beach on Przina or explore the charming town of Korcula at your own pace. There is an optional visit (with bikes) to the picturesque island of Mijet. Those choosing to explore Mljet and its national park will take a boat ride to Pomena, which is also the entrance for the Mljet National Park. Here you can enjoy a scenic short ride around the two lakes. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)

Day 5: Scenic ride on forested island of Korcula, from Vela Luka to Korcula town and on to Lumbarda

After breakfast, we begin our circular ride on the forested island of Korcula. We start with a transfer to Vela Luka and from here we ride to the pretty village Brna near Smokvica before transferring to Pupnat for lunch. From here we get back on the bikes and cycle all the way back to Lumbarda after a great exploration of the island. Today is a busy day and there are some hills, but we will use the support vehicle where necessary. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)

Day 6: Ride through the vineyards of Peljesac Peninsula towards the mainland; transfer to Dubrovnik

After a ferry ride (approximately 20 minutes) to the Peljesac Peninsula, we follow this narrow and rugged finger of land. The route passes through olive groves, quiet villages, and vineyards hugging steep slopes that descend to the clear waters of the Adriatic. We complete our ride along an easy unpaved track to the tiny cove at Zuljana. From here the traffic levels increase so we take our support vehicle to Dubrovnik. En route, there is a short stop at the small historic settlement of Ston, a fortified town with Dubrovnik-style architecture. We should arrive in Dubrovnik in the late afternoon. We spend two nights in a hotel that’s a 10-minute public bus ride from the old town. This evening, we have a guided tour of Dubrovnik Old Town. Accommodation: Hotel Vis/Hotel Komodor (or similar)

Day 7: Free day to explore Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik exudes old-world charm. Right on the Adriatic, it has fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and a jumble of red-tiled roofs. The shelling of Dubrovnik by Serb troops in 1991 and 1992 outraged the world. Fortunately, over the last 15 years, great care has been taken to rebuild the damaged parts of Dubrovnik and the city has now returned to its former glory. The old town, or Stari Grad, is filled with cobblestone streets, fountains, churches, palaces and museums — all built from the same light-coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles in the quiet city, but at night the streets come alive as people take an early evening stroll along the Stradun, the main street, which is covered in smooth shiny marble. Dubrovnik is beloved for its fine seafood, so what better way to end our Croatian experience than splashing out on a feast of freshly grilled fish within Dubrovnik's city walls? Accommodation: Hotel Vis/Hotel Komodor (or similar)

Day 8: End Dubrovnik

Enjoy your final breakfast of the trip this morning; an excellent chance to reminisce about the many adventures you’ve just enjoyed. If you’ve still got a little appetite for adventure, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Dubrovnik. Or if you’re ready to put up your feet, now’s the time to start your journey home.

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE DATE

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from NZ$506.

We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.

The hotels used throughout the trip are of a good standard. All are clean and comfortable, most have air conditioning and swimming pools or are close to the beach allowing you to have a swim after a day on the bike. Croatia is not the cheap destination that some might expect and hotels can lack a little character, especially in the more popular destinations like Dubrovnik.

TRAVEL DETAILS

If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into your destination with onward rail and road transfers as appropriate. To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or email sales@headwater.com

We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.

Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.

Transportation

The group is accompanied by a transfer bus, and a trailer to carry the bikes.

Joining Instructions

nGetting to the start hotel The start hotel is on Hvar island and can be difficult to reach by public transport. You have two easier options for this journey: Take an Exodus transfer Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. This is the easiest option. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. 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 at 1.30pm for a 2.30pm departure. Meet by the quay to Stari Grad, Hvar. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) that is scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer. n

REVIEWS

This trip was absolutely amazing! The route was beautifully planned, with breathtaking coastal views, island villages, and so much natural beauty. Cycling through the islands of Hvar and Korcula was a highlight, and ending in the stunning city of Dubrovnik was the perfect finale. Plus, taking a swim in the sea after a long day of biking was the best way to cool off. It was a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation—highly recommend it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Scenery was amazing, a good group of folks, and great support!

This trip delivers everything it says it will. You come back feeling fitter as well as having had a fabulous time!

The actual holiday was amazing, but the prep support was poor.

A wonderful week exploring some of Croatia's islands by bike, starting from Split to Dubrovnik! Well organised with good support throughout. As this was my first cycling holiday I appreciated knowing the support vehicle is there, just in case!

What a great way to explore the south of Croatia. Starting at Split and then island hopping to Hvar, Korcular and Mljet and ending up in Dubrovnik. Stunning scenery, good food and a great group to share the trip with.

What a great way to explore the south of Croatia. Starting at Split and then island hopping to Hvar, Korcular and Mljet and ending up in Dubrovnik. Stunning scenery, good food and a great group to share the trip with.

Fabulous first Exodus holiday, cycling from Split to Dubrovnik, island hoping in Croatia

An excellent island hopping tour of Hvar and Korcula with stunning scenery and good food with a great bunch of fellow travellers

This was a fabulous trip. The rides were challenging with hills but absolutely beautiful coastal views, quaint villages, and beautiful hillsides covered in grapes vines, olive trees and lavender. Dinners were very good, especially the farm to table one. Time spent in Dubrovnik was a great way to end the trip. 2 of the 3 hotels were good, one could be better. The guide Mario was excellent and made the trip that much better!!

My son (23) and I (57) have just returned from this trip and I’m now looking to book another Exodus cycling trip! We have not done a trip like this before and we’re little nervous! There was no need!

The group leader Mario was excellent and made sure everyone was comfortable with the pace and really was an exceptional lead and a great ambassador for both Croatia and Exodus.

Our group of 11 was mixed age and ability but everyone got on well and had a fantastic time!

Amazing scenery, beautiful crystal clear waters and quiet roads.

Organisation was brilliant, water, snacks, when and where to break…bus and trailer availability etc. Nothing was too much trouble and Mario

really put in loads of effort to ensure everyone had a great holiday.

Hotels were good and better than I expected.

If you have doubts about whether you should book… just do it! It was fantastic!

This was a very well organised trip, I went in late May so the weather was warm but no too hot. I really enjoyed the cycling and I met a bunch of great people. Our group was 15 big and it being my first Exodus trip I was a little nervous, but as soon as I met the leader and other travelers I felt at ease. I am already looking at booking another holiday with Exodus.

My wife and I very much enjoyed this trip - our 6th or 7th Exodus cycling trip. Croatia was surprisingly beautiful, the food was good, the cycling was just right (not too hard, not too easy), and the group were all fun - and were all of broadly the same fitness levels as cyclists (no super-fit fanatics, no completely unfit laggards)

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

This was the last trip of the season and unfortunately the weather was not the greatest, but this was unusual for the time of year. However this was more than made up for by the excellent tour leader Alan and driver Jadran who looked after us brilliantly. The views are stunning and the cycling not too arduous. I had only booked the tour a couple of weeks before departure and so had very little time to get on my bike and train for the trip, but I made it up every hill, albeit at the back, and for those that did not want to tackle the route there was always a seat on the minibus. Croatia is a beautiful country and the locals are rightly very proud of it. The food is great - a lot of seafood and meat, but not so good if you are vegetarian as there was usually one uninspiring option on the menu, and nothing for vegnas. I would pick start or end of season when there are fewer tourists, as Dubrovnik still felt busy as the season closed.

Fabulous cycling on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast Islands. Lovely roads, unspoilt villages, scenery to die for and good food.

Hotels were unfortunately the exception- exceptionally poor.

A really lovely holiday a good balance of cycling and relaxing/socieliting time

Can’t wait to choose another

This trip was a bit too 'timed' for me.

Whilst really well organised and hosted we seemed to be always on the move with little time for a reasonable lunch or a look around especially the first 2 days.

I feel we could have spent more time on the island of HVAR - this is a truly lovely place - and HVAR town especially where we only had an hour.

The hotel at Jelsa was in a fantastic location - however, a bit basic and in need of a good upgrade of facilities and a breakfast menu review. Sadly we had a terrible night here with 35 knot winds and shutters rattling. I had to stuff newspaper up the side of the main door to stop the wind blowing in through the large gap. the next day everyone was exhausted from lack of sleep.

Korcula was fab - hotel great - and here we had good food and a few days rest electing not to do the trip to Mleet or the ride the following day. My job is a physical one so the lack of sleep had used all my resources up!

Last ride to the ferry to Dubrovnik was really beautiful and our stay in Dubrovnik at Hotel Vis was very comfortable. The hotel is right on a beach so we swam and chilled on both days.

Best bit here I think was the tour of the City with a super guide and then supper in the old City.

The free day is fantastic for a good look around and the cable car ride to view the City and see how it is laid out is well worth the money.



Our host Marin was great! Very good at helping when needed and not in any way intrusive. He had great knowledge of the area and kept us on schedule to catch the many ferries needed to get from island to mainland etc..



As a vegetarian I did struggle a bit with the food available. Marin helped immensely as my friend also cannot eat Gluten so we weren't the easiest of guests to feed. The quality of the restaurants booked was really good and everyone was really helpful.



The group of people on the trip gelled really well and on the last night on Korcula stayed up into the small hours singing songs from Queen to Ilkley Moor Bar Tat!

We thoroughly enjoyed our first Exodus tour.

The cycling was amazing, very beautiful scenery, and excellent bikes. The tour guide Dino and Driver Tommy were super, very attentive, informative, friendly and efficient.

The hotels were generally good. However the first stay in Hvar was basic, the shower was not attached to the wall and the fan was noisy- we were expecting air conditioning, and the site was run down with steps to the beach and appartments being hazardous. The breakfast was fine and the location very good for cycling. The two other hotels were fine.

The rating for the tour was 3/10. I was a little confused by this as a first timer. I consider myself to be fairly fit and cycle regularly 20+ miles and expected a level 3 trip to be comfortable for me, yet I found the climbs quite challenging. Perhaps there should be more detail in your explanations of grading.

Croatia is beautiful, seriously hot in July when one is out exercising in the midday sun, and the scenery and fabulous coastal roads made for some epic bike rides.

A very comprehensive tour where you get to see many of the best places in Croatia on the coast and Islands.

Beautiful scenery with a picture around every corner.

Very busy itinerary both the cycling and the travelling with not much free time so make sure sure you are prepared for this one - both physically and mentally.

It was very hot when we were there so you have to factor in that you might be cycling big hill climbs in extreme heat and out in the heat all day, every day.

There is a support vehicle if you need it but ours did not have too much in the way of aircon.

Good routes through some beautiful countryside. Some of the uphills are pretty tough but worth it for the downhills. Excellent choice of restaurants, very well organised and well-briefed. The guide coped fantastically as a one-man team - he really needed support from at lead one other Exodus appointed member to share the thinking and organising. Apart from a 1-hour whistlestop tour of Split for those arriving on the scheduled flight, there was no time for exploring the city and NO TIME for the meal that had been given in the Trip Notes - we had to grab a snack to eat on the ferry. Not entirely satisfactory. Hotels were average.

An excellent holiday to a fabulous country, great cycling with a brilliant guide, plus swimming in beautiful locations, stunning scenery and lovely food.



Plus, the opportunity to stay in an Eastern block hotel in a great location.

We found this trip to be a great way to experience this stunning coastline and enjoy our first visit to Croatia.

Lovely mixture of cycling; some long hills but beautiful views from the top, fabulous coastal roads through pine trees and little villages. Travelling in June we cycled through wonderful flower meadows with the heady smell of rosemary in the air.

Hotels are basic but adequate. Food and drink are about the same as UK prices. Our guide pick some great restaurants.

I have just returned from the most amazing cycling holiday. This was my first holiday of this kind and was rather nervous being a single traveler! The rest of the group made me so welcome and I instantly felt relaxed and with friends. The first couple of days were rather tough cycling and I did get behind but with Alan's encouragement I caught up and had a giggle with the rest of the group. The countryside is amazing, the food was outstanding, loved it all.

This was a great holiday with some challenging hills but no time pressure to get up them! The weather was awful for much of the week which was unexpected and made for some difficult cycling. However, we were well supported by our leader, Dino, and driver, Jadran, and never felt that we had to cycle in the rain if it was too dangerous. Some of the rides were a little short for a Grade 3 holiday but overall there was plenty of good cycling and time for sightseeing and swimming at the end of each day. There were lots of short ferry rides to add variety to each day and not too much time was spent on the bus.

Positives:

Great young guide who was from the local area.

Excellent routes taking in three islands with some good climbs but not big distances

Well organised with some good hotels



Negatives:

Meal times were quite late so the group was often hungry

Weather was mixed in May, half the days it rained heavily and the other half were hot and sunny

I really enjoyed the itinerary. The scenery was excellent, the hotels choices were good as well.

The hotel in Split (hotel Bellevue) on Day 1 was a bit rough around the edges but it was in a fantastic location. All the other hotels were great choices and great locations too.

I did find the last day of cycling too easy and too short. This was only 20k and it should have been at least 40k for a level 3 trip.

A very good option for a week in Europe. The islands between Split and Dubrovnik are beautiful and in May there was very little traffic.

The cycling holiday was excellent. The mix of exercise, downtime and cultural visits was just about perfect.

What an adventure, biking in a country that I hardly knew existed. Croatia is beautiful, almost untouched by the human hands that have sullied much of the urban areas here.

Biking there was very challenging by this senior, but also very rewarding. Allen Skulic, the group leaded was an excellent guide. Allen is very knowledgeable about the area and it's history. But most important he was very encouraging and supportive. I don't think I could've completed this cycling adventure without his words of encouragement.

I will forever remember the scenic views cycling through the many small cities, farm lands and biking up and down the many mountain roads. Also, memorable was the many ferries that we took to the many islands that we biked. The lunches and dinners were exceptional; the wines superb.

This trip is a must do! Croatia is not only beautifully scenic, its people are friendly and most speak english. The ride is challenging but doable. If you're looking for adventure and beautiful, friendly country, this one's for you.

My husband and I have just returned from this cycle trip and we can highly recommend it to anyone thinking of doing the same. Alan, the tour leader, was outstanding and I just hope he gets paid enough! We had a lovely group with mixed ages and four lovely Canadians and a very helpful, smiley driver, Tommy. Slightly better hotels could improve the trip and, yes, better coffee and orange juice for breakfast.

Excellent leader Alan. Great balance between towns and countryside.

Difficult to find anything I would change, perhaps better hotel coffee.

The brochure tells you about the scenery etc but until you get there whow! It's a trip you must do the scenery ,roads and great guide will bring you to places you would never get to on another trip. Our guide ALan and driver Marion were great ensuring everyone was catered for. The first two day cycling a little challenging but after that it was down hill. We visited local areas off the beaten track tasted great food.Just a note when buying fish in restaurants just check it's not sold by the weight! October a great time to go not too hot very pleasant for cycling and exploring villages.







Getting to the top

This Croatian trip was a wonderful mix of unspoilt countryside, sparkling clear seas and historical walled towns and cities. It was also a good mix of fairly challenging hills, flatter coastal roads and time for rests in cafes, ferries and short trips in the minibus. Our guide Alan organised and managed the whole holiday very skilfully, with good support from our driver. The ice creams were the best I’ve tasted since being in Italy, and the seafood and roast vegetables were also a highlight.

It really was as described on the label - fabulously clear seas teeming with fish, gorgeous vistas of islands, vines and historic villages, with hidden gems of frescos and facades. We rolled out over beautiful quiet lanes and trails, reassured with water and snack stops and very clear landmarks enabling us all

To reach our destination in our own time having enjoyed sun drenched countryside and seascapes. Thanks to Alan and Marion it all ran like clockwork- just time for super gelato before a ferry, light fading as we entered old Dubrovnik enhancing the city’s beautiful architecture. Lovely fish, more fish and pork kebabs overlooking beautiful ports. What’s not to like! Give it a go....

What a fab trip. Great weather, wonderful company, and the gorgeous Dalmatian coast. The ride exceeded our expectations, it was a little tougher than we expected, some of the hills were longer than we expected, but always doable.

Our guide Marijo was the best, full of information, little stories about the places we saw. He was helpful and kind to a fault, we couldn’t praise him highly enough.

What a fab trip. Great weather, wonderful company, and the gorgeous Dalmatian coast. The ride exceeded our expectations, it was a little tougher than we expected, some of the hills were longer than we expected, but always doable.

Our guide Marijo was the best, full of information, little stories about the places we saw. He was helpful and kind to a fault, we couldn’t praise him highly enough.

We have recently returned from our first cycling holiday with Exodus and whilst I don't usually do reviews this time I felt compelled to write to say how impressed we were. Fantastic scenery, great cycling, a lovely group and exceptional guide.

We had a wonderful time cycling the Dalmation Coast. The scenery was amazing, the group were all lovely, our tour leader Marijo was fantastic and the food was great. We loved every minute of it and we had pretty good weather too this late in the season.

The Croatia coast line is an excellent place for cycling from the Istria peninsula up north all the way to the southern city of Dubrovnik. While this trip only covered the islands from Split to Dubrovnik, we did the first part across by hovercraft from Venice to Ravingy and then drove over 4 days hopping the islands to Split where we joined the Exodus group. The official trip had four days of biking. I would recommend that cyclist / travellers who have the time should do the entire length of Croatia along the islands. Car rental is very cost effective in Croatia. Any way you do it, it is a very scenic ride all the way down the coast.

This was my first time in Croatia, the trip itinerary was busy, but ensured you experienced national parks and all the beauty of the Islands and the Coast.

A very well organised trip, the bulk of the cycling distance clocked up early on in the week, the scenery was fabulous as was most of the trip. I'd not been to Croatia before and I'd happily return. Alan our guide had it all very well organised, a perfect approach as you never felt under any time pressure to get a move on or anything else! A good group too all added to make this a superb trip, the only downside was you have to come home when you really fancy staying on a few more days!!

I had a great time cycling around Croatia. Our guide was excellent as was the scenery and food. Cycling is a great way to see the country and enjoy the views. We went swimming every day after the ride and was taken to lovely restaurants in the evening.

My partner & I had a super time cycling round the Croatian islands in June 2018. Our tour leader, Mario, was fantastic and nothing was too much trouble for him. It was very well organised and the itinerary was busy but it meant we got to see a lot. Some of the views from the cycle were fantastic. One thing I would say is it is very hilly and I would maybe rate it more than a moderate. On the second day of cycling there was a 25km uphill climb which was pretty tough in the heat. There are plenty of stops though and no one is left behind. There is also a support bus for anyone that does not fancy the hills and you can join in the cycle from the top of the hill.

The first accommodation was a need of refurbishment and a little disappointing. The room was pretty basic. The other two hotels were nice, especially the one in Lumbarda. The restaurants we went to were all really nice and we got to sample lots of local dishes.

Overall I would recommend this trip - we had a super time and great memories from it.

This was a holiday to remember! The organisation of the whole experience was exemplary and the leader, Dino never stopped working to make sure that everything worked well. The views were constant and breathtaking. Cycling on day 1 and 2 is more challenging than on the other days but there is always support from the bus if needed. The group was lovely and a mix of singles and couples.

It was my first holiday as a single woman and I was a little nervous. Now I can’t wait to book my next trip with exodus. The guide Alan was excellent - I always felt well looked after and if I found myself a bit behind on some of the climbs I never felt under pressure or at risk of getting lost. Alan’s descriptions of difficulty and distance were a great help and accurate. There was an age range of 20 -70 but we all got on brilliantly. Meals were all taken together ( the possibility of having to eat alone had been another concern for me before booking). The scenery was stunning,, the sea was warm and beautifully clear, motorists were considerate, the food was great and the local people lovely. Personally I preferred the countryside to Dubrovnik but I’m a country girl - there was the most amazing sweet shop in Dubrovnik old town tho 😁

Cycling the Dalmation Coast has to be one of the best cycling holidays so far.

A really well run trip, with a tour guide that definitely went the extra mile and scenery that was out of this world. Well worth a try!!!

The trip was well planned and executed by Exodus, the cycling was varied and contained just the right amount of challenge to make it interesting. Late September was a good time to visit as the days were sunny without being too hot and the evenings mild, places (with the exception of Dubrovnik) were not too busy either. Do take advantage of the free day to visit Mijet island - its well worth a visit and dont forget your swimming gear!

I would highly recommend this cycling holiday. Not only do you get to take in the breathe taking views and islands on 2 wheels, but there is plenty of time to relax and explore whilst providing a few challenging hills with the reward of a stunning view at the top!

Our guide Alan and driver Danny were attentive, informative and in my top tour leaders :)

With the support of the cycle trailer and a bus to accommodate anyone who can't or doesn't want to complete a hill (or if you are injured) there is comfort in knowing this tour is still a holiday and not a fitness challenge.

The island are beautiful, mainly tarmac back quiet roads, the locals friendly, the food delicious.....a few hotels were very dated and need of modernisation and I'm glad I left the trip early and didn't spend 2 nights in the Dubrovnik accommodation.



I would add that I considered Explore tour and the 70km day put me off.....we saw this group along the way they arrived in at 8pm on their long day... and noted they did not have a support vehicle like Exodus and some of their group were not happy about this.

If you'd like a highly scenic ride in a lovely country, then this is the trip for you. We cycled up and down hills with amazing sea views, and visited stunning towns, villages and vineyards. We stayed at some lovely places, swam in the sea and ate very well. Alan was one of the best leaders I've experienced, and our group was lovely. They ranged in age from 30s to 70s; some were strong cyclists, others not. However all were catered for, and the support bus was always available. There were no long transports, and the ferry trips were great. The climate was pleasantly hot, and the wine flowed.

This is our first Exodus trip , me and the wife fear we have experienced the best trip on our first tour!

This trip was outstanding.

The guide Marijo was fantastic, he is professional, knowledgeable and great fun! A real asset to Exodus. The trip is great for the leisure cyclist, mixing the right amount of cycling with sightseeing and socialising.

The country is truly beautiful, the people have a sunny temperament which matches the fantastic weather. We met a wonderful and diverse group of people, who were great company and a joy to holiday with. We are now already planning our next Exodus trip!

Loved this cycling holiday. Lots of great cycling in beautiful scenery with a knowledgeable and fun guide, Alan. Great group of people too!

This was an excellent trip, that we thouroughly enjoyed. The islands of Hvar, Korcula and Midjet are lovely. The cycling is fairly straightforward, with the first two being the most challenging.

Once again Exodus has delivered a fabulous holiday in a beautiful destination. We highly recommend this trip and could easily have spent more time cycling the islands and exploring the coast. The cycling was interesting with a variety of terrain - some long but not steep climbs, which meant some refreshing descents. The moderate rating felt right. We'll definitely go back to explore Dubrovnik and other parts of Croatia. Can't recommend this trip highly enough!

As a group of six ladies who are hobby cyclists, there was some in trepidation, but we needn't have been concerned. The support of our guide, Marijo and the group, along with our driver, Dani, made for a highly enjoyable week and so much was packed in. We needed to cycle each day to work off the lovely food we ate each day

Just brilliant !

Just beautiful!

Just about achievable for those that haven't put in the training.

Just easy (ish)for those that have .

Just great people, guide , hotels, views, sea.

Just go !

Excellent trip with an interesting bunch of people from all walks of life. We all had something to bring to the table.Had some great laughs and the leader was a good Captain guiding us to some amazing places.

An amazing week of cycling and island hopping along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. Brilliant local food, historic old towns and stunning coastal and mountain scenery to pedal through.

This was a great guided tour! Our days were very well planned and organized. The support vehicle was always there if we needed it. The group of 9 was just the right size. People were punctual and all about the same in athleticism, so not much waiting was required.

My first cycling holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it. A well humored group of 9 lead by Alan Skulic all going along at our own speeds.Bikes were very good with disc brakes.Suggest activity level 4 for the hill climbs on day 1 and 2 but we all got up them with nobody using the bus. Restaurants for lunch and evening meals were hand picked and very good although the one in Korcula took a long time to bring out the meals. Optional middle day, some went to Mjet island and the three Musketeers cycled to the next town Korcula for pizza and ice cream then back to the hotel pool and bar. We were spoilt by blue sky days which always enhance any trip. Final day in Dubrovnik was great with a walk around the city walls. Want to revisit Croatia and soon!

A fantastically well planned trip with enough challenges and excitement to suit all ages and abilities. Myself and my partner are moderate cyclists and found the trip to be everything we wanted and more. Our tour guide (Ana) took us to some amazing places and gave us a really cultured experience. With the most beautiful scenery imaginable and a really sustainable approach to travel. Whats not to love??

This is described as moderate but there are some long steep hills. Don't let this put you off as the guide gets you all to the top. This is how you feel achievement. You can always hitch a ride in the van on the worst bit.

This trip was a 12 out of 10. The group of 16 gelled very well. The ages ranged from the 30s to upper 70s.

The guide, Ana was very personable. We could travel at our own speed and there was plenty of time to savor our surroundings.

Very enjoyable trip, expertly guided by Alan, taking in stunning scenery along pretty quite roads with great food and company along the way.

The views, the hills, the people and the food all make for an amazing trip

I am an experienced Exodus traveller, and this was my 16th trip. The invitation to review was addressed to my husband Robin (Robert), and I am completing the Review as Amanda Hubbard as I just wanted to say that this trip was one of the best. The cycling was indeed moderate and there was always space in the van to sit out a hill.There were plenty of opportunities to visit such ancient towns as Split, Havar and Korcula and to sightsee and swim in the clear sea. There were coffee breaks and the food was excellent with great lunch stops and dinners at well chosen restaurants at night. Plus our guide, Marko Mitic, was top-rate - as were Michele on our Sardinian bike trip and Radu in Tuscany. So if you want to cycle and really see the Dalmatian Coast, book this holiday.

But do pay attention to the warnings about Croatian hotels in the Trip Notes. They are a little better than Cuban hotels but comparable. Our rooms at the hotel at Jelsa (where we arrived tired from our journey at about 11pm on our first day) were very inconvenient to access and others in our group remarked on the septic tank smell!!! But the beds were comfortable and the view and swimming incomparable. The second hotel at Lumbarda was comfortable and fun and the Dubrovnik hotel was in a restful location.

A fun holiday, with fantastic views, beautiful secluded coastal villages, and enjoyable cycling.

Trip itself is very good , beautiful scenery, great tour guide - all well organized except misleading in itinerary stating it is 'moderate' biking. First days it's mostly uphill, hills long up to 25 km....moderate ? unless you are well trained it's a struggle and should be quoted as advanced biking to my opinion.

Great cycling, a couple of challenging hills. Lots of gorgeous scenery to look at. Clear blue waters, pine trees, simple lovely food. Recommended trip, even for infrequent cyclists

This was a most excellent adventure that combined some of the most beautiful islands and coastline one will ever see and cycling that was challenging at times but not over the top.

This is the way to see Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast if you have a limited amount of time. I wish we could have stayed at each island longer. We explored the coastal towns as well as the less traveled roads lined with grapes vines and olives trees. It was a good mix.

Our group of 8 friends from various places in the US thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Marko, our guide, was organized, funny, well-informed, energetic and thoughtful. He kept track of our group, narrated every experience and took us to the best spots.

This was my first Exodus trip and highly recommended. The cycling was fantastic, the scenery was amazing, the food was fantastic, and the group all had a great laugh together. For anyone looking to island hop the coast of Croatia, this is the trip to do. (And the ice cream is delicious!)

If you like cycling along spectacular coastal views and picturesque villages then this is the trip for you!

This was a very well organised and thoroughly enjoyable trip, cycling through some beautiful unspoilt countryside. Some of the scenery is stunning. The hotels are fairly basic, but we only needed a comfy bed after each day's cycling and far too much food and wine for afters. I would highly recommend the trip and we will certainly be back for more cycling with Exodus

An excellent holiday. A fantastic group, and an excellent group leader and driver. A beautiful country and excellent intinerary. We had a good mix of challenging and more enjoyable rides. A well organised trips the only thing that really let it down were the flights - they were indirect with short connection times, and the flight home left at 6.25 in the morning - not a great end to an otherwise excellent trip.

Some short / medium distance cycling, up and down hills, surrounded by stunning scenery during the day with wonderful sightseeing, food and drink in the evening.

I had a fabulous trip and met some great travelling buddies. The Croatian coastline is stunning and cycling is an amazing way to experience it.

I recommend this trip but suggest doing it outside the rainy season.  The rainy season during our week was Sunday (light drizzle, just to help us acclimatise), Monday (heavy showers followed by heavy rain), Tuesday (morning downpour, afternoon showers), and Wednesday (heavy rain in between periods of torrential rain, although it did clear late in the afternoon)!  Thursday and Friday were mostly dry.  But the islands did look very beautiful between the clouds, we had a fun group of people and our guide did an excellent job of modifying the cycling and finding other activities to suit the weather.

Had a fantastic time on this trip: the group, the scenery and the leader could not be faulted. If you want an introduction to Croatia or simply see it at its best, then this trip is for you.

This holiday was excellent and extremely well organised.  Some of the hills were tough but very enjoyable - especially the downhill ones!  The guide was always on hand and very helpful in finding great places to eat. Altogether a fantastic holiday. 

This was my first cycling trip with Exodus and I am currently trying to work out where the next one will be! The Dalmatian coast is absolutely beautiful, the cycling was enough to be a challenge without being too daunting and the group were inspirational. 

A great all-rounder - exceeded expectations, amongst my "best holidays ever". Great scenery, sunny all week and perfect temperature, cycling challenging enough but leaving enough time and energy to enjoy the local sights, restaurants and bars.

The scenery was breathtaking. Every corner revealed a different view. At times, the coastline would not of been out of place in the carribean.

Gorgeous scenery of blue sea, red terracotta roofs and green vegetation and the smells of the herbs wafting through the air as you ride along on your trusty bike.

I had the time of my life on my cycling trip to Croatia. Some of the cycling was challenging, especially in the July heat, but the beauty and variety of Croatia, the organisational skills of our great guide Ana, the lovely food and friendly people made for a holiday which had a true feelgood factor.

My first cycling holiday and I loved it! A great alternative way to seeing a new country.

This was a really good trip with a nice balance of cycling and sight seeing. The islands were the high point with some simply beautiful scenery and unspoilt towns and countryside.

It's quite simething at the age of 64 having had many previous holidays of all kinds, to say that this was the best holiday that I have ever had. However, that's the truth, from begining to end it exceeced all my dreams. The country is beautiful, the guide could not have been better and the people that I travelled with were great company.

Perfect way to discover the Dalmatian coast and it's islands.

(without a doubt) The most enjoyable cycling trip I have been on.

Best Exodus cycling trip so far, Brilliant rep in Ana, beautiful country, outstanding views, great group of like minded people.  Would recommend this trip as a must on anyones 'wish list.' Just loved the whole experience cycling in sunshine with my daughter and new group of friends. 

Croatia is a truly beautiful country and biking around is a fantastic way to appreciate the views.  The Dalmation coast is stunning with the route being challenging in some areas but anybody with a general level of fitness will manage it. 

Excellent! Well organised, excellent on ground support, lovely place, can't fault any thing, it's just what Exodus do...well.

A fantastic trip that left me wanting more, and which really showed just how beautiful Croatia is.

Beautiful country, friendly people, excellent guide, really good food. 

An amazing holiday in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. The islands were beautiful and the towns of Hvar and Korcula inspirational. It was great to have all of the travel arrangements organised, especially the ferries, and excellent restaurants recommended and booked. It was also fantastic to have the back up vehicle on hand for the transfers, snacks and the 'just in case' moments. The bikes were easy to ride and in good condition.

Great group, Great guide, Great country. The weather was hot! This made a swim in crystal clear waters at the end of the day even better!

Amazing views of the Adriatic help with the tough climbs on this trip, and the thought of jumping in the sea at the end has you sailing down the descents. A really exhilarating trip with varied routes and fun downhill curves. You are continually breathing in the scent of lavender fields and pine trees which is absolute bliss. 

A well balanced and varied week of cycling, swimming and sight-seeing amongst some breathtaking scenery.

The trip was fantastic! The route was beautiful, the group friendly, and the leader outstanding. 

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday.  Kudos goes to a very engaging and professional guide, a great group and lovely food, but the real star was Croatia itself; gorgeous scenery around every corner, beautiful green sea, scented with herbs and flowers and, especially on the islands, a very friendly people.

Ohh this was so very wonderful, Kristo was a wonderful guide, warm friendly and knew exactly when and where to take us for the wonderful meals both on route and in the evenings...the food was superb, just feel I was on another planet. On ariving all my stress levels faded into the abbse

The Croatia Cycling tour is an excellent way to enjoy the Croatia coast and get off the beaten track and enjoy the local food. I would highly recommend this trip if you are after an active holiday and enjoy seeing the world by bike.

A great holiday that provided some great experiences, but more importantly many pleasant memories.

Superb scenery, excellent guide and enjoyable cycling makes this a top trip

Croatia is a beautiful unspoilt country.  Thoroughly enjoyed the road cycling, was a bit more nervous on the off road sections as I hadn't ridden on gravel before.

Gr3eat cycling, breathtaking scenery, extemely well organised, good company

     The reason I went on this vacation was because I originally did a Google search for a different type of holiday without single supplements,also a short flight to a country I had not been to before & an adventure type holiday at the end of April.I had been told that Croatia was nice,in fact now I have been I am stunned how beautiful Croatia really is & in the future will go back again.This vacation ticked all the right boxes for me.

Fantastic scenery and good biking routes. However not for the unfit or non-cyclists. There are some long hilly sections which are quite tough if unprepared. Overall a fantastic experience...

A great trip with some ery nice people and a very helpful guide. The star of the trip was Croatia - it is very beautiful!

Cycling the Damation Coast is up there with my favourite holidays! A great was to see Croatia, visitng some of the Islands and taking in the spectacular views. I was lucky to be with some great people so we had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.More challenging than I was expecting, but for me that just made the experience better!The hotels weren't up to much at all, so a good job we didn't spend much time in them.  The first hotel had so many steps and no one to help with the cases.  A bit disappointing considering the cost of the holiday.

A fabulous adventure, exploring a stunningly beautiful part of Croatia. Great company, spectacular sceanery, challenging cycle routes (no-one told me it was a hilly place before I went) and wonderful ice-cream - what more could you want?

A beautiful series of rides through idyllic countryside, pretty villages and dramatic coastlines.  The routes were varied: Croatian gravel, unmade roads, sealed minor roads and main roads - steep and gentle hills, some undulating territory, all manageable even to beginner riders. 

Croatia is truly stunning with beautiful towns and villages and translucent sea lapping at the shore. The cycling had great variety although "hilly" may be a more apt description than "undulating". However, the group all managed and had a great time. 

Overall I thought there was a good balance of scenic cycling with a bit of down time and sightseeing.

Another wonderful cycling holiday thanks to Exodus !

Hotels were good, hire bikes and transport excellent, organisation excellent.  Croatia is great cycling territory, great group leader and driver.

A fabulous time seeing parts of Croatia I would not have normally visited!  Loved the islands, and it was great to have such a fun, diverse group.

Breathtaking scenery, great cycling, good food and excellent company!

Good response. Slightly unusual in that you have a three stage process before booking is confirmed

Hugh Barrett, 4 Jun 2024

Very good

26 Apr 2024

Excellent. Helen was very knowledgeable and able to provide exactly what I needed in terms of airport choice and an extra night.

Jean Evanson, 25 Jan 2024


Guided group cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 2
Moderate

Operated by
Exodus Travels

Printed route
directions

7 nights from NZ$3950

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Call: +44 1606 720199

 

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