Croatia

Loved the relaxed pace and flexibility of this tour. Most days you could bike as little or as much as you want while exploring the beautiful towns, beaches, and sea-side restaurants. Amazing sea views from the rides and hotel swimming pools.

I just returned from a VBT cycling trip, and while the cycling routes and views were absolutely stunning, the hotel accommodations were some of the worst I’ve ever experienced on a group trip. The first two hotels were dirty, poorly maintained, and nowhere near the “4-star” standard advertised. Linens were stained, bathrooms smelled of sewage or urine, drains were clogged, and even the pools had visible mold. These properties were closer to budget motels than quality hotels, and the going nightly rates were a fraction of what we paid through VBT. By the time we reached the third hotel, which was finally nice, it felt like an insult that we only got one night there after five nights of subpar conditions. Other travelers in our group felt the same way and were equally disappointed. The cycling itself was fantastic, but the accommodations were a huge letdown and made the trip feel like a poor value. Unless VBT seriously improves the quality of its hotel partners, I would not travel with them again.

The first VBT trip we took, Slovenia Austria Italy was phenomenal. 25 bikers 1 E Bike. This year 27 bikers 6 regular human powered bikes all the rest on E bikes. We met on several islands a group of German bikers, 37 in the group, 2 regular bikes. Numerous other groups with the same percentage of E bikes. E Bikes have now become the norm. The trip, the vacation, the crowd who does this kind of adventure has changed. I’ve always liked training for these trips with months of regular rides. By comparison, several of our group shared that they did indeed train for the trip with a couple of rides around their neighborhood the week before flying to Europe. The experience has changed. Sad to say but this is our last VBT.

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.

The Croatia bike trip was simply outstanding. First and foremost, we could not have gotten better guides from Croatia to show us the islands of Hvar and Brac. The culture, the scenery, the comraderie could not have been better. Plus we learned how to ascend and descend rather large hills! Would absolutely do it again.

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.

Country Walkers crafted the perfect itinerary for Slovenia and Croatia. Each phase of the trip was carefully selected right down to the selection of high end hotels, meals in interesting restaurants and side trips which we actually enjoyed such a fun wine tasting and a truffle hunt. The walks were all scenic but within the range of difficulty promised. Our guides were knowledgeable, pleasant and caring. We have traveled extensively but this was our first Country Walkers trip and we will definitely travel with them again. Every participant on our trip extended either before or after. That is something to keep in mind.

Walking and dining with fellow travelers was an exceptional experience for us. From the beautiful vistas to the gourmet meals our every desire was fulfilled. Learning about the culture from our knowledgeable guides was an added bonus.

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.

I have been on multiple bicycle and walking adventures and this was one of the best. The guides were exceptional. They were from Croatia and they did a great job leading us on challenging walks every day and, at th4e same time, educating us on their country. The hotels where we stayed were very nice and well located for our walks and for us to spend free time. The morning breakfast and other meals were excellent. I would highly recommend the Croatia - Dalmation Coast Adventure to my friends and anyone who is relatively physically fit. A fantastic adventure!!!