Cycling Croatia's Dalmatian Coast

We start our Croatian adventure in Split, where we gather at the ferry port. Here, we catch the ferry (1hr 50min) to Stari Grad on Hvar island. The ferry leaves at 2. 30pm, but the timings may be adjusted for logistical reasons. We then continue by road to our first hotel near Vrboska, where we spend the first two nights.

Around 6pm, we gather as a group to hear more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Croatian welcome by arranging a group dinner together. Want more time in Croatia? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Set out on our first cycling adventure. Riding from the hotel in the morning, we first follow the coastal road to the village of Jelsa. After, we challenge ourselves against a 5mi (8km) ascent as we ride to Stari Grad, where we take a break for lunch. Then, continue to the town of Hvar, including a challenging hill to a viewpoint overlooking Brac island.

In Hvar, we can wander around the narrow streets of this quintessential Dalmatian town. Rather like a mini-Venice, Hvar has marbled streets and there are elegant gothic palaces and cathedrals inside the city walls. Finishing in Hvar, we catch a transfer back to our hotel. Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

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 to get you warmed up; the support vehicle is 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. From Sućuraj, we take a private boat to Korčula old town, the historic centre of Korčula island. It's known for its seafaring, shipbuilding and stonemasonry heritage, and for being the birthplace of Marco Polo. Note: In bad weather, we take a ferry via the mainland.

Enjoy a free day to relax in Lumbarda, go for a swim off the sandy beach on Przina or explore the charming town of Korčula 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 take a boat to Pomena, which is also the entrance of Mljet National Park. Here, you can enjoy a scenic short ride around the two lakes.

After breakfast, we begin our ride on the forested island of Korčula. We start with a transfer to the port town of Vela Luka; from here, we ride east, passing through the village of Pupnat en route. Today is a busy day and there are some hills, but we can use the support vehicle where necessary.

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. Finishing our ride, we take our support vehicle to Dubrovnik. En route, there is a short stop at the small settlement of Ston, a historic 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 (€2. 50 per journey) from the Old Town.

This evening, we have a guided tour of Dubrovnik Old Town.

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 known for fine seafood, so what better way to end our Croatian adventure than splashing out on a feast of freshly grilled fish within Dubrovnik's city walls?.

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.