Bike & Boat Premium Cruise Dubrovnik to Split on MS Romantica 7nts (Fridays)

Itinerary and Inclusions:

Open-age very active cruise. Double/twin cabins on Upper, Main and Lower Deck. Solo travellers must book a cabin for solo use. The 2 x Triple cabins are a double bed with a single bunk bed above and both are on Lower Deck.

If you would like to experience the region of South Dalmatia thoroughly, not wanting to do without Dubrovnik and its amazing city walls, this sail and cycle trip is an excellent choice. Accompanied by our charming motor yacht, we get to know this sparsely populated part of Croatia. Breathtaking scenic experiences and cultural highlights await. The highlights of the trip are the town centre of Dubrovnik and Split which are listed as UNESCO’s world heritage sites. We cycle the islands of Mljet, Lastovo, Korčula, Hvar and Brač and experience the interaction of sea and land, culture and nature close up and personally.

Fitness Level Required: E-bike - Level 1 (basic fitness required), or Regular Bike - Level 2-3 (high fitness required)
Our cycle tours are suitable for both E-bikers and (very fit) regular bikers. You have to decide beforehand which bicycle you would like to rent. The pedal-only-bicycle participants require an advanced level of fitness. The tours will take us up to a height of 200-500m above sea-level. The day-tours, up to 60km each day, 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. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a 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. Only E-bike tours are suitable for people with a good basic level of fitness. The tours and the elevation meters are very manageable with an e-bike, but otherwise can be challenging for inexperienced bikers.

• Very limited E-bikes available (on request), mostly regular bikes only.

#Optional extras - Equipment Rental:
• Rental bike: Pedal Bicycle (hybrid mountain/road bike)
• Rental bike: E-Bike (on request only, limited availability)
(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/romantica/

Alternating weeks:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/320/bike-boat-cruise-split-dubrovnik-romantica-7nts/
Similar cruise:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/73/bike-boat-cruise-dubrovnik-split-ms-harmonia-7nt/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
8 days from Dubrovnik, Mljet, Lastovo, Korcula, Vela Luka, Hvar, Stari Grad, Brac and to Split

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

Meals Included:
• 2 x full board (3 meals/day)
• 5 x half board (2 meals/day)

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

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 2024:
Arrive anytime during the day, first overnight is in port. If you arrive early, you may leave your luggage on the ship until your cabin is ready. Check-in to your cabin from 14.00hrs.

Day 1 (Fri) Dubrovnik (Embarkation)
Individual journey to Dubrovnik. Check-in onboard between 2 and 2.30pm at Gruž, the town port. At about 4.30 pm, a guided tour through Dubrovnik is offered, where we hear some interesting details of the town’s history and visit the most impressive sites. The boat will spend the night in Gruž offering the guests an opportunity to experience Dubrovnik’s nightlife.

Day 2 (Sat) Dubrovnik – Island Šipan – Island Mljet (aprx. 11 km, then aprx. 30 km)
In the morning we cross over to the nearby island of Šipan. Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, yet still humble in size. A great place for our first bike tour and to get used to riding in a group. After our first tour we board the boat and enjoy a cruise to the green island of Mljet. Green because 70 % of its landmass is covered by woodland making it the most forested island in the Mediterranean region. Homer mentioned this lovely island in his epic poem “Odyssey”. He made it a home for the Nymph Calypso and the legendary Greek king Odysseus, who could not resist Calypso and stayed on Mljet for seven years. We arrive in the harbor of Pomena and enjoy a round tour on our bikes through the Mljet National Park. The night is spent in the harbor of Pomena.

Day 3 (Sun) Islands Lastovo and Korčula: Korčula town (aprx. 28 km)
In the morning our ship takes us to the Island of Lastovo. The island is one of the smaller inhabited islands in the Adriatic Sea. The Emperor Augustus appreciated the mild climate, and in Roman times it was even named “Augusta Insula” after him. Today’s cycle tour takes us across this beautiful island. The gold-coloured white wine “Marastina”, known even beyond Croatia’s borders, is grown here. Back at the boat it’s time to cast off! A crossing takes us over to the island of Korčula, regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in Dalmatia. The Picturesque town of Korčula with it’s fishbone alleyways competes with Venice for the honor of being the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo. It is here that we spend the night and enjoy a guided city tour packed with fascinating anecdotes concerning the history of the city and the island.

Day 4 (Mon) Korčula Island: Korčula town - Vela Luka (aprx. 60 km)
Today’s cycle tour leads us across the charming island of Korčula. A mild Mediterranean climate and a broad variety of different landscapes accompany us on the tour today. Take your time, and remember to take a break to enjoy the view over the deep blue sea and neighboring islands. Dinner is served on board to replenish our strength after an active day. Overnight stay in the sheltered by of Vela Luka.

Day 5 (Tue) Island Hvar: Hvar Town – Stari Grad (aprx. 22 km)
The day starts with a relaxing cruise to Hvar town on Hvar Island. Make use of the time before the cycle tour starts and go for a little stroll through the city. Standing on the magnificent Renaissance Square you can enjoy a view up to the Spanish fortress towering high above the city. Today's bike tour takes us from the city of Hvar through small villages and lavender fields to Stari Grad on the opposite side of the island. The descent to Stari Grad offers breathtaking views and we board the boat for lunch. The afternoon can be used to explore the artistic seaside town and to visit the local galleries or museums. The night is spent in Stari Grad.

Day 6 (Wed) Hvar Island: Stari Grad – Jelsa – Stari Grad – Island Brač (aprx. 22km)
In the morning we start on a scenic bike tour from Stari Grad to the harbor of Jelsa and back. Jelsa is the perfect place for some ice cream and a coffee and on the way back to the boat we pass through the picturesque town of Vrboska and cycle through the ancient Greek plains which are now a protected UNESCO heritage site. On arrival in Stari Grad we board the boat for lunch and cruise to the island of Brač. The Island is famous for its radiant, precious limestone that was, among others, used for the White House in Washington and in the construction of the German Reichstag building in Berlin. During the cruise we can stop for a refreshing swim stop directly from the boat before arriving in the harbor town of Milna. We will spend the afternoon and evening here.

Day 7 (Thu) Brač Island: Milna – Postira (aprx. 29 km)
Today’s bike tour leads us along the northern coastline of Brač from Milna to Postira with beautiful views across the Dalmatian Islands and across to the mainland. Then we set sail for the last cruise of our eventful week, towards the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Split. A guided city tour offers us the chance to see inside the former Palace of Emperor Diocletian and to learn about its transformation into the city which it has become. A cheerful evening meal onboard the boat gives you time to celebrate the success of the week with fellow travelers and tour guides.

Day 8 (Fri) Split (Disembarkation)
One final breakfast onboard. After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the Crew and all your new friends! You must vacate your cabin by 09.00hrs. If you need to leave early you can do so anytime from 5am. Split port has the main bus/coach and train stations 50m across the road. There are plenty of storage kiosks around if you are departing later and need somewhere to store your luggage. Happy travels and we hope to see you again soon!

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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