Email a friend about VBT Bicycling Vacations. VBT   614 Monkton Road, Bristol, Vermont 05443-0711 1-800-245-3868 Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5:30 pm EST Visit our Web site at www.vbt.com.

Croatia: The Dalmatian Islands 2008 - Detailed Itinerary

TBA

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart US/Fly overnight to Dubrovnik

Depart from the U.S. for Croatia. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Dubrovnik/Begin your Trip Extension in Dubrovnik

Upon arrival at the airport, a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you receive a welcome package with information on things to see and do during your stay. Once settled, you have the rest of the afternoon to explore Dubrovnik and its ancient walled city overlooking the Adriatic. This is an independent extension with no VBT Trip Leader.

Hotel: Hotel Zagreb

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent Exploration of Dubrovnik

After breakfast, the day is yours to explore all that has made this city the new darling of Southern Europe. Stroll Dubrovnik's Stradun (the old city's main thoroughfare), take a guided walk atop the fortress wall, or enjoy a refreshing swim at the beach near your hotel. You may book an optional guided tour of the old city at your own expense—you must reserve this optional tour with your VBT representative upon arrival.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Zagreb

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent Exploration of Dubrovnik

After breakfast at the hotel, explore more of this world-class city on your own. You may book an optional tour of two neighboring cities in Bosnia and Herzogovnia at your own expense—you must reserve this optional tour with your VBT representative upon arrival.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Zagreb

Day 5 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Transfer to Split/Join VBT Air Package guests

This morning your VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer up the coast to Split. (Your transfer time is given on arrival at your Dubrovnik hotel.) This journey by coach takes approximately four and a half hours. VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

Meals: B  Hotel: Art Hotel

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart US/Fly overnight to Split

Depart from the U.S. for Croatia. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Split, Croatia/Transfer to hotel

Upon arrival at the Split airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. Our local representative, who will be holding a VBT sign, meets you outside the customs area in your arrival terminal. (At this time, please plan ahead: Verify with your airport representative the time of your end-of-trip transfer from your Split hotel to the airport.) Today, VBT's local representative arranges your minibus transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to your hotel in Split, where you begin your trip. At the hotel, you receive an “information and welcome” package, which includes a map, to help you explore the city. (If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until noon. You can store your luggage at the Reception Desk.) Now a modern port city, Split's old town center remains charming. The center grew up around the Emperor Diocletian's vast Roman palace, which remains one of the largest and best-preserved from the Roman period. Visit the medieval Brace Radica Square in the southwest corner of the palace: Its tall Marina Tower is all that remains of the imposing castle, built by the Venetians in the second half of the 15th century. When you're ready for a rest, head to Split's Riva promenade to sip coffee, grab an ice cream, and enjoy the view.

Meals: B  Hotel: Art Hotel

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Meet Trip Leaders/Transfer from Split to the Island of Brac/Warm-up ride/Welcome Reception

VBT No-Air Package guests: Your VBT Trip Leaders and the rest of the group meet you at the Art Hotel in Split at 9 a.m. If you are scheduled to arrive at the ferry port in Split later than 11 a.m., or if you are delayed, you must take a taxi, a ferry, and another taxi at your own expense. VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at the Art Hotel in Split (address: Ulica Slobode 41, 21 000 Split, Croatia; telephone: +385 (0) 21 302 302) at 9:30 a.m. Your Trip Leaders will be wearing VBT staff garments. Please have your bags out for collection before 8:00 a.m. so that they may be transferred to the ferry ahead of the group. The group will leave the hotel at 10 a.m. for the short trip to the ferry port, sailing at 11 a.m. for the port of Supetar on the island of Brac. In the event of a late arrival, depending on your departure date, you travel on your own to Villa Adriatica in Supetar or the Deskovic Palace Hotel in the town of Pucisca, both on the island of Brac (approximate cost 30 euros/$39 USD, travel time approximately 2 hours total). Please contact Villa Adriatica or the Deskovic Palace Hotel to advise of any travel delays or changes, as they will pass the message on to your VBT Trip Leaders. Across from the ferry terminal in Split, you may purchase something from one of several simple restaurants to bring along during the one-hour journey to the island of Brac. For guests at Villa Adriatica: On arrival at the port of Supetar, we walk to the nearby Villa Adriatica (travel time about 10 minutes), your home for the next three nights. This welcoming, three-star hotel's location is convenient but quiet, and features comfortable, recently renovated rooms with balconies. Dan and Neva are your hosts. Beyond the activity of the port and the beach, both within walking distance of the hotel, Supetar's town center includes the baroque Church of the Annunciation and its adjacent mosaic floor, remnants of a 5th-century church dedicated to St. Peter. Supetar's cemetery and ornate Petrinovic Mausoleum contain the ruins of a Roman villa, unique grave markers by artist Ivan Rendic, and sculpture representing periods from classical to Byzantine. In the afternoon, join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session followed by a short warm-up ride along Supetar's harbor. Later we gather for a welcome cocktail reception on the terrace, followed by dinner at the hotel. For guests at Deskovic Palace Hotel: On arrival at the port of Supetar, minivans transfer the group to the village of Pucisca and to the Deskovic Palace Hotel, your home for the next three nights (travel time approximately 40 minutes). This welcoming, four-star hotel is registered as a cultural monument and has been held in the same family for generations. Ruzica and her son, Stefano, your caring hosts, recently reconstructed and refurbished the hotel. Pucisca, a peaceful and charming village, has an exciting history. During the 12th century, the island of Brac was threatened by Omis pirates. It was first captured in 1278. Venice later ruled Brac from 1420 to 1797. The Venetians came to an agreement with both the pirates and Turks, and started building Venetian villages on the coast. At that time, Pucisca was founded and 13 small forts were built as a defense. Seven of those forts still exist. The first fort, Kastel Pinezic, dates from 1467 and was incorporated into what is now the Deskovic Palace Hotel. In the afternoon, join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session followed by a short warm-up ride along Pucisca's harbor. Later we gather for a welcome cocktail reception on the terrace, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Villa Adriatica Alternate Hotel: Deskovic Palace Hotel .   Built as early as 1497, the late Renaissance family Palace Deskovic is a Historic Buildings Institute-registered cultural monument in Split. Using restoration techniques and traditional methods, the palace was reconstructed and refurbished, and transformed into a four-star hotel. Your hosts are Ruzica and her son, Stefano. The palace has 15 rooms. All rooms are fully equipped (air conditioning, minibar, satellite TV, Internet access, bathrooms with Jacuzzi, floor heating). The hotel has a restaurant with an open fireplace, where you can enjoy local cuisine specialties and top-quality local wines. Guests can relax in the aperitif bar and use the library or game-room facilities.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle Supetar to Pucisca/Home-hosted dinner

Start your ride to Pucisca, following a quieter road along the scenic north coast and passing through simple villages bordered by fig and olive trees. Enjoy views across to the mainland throughout the ride. Stop in the port town of Pucisca for lunch on your own. Choose to shuttle back to the hotel or cycle back to Supetar via Skrip, the oldest settlement on the island and source of the stone and marble that made it famous. Upon returning to the hotel, use your free time to relax or walk to the beach. Just prior to dinner, your Trip Leaders give an introduction to the Croatian language. Use your newfound skills tonight as you share a simple but authentic Croatian dinner in a local home. For guests at Deskovic Palace Hotel: Start your ride to Supetar, following a quieter road along the scenic north coast and passing through simple villages bordered by fig and olive trees. Enjoy views across to the mainland throughout the ride. Stop in the port town of Supetar for lunch on your own, followed by free time to explore the town with its tangerine and lemon trees, and old stone homes covered in bougainvillea. Choose to shuttle back to the hotel or cycle back to Pucisca via Skrip, the oldest settlement on the island and source of the stone and marble that made it famous. Upon returning to the hotel, use your free time to relax or take a walk in Pucisca. Just prior to dinner, your Trip Leaders give an introduction to the Croatian language. Use your newfound skills tonight as you share a simple but authentic Croatian dinner in a local home.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Villa Adriatica Alternate Hotel: Deskovic Palace Hotel .   Built as early as 1497, the late Renaissance family Palace Deskovic is a Historic Buildings Institute-registered cultural monument in Split. Using restoration techniques and traditional methods, the palace was reconstructed and refurbished, and transformed into a four-star hotel. Your hosts are Ruzica and her son, Stefano. The palace has 15 rooms. All rooms are fully equipped (air conditioning, minibar, satellite TV, Internet access, bathrooms with Jacuzzi, floor heating). The hotel has a restaurant with an open fireplace, where you can enjoy local cuisine specialties and top-quality local wines. Guests can relax in the aperitif bar and use the library or game-room facilities.

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR School visit/Shuttle to Vidova Gora–the Summit of the Adriatic/Ride through rural villages

After breakfast, walk to Supetar's school to meet the English teacher and her class. Learn about Croatia's education system, then give the children the opportunity to practice their English. (Be prepared to be quizzed!) You may wish to bring an interesting book, map, postcard or other small gift suitable for a 10- to 15-year-old. Afterward, shuttle by coach to the highest point on the island, Vidova Gora. This lookout, known as the summit of the Adriatic, affords some breathtaking views. From here, we ride through the villages of Nerezisca and Lozisce. At Lozisce you may choose to add a 10 mile loop down to the port of Milna. We stop and relax for an included lunch before continuing on to the port town of Sutivan and then along the coast and back to our hotel in Supetar. Tonight you may explore the typical Croatian restaurants in town. Your Trip Leaders can make recommendations. For guests at Deskovic Palace Hotel: After breakfast, walk across the town square to Pucisca's school, where you meet the English teacher and her class. Learn about Croatia's education system, then give the children the opportunity to practice their English. (Be prepared to be quizzed!) You may wish to bring an interesting book, map, postcard or other small gift that can be shared amongst the 10- to 15-year-olds. Afterward, shuttle by coach to the highest point on the island, Vidova Gora. This lookout, known as the summit of the Adriatic, affords some breathtaking views. From here we ride down to Gornji Humac, a thousand-year-old village, and visit a local family's working farm restaurant for an included picnic lunch. The family produces wine, olive oil, honey, cheese and cured ham, and the island's famous roast lamb, on their farm. After lunch, shuttle back to the hotel or ride back to Pucisca. Tonight you may explore the typical Croatian restaurants in town. Your Trip Leaders can make recommendations.

Meals: B, L  Hotel: Villa Adriatica Alternate Hotel: Deskovic Palace Hotel .   Built as early as 1497, the late Renaissance family Palace Deskovic is a Historic Buildings Institute-registered cultural monument in Split. Using restoration techniques and traditional methods, the palace was reconstructed and refurbished, and transformed into a four-star hotel. Your hosts are Ruzica and her son, Stefano. The palace has 15 rooms. All rooms are fully equipped (air conditioning, minibar, satellite TV, Internet access, bathrooms with Jacuzzi, floor heating). The hotel has a restaurant with an open fireplace, where you can enjoy local cuisine specialties and top-quality local wines. Guests can relax in the aperitif bar and use the library or game-room facilities.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Visit stonecutters' school/Visit Bol and Zlatni Rat Beach /Explore Hvar town and fortress/Cooking lesson

This morning, say goodbye to your hosts and visit the Pucisca's stonecutters' school for discussion and discovery. Brac's world-renowned stone has been used in the construction of some the world's most famous buildings, including Diocletian's palace in Split and the White House in Washington, D.C. See students' work and learn what happens at one of the world's few remaining stonecutting schools. Then we transfer by coach across the top of the island to Bol, the location of the most famous beach in all of Croatia, Zlatni Rat (meaning “Golden Horn”). This spit of land reaches out into the water with a gently sloping beach. Swim in the Adriatic's crystal-clear water before lunch on your own in the town of Bol. Just after lunch, board a private ferry to Jelsa on the island of Hvar. Then, board a coach for the ride to your hotel in Hvar town (in the event of inclement weather, this transfer operates as noted below). Nearly 68 km long and 11 km wide, and only 5 km at its narrowest point, Hvar is the most famous and seductive Adriatic island. Along with Bali, Zanzibar, Mykonos and Capri, Hvar has been called “one of the most beautiful islands in the world” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Its permanent population of 12,000 people clusters on the west of the island, adjacent to the most fertile and protected land. Upon arrival at the hotel, your Trip Leaders accompany you on a 20-minute group walk along the waterfront promenade to the charming harborfront in Hvar town. Then, explore Hvar, an ancient Greek city with a strong Venetian influence dating to the 16th century. Visit the Arsenal, built in 1612 as the first municipal theatre—Europe's oldest, and perhaps its smallest. Its purpose was to bring the aristocratic and bourgeois classes together, and it stands as a symbol of reconciliation of social class and abolition of privilege. Women were not admitted until the second half of the 19th century. Walk Stjepana Square, the largest square of the Adriatic after Saint Mark's Square in Venice, then take a brief hike uphill from the square for dramatic views across the island from a 12th-century Spanish fortress. Afterward, return on foot to the hotel. Hvar currently is a celebrity hot spot; enjoy the tranquility and incredible location of your hotel, just around the corner from the bustling harborfront. The Adriatic, with a private beach exclusive to hotel guests, is your swimming pool. Diving, including a short course for first-time divers, and kayaking are available from the hotel waterfront at additional cost. More experienced kayakers may wish to visit the nearby island of Pakleni Otoci. This evening, walk to a nearby home, where you learn how to prepare a few well-known local dishes together in a group cooking lesson. Croatia is known for its prozec (sweet wine) and plavac (local red or white wines); taste both over a casual dinner, which the group shares on a terrace that overlooks the Adriatic. Inclement weather itinerary: If rough weather makes it impossible for our chartered ferry to operate, guests travel between Brac and Hvar on the large car ferries that operate via Split. This creates a longer travel day. The two ferry rides are separated by a two-hour visit to Split, where you take a discovery walk and enjoy lunch on your own. Inclement weather may make the promoted activities impossible.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Hotel Podstine

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Ride Hvar's dramatic wilderness/Explore Stari Grad

After a leisurely breakfast, ride past fields of poppies, rosemary, and lavender. The ride starts with a steady hill rising for 6 kilometers to the village of Brusje, and rewards you with a sparsely inhabited and dramatic landscape crisscrossed by a seemingly endless number of stone walls. Views stretch across the sea to neighboring islands and the mainland. If you prefer, start the ride in Brucje and ride downhill to Stari Grad, an authentic Dalmatian town situated at the end of a narrow bay. Originally founded in the 4th century BC, the town's main square offers a number of options for lunch on your own. For a greater challenge, two long ride options are available to continue past Stari Grad. Pass through Jelsa and climb toward Poljica, into an even more remote environment, before returning to Stari Grad for a return shuttle. Back at the hotel, spend the afternoon swimming, walking to town, or on an ocean dive or kayaking excursion. Dinner is on your own.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Podstine

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Ride through lavender fields/Explore Vrboska harbor

Today's ride, certain to be a highlight of your trip, is relatively flat. It carries you through verdant fields, quiet stone villages, and alongside the narrow harbor between Vrboska and Jelsa. Your first destination, Vrboska, an adorable small harbor, is famous for its fortified church. Unique in all of Croatia, the structure resulted from a strange but necessary alliance between the church and the need for fortification from invaders. From here, ride the flat and scenic road on the edge of the fjord filled with small coves perfect for a cooling dip (don't forget your swimsuit!). End the morning with a provided picnic in the old fishing port of Jelsa, where you see well-maintained Venetian houses. Bring your swimsuit and take a refreshing swim before riding on to Stari Grad. Ride through the mountain village of Pitve. With its traditional stone houses, konobas (taverns), and terrace gardens, Pitve epitomizes the island towns of Croatia. Then shuttle back to the hotel from Stari Grad in the late afternoon, or opt for a longer ride that brings you back through Brucje to Hvar. Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner over a last glimpse of the sea.

Meals: B, L, D  Hotel: Hotel Podstine

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Split/Free time/VBT No-Air Package ends

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer back to the port of Split, arriving at approximately 1:15 p.m. (Important: Flight departures from Split airport prior to 4:00 p.m. are not recommended; if you depart earlier, you must make transfer arrangements from the last hotel at your own expense. Taxi cost from Split harbor to Split airport is approximately 300 Croatian Kuna /$60 USD --travel time about 40 minutes.) VBT Air Package guests: Transfer after breakfast by ferry and van to the Art Hotel, a four-star hotel just a 15-minute walk outside of Split's walled Old Town, for your final overnight stay (travel time approximately three hours). Arrive around 2 p.m., then spend the rest of the day shopping or relaxing in one of the city's outdoor cafes.

Meals: B  Hotel: Art Hotel

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for US

VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Split airport for your departing flight (travel time approximately 40 minutes). VBT recommends you check the time of your transfer** in your “Transfer Reminder” or with the hotel's reception desk the night before your flight. The transfer is prearranged with the reception desk by VBT and is prepaid. * Note: For guests with early morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. ** VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B