8ZD2502 - Zadar to Dubrovnik - Island Hopping Croatia
On arrival day, we gathered promptly at 4 PM for the welcome briefing—ready to kick off the adventure. Then, the first drama struck: the welcome packages for two ladies had mysteriously vanished! Panic ensued... but happily, they reappeared like magical bike fairies, and the tour was officially saved from disaster. We could start the tour introduction and bike handover. It didn’t take long for everyone to master the art of two-wheeled balance and feel totally ready for tomorrow’s ride. As evening fell, we took a leisurely stroll through Zadar’s charming old town, all set for Michael’s grand plan: watching the sunset at the “Greeting to the Sun” square. Spoiler alert: the clouds had other ideas. So, instead of a fiery sky, we enjoyed a sunset... in our hearts. Dinner was next on the agenda, followed by a little secret detour. Carole, our unofficial ice cream guru, led us to Croatia’s best gelato spot. One bite and we were all saying “wow”. A perfect sweet ending to day one.
The first day on the road promised excitement—and a bit of suspense as dark clouds loomed on the weather forecast. Waterproof gear was packed with care, just in case the skies decided to open up. We began with a peaceful ferry ride over to Ugljan, easing into the rhythm of the tour. From there, we cycled south along the shimmering coast, passing through delightfully kitschy little fishing villages that felt like stepping into a postcard. Our route took us onto the island of Pašman, where a special stop awaited: the Cocovac monastery. There, we met one of the five resident monks and soaked in the breathtaking views that made the climb worth every pedal stroke. Thanks to our lucky weather fairy (thanks to C.), the rain held off all day, letting us enjoy dry roads and bright horizons. After a refreshing lunch, it was back on the ferry for the next leg. The cyclists managed to get across a little bit faster than the van, giving us extra time to savor an Aperol Spritz in Biograd—cheers to that! As evening fell, we were rewarded with a stunning sunset to close out the day, a perfect finish to an adventurous first ride.
We leave the old royal town of Biograd and after a short time we reach the Vransko Jerzero Nature Park. This park is home to Croatia's largest natural lake and a unique biotope rich in fish and birds. Among other things, Croatia's only purple heron colony breeds here. A wooden walkway hundreds of meters long allows us to immerse ourselves in this world. We continue along the northern side of the lake, on lonely roads and through sleepy villages. We climb a few meters to the Kamenjak viewpoint. The view from up there is sensational, and every year on Good Friday, people make a pilgrimage to the All Saints Chapel. From there, we head back towards the coast and stop for lunch at a typical Croatian restaurant. We continue on to Vodice, our destination for today. Vodice means “little water” and has repeatedly been voted the third most popular vacation destination. A visit to the beautiful old town gives you an idea of why.
Shortly after our start in Vodice, we hit a gravel section, but no problem for us and our bikes. The route leads to Šibenik, and everyone is excited about the historic coastal town. At lunchtime, a great surprise awaits us: Michael has prepared a picnic, and we enjoy our meal surrounded by beautiful nature and sea views. Refreshed, we continue over a lonely, traffic-free plateau to Trogir. There, ice cream, drinks, and a bit of sightseeing await us. The old town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates with its dreamy alleys and picturesque harbor. Then comes the "ferry" – which turns out to be a speedboat. We surf over the waves, and the ride ends right in the harbor of Split. The perfect end to the day is a cozy dinner on the rooftop terrace with a gentle breeze. While some head off to a wine tasting, others take care of Helmut’s bike with two flat tires – teamwork in action!
Originally, we had planned a well-deserved rest day in Split. But as the saying goes, “resting is rusting,” so we all decided to take a short ride around the wooded Marjan Peninsula. A little movement never hurts! Our planned swimming spot didn’t work out—the area was devastated by a storm, making access impossible. So, the trendy bikinis stayed safely tucked away. Instead, we enjoyed a well-earned coffee break with stunning views over Split and the sea. Refreshed, we returned to the hotel, but the day was far from over. There was plenty of time left to explore the city on foot. Wandering through the narrow, winding streets, we marveled that some buildings here are nearly 2,000 years old—the history of Split is palpable at every corner. In that moment, it dawned on us: this day had perfectly followed the principle of “Pomalo” – relaxed, unhurried, simply enjoying life. "Ugodan dan, potpuno u duhu Pomala"
Passing the “Golden Gate,” we cycle a few minutes to the ferry port in Split, where a ferry takes us to Korcula. The name Korcula comes from the Greeks, who called the beautiful island “black Corfu.” We cycle the entire length of the island, seeing beautiful bays and lonely mountain roads. At the southern tip of the island, we reach the island's capital of the same name. Korcula Town was never destroyed and once again shows Croatia's beauty at its best. Unfortunately, we don't have much time to explore the town as we still have to catch the last ferry to Orebic.
Today was our longest stage yet – destination: Slano, with a few respectable hills sprinkled in between. From the get-go, it was all about climbing, heading steadily upward until we hit our first highlight: the legendary Dingač Tunnel. Inside, the air was refreshingly cool, and outside, the tunnel opened onto a jaw-dropping panorama of blue sea. The route wound on through the well-known Dingač vineyards; just yesterday we’d tasted the robust red – our verdict: absolutely delicious! Around every curve, there were more idyllic coves, and the next delicacy wasn’t far off: Ston’s famous oysters. Not everyone dared to try them, but the brave agreed – exquisite, and definitely worth the adventure! The final dash into Slano felt like we were flying. The moment we hopped off our bikes, Michael was already waiting in the shade with a cold beer and, much to Doris' delight, a big bowl of chips. After the long ride, there was still time for a refreshing swim and a perfect view of the sunset over Slano bay – the well-earned end to an epic day.
Today is already our last day of cycling, and it takes us to the pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik. First, we climb a few hundred meters in altitude, which takes us away from the bustling traffic on the coastal road. Lonely roads lead us through the beautiful Dalmatian countryside and sleepy villages. And soon you can see it from afar, this beautiful city on the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik. But first, we head to our fantastic tour hotel, which is located just outside the city. A quick shower and then it's off to the old town. Dubrovnik is a must-see and must-discover for yourself, to find out why it served as the backdrop for Game of Thrones, etc. In the evening, at our final dinner together, we not only review this day, but the entire tour. Despite different favorite impressions, everyone agreed: “We will come back again and again for an e-bike tour with Edelweiss.”
We'd like to thank you for the great tour and hope to see you again. Have a safe trip home, Michael & Ernst