3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights boat
Meals
  • 2 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£2290GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: KBP

Trip highlights

  • Cycling on the islands of Kvarner Bay with dramatic scenery
  • Exploring the small towns and villages enroute
  • Krk with its beautiful old township and Pag with its specialty cheeses
  • The seafarer’s island of Losinj with its picturesque bay
  • Soaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable sailing boat

Countless islands in crystal clear water, deeply fissured cliffs, picturesque beaches and numerous small bays are the typical features of Croatia's stunning Kvarner Bay in the northern Adriatic. Spend a week discovering the landscape and people of this unique island world by bike, independently and with the aid of knowledgeable tour guides. Based on a deluxe motor yacht, our floating accommodation, discover the charm of the Adriatic. Cycle off after a hearty breakfast and meet the ship at a harbour for lunch. In the evening the ship will be waiting in the next harbour, allowing you to enjoy fantastic cuisine as the sun sets, followed by a stroll through a historic harbour town. Flexibility is the key to this holiday, with the option to take a day off cycling and spend time on board, swimming or wandering through the alleyways of pretty port towns.

Countries:

Croatia

Starting Point:

Omišalj

Finishing Point:

Omišalj

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Individual arrival to Omišalj on the island of Krk, connected to the mainland, and check-in to the motor yacht from 2:00pm (or group transfer from Zagreb, cost not included and must be pre-booked). At around 3:00pm we will cruise to the island of Cres, arriving after a journey of around four hours. In the evening enjoy a short guided walk through the old town, with its strong Italian influences stemming from the time of the Venetians in the 15th century.

Meals:  D

After breakfast we start our tour from the city of Cres to Martinšcica. The boat awaits your arrival and lunch is served during the cruise to the island of Lošinj. If the weather is good, the captain will arrange a swim stop along the way before tying off in the harbor wellness town of Mali Lošinj. The port with its colourful facades and numerous cafes offers its visitors a welcoming atmosphere for a relaxed evening.

Meals:  B,L

This morning we cycle along a seaside path to Veli Lošinj, a picturesque town in the south of the island. Hilly cobblestone streets leading up from the main square meld with the rocky coastline. After lunch on theboat we cruise to the island of Molat where we will take another short bike ride. Overnight we will be moored in the quiet harbour of Molat town.

Meals:  B,L

We will begin cruising this morning during breakfast, passing many small islands until we reach the ‘spice-island’ of Dugi Otok (meaning ‘Long Island’). Today’s cycling will commence from the bay of Bozava, which is surrounded by woods of pine, agave and tamarisk. We ride on an almost traffic free road. Our ride takes us first to a beautiful viewpoint at the northernmost point of the Island where the old Austrian lighthouse of Veli Rat resides. From here we continue by bike along the island ridge with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding island landscapes all the way to the bay of Savar where the boat awaits us for a cruise to Zadar. Zadar has been the political, cultural and spiritual centre of Dalmatia for centuries. In the evening we take an extensive walk through the streets of the lively old town. 3,000 years of history left its imprint on the character of this town and there are many things to be admired - the mighty fortified walls with their bastions, the loggia and also the Romanesque St. Donatus Basilica.

Meals:  B,L

This morning a long crossing to reach the island of Pag. The island is home to many fig and olive trees in a harsh but delightful landscape. The inhabitants of the island have built many stone walls across it as protection against the wind. We cycle from Novalja along the peninsula as far as the sea where the ship will be waiting to take us to Rab. The island of Rab is said to be one of the sunniest places in Europe. The fortified town of the same name, with its four famous bell towers, is the capital of the island and was built in the Middle Ages. There will be time after dinner to explore the narrow alleys and cosy cafes of Rab.

Meals:  B,L

We will cycle today around the charming island of Rab, along rough cliffs and rocks that look somewhat similar to a lunar landscape. At lunch time the ship will be waiting for us in the harbour directly in front of the old town of Rab. We cruise towards the island of Krk and anchor along the way for a refreshing swim stop from the boat. In the late afternoon we reach the island of Krk where we spend the evening in the historical town of Krk.

Meals:  B,L

This morning we will cycle over the ridge of Krk island through macchia (fragrant Mediterranean scrubland) to a valley of vineyards. We continue to the town of Vrbnik, built on a 50m high cliff and surrounded by vineyards. This small town is home to the famous Croatian white wine Zlahtina and what is said to be the second narrowest alley in the world. From Vrbnik we cycle across the island through old villages and rich vegetation to Omisalj, from where Rijeka, Croatia’s main seaport, is visible across the bay. Along the way we will have the opportunity to swim in the bay of Soline. This evening we have a farewell dinner with the crew and tour guides.

Meals:  B,D

Disembark after breakfast around 9am and individual departure (or group transfer to Zagreb - additional cost applies, must be pre-booked).

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches*, 2 dinners (does not include drinks)
  • The cook on board is a member of the crew. The meals begin with dinner on day 1 and ends with breakfast on day 8. *Note that the included lunches and dinners are not clearly labelled on the daily itinerary as they depend on sailing conditions on the day and from time to time we may substitute one of the lunches for a dinner or vice versa, your tour guide will inform you locally when these will be included.
  • 7 nights accommodation in a twin cabin below deck with ensuite facilities on board a deluxe motorised boat (supplement applies for above deck or single cabin). The compact cabins are configured with a double bed or two separate beds. Excellent discounts apply to a third person sharing a triple cabin, with a configuration of a double bed + bunk beds (single or twin) or double + double bed for quad share. Note that the lower deck cabins by their very nature will be marginally noisier and less ventilated due to their proximity to the engine and working part of the boat.
  • E-Bike hire is included. If you prefer a Road or Gravel bike please advise at the time of booking - discount applies - suitable cycling ability required.
  • The guides will carry bike locks for the group when cycling, or individual locks can be provided on request if you decide to bike alone (limited supply).
  • Experienced crew including English speaking cycle guide
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Guided cycling tours as described in the itinerary
  • Information pack including overview maps per cabin
  • Tourist Taxes

  • Travel to and from Omisalj
  • Upgrade to a cabin on deck or single cabin – supplement applies, please ask our office for details
  • Group transfer from/to Zagreb on day 1 and day 8 - Day 1 - 11:30am from Zagreb centre, 12:15pm from Zagreb airport. Return transfer from Omisalj on day 8 to Zagreb Airport at 8am (reservation required at the time of booking including flight details, contact your consultant for pricing details)
  • Individual transfers available on request for an additional cost on embarkation and disembarkation days only, from Rijeka or Zagreb - please ask our office for details.
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Special diets including lactose free / gluten free / vegan require payment of a supplement of EUR70pp - must be requested in advance and paid on board.
  • Water flat rate & tourist tax EUR60pp (adult) or EUR30pp (child up to 16) to be paid to the captain
  • Tips for crew and tour guides
  • Travel insurance - mandatory *cruise cover may be required - check with your insurer
  • Helmets - mandatory on all bike tours, you are encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. A limited number of rental helmets are available on board (reservation essential), however we cannot guarantee their suitability.
  • Optional Bicycle insurance - can be paid in cash locally if booked on board, or pre-paid if booked in advance. EUR25 per person per bike. Note that normal travel insurance often does not cover loss or damage to rental bikes. If you do not take out bike insurance you will need to pay for the cost of the bike or repair of damages.
  • Optional extension to Zagreb (2 days/ 1 night) before the tour (supplement applies - please ask for our rates). Inclusions: arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel, 4 star hotel, guided walking tour of Zagreb (does not include entry fees), dinner in Zagreb, transfer to the boat in Omisalj.
  • Items of a personal nature

Bike information

Road or Gravel Bike

You have the option to hire either a road or gravel bike. (request at time of booking). These are 21 speed bikes with hand brakes. You will be provided with a pannier to carry your gear during the day. Helmets are not supplied but are mandatory on all bike tours - you are encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. A limited number of rental helmets are available on board (reservation essential), however we cannot guarantee their suitability.

Electric Bike

An electric bike option is available for this trip. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedalling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or to allow less confident or fit cyclists to take on routes that they may otherwise consider too tough for their current capability.

Suitability

moderate

3

GRADE 3 - This is an e-bike tour. For cyclists using road or gravel bikes, we recommend that you are fit and comfortably able to cycle around 20kmph on the flat and 10kmph on the ascents. If you are unsure we recommend an e-bike. Even for e-bikers, the trip requires a reasonable level of fitness from participants, which you should have acquired from steady cycling. The tours will take us up to a height of between 200 and 500m/656 and 1646ft above sea-level. The day-tours from 20 to 45km / 12.5 to 28mi will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints. Participants will also need to master long and steep climbs, during which you may need to push the bike (not e-bikers). You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike-tour. We will traverse mostly asphalted roads, which are rarely travelled outside the holiday seasons. Each day you can either decide to bike alone, using the information and maps provided, or join the two tour guides or other participants. It is considered suitable for active children with bike tour experience (minimum 10 years, height minimum is 1.2m/4ft for hybrid bike or 1.5m/5ft for e-bike). *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.

Departure dates


Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
DN1
High season departures: 30 May, 27 Jun, 22 Aug, 5 and 12 Sep, Mid season departures: 2 and 16 May, 11 Jul and 17 Oct. Supplement applies to high and mid season departures.
Note:
Itinerary subject to change according to weather conditions. Option to add 2-day pre tour extension in Zagreb - ask our office for details.
Note:
On this tour the cycling pace is determined by the e-bike riders who tend to take half the time to ascend hills with a limited amount of recovery time at the top. For cyclists using regular bikes, we recommend that you are fit and comfortably able to cycle around 20kmph on the flat and 10kmph on the ascents. If you are unsure, we recommend you book an e-bike.
Note:
Allow for drinking water and tourist taxes EUR60pp (adult) EUR30pp (child up to 16). Discount applies for 26 April 2024 departure.

Priceper person from

£2290GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • discount for gravel bikeGBP£-29
  • bicycle insurance - gravel or electric bike (pp)GBP£30
  • Deck level twin cabin supplementGBP£220
  • Deck level single cabin additional supplementGBP£330
  • Single cabin supplement below deck - low seasonGBP£800
  • Single cabin supplement below deck - mid season - season supp appliesGBP£880
  • Child under 16 sharing a twinshare cabin - season and cabin supplements extraGBP£1420
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

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Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

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Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

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We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.

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Croatia Bike & Sail trip with UTracks