Zadar to Dubrovnik - Island hopping Croatia (8ZD260B)
At 4 pm, it finally gets underway: we meet for our Welcome Briefing, and the excitement is already building. There are plenty of familiar faces among us. How wonderful to set off on another adventure together! And, of course, there are also some first-timers – new faces, new stories, and hopefully the beginning of many new shared memories. Before the real adventure begins, there is still a little business to take care of today. The e-bikes are handed over, final adjustments are made, and before long, everyone is ready to go. Afterwards, we take a stroll through Zadar together. The timing couldn’t be better: as we walk along the waterfront, we are treated to a beautiful sunset over the Adriatic. Dinner is filled with plenty of laughter. We share our first stories and reminisce about adventures and memories from previous tours. And while the “old hands” enjoy catching up and looking back, our new participants gradually get to know the rest of the group.
Island hopping is the theme of the day. And what better way to start than with a ferry ride? We leave the lively streets of Zadar behind and cross over to Ugljan. The contrast is immediate. Instead of the bustle of the tourist-filled city, we find quiet little roads winding along the coast, through small fishing villages and past secluded bays. Around every corner, another view opens up – the kind of scenery that looks as if it has come straight from a travel brochure. A bridge takes us from Ugljan to the island of Pašman, where a little mountain challenge is waiting for us. We make our way up to Ćokovac Monastery, and the climb is rewarded with a fantastic panorama across the surrounding islands and the deep blue Adriatic. After lunch, it’s time for another ferry. This one takes us back to the mainland and Biograd. Before tackling the final stretch to our hotel, we take the opportunity for a well-deserved Aperol Spritz by the harbour.
The day started with an excellent breakfast buffet at our wonderful hotel. After a short ride, we already reached our first stop - Vranska jezero, Croatia’s largest natural lake. We spend some time here, looking for birds - but the big migration hasn’t started yet. Our next viewpoint was nothing less than breathtaking, the view over the lake all the way to the Cornati Islands was absolutely stunning. Back at the coast we stopped for lunch and then continued to Vodice. This town, our destination for the day, offered everything: a bit of history, many bars and ice cream shops, and of course the tempting Adriatic Ocean!
Today is all about beautiful towns – and we get to see several of them. In the morning, we explore Šibenik on foot. We make our way through the winding little streets, up and down countless steps. Time and again, glimpses of the sea and the picturesque harbour appear between the houses. A town that invites you to simply wander and take it all in. Then it’s back on the e-bikes and onwards towards Trogir. A few climbs are waiting for us, but our e-bikes provide plenty of assistance. And, as so often, where there’s an uphill, there’s a great view at the top – followed by a fast and fun descent. Once we arrive in Trogir, we’ve certainly earned ourselves a drink. Afterwards, we wander through the car-free old town with its narrow streets, historic buildings and charming little squares. But the real highlight of the day is still to come: an exhilarating speedboat ride! With plenty of wind in our faces, we race across the water towards Split. We dock right at the palm-lined waterfront promenade and from there take a leisurely stroll to our hotel. After dinner, we head out once more. On an evening walk, we explore Diocletian’s Palace and the surrounding streets. It’s just a brief first taste of Split at night – but enough to make us look forward to tomorrow. Because tomorrow is rest day. And that means we’ll have plenty of time to explore Split properly and discover the city at our own pace.
Today, the bikes get to take a well-deserved break – and for good reason. There is plenty to discover in Split without getting back in the saddle. Everyone starts the day at their own pace and heads out to enjoy the rest day however they like. Some make their way to the beach, where the warm sea and a relaxed beach bar are waiting. Of course, culture is also part of the day. In Split, history is everywhere you look: Diocletian’s Palace, the impressive underground cellars, the cathedral, the old city walls, and that fascinating mix of architecture and history that has evolved over some 1,700 years. Others opt for something a little more unusual and visit Froggyland – one of the city’s most quirky attractions. 🐸 In the afternoon, we all come together again. On the terrace of our hotel, we meet in the Jacuzzi. Relaxing in the warm water, drinks in hand and with a view over Split from above, we bring our restful day to a perfect close.
As the planned ferry from Split to Korčula didn’t sail today, we changed the plan and started our adventure from Orebič instead. We took the ferry to Korčula after a quick but very tasty lunch. After we had reached the “ Black Island”, we cycled along the beautiful shoreline. After every curve, the scenery became even more breathtaking. We then returned to the city of Korčula, for a bit of shopping, a few drinks and some icecream. Just before 6pm we took the ferry back to Orebič. The great day ended with a typical Croatian dinner right on the waterfront.
Today, the Queen Stage is on the programme. But no problem for us! By now, we’re all well-trained and highly motivated. And with so much to see along the way, the kilometres seem to fly by almost effortlessly. Our ride begins through the Dingač Tunnel. It’s cold and dark inside, but at the other end, we’re rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the sea. And it just keeps getting better. We ride right through the famous Dingač vineyards – cycling at its very best! The leaves have already taken on their autumn colours, the sun sparkles on the sea, and time and again we’re treated to breathtaking views of crystal-clear water and secluded coves. It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful place to ride! Our next stop is Ston. Even from a distance, the impressive city walls catch our eye as they stretch across the hills above the town. At lunchtime, another local speciality awaits us: oysters. And of course, everyone gives them a try! Well, some might need a little encouragement … but after all, we’re here to explore new things! At the end of our stage, we arrive at the hotel, where Marko is already waiting for us with a cold beer right on the beach. The perfect way to round off a fantastic day on the bikes! And somehow, with all the beautiful scenery along the way, we hardly even noticed how many kilometres we covered or how many metres of elevation we climbed.
The last day of our e-bike adventure in Croatia has started. Once again we woke up to a clear blue sky and beautiful sunshine. The ride started with a serious 5-mile climb - which was rewarded with great views over the Adriatic and a newly paved road. One more coffee-stop, one more very tasty lunch, and then we arrived in Dubrovnik, the Pearl if the Adriatic! We quickly changed from cycling to walking mode and explored the spectacular old town. Now we are ready for our farewell dinner - and then we have to say goodbye to new and old friends, which have made this trip unforgettable!