Croatia: The Dalmatian Coast, Korčula & Dubrovnik

Depart home for Croatia. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary

Upon arrival at Dubrovnik’s Airport (DBV), make your independent travel arrangements to the nearby seaside town of Cavtat and your lovely sea view hotel. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook.

VBT provides you with city information that includes information and recommendations for what to see and do in Cavtat. Set on a stunning harbor at the foot of towering mountains, Cavtat—founded by Greeks and later overtaken by Romans and Slavs—enjoys one of the most scenic spots on the Dalmatian Coast’s mainland. Its waterfront boasts lovely shops and restaurants and its carefully tended flower gardens and green areas along the promenade earned it notoriety in 2004 in the “European Competition for Towns and Villages in Bloom.” Enjoy the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring this beautiful seaside town on your own.

Included Meals: Dinner

Meet your driver at 8:30 a.m., along with any other VBT guests departing on the same day, in the lobby of the Hotel Croatia Cavtat. Begin your journey (approximately 1.5 hours) to the Pelješac Peninsula, passing vineyards and coastal views of the abundant oyster and mussel farms, before arriving in the 13th-century town of Ston. Enjoy leisure time to explore the town’s walls—5 km in length and sometimes referred to as the “European Great Wall of China.” Then enjoy lunch on your own at one of the restaurants featuring fresh oysters and mussels and the lovely wines of the peninsula.

After lunch continue your journey to the seaside resort town of Orebić and your accommodations for the next two nights. Once settled in, meet your Local host at the hotel for a Welcome Orientation and bike fitting. Afterwards enjoy a short warm-up ride along the Pelješac Peninsula’s Adriatic coast. A refreshing swim in crystalline waters might be in order once you’ve returned to your beachfront hotel.

Orebić is a vibrant little seaside resort town dating back to prehistoric times. It was an important maritime center during Roman and Venetian times and later named for the family that first harnessed the salt trade to bring wealth to Dalmatia. This charming enclave honors its seafaring past in the beautifully preserved homes of sea captains along the waterfront, each grandly built and adorned with extravagant gardens. Today it serves as a major port for car ferries to the island of Korčula.

This evening, enjoy a short stroll from your hotel along the waterfront to explore the small seaside town of Orebić, the largest town on the Pelješac Peninsula. Dinner is on your own this evening, perhaps a freshly prepared seafood dish in one of Orebić’s restaurants.

Today’s Ride Choices

Loop ride from Hotel Bellevue — 11 km (7 miles)

What to Expect:

Loop ride from Hotel Bellevue

The loop ride departing from and ending at your hotel is on the Pelješac Peninsula coast along the Adriatic Sea. You follow flat roads for today’s easy warm-up ride so you can easily become familiar with your bicycle.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycle from your hotel this morning along a beautiful Adriatic coastal road. Today’s shorter and easier ride begins by following the previous day’s warm-up ride before you ascend into the verdant hills of the Pelješac Peninsula among luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation. From these breathtaking heights, enjoy sweeping views of Croatia’s mainland and Korčula and Hvar islands before coasting into the small seaside village of Lovište. Overlooking Luka Bay, this area is known for its figs, almonds and carob. You may want to enjoy a fresh seafood lunch before cycling back to your hotel in the afternoon.

For those seeking a longer option, cycle inland with an invigorating ascent. Then enjoy a series of less challenging hilly roads, capped off with a rewarding descent into the small fishing village of Trstenik. With its unique setting on a picturesque bay, the town is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Croatia’s coast. Trstenik has also made a name for itself in the wine world. Among its well-respected vineyards is the Grgic Vina Winery, founded by Napa Valley winemaker Mike Grgich. Here you may sample one of Croatia’s most notable red wines, Plavac Mali.

Your hotel can also assist you with a variety of non-cycling excursions. Wine connoisseurs may enjoy a tasting tour to the Peninsula’s wineries and sample some of Croatia’s most notable wines. If the sea is beckoning, discover an underwater world when you board a semi-submersible vessel that gives you a glimpse of the abundant marine life that thrives in these crystal-clear waters.

After an invigorating day of exploring the region, enjoy dinner in Orebić or at your hotel’s restaurant.

Today’s Ride Choices

Loop ride to Lovište — 27 km (17 miles) OR Loop ride to Trstenik — 68 km (42 miles)

What to Expect:

Loop ride to Lovište

The majority of your loop ride departing from and ending at your hotel is along the Pelješac Peninsula Adriatic coast. You follow mostly flat roads along the coast for today’s easier ride with some inland climbs through scenic valleys. There could be seasonal traffic on the paved 2-lane roads as you enter and depart the small resort village of Lovište.

Loop ride to Trstenik

This invigorating ride will take you to the upper regions of the Pelješac Peninsula before descending to the small port of Trstenik.  There could be some challenging climbs for avid riders and your host will have additional information regarding local transportation if you decide to bypass some of these longer challenging climbs. The traffic is typically heavier on this ride as you will be cycling on one of the main roads of the Peninsula.

Included Meals: Breakfast

You depart the Pelješac Peninsula today by ferry for the short crossing to Korčula Island, the sixth-largest Adriatic Island and a wonderful cycling destination of quiet country roads and astonishingly beautiful vistas.

From the port of Korčula Town, travel across the island to Vela Luka, meaning “big harbor.” At the western end, you ascend to Korčula’s heights and cycle along the spine of the island, savoring magnificent views and passing through charming villages such as Čara, Pupnat and finally Žrnovo. Your route ducks in and out of cypress forests, skirts vineyards that produce the local Grk grape, and passes aromatic low-lying Mediterranean maquis. As you ride, the dolomitic mountains of the Pelješac Peninsula appear to the north just across the Pelješac Channel. By ride’s end, you coast into Korčula Town, the fabled birthplace of Marco Polo, often called a miniature Dubrovnik for its beautiful medieval buildings and stonework.

The heart of the Old Town, a cluster of Renaissance and Gothic buildings, sticks into the channel like a thumb. The ingenious fishbone layout of its streets was designed to welcome the cooling winds of the summer mistral from the west and block the icy winds of the winter bura from the northeast. Its red-roofed pastiche and round defensive towers are a delight to behold.

Settle into your hotel, your base for the next two nights. For dinner on your own, you may enjoy the hotel’s offerings or select from the many konobas, or taverns, in town.

Today’s Ride Choices

Vela Luka to Korčula Town — 47 km (30 miles) | Vela Luka to Korčula Town coastal route — 55.6 km (35 miles)

What to Expect:

Vela Luka to Korčula Town

Cycling from the small port of Vela Luka, you enter the countryside quickly and gain elevation for about 6 km (4 miles) after passing the town of Blato. Winding through forest and vineyards, you follow rolling terrain through Čara. Your steady climb is mixed with some short steep ascents and descents, eventually bringing you to the highest point of the day. Riding along the plateau for about 4 km (2.5 miles), you pass through the town of Pupnat, then begin your descent through the village of Žrnovo. Here, you may pause to visit its St. Martin’s Church. Later, you arrive in the seaside port town of Korčula. Your hotel is just outside town.

Vela Luka to Korčula Town coastal route

The longer option adds about five miles of coastal riding and over 300 feet of climbing. Cycling from the small port of Vela Luka, you enter the countryside quickly and gain elevation for about 6 km (4 miles) after passing the town of Blato, then turn south to the coast, descending about 2 miles. Enjoy a few miles along the sea, then begin ascending to Smokvika, Čara, and Pupnat, then begin your descent through the village of Žrnovo. Here, you may pause to visit its St. Martin’s Church. Later, you arrive in the seaside port town of Korčula. Your hotel is just outside town.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Your focus today is the spectacular Mljet National Park, comprising all of the northwestern region of Mljet, the southernmost of the larger Adriatic Islands. Ancient Greeks called it Melita, meaning “honey,” and still today, its scenic beauty promises a sweet Dalmatian experience. Enjoy a scenic ferry ride over, then disembark onto an unspoiled wonderland surrounded by turquoise waters and cloaked in forest and shrub. Among its limestone and dolomite ridges, you’ll have opportunities to swim in the refreshing ocean waters, kayak along its shores, and hike around two saltwater lakes. You can also cruise across Veliko Jezero, Mljet’s large inland lake, to the small island that hosts the 12th-century Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary. Here you could enjoy lunch overlooking the lake at the island’s restaurant or return to the port for other lunch venue options.

Dinner tonight is on your own back in Korčula Town.

Non-riding day

Included Meals: Breakfast

Tranquil, picturesque and resplendent in its seaside setting, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Korčula is precisely the kind of town where you want to spend a leisurely day. Our Stay Put Day lets you do just that, pursuing your own desires by bike, foot or water. As this is your final day with your bike, you might want to spend some time on the saddle exploring the nooks and hideaways in nearby villages and beaches. Our route to Lumbarda’s sandy, calm sands, for instance, leads you through ancient vineyards that produce the island’s renowned Grk white wine. Another longer ride leads you along scenic roads to the town of Račišće. The beautiful wooden schooners – known as trabakula – that once graced its harbor have been replaced by more modern ships, but plenty of tiny fishing and sailing boats still lend the town a distinct charm.

Alternately, you might set out on foot to explore the city’s defenses, visit St. Mark’s Cathedral and Abbey Treasury, learn about the famed native son at the Marco Polo Museum, or gain more insight into the island-town’s past and culture at the Korčula Town Museum. The Old Town boasts ample inviting art galleries and shops.

The surrounding crystal-clear waters are ideal for exploring, too. Paddle along the shore in a rented kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard. You might even try your hand at windsurfing. Step into the sister hotel of your accommodation for a soothing massage, sauna, whirlpool, or swim at the wellness center, at an additional fee. This evening, your hotel concierge can help you find the ideal restaurant to celebrate your Dalmatian Island adventure!

Today’s Ride Choices

Korčula Town to Lumbarda out and back — 19 km (12 miles) | Korčula Town to Račišće out and back — 28.5 km (18 miles) | Korčula Town to Račišće long loop — 32 km (20 miles)

What to Expect:

Korčula Town to Lumbarda out and back

This relatively easy out-and-back ride features some rolling terrain of short ascents and descents, delivering you to Lumbarda and its sandy beach.

Korčula Town to Račišće out and back

Ride along the northern coast of the island, winding past small villages with sea views and following inland routes through macquis and vineyard terrain before descending to the small protected port of Račišće. Retrace your way back the same way.

Korčula Town to Račišće long loop

This inland route gains elevation for the first 10 km (6 miles), peaking at a ridge overlooking the northern coast of the island. Then you descend about 5 km (3 miles) to the coast, navigating some switchbacks to the town of Kneže. Continue toward the town of Račišće, joining the coastline at about 16 km (10 miles) just outside the port. Then cruise through town, stopping where you’d like for lunch. You loop back out of town and trace the coastal route about 15 km (9 miles) back to Korčula Town and your hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you board your ferry to Dubrovnik, the celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site lovingly known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

Upon arrival, shuttle to your luxurious waterfront hotel. There’ll be time to indulge in your hotel’s seaside spa amenities at your own expense, take a dip in the Adriatic or hop on the convenient city bus to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Set on a limestone promontory between the blue sea and rising hills, this dramatic city was the center of the Ragusa Republic for 450 years and a formidable rival of the Venetian Republic. Today, its remarkably preserved ramparts still encircle the medieval town. The 1.3-mile perimeter offers one of Europe’s most scenic and incredible walks, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the city’s medieval layout, a rich canvas of terra-cotta roofs. Continue your discovery at street level, following narrow warrens to Romanesque cloisters, the Rector’s Palace and the shops along the marble-paved Placa. You find plenty of dinner options here, or you may dine back at your hotel.

Non-riding day

Tour End Equipment Instructions

Leave your bike locked at your hotel, where your Local host will collect it. Please check all bags for personal belongings and leave all equipment provided to you at the beginning of the tour on or near your bicycle(s).

Included Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. VBT provides you with city information and recommendations for what to see and do in Dubrovnik. In the Old Town, you might spend the morning exploring the Dubrovnik Cathedral or the Sponza Palace. Or perhaps visit the Franciscan Church and Monastery, whose library holds some 30,000 volumes. This afternoon, relax at your four-star hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, allow yourself a minimum of 2.5 hours prior to your flight departure to get to the Dubrovnik Airport (DBV); for details, refer to your VBT Handbook. This timeframe includes an approximately 30-minute taxi ride and around two hours of recommended pre-flight check-in time.

Included Meals: Breakfast

We suggest arriving in Croatia at least one day prior to the tour’s start date. Make your own independent travel arrangements to Cavtat. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook. Meet your driver at 8:30 a.m., along with any other VBT guests departing on the same day, in the lobby of the Hotel Croatia Cavtat. Begin your journey (approximately 1.5 hours) to the Pelješac Peninsula, passing vineyards and coastal views of the abundant oyster and mussel farms, before arriving in the 13th-century town of Ston. Enjoy leisure time to explore the town’s walls—5 km in length and sometimes referred to as the “European Great Wall of China.” The enjoy lunch on your own at one of the restaurants featuring fresh oysters and mussels and the lovely wines of the peninsula.

After lunch continue your journey to the seaside resort town of Orebić and your accommodations for the next two nights. Once settled in, meet your Local host at the hotel for a Welcome Orientation and bike fitting. Afterwards enjoy a short warm-up ride along the Pelješac Peninsula’s Adriatic coast. A refreshing swim in crystalline waters might be in order once you’ve returned to your beachfront hotel.

Orebić is a vibrant little seaside resort town dating back to prehistoric times. It was an important maritime center during Roman and Venetian times and later named for the family that first harnessed the salt trade to bring wealth to Dalmatia. This charming enclave honors its seafaring past in the beautifully preserved homes of sea captains along the waterfront, each grandly built and adorned with extravagant gardens. Today it serves as a major port for car ferries to the island of Korčula.

This evening, enjoy a short stroll from your hotel along the waterfront to explore the small seaside town of Orebić, the largest town on the Pelješac Peninsula. Dinner is on your own this evening, perhaps a freshly prepared seafood dish in one of Orebić’s restaurants.

Today’s Ride Choices

Loop ride from Hotel Bellevue — ¬11 km (7 miles)

What to Expect:

Loop ride from Hotel Bellevue

The loop ride departing from and ending at your hotel is on the Pelješac Peninsula coast along the Adriatic Sea. You follow flat roads for today’s easy warm-up ride so you can easily become familiar with your bicycle.

Cycle from your hotel this morning along a beautiful Adriatic coastal road. Today’s shorter and easier ride begins by following the previous day’s warm-up ride before you ascend into the verdant hills of the Pelješac Peninsula among luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation. From these breathtaking heights, enjoy sweeping views of Croatia’s mainland and Korčula and Hvar islands before coasting into the small seaside village of Lovište. Overlooking Luka Bay, this area is known for its figs, almonds and carob. You may want to enjoy a fresh seafood lunch before cycling back to your hotel in the afternoon.

For those seeking a longer option, cycle inland with an invigorating ascent. Then enjoy a series of less challenging hilly roads, capped off with a rewarding descent into the small fishing village of Trstenik. With its unique setting on a picturesque bay, the town is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Croatia’s coast. Trstenik has also made a name for itself in the wine world. Among its well-respected vineyards is the Grgic Vina Winery, founded by Napa Valley winemaker Mike Grgich. Here you may sample one of Croatia’s most notable red wines, Plavac Mali.

Your hotel can also assist you with a variety of non-cycling excursions. Wine connoisseurs may enjoy a tasting tour to the Peninsula’s wineries and sample some of Croatia’s most notable wines. If the sea is beckoning, discover an underwater world when you board a semi-submersible vessel that gives you a glimpse of the abundant marine life that thrives in these crystal-clear waters.

After an invigorating day of exploring the region, enjoy dinner in Orebić or at your hotel’s restaurant.

Today’s Ride Choices

Loop ride to Lovište — 27 km (17 miles) OR Loop ride to Trstenik — 68 km (42 miles)

What to Expect:

Loop ride to Lovište

The majority of your loop ride departing from and ending at your hotel is along the Pelješac Peninsula Adriatic coast. You follow mostly flat roads along the coast for today’s easier ride with some inland climbs through scenic valleys. There could be seasonal traffic on the paved 2-lane roads as you enter and depart the small resort village of Lovište.

Loop ride to Trstenik

This invigorating ride will take you to the upper regions of the Pelješac Peninsula before descending to the small port of Trstenik.  There could be some challenging climbs for avid riders and your host will have additional information regarding local transportation if you decide to bypass some of these longer challenging climbs. The traffic is typically heavier on this ride as you will be cycling on one of the main roads of the Peninsula.

Included Meals: Breakfast

You depart the Pelješac Peninsula today by ferry for the short crossing to Korčula Island, the sixth-largest Adriatic Island and a wonderful cycling destination of quiet country roads and astonishingly beautiful vistas.

From the port of Korčula Town, travel across the island to Vela Luka, meaning “big harbor.” At the western end, you ascend to Korčula’s heights and cycle along the spine of the island, savoring magnificent views and passing through charming villages such as Čara, Pupnat and finally Žrnovo. Your route ducks in and out of cypress forests, skirts vineyards that produce the local Grk grape, and passes aromatic low-lying Mediterranean maquis. As you ride, the dolomitic mountains of the Pelješac Peninsula appear to the north just across the Pelješac Channel. By ride’s end, you coast into Korčula Town, the fabled birthplace of Marco Polo, often called a miniature Dubrovnik for its beautiful medieval buildings and stonework.

The heart of the Old Town, a cluster of Renaissance and Gothic buildings, sticks into the channel like a thumb. The ingenious fishbone layout of its streets was designed to welcome the cooling winds of the summer mistral from the west and block the icy winds of the winter bura from the northeast. Its red-roofed pastiche and round defensive towers are a delight to behold.

Settle into your hotel, your base for the next two nights. For dinner on your own, you may enjoy the hotel’s offerings or select from the many konobas, or taverns, in town.

Today’s Ride Choices

Vela Luka to Korčula Town — 47 km (30 miles) | Vela Luka to Korčula Town coastal route — 55.6 km (35 miles)

What to Expect:

Vela Luka to Korčula Town

Cycling from the small port of Vela Luka, you enter the countryside quickly and gain elevation for about 6 km (4 miles) after passing the town of Blato. Winding through forest and vineyards, you follow rolling terrain through Čara. Your steady climb is mixed with some short steep ascents and descents, eventually bringing you to the highest point of the day. Riding along the plateau for about 4 km (2.5 miles), you pass through the town of Pupnat, then begin your descent through the village of Žrnovo. Here, you may pause to visit its St. Martin’s Church. Later, you arrive in the seaside port town of Korčula. Your hotel is just outside town.

Vela Luka to Korčula Town coastal route

The longer option adds about five miles of coastal riding and over 300 feet of climbing. Cycling from the small port of Vela Luka, you enter the countryside quickly and gain elevation for about 6 km (4 miles) after passing the town of Blato, then turn south to the coast, descending about 2 miles. Enjoy a few miles along the sea, then begin ascending to Smokvika, Čara, and Pupnat, then begin your descent through the village of Žrnovo. Here, you may pause to visit its St. Martin’s Church. Later, you arrive in the seaside port town of Korčula. Your hotel is just outside town.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Your focus today is the spectacular Mljet National Park, comprising all of the northwestern region of Mljet, the southernmost of the larger Adriatic Islands. Ancient Greeks called it Melita, meaning “honey,” and still today, its scenic beauty promises a sweet Dalmatian experience. Enjoy a scenic ferry ride over, then disembark onto an unspoiled wonderland surrounded by turquoise waters and cloaked in forest and shrub. Among its limestone and dolomite ridges, you’ll have opportunities to swim in the refreshing ocean waters, kayak along its shores, and hike around two saltwater lakes. You can also cruise across Veliko Jezero, Mljet’s large inland lake, to the small island that hosts the 12th-century Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary. Here you could enjoy lunch overlooking the lake at the island’s restaurant or return to the port for other lunch venue options.

Dinner tonight is on your own back in Korčula Town.

Non-riding day

Included Meals: Breakfast

Tranquil, picturesque and resplendent in its seaside setting, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Korčula is precisely the kind of town where you want to spend a leisurely day. Our Stay Put Day lets you do just that, pursuing your own desires by bike, foot or water. As this is your final day with your bike, you might want to spend some time on the saddle exploring the nooks and hideaways in nearby villages and beaches. Our route to Lumbarda’s sandy, calm sands, for instance, leads you through ancient vineyards that produce the island’s renowned Grk white wine. Another longer ride leads you along scenic roads to the town of Račišće. The beautiful wooden schooners – known as trabakula – that once graced its harbor have been replaced by more modern ships, but plenty of tiny fishing and sailing boats still lend the town a distinct charm.

Alternately, you might set out on foot to explore the city’s defenses, visit St. Mark’s Cathedral and Abbey Treasury, learn about the famed native son at the Marco Polo Museum, or gain more insight into the island-town’s past and culture at the Korčula Town Museum. The Old Town boasts ample inviting art galleries and shops.

The surrounding crystal-clear waters are ideal for exploring, too. Paddle along the shore in a rented kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard. You might even try your hand at windsurfing. Step into the sister hotel of your accommodation for a soothing massage, sauna, whirlpool, or swim at the wellness center, at an additional fee. This evening, your hotel concierge can help you find the ideal restaurant to celebrate your Dalmatian Island adventure!

Today’s Ride Choices

Korčula Town to Lumbarda out and back — 19 km (12 miles) | Korčula Town to Račišće out and back — 28.5 km (18 miles) | Korčula Town to Račišće long loop — 32 km (20 miles)

What to Expect:

Korčula Town to Lumbarda out and back

This relatively easy out-and-back ride features some rolling terrain of short ascents and descents, delivering you to Lumbarda and its sandy beach.

Korčula Town to Račišće out and back

Ride along the northern coast of the island, winding past small villages with sea views and following inland routes through macquis and vineyard terrain before descending to the small protected port of Račišće. Retrace your way back the same way.

Korčula Town to Račišće long loop

This inland route gains elevation for the first 10 km (6 miles), peaking at a ridge overlooking the northern coast of the island. Then you descend about 5 km (3 miles) to the coast, navigating some switchbacks to the town of Kneže. Continue toward the town of Račišće, joining the coastline at about 16 km (10 miles) just outside the port. Then cruise through town, stopping where you’d like for lunch. You loop back out of town and trace the coastal route about 15 km (9 miles) back to Korčula Town and your hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you board your ferry to Dubrovnik, the celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site lovingly known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

Upon arrival, shuttle to your luxurious waterfront hotel. There’ll be time to indulge in your hotel’s seaside spa amenities at your own expense, take a dip in the Adriatic or hop on the convenient city bus to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Set on a limestone promontory between the blue sea and rising hills, this dramatic city was the center of the Ragusa Republic for 450 years and a formidable rival of the Venetian Republic. Today, its remarkably preserved ramparts still encircle the medieval town. The 1.3-mile perimeter offers one of Europe’s most scenic and incredible walks, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the city’s medieval layout, a rich canvas of terra-cotta roofs. Continue your discovery at street level, following narrow warrens to Romanesque cloisters, the Rector’s Palace and the shops along the marble-paved Placa. You find plenty of dinner options here, or you may dine back at your hotel.

Non-riding day

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel in Dubrovnik, depart on your own. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook. Depending upon your destination, it may not be possible to depart for the U.S. on the last day of the tour. Please check airline schedules carefully. If you plan to schedule return flights immediately following the tour’s conclusion, please call your airline directly for specific check-in requirements.

Included Meals: Breakfast