Bike & Boat Vintage Cruise Kvarner Bay; Omisalj to Omisalj on MS Linda 7nts (Fridays)

Itinerary and Inclusions:

Open-age, very active cruise! Double/twin cabins on Main and Lower Deck. Most triple cabins are a double bed with a single bunk bed above. Solo travellers must book a double/twin for solo use with a supplement.

Guarded by the towering Velebit Mountain Range in the east and hugged by the Istrian Peninsula in the northwest lie the Kvarner Bay Islands. Quiet coves of crystal clear water surround the dramatic landscapes of the Kvarner Bay Islands; green hills and rocky moon landscapes give way to small harbour towns rich in history and culture. Discover the charm of the Adriatic Sea for yourself by bike and boat on board one of our romantic motor yachts.

The day begins with a well-rounded breakfast leaving you fit to explore the diversity of the Kvarner Bay Islands on a guided bike tour. Be it the medieval city of Rab, the car-free panorama road on Dugi Otok or the contemplative life of the dwellers on the flower island of Molat, each day brings with it new discoveries. Evenings are mostly spent in picturesque harbour towns with winding alleyways where a great range of bars and cafes stand host for a relaxing evening.

E-Bike Level 1 / Hybrid Bike Level 2-3
Our cycle tours fit for both: hybrid and e-bikers. You have to decide beforehand which bicycle you would like to rent. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or to spend time on board the boat, instead of taking the planned cycle tour. Helmet use is mandatory on all cycle tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. Rental helmets are available in limited numbers (reservation required at time of booking). Height measurement is required when booking rental all rental bikes. E-bike tours suitable for people with a good basic level of fitness. The tours and the elevation meters are very manageable with an e-bike (30-60km and 400-700 elevation meters per day).

# Optional extras:
• Rental bike: Bicycle (hybrid mountain/road bike)
• Rental bike: E-bike (on request)
(Insurance included with bikes is against theft and damage of the rental bike. Negligent damage is NOT insured)
You are strongly encouraged to BYO HELMET. If you can, please bring your own (well-fitted) helmet.
Rental helmets are available in limited numbers (reservation required at time of booking, you cannot hire one on the day).

SHIP INFO AND PHOTOS:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/ships/linda/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
8 days from Omišalj (near Rijeka), Cres, Losinj, Molat, Dugi Otok, Zadar, Pag, Rab, Krk and back to Omišalj

INCLUDED:
• 7 nights in a cabin with ensuite and air-con
• Bed linen and towels
• English-speaking Tour Guide

Meals Included:
• 2 days of full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• 5 days of half board (breakfast and lunch or dinner)

Sightseeing Tours Included:
• Guided cycling tours as described in the itinerary
• Overview-maps for the daily tours (onboard)
• Guided City tour in Split and Dubrovnik

NOT INCLUDED:
• Port taxes & bottled water: flat-rate €60pp/week - obligatory (pay onboard)
• Entrance fees to museums and churches
• Beverages on board other than water
• Meals and beverages ashore
• Transfers by bus or taxi during the trip
• Tips for crew and tour guides
• Transfers to/from the cruise on start/finish days
• Bike hire / helmets

ITINERARY:
Embarkation from 14:00hrs. Passengers who arrive earlier can leave their bags on board until their cabin is ready. SHIP LEAVES PORT AT 3PM DO NOT BE LATE.

Day 1 (Fri) Omišalj (Embarkation) – Cres
Individual arrival in Omišalj, a wonderful, small harbour village on the island of Krk. If you’re planning on arriving by car, we will organize a safe parking space for your vehicle for the week. Check-in on the motor yacht between 2 and 2:30 pm. The ship leaves the harbour at about 3 pm, taking us to the island of Cres (about four hours). On Cres, we take an evening walk through the Venetian old town.

Day 2 (Sat) Islands of Cres and Lošinj (aprx. 18 mi./28 km)
After breakfast we start our tour from the city of Cres to Martinšćica. The boat awaits our 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 harbour town of Mali Lošinj. The port with its colourful facades and numerous cafes offers its visitors a welcoming atmosphere for a relaxed evening.

Day 3 (Sun) Islands of Lošinj and Molat (aprx. 12 & 6 mi./20 & 10 km)
We cycle along the seaside promenade to the south of Lošinj and visit the picturesque small harbour town of Veli Lošinj before reaching the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, we cross over to the island of Molat where we can enjoy another short cycling tour. We spend the night in a peaceful and secluded port on the island.

Day 4 (Mon) Islands of Dugi Otok and Olib (aprx. 20 mi./32 km)
During breakfast, the ship leaves Molat taking us past numerous small islands to the "spice island" of Dugi Otok. Our bike tour starts in the bay of Božava, which is surrounded by pine woods, agaves, and tamarisk trees. We cycle along an almost traffic-free road to the northernmost point of the island, where the light house of Veli Rat stands proudly, fulfilling its duty guiding sailors safely on their way since 1849. A ride along the island’s “Road in the Sky” brings us to the peaceful harbour of Savar or Bribinj. There will be ample time for a swim break in the afternoon before we continue on to the small island of Olib for the night.

Day 5 (Tue) Island of Pag - Rab (aprx. 21 mi./34 km)
After a morning crossing, we reach the island of Pag. We cycle through the harsh yet delightful landscape, passing fig and olive trees along the way. Over the centuries, the people living here built numerous stone walls for protection against the wind. Starting in Mandre, we cycle on the narrow peninsula until we reach the sea once more in Lun. From here, the ship takes us to Rab Island, one of the sunniest places in Europe. The town of Rab, the fortified capital of the island, was built in the Middle Ages on a wedge-shaped headland and is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. The four famous bell towers are just one example of the town’s beauty. There is plenty of time to explore the narrow alleys with their numerous cosy cafés in the evening.

Day 6 (Wed) Island of Rab and Krk (aprx. 15 mi./25 km)
Today we enjoy a round tour through diverse landscapes on the Island of Rab. Starting from the old town, our tour takes us through alternating landscapes from coastal promenades, to shaded forests and secluded bays. After returning to the boat we start our cruise towards the island of Krk. Along the way we hope to stop for a refreshing swim from the boat. We spend the evening in the historical town of Krk.

Day 7 (Thu) Island of Krk (aprx. 28 mi./45 km)
On our last full day, we cycle over the ridge of the island, covered by fragrant macchia, to a valley of vineyards and then onwards to the small museum town of Vrbnik in the northeast. The town, built on a 50-meter-high cliff and surrounded by vineyards, is home to the famous white wine Žlahtina. Another peculiarity that Vrbnik has to offer is the second narrowest alley in the world. The tour leads on across the island through old villages and rich vegetation to Omišalj. Along the way we have a chance to swim in the bay of Soline. A cheerful evening meal on board the boat gives us time to celebrate the wonderful week with fellow travellers and tour guides.

Day 8 (Fri) Omišalj (Disembarkation)
After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.

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Catering (B, L or D):
The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering consists of 2 x full board and 5 x half board. Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. You will be informed in advance on each which meals will be prepared onboard for you.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
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