National Parks of Dalmatia

Croatia Bike + Boat Tour

National Parks and Islands of Central Dalmatia

Croatia is a country with beautiful, well-kept coasts with thousands of islands, reefs, and bays. Numerous Roman ruins, charming hills and breathtaking beauty awaits you here. Situated along the Adriatc Sea, Croatia stretches from the slopes of the alps, deep into the Pannonian Valley, to the banks of the Danube and Drava Rivers.

Come and spend a week on a ship cruising between the mainland and the sea. Regional cuisine and an exceptional crew with knowledgeable tour guides await. You will visit two national parks as well as the islands of Central Dalmatia, starting at Trogir. Highlights include the UNESCO-protected old town of Trogir, Primosten, Sibenik (with its famous cathedral), Zadar (pictured below), the National Park, Krka waterfalls and the Kornati Islands.

On this cycling vacation, you will discover the charm of the Adriatic in a very unique way. After a hearty breakfast, you cycle through history and culture and at midday meet the ship at a harbor for lunch. In the evenings, the ship will be waiting in the next harbor for you to dine as the sun sets, followed by a stroll through the historic harbor towns.

You will be enchanted with Croatia, land of a thousand islands!

Tour Dates

• Aboard the Comfort Class boat, the Kapetan Jure: May 11, May 25, June 8, August 17, August 31, September 14, September 28, and October 12, 2013
• Aboard the Comfort Plus boat, the Romantica: May 4, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24, September 7, and October 5, 2013

Skill Level

Moderate. Approx. 275 km / 170 miles of cycling total for this tour. The bike routes require a basic level of fitness, ideally acquired by occasional or daily cycling. The routes can reach an altitude of 100 – 300 meters. The daily routes, of 30-50 km (18-30 mi.), cover hilly terrain. You will also come across some rather steep climbs, where walking your bike is of course permitted. The roads are mostly asphalted and there is little traffic outside of holiday-periods. You can decide every day for yourself, whether you would like to cycle individually, using the maps provided, or join one of the tour guides (or individual participants).

Where You’ll Stay

On the comfort class or comfort plus boats, the Kapetan Jure or the Romantica.

What’s Included

• 8 days/7 nights’ accommodations on a motor yacht with a crew of four
• 7x full board (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
• English-speaking tour guide
• 21-speed trekking bike with bicycle bag
• 7 guided cycling tours as described in itinerary
• Bed linen and towels
• Entrance fees for National Parks
• Maps of the single cycling trips

What’s Not Included

• Visitor’s tax and local charges, €20 (payable on board)
• Drinks on board (tally sheet)
• Gratuities for crew and tour-guide (optional)
• Individual arrival to ship
• Bicycle Protection (€10 for hybrid and €20 for electric)
• Unlimited water on board and during cycling: €20/adult

Tour Boats

• Kapetan Jure
• Romantica

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Trogir – Rogoznica, 3 - 11 mi. (7 - 17 km) 
2.  Rogoznica – Primošten – Šibenik – Sali, 13 mi. (20 km) 
3. Island of Dugi Otok, 19 - 38 mi. (30 - 65 km)
4. Islands of Pašman and Ugljan – Island of Murter, 21 mi. (35 km)
5. Island Murter – Skradin, 16 mi. (27 km)
6. National Park of Krka – Island Zlarin, 19mi. (31 km) 
7.  Island of Solta 9 or 25 mi. (15 or 40 km)
8. Departure

 *All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

DAY 1: Trogir – Rogoznica,   3 - 11 mi. (7 - 17 km)                               
Individual arrival to the picturesque port of Trogir. Check-in on the motor yacht starts at 11 am followed by lunch. Your first cruise will be to Rogoznica. Covered with pine forests that reach the sea, this island is a paradise. You will also have opportunity for cycling along the wide bay and visit the the village of Rogoznica, a small fishermen's village, hidden in a deep bay, well protected from the waves and open sea.

DAY 2:  Rogoznica – Primošten – Šibenik – Sali, 13 mi. (20 km)
In the morning, you will cycle to Primošten. From there, the boat takes you on a cruise through the National Park Kornati, an archipelago in crystal clear water which is known for its rich, aequatic realm. Today's destination is the Nature Park, Telašcica. In the evening, a walk through the park leads along the stunning cliffs of the island. The famous Silver Lake, known by movies of Winnetou, is also located in the Nature Park. After visiting the Nature Park, the ship sails to the picturesque harbour of Sali, where you will spend the night.

DAY 3:  Island of Dugi Otok, 19 - 38 mi. (30 - 65 km)
Your bike tour begins in Telašćica Nature Park along a virtually traffic-free road. Along this panoramic road, you traverse the entire island, with countless unforgettable vistas of the islands and the deep blue of the sea. The ship awaits in the harbor of Savar for lunch. Once again on board, the tour continues to Zadar, which, for centuries, was the political, cultural and spiritual center of Dalmatia. The tour guide will direct on an extensive walk through the lanes of the lively old center. 3000 years of history have left their imprint on the character of this town and there are many things to be admired: the mighty fortified walls with their bastions, the loggia but also the early Romanesque St. Donatus basilica. Overnight will be spent in the harbor of Zadar. 

DAY 4: Islands of Pašman and Ugljan – Island of Murter, 21 mi. (35 km)
During breakfast, the boat crosses to the island of Ugljan at the channel of Zadar. Today is the opportunity to explore both of the islands Ugljan and Pašman by bicycle.As you cycle along the East Coast, you will witness the most beautiful views of the mainland and the ocean. After today's cycle tour, the ship cruises to the island of Murter and anchors for the night at a quiet bay.

DAY 5: Island of Murter –Vodice- Šibenik – Skradin, 16 mi. (27 km)
In the morning, you cycle from Slanica on Murter, along the water front to two very old coastal towns and return to the mainland while passing the lift bridge at Tisno. Your destination is the lively resort, Vodice. From here the boat takes you to the city of Sibenik to the spot where the Krka River flows into the Adriatic Sea. After visiting the famous cathedral and the lovely old town, you set off again and take the boat to Sibenik. On the cruise you pass the lower course of the river Krka and follow the river bend until reaching Skradin. In the port of the village the ship will dock for the night. 

DAY 6: National Park of Krka - Island of Zlarin 19 mi. (31 km)
Today you cycle and explore the Krka National Park. Through wooded valleys the ride continues to Lake Visovac. On an island in the lake is the Visovac Monastery. It was settled by Augustinian monks, who established a small monastery and church dedicated to the Apostle Paul in the 14th century. After a swimming break, back on the cycle, on to Skradin through quiet villages. In the late afternoon, you sail to the coral island of Zlarin. Known as the "golden island" for its unspoiled beauty, it is an island of pines, sandy beaches and idyllic coves. Zlarin is most famous for its unique culture based upon harvesting coral and turning it into jewelry and ornaments. The inhabitants of Zlarin have been fishermen and sailors from time immemorial and were the first coral fishermen on the Adriatic. In the peaceful atmosphere of the island you will enjoy a relaxing evening.

DAY 7: Island of Solta, 9 or 25 mi. (15 or 40 km)
In the morning, your motor yacht will take you to the island of Solta. Olive, fig trees and farmland surround the streets. The sweet smell of lavender and rosemary will follow you throughout the day's ride around this tranquil island until the village of Grohote. On this last bike tour you will visit small villages in the hinterland, biking on roads with little traffic until you reach Trogir. The final descent will offer you a grand view of the coastline of Split. During midday the  last cruise will be a return to  Trogir.   In the afternoon you can stroll through the narrow alleys of the Old town, protected as a World Heritage Site, and devote your attention to the cultural side of the trip. Trogir is an ancient island settlement dating back to the Hellenistic period and has been embellished by successive rulers with many fine public and domestic buildings and fortifications. Its beautiful Romanesque churches are complemented by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period.

DAY 8: Departure from Trogir.
Check-out is after breakfast at 9 am.

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Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

• Portugues: Parques Nacionais da Dalmácia
• Deutsch: Nationalparks Dalmatien