CENTRAL DALMATIA, CYCLING & ISLAND HOPPING CRUISE (KL2) 2011

SPLIT - SOLTA ISLAND - BRAC ISLAND - HVAR ISLAND (JELSA - HVAR) - KORCULA ISLAND - MLJET ISLAND NATIONAL PARK - PELJESAC PENINSULA - MAKARSKA - OMIS - SPLIT - TROGIR

Cruise on vintage sailing vessels and cycling along the central Dalmatian coastline and islands.

Itinerary:

DAY 1: SATURDAY - SPLIT - SOLTA ISLAND, 25 km
Check in up until 13,00h in Split harbour. Our first destination is the island of Solta. Next to fields bordered by dry stone walls you can see olive groves, fig trees, and carob trees. The many lavender and rosemary plants give the island its spicy scent. In the evening you will ferry over to Brac Island and spend the night in the harbour of Milna, whose picturesque natural stone houses form the boundary to a deep bay.

DAY 2: SUNDAY - BRAC ISLAND, 45 km
This first stage begins with a long, but even climb to the crest of a hill, past mulberry and fig trees, pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. The famous grape varieties Vugaca (white) and Murvica (red) come from this island. The white marble stone present here was used to build, none other than, the White House in Washington and the Reichstag building in Berlin. The breathtaking panoramic views of the neighbouring island of Hvar on the descent to the beach at Bol are well worth the climb. In Bol one can see the Golden Horn, a sand spit whose point turns from one side to the other with the wind. After a break for swimming and a stroll through Bol, the ship heads for Hvar, the longest Adriatic island. It anchors for the night in Jelsa harbour.

DAY 3: MONDAY - HVAR ISLAND (JELSA - HVAR), 25 km
The island of Hvar is above all famous for its multicoloured fields of rosemary and lavender. It is sometimes called the lavender island. Olives hang on the trees, and in Autumn the oranges glisten in the sun. The clear blue sea contrasts beautifully with the ancient city of Hvar. Hvar also receives more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the Adriatic (2718 hours a year). This stage makes our way through the many small villages of the island with their picturesque stone houses. The tour stops at the historical city of Hvar. As well as the cathedral the city contains many late Gothic palaces. There is an opportunity to visit the cathedral and the historic theatre. In the evening the ship moves to the island of Korčula.

DAY 4: TUESDAY - KORCULA ISLAND, 45 km
The peaceful and secluded gardens with cypress trees here make Korcula perhaps the most beautiful of the Adriatic islands. The tour travels to Blato, a city which like Rome was built on seven hills. We continue over a 300m high path to Smokvica, which along with Venice, proclaims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. The destination is the medieval town of Korcula with its narrow winding streets. Here we spend the night on board the ship.

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY - MLJET ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, 20 km
The island of Mljet is also known as the honey island. In the 12th Century Benedictine created a monastery here, beautifully secluded, and surrounded by pine and oak forests. Today this area is a national park and the highpoint of any tour of Dalmatia. The pine forest here is one of the most spectacular in the Mediterranean region. On the bikes we tour around the saltwater lake, in which there is actually another island. The ship brings you that evening to the Peljesac peninsula.

DAY 6: THURSDAY - PELJESAC PENINSULA - MAKARSKA, 30 km
Peljesac is certainly a peninsula, strictly speaking, but life here is very much like that on an island. In the morning the cycling tour leads you into the back country and past the most famous wine growing area in Dalmatia (the delightful Dingac comes from here) and on to Orebic. On an idyllic day we cycle on until we get to a climb that brings us up to almost 300m above sea level. From here you will enjoy a magnificent view to the neighbouring island Korcula. A downhill ride of almost 6.5km leads to Loviste, a small town in the north of the island, where lunch will be served on the ship. Our boat brings us to popular holiday resort Makarska on the base of the 1,650m high Biokovo mountain range. The rocks of that impressive mountain make the Makarska coast so impressive, as they reach right to the coastline.

DAY 7: FRIDAY - OMIS - SPLIT - TROGIR, 58 km
Another bike tour on the mainland leads us from Omis along the valley of the Cetina river right underneath the Mosor mountains. We pedal through landscapes with quickly changing scenery while small and quiet roads lead us back to the major city of Split, where you can explore the important Roman-era Diocletian’s Palace. After a relaxed city walk in this unique, historic world heritage town we return to the boat.

DAY 8: SATURDAY
After breakfast you will say goodbye to the crew and new friends, and we look forward to seeing you again on your next Croatian cruise!

(NOTE: bike routes have BREAKFAST and DINNER most days as HALF BOARD meals with possible exceptions on certain days, to be communicated by the guide during the cruise. Distances are approximate)

Excursion options:
WHITE WATER RAFTING excursion on Cetina River on Saturday – supplement approx. EUR 30,00 per person (3 hrs of rafting taking in rapids, waterfalls, canyons, hidden caves, forests, experience the refreshing clear water, heart pumping rapids combined with gentle streams; collected by mini-van and transported deep into the mountains where you can enjoy amazing views of this natural green valley, on completion transfer back to the boats later in the evening)

Trip to MOSTAR on Saturday after the cruise – supplement approx. EUR 68,00 per person (experience Bosnia and Herzegovina's most beautiful city, view the iconic 'Stari Most'/Old Bridge, discover Ottoman and Turkish history – bus excursion /passport required)

Optional guided sightseeing in English in following towns: Split, Dubrovnik, Korcula and Hvar. Price EUR 10,00 per person for each guided tour; 10% discount available for 3 or more tours booked in advance.

Cruise Departures:

Departures for Split:

OBLIGATORY:
 

VISITOR'S TAX & PORT FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED (to be paid on the spot) – EUR 20 - per person per week

Payment:

• 150 EUR per person upon reservation
• balance three weeks before departure

Conditions & Cancellation policy:

• The Captain reserves the right to change the route in case of bad weather conditions
• Departures are guaranteed. Sky Air Services reserves the right to cancel departures with less than 10 participants and changing vessels if need arises
• Guests must abide by the ship rules (found in written form on the ship) especially with regards to not bringing drinks on board.
• In the event of rules being compromised captain reserves the right to ask passengers to disembark

Cancellation conditions - From the day of confirmation

• Until 30 days prior to arrival – advance payment (EUR 165 per person) - non-refundable
• 29-22 days – 25% of the remaining balance
• 21-15 days – 50% of the remaining balance
• 14-0 days – 100% fee
• Name change / date change fee – EUR 20 per person (valid only if the change is done until 30 days prior booked departure, otherwise regular cancellation clause will be applied)

Sky Air Services highly recommend clients to take insurance against cancellation of reserved services

For further information or enquiries please contact us.