Island Run Tour

Itinerary

Day 1

Dubrovnik

Make your own way to Dubrovnik, meet your guide in the hotel and enjoy the first evening having dinner and discussing the days and the relaxed rides ahead.

Day 2

Dubrovnik – Ston – Orebic – Korcula

The start of the journey is in Dubrovnik, the southernmost, narrowest part of Croatia famous for its unspoilt beauty and one of the most picturesque coastal areas with long rocky shores and quiet little medieval hamlets scattered in the hills. From Dubrovnik head for Pelješac Peninsula and the town of Ston famous for its city walls, salt pans and oyster beds that have existed there since the medieval period. Pelješac is famous for exquisite wines and offers amazing roads and endless rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves. In Orebic, a town of rich maritime history preserved in museums and local architecture, cross the strait on a ferry taking you to Korcula, a historic fortified town on the east coast of the island bearing the same name. The herringbone pattern of its streets allows free air flow but protects against the strong winds and hides many historic sites, St. Mark's Cathedral, Marco Polo's house, Abbey Treasury, to name a few. Dine and enjoy the famous local wines and spend the night in the 4* hotel.

Day 3

Korcula – Stari Grad – Hvar

In April, May & October different ferry route: Korcula – Orebic – Trstenik – Žuljana – Ston – Drvenik – Sucuraj – Hvar

This morning is for exploring the island and choosing between traditional cakes ("cukarini", "klašuni", "hrustule" and "prikle" ("pršurate") and the very special rose-petal flavoured "rozata" - cream caramel) and goat cheese ravioli in sage sauce and rosemary sorbetto to prehistoric archaeological sites. Then take the early afternoon ferry to Stari Grad. Relax on the deck for 3.5 hours enjoying the scenery of the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, admiring the craggy coastline and a few of its more than a thousand islands. Stari Grad, on the Island of Hvar, is the town that boasts long history dating from prehistoric period but Hvar is the town that radiates true fusion of the lush Mediterranean, rich heritage and trendsetting life. No wonder it has been nicknamed Croatia's Saint Tropez. Dine and enjoy the famous local wines and spend the night in the 4* hotel.

Day 4

Hvar – Split

This morning is booked for two towns, Hvar with its fortresses and monasteries, the Benedictine nunnery being world famous for long tradition of making lace of agave threads, and Stari Grad whose labyrinth of streets and lanes continually unveils its history, the most famous piece being the residence called Tvrdalj built for his entire life by the famous Renaissance poet Petar Hektorovic, reflecting the Renaissance thoughts and ideas and his literary work at the same time. During the 2-hour ride on the ferry to Split soak up the sun rays on the deck and enjoy the gorgeous views of the surrounding scenery. When hitting solid ground, head for today's Solin, ancient Salona, the capitol of Roman Province of Dalmatia, that disappeared in the end of the classical époque but whose size, wealth and magnificence is testified by the remains of the impressive walls with towers and gates, the forum with temples, amphitheatre, graveyards with Salonitan martyrs. After the late afternoon ride, dine and enjoy the famous local wines and spend the night in the 4* hotel.

Day 5

Split – Supetar – Bol

Spend the morning in Split centre, looking for Roman Emperor Diocletian or his guards in his famous palace that takes up nearly the whole historical nucleus of the city, checking whether the gates are really made of gold, silver, iron and brass, touching Grgur's toe for luck and much more. Catch the late morning ferry to the Island of Brac and reach Supetar in roughly an hour. It is the largest settlement, the true heart of the island located on its northern part, and a great starting point for those wanting to discover this beautiful, diverse and extremely interesting island. Take your pick between almond trees, capers growing from stone and wild asparagus, to hermitage monastery Blaca, little medieval hamlets, archaeological sites and stonemason school. Dip into the sea for a late afternoon swim on the most famous Adriatic beach called Zlatni rat. Enjoy the wine and dine in Bol and spend the night in the 4* hotel.

Day 6

Bol – Sumartin – Makarska – Dubrovnik

The morning ride to Sumartin uncovers why the island is famous for its quarries and white stone that was also used to build the White House. The 60-minute ferry ride brings you to Makarska, the centre of the region known as Makarska Riviera, a long line of small tourist towns spreading on the coast at the foot of Biokovo Mountain. Follow the traces of Fra. Jure Radic starting from his malacological collection in the city and the botanical garden to Natural Park Biokovo to the highest peak of Biokovo, the 1762 metre high Sv Jure (St. George). See the whole Makarska Riviera, the island and the hinterland at the back of the mountain, strain your eyes even further, some 210 km across the Adriatic and you may see Monte Gargano in Italy as well. Heading south, to Dubrovnik, take in some spectacular roads and pay a visit to the Neretva River estuary. If the weather is well dry, surprise trails are ahead. Farewell dine and the night in the 4* hotel in Dubrovnik.

Day 7

Dubrovnik

Departure from Dubrovnik