Croatia

Our self guided trip was fantastic! Terrific in country support provided by Andre made it easy to cycle along the beautiful Croatian roads and explore an amazing country. Great GPS!

The VBT Croatia self-guided tour is outstanding. Excellent routes with climbing challenge to spectacular views of the picture perfect colors of the Aegean Sea. Excellent food and warm country people who love to share their history and culture.

Croatia bike and boat was outstanding! We enjoyed using the boat as our 'Floating Hotel" and were very pleased with the food prepared by the chef. Our leaders, Neven and Julian, were caring, responsive and fun. The rides were challenging but so beautiful. The people we met in Croatia were friendly and the little towns and villages were charming. Great trip!

An Unforgettable Adventure: Croatia Bike & Boat with Peter, Julian, and Mateja From the moment we embarked on VBT’s Croatia: Split & the Dalmatian Islands tour, I knew this would be a journey to remember. Over eight days, this trip was perfectly balanced — challenging yet restorative, full of stunning scenery, delicious food, engaging culture, and truly excellent leadership. ⸻ What Made It Exceptional 1. Outstanding Leadership: Peter & Julian Peter and Julian didn’t just guide us; they inspired us. Their knowledge of the local history, geography, and customs brought each place to life — from Split’s ancient Roman walls to the whisper of olive groves on Brač, and the vineyards of Pelješac. They were always attentive, adaptive, and encouraging — whether we were tackling a steep climb or enjoying a coastal glide. Their sense of humour, kindness, and professionalism made even the hard biking days something to look forward to. 2. Flawless Bike Logistics & Fueling by Mateja Mateja’s role was crucial, and he delivered at every turn. Bike fittings were smooth, every ride began with clarity about what to expect, and he made sure our bikes were safe, well-maintained, and appropriate for the terrain. Equally important, the fueling stations — snacks, water, and rest stops — were always well-timed and thoughtfully arranged. At moments when energy lagged, Mateja’s preparation and organization made all the difference. 3. The Route, the Islands, and the Sights Cruising between islands, anchoring in secluded bays, taking swims in the clear Adriatic — these moments were magical. Cycling through olive and pine groves, tasting local olive oil, and stopping at a stonecutting school on Brač added texture and depth to the journey. The experiences on Pelješac — wine tasting, coastline riding — felt like a postcard come to life. Each day’s ride choices meant you could push yourself or opt for something gentler. 4. Meals, Accommodations & On-Ship Comfort We stayed aboard a deluxe private yacht, with top-tier accommodations, well-prepared meals, and spaces to relax after a day in the sun. The onboard chef’s cooking demonstration was not only fun but added a cultural taste of Croatia we’ll always remember. 5. Perfect Balance: Challenge & Relaxation The itinerary struck a wonderful balance — some legs were physically demanding, others more leisurely, and always with options. Afternoons or evenings gave space to unwind, swim, explore towns, or simply enjoy the sea. The blend of riding, sailing, history, natural beauty, and downtime was perfectly measured. ⸻ Final Assessment This tour was everything we hoped for — exhilarating days, awe-inspiring scenery, rich culture, and warmth from both our leaders and fellow travelers. Peter, Julian, and Mateja elevated the experience beyond expectations — thoughtful, encouraging, and reliable. If you’re contemplating a VBT bike & boat tour, this one should be at the top of your list. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

VBT Croatia was a fantastic experience. Our trip exceeded our expectations and my adult son said it was a “trip of a lifetime!” It was a perfect blend of guided and self guided. The guides had great personalities and created a great experience! I loved the variation of experiences, loved the food recommendations, loved the scenery and loved all the group interaction. I am ready for the next VBT trip! Amazing trip! Thank you.

This was an absolutely delightful experience. I am very impressed with VBT's way of supporting the local economy by hiring local guides, and setting up dinners with locals. Our hotels were great, the guides were wonderful, and i learned so much about local culture and history. Our guides, Mario and Neven, are just wonderful people and so helpful fun to be around.

This was a fantastic trip! As usual CW found terrific local guides - Irena & Matej, were wonderful - very organized, knowledgeable with great senses of humor. The interesting thing about this trip is being able to experience the Julian Alps and Istrian peninsula and compare the very different landscapes. While the length of the trip was perfect, I wouldn't have minded an extra day in each place! And I did appreciate that we didn't move around too much - we stayed in the same hotel for several nights in each area which allows you to settle in and relax. Another wonderful CW excursion!

This was a terrific trip, especially because of our wonderful guides Vida and Dani. We lucked out with glorious weather. Our walking trips were varied and really wonderful. The hotels were first class with superior service and meals. The short tours provided were very interesting. I always felt very well taken care of with thoughtful small acts of kindness. Our guides answered all of questions with great in-depth conversations. A first-class experience!!

We had a great trip thanks in a large part to our guides and our Croatian hosts! Dani and Dani were a great guiding team, who adapted the itinerary to meet our needs. They were thoughtful, informative and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this trip. You will learn so much about the wonderful and beautiful Dalmatian coast.

We had an amazing time on this trip and could not have been happier with our decision to take our first ever group tour with Country Walkers. Everything about our trip was seamless. Our tour guides, Dani 1 and Dani 2, were knowledgeable, mature, funny and amiable, each in his own way, and added greatly to the trip/experience. Their local knowledge of culture, food, people, history was unmatchable. We had deep trust in them, and we knew that although everything seemed to go smoothly, they were constantly working behind the scenes to adjust plans due to weather, changes in schedule, etc. They made it look easy, but we knew it was not. Of course the hiking was nice, the views and location fantastic. The food was sumptuous and always different, so we sampled many things and felt we got exposed to all kinds of traditional Croation fare. The wine and grappa were always flowing generously. The eating locations themselves were unique. We heard rumors that this tour was being regrouped or cancelled and were quite surprised as everyone in our group seemed quite happy indeed. It would be a shame to lose these fantastic guides/guys.