E-Bike & Boat Premium Cruise Dubrovnik to Split on MS Harmonia 7nts (Fridays)

Itinerary and Inclusions:

Open-age, very active cruise. Double/twin cabins on Main and Lower Deck. Solo travellers must book a cabin for solo use. 2 x Triple porthole cabins are on the Lower Deck.

If you would like to experience the region of South Dalmatia in all its glory as well as Dubrovnik with its amazing city walls, this e-bike and boat tour is an excellent choice for you! Discover this sparsely populated area of Croatia on board a charming motor yacht. Breath-taking scenic experiences and cultural attractions await you. The highlights of the trip include the town centre of Dubrovnik and Split, both of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We cycle the islands of Mljet, Vis, Korčula, Hvar, and Brač and get the opportunity to experience sea and land, culture and nature firsthand.

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.

• Limited E-bikes available (on request)

#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/harmonia/

Alternating weeks:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/71/bike-boat-cruise-split-dubrovnik-ms-harmonia-7nt/
Similar cruise:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/321/bike-boat-cruise-dubrovnik-split-romantica-7nts/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
8 days from Dubrovnik, Mljet, Korcula, Vela Luka, Komiza, Vis, Hvar Town, 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 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)
• City tour in Dubrovnik, Korcula, 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 on board starts between 2 and 2.30 pm 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 providing the opportunity to experience Dubrovnik’s nightlife.

Day 2 (Sat) Dubrovnik – Island Šipan – Island Mljet (aprx. 11 km aprx. 25 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) Pelješac Peninsula: Trstenik – Orebić – Island Korčula (aprx. 25 km)
During breakfast a short cruise brings us to the harbour of Trstenik on the Pelješac Peninsula. Pelješac can be recognised from far away with its impressive 3280 ft./ 1.000m high Sv. Ilija mountain range. The famous local wines named Plavac and Dingač originate from this unique wine region where vineyards can be found firmly rooted into the steep mountainside. Today's bicycle ride takes us along the coastline from Trstenik to Orebić where the boat will wait for us with a delicious lunch (a short 4km distance of the tour is ridden on gravel roads to avoid the traffic of the busy main road). With lunch on board, we set off towards the picturesque town of Korčula with its 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 cycling tour leads us across the charming island of Korčula. A mild Mediterranean climate and a vast variety of different landscapes accompany us along the tour. Take your time and don’t forget to take a break to enjoy the view over the deep blue sea and neighbouring islands. Dinner is served on board to recharge after a day full of activity. Overnight stay in the sheltered bay of Vela Luka.

Day 5 (Tue) Island Vis (aprx. 32 km)
In the morning we leave the island of Korčula behind and enjoy a breakfast cruise to the island of Vis with a possible swim stop from the boat before arrival. Vis is the furthermost inhabited island from mainland Croatia. A Greek colony called Issa settled on the island 2,300 years ago. Due to its strategic location it was a military zone until 1995 and prohibited for foreign tourists. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to explore the lovely island by bicycle. From the town of Vis we cycle once around the entire island with a coffee stop in the harbour of Komiža . The night is spent in the harbour of Vis.

Day 6 (Wed) Island Hvar: Hvar Town – Jelsa – Stari Grad (aprx. 40 km)
The day starts with a relaxing cruise to Hvar town on the island of the same name. Make use of the time before the bike tour begins to 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 Hvar town up a steady climb through small villages and lavender fields to the harbour town of Jelsa on the opposite side of the island. The descent down to Jelsa offers breath-taking views. After Ice cream and coffee in Jelsa, our ride continues through the picturesque town of Vrboska and through the ancient Greek plains, now a protected UNESCO heritage site, to the artistic village of Stari Grad where our boat awaits our arrival. The night is spent in Stari Grad.

Day 7 (Thur) Brač Island: Milna – Pučišća (aprx. 40 km)
In the morning we cruise to the island of Brač, famous for its radiant, precious limestone that was used in part for the White House in Washington as well as for the construction of the German Reichstag building in Berlin. Once on Brač, we start our bike tour from Milna to the picturesque harbour town of Pučišća. Climbing our way over the island we have spectacular views across the Dalmatian coast. Along the way we take time to interact with the locals before continuing along the coast from Postira to Pučišća where our boat awaits us for lunch and the final cruise of the week to the UNESCO world heritage city of Split. On a guided city tour, we get the opportunity to see inside the former Palace of Emperor Diocletian and learn about its transformation into the city it is today. A cheerful evening meal on board the boat gives us plenty of time to celebrate the wonderful week with fellow travellers and tour guides.

Day 8 (Fri): SPLIT - Departure (B)
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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