Bike & Boat Premium Cruise Split to Dubrovnik on MS Romantica 7nts (Fridays)
-
Activity Level: 4
-
Comfort: 4
- Departs From: Split
- Location: Split, Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet, Dubrovnik
- Duration: 8 days (Fri-Fri)
- Availability: FRIDAY only, fortnightly departures
-
Activity Level: 4
-
Comfort: 4
- Departs From: Split
- Location: Split, Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet, Dubrovnik
- Duration: 8 days (Fri-Fri)
- Availability: FRIDAY only, fortnightly departures
Highlights
- UNESCO Heritage Split
- Hvar Island Cycling Tour
- Lastovo Island Cycling Tour
- Cycle the length of Korcula Island
- Explore Traditional Brac Island by Bicycle
- Mljet Island National Park Cycling Tour
- Dubrovnik City Tour
- Relax and let the captain and his crew (especially the cook) take care of you
- During the day you can swim, sunbathe, and explore the underworld of the Adriatic Sea
8 days from Split, Brac, Hvar, Stari Grad, Vela Luka, Korcula, Lastovo, Mljet, Dubrovnik
Fantastic one-way bicycle island hopping cruise!
If you would like to experience the region of South Dalmatia thoroughly.
Including Dubrovnik and its amazing city walls, this sail and cycle trip is an excellent choice.
Accompanied by our charming small cruise ship, we get to know this sparsely populated part of Croatia.
** Very limited e-bikes available, mostly regular bikes only
Itinerary
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/
===================================================================
INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
8 days from from Split, Brac, Hvar, Stari Grad, Vela Luka, Korcula, Lastovo, Mljet and to Dubrovnik
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 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): Split (Embarkation)
Individual journey to Split. Check-in on board starts between 2 and 2.30pm at Split harbour. At about 4.30pm, 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. The boat will spend the night in Split offering you an opportunity to experience the city by night. Overnight in Split.
# Included: Walking Tour of Split at 16.30hrs
# Included: Welcome Dinner onboard
Day 2 (Sat): Island Brač: Postira – Milna – Island Hvar: Stari Grad – Jelsa – Stari Grad (aprx. 29km and 20km)
We cruise to the island of Brač, 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. Once we have arrived on Brač we cycle along the picturesque northern coastline of the island from Postira to Milna. Before descending to Milna to meet the boat, we can enjoy wonderful views across the Dalmatian islands. We board the boat and enjoy a relaxing cruise and replenishing lunch on our way to the artist’s town of Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar. On arrival we can participate in a second bike ride through the green planes of the island to the seaside town of Jelsa. After a break for coffee and ice cream, we continue the round trip back to Stari Grad where we spend the night.
Day 3 (Sun): Hvar Island: Stari Grad - Hvar – Island Korčula (aprx. 22km)
Today’s cycling tour leads us from Stari Grad to the capital city of Hvar on the opposite side of the Island. Our cycle tour leads us through the untamed lavender fields of the island and small villages all the while accompanied by incredible views across the Dalmatian coastline. On arrival, make use of the time and go for a little stroll through the city of Hvar before boarding the boat. Standing on the magnificent Renaissance Square you can enjoy a view up to the Spanish fortress towering high above the city. We board the boat for lunch and cruise to the harbor town of Vela Luka on the Island of Korčula for the night.
Day 4 (Mon): Island Korčula: Vela Luka – Korčula City (aprx. 60km)
Today’s cycle tour leads us across the charming island of Korčula all the way to Korčula city. A mild Mediterranean climate and a broad variety of different landscapes await us here. Take your time, and remember to take a break to enjoy the view over the deep blue sea and neighboring islands. 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 5 (Tue): Island Korčula - Lastovo (aprx. 28km)
In the morning we depart the bustling city of Korcula and make our way to the tranquil island of Lastovo. On our way we enjoy a swim stop directly from the boat and a delicious lunch before we set off to explore the island on our bikes. 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. The population of just over 800 still lives mainly from fishing in the waters rich in fish, agriculture and viticulture. The gold-coloured white wine “Marastina”, known even beyond Croatia’s borders, is grown here. A peaceful night in a secluded natural harbor is spent under a starry night sky.
Day 6 (Wed): Mljet Island: Mljet National Park (aprx. 30km)
In the morning we enjoy breakfast during 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. After a refreshing swim stop from the boat and lunch onboard we arrive in the harbor of Pomena and enjoy a round tour on our bikes through the Mljet National Park in the afternoon. The night is spent in the harbor or Pomena.
Day 7 (Thu): Mljet Island – Dubrovnik (aprx. 33km)
From Pomena, we cycle the length of this wonderfully vegetated island, enjoying the shade of the trees along the way. Our boat waits for us in the harbour of Sobra where we embark and enjoy the last cruise of the week with our destination being the grand city of Dubrovnik. After arrival in Dubrovnik there is plenty of time to explore the UNESCO world Heritage city and to take part in a guided city tour. A cheerful farewell evening meal onboard the boat gives you time to celebrate the success of the week with fellow travelers and tour guides.
# Included: Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
# Included: Farewell Dinner onboard
Day 8 (Fri): Dubrovnik (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. Gruz port has the main bus/coach station 50m across the road, with a luggage storage kiosk if you are departing later and need somewhere to store your bags once you leave the ship. 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
===================================================================
Accommodations
Great accommodations are provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our specific FAQ pages here:
Before You Go - General Croatia Info (general info for all travellers)
Before Your Cruise - General Cruise Info (for all small ship Croatia cruises)
Before Your Island Hopping Tour - General Info (packages combining hotels, ferries and transfers)
Before Your Private Charter - General Yacht and Gulet Charter Info (private charters)
Click here to see how the booking process works: https://www.discovercroatia.com.au/booking-process-how-to-book/
How far in advance do I need to book?
Cruises: For our weekly small ship cruises with guaranteed departures we suggest you book as soon as your plans are in motion. All cruises are extremely popular especially during peak season, which is June, July, August, September and these dates can be booked out up to a year in advance, especially September. One-way cruises are particularly sought-after and tend to sell out first, so please speak to us first to ensure your cruise choice is available before booking any flight arrangements.
Escorted Tours: Escorted Group Tours with guaranteed departures are also best booked as early as possible to ensure your place on the tour, as spaces are limited to a set number of passengers. Once the tour is full that departure is closed for new bookings.
Island Hopping, Self-Drive, Self-Guided Cycling/Hiking and Independent or Private Tours: Independent tours are available most days of the week at any time of year, so if you're booking late these are a great option. They can also start or finish on any day of the week, so can be a great alternative to the cruises (that mostly depart only on Saturdays). You can check out our Island Hopper Tours and our active tours for some examples. If you can't find what you are looking for please make an enquiry on any of our tours and let us know what you need. We love creating custom tours with our clients.
What do the different ship categories mean?
Please see our Ship Descriptions page here, for all the information on Ship Categories, Deck and Cabin Descriptions.
What is half-board? What meals are included?
Half-board (HB): This means that 2 meals a day are usually provided, mostly it will be breakfast and lunch on cruises, and breakfast and dinner on escorted tours. Each cruise or tour will have meals listed on the daily itinerary, so that you will know exactly which meals are included. Some lunches or dinners are swapped occasionally, so that you may enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience with your fellow travellers, such as a Captain's Dinner on a cruise, or a wine-tasting and lunch on an escorted tour. For the remainder of your meals you will be able to dine anywhere you choose and you will be responsible for the cost of those meals. Your Cruise or Tour Director will be happy to recommend a good value and trusted eatery nearby at every location, or you can explore on your own.
Bed and Breakfast (BB): This means that only breakfast is included in your holiday. Most of our Independent Tours include breakfast only, so that you are not beholden to going back to your hotel for lunch or dinner as you are going to be exploring on your own. We think that flexibility with lunch and dinner gives you the best option for exploring Croatia and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.
Full-board (FB) is occasionally offered on cruises as an optional extra, but we do not recommend you take the full-board option unless you are really sure about it. A lot of the joy of the cruise and tour experiences is to dine in local restaurants, 'konobas' (traditional pubs) and bars, so that you can meet the people who live and work there. Why come all the way to Croatia only to eat on-board for every meal? There are so many fabulous (and even some famous!) eateries. Get out there and taste them!
What type of transport is used on the Island Hopper Tours? Local ferries and vehicle transfers
Local ferries: Local ferries are used between the mainland and the islands where possible. Most of these ferries are fast ferries (high speed catamarans). Our Island Hopper Tours include all ferry tickets, as well as delivery of the ferry tickets to your hotel, when we come to pick you up to take you to the ferry port. In some towns, where some hotels are in the pedestrian zone close to the ferry port (like Hvar), then you will be met at the ferry and directed to your hotel, with luggage assistance if required. If your hotel is outside the pedestrian zone you will be met at the ferry and taken to your transfer vehicle, with luggage assistance if required.
Transfers: Most Island Hoppers have private airport transfers included, and private transfers to/from the ferry ports on the islands. Some transfers will be shared transfers if there are others going to the exact same hotel at the same time and it is a short distance.
How fit do I need to be for my holiday?
Relaxation/cultural cruises and tours: On-board your cruise ship, you will need to be able to negotiate gangways and stairs and be able to step from ship to ship as the cruise ships are moored next to each other sideways and sometimes you need to step across to the next ship. You will be walking mostly on the cobblestone streets through the iconic cities and towns of the region. The excursions are best-suited to those who are capable of walking on uneven surfaces as many old cities and towns have limited totally flat surfaces that can accommodate wheelchairs or walking-frames. Please contact us to ask about your specific circumstances, as we are happy to help plan for your needs as best we can. Assistance will be provided on cruise ships to help you navigate getting on and off, but there are a few limitations. Please ask.
Cycling tours: Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.
What happens if I can't attend an excursion?
It is possible to relax at your hotel, on the tour bus or on the boat at any time.
What happens if I can't cycle or hike a stage on an active holiday?
For cycling cruises: If you don't want to cycle it is possible to relax on the boat as it moves to the next port of call.
For cycling and hiking tours: If you don't want to (or can't due to illness or injury) cycle, hike or walk a stage, then we will make arrangements to have you transferred to the next stop on your itinerary so that you can continue with your holiday. Prices for transfers vary widely, so pricing will be provided on an 'as needed' basis only.
What equipment do I need?
Relaxation/excursion cruises and tours: You will need comfortable walking shoes, clothes for relaxing, your swimming costume, and a sunhat. Most cruises are fairly relaxed and casual clothing is fine for all meals, though you may want to take one nice outfit depending on where you wish to dine onshore.
Cycling cruises and tours: You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
If you have any questions, just give us a call or email:
Call us or WhatsApp: +612-9212-1507
Email us: [email protected]
Video
UNAVAILABLE / SOLD OUT
Click on available dates (blue or red) for pricing
Itinerary
- Day 1 (Fri): Split (Embarkation)
- Day 2 (Sat): Island Brač: Postira – Milna – Island Hvar: Stari Grad – Jelsa – Stari Grad (aprx. 29km and 20km)
- Day 3 (Sun): Hvar Island: Stari Grad - Hvar – Island Korčula (aprx. 22km)
- Day 4 (Mon): Island Korčula: Vela Luka – Korčula City (aprx. 60km)
- Day 5 (Tue): Island Korčula - Lastovo (aprx. 28km)
- Day 6 (Wed): Mljet Island: Mljet National Park (aprx. 30km)
- Day 7 (Thu): Mljet Island – Dubrovnik (aprx. 33km)
- Day 8 (Fri): Dubrovnik (Disembarkation)