1. Croatia
Seven
(7)
Day
Guided
Cycling
Trip
2011
This
is
a
fantastic
Southern
Visions
seven
(7)
day
guided
cycling
trip
through
Croatia,
which
boasts
unparalleled
beauty!
Despite
the
recent
hype,
the
pleasures
Croatia
offers
visitors
are
more
timeless
than
trendy.
The
glistening
Adriatic
Sea
winds
around
rocky
coves,
lapping
at
pine-­‐fringed
beaches
along
1778
km
of
coastline.
Ports
bustle
with
local
fishermen
while
children
dive
into
the
sparkling
water.
The
Croatian
islands
offer
some
of
the
best
cycling
anywhere,
but
it’s
hard
not
to
get
distracted
while
you’re
pedaling
because
the
scenery
is
so
inviting!
The
cycling
on
this
Croatia
trip
is
considered
moderate.
The
itinerary
features
a
combination
of
rolling
terrain
and
moderate
hills,
with
a
few
steep
climbs
on
each
of
the
four
islands
we
visit.
Our
van
support
will
always
be
available
for
those
who
need
assistance
during
the
bike
rides.
This
trip
is
appropriate
for
anyone
from
an
athletic/energetic
beginning
cyclist
to
an
advanced
cyclist.
Trip
Highlights
• Professionally
guided
cycling
each
day
• Island
hopping
via
catamarans
&
ferries
• Winery
visit
&
tasting
• Cooking
class
&
dinner
with
local
expert
• Walking
tours
of
Korcula
&
Hvar
towns
• Farewell
party
with
slide
show
presentation
WHAT
YOU
GET!!!
• An
outstanding
adventure
travel
experience
• Peace
of
mind
knowing
you
are
with
a
professional
travel
and
tour
company
• Use
of
Puglia’s
finest
and
best
maintained
bikes
• Local
and
native
guides
with
insider
knowledge
of
Croatia’s
secrets
and
mysteries
• 6
nights
lodging
at
3-­‐
and
4-­‐star
hotels
and
resorts
• 6
breakfasts
• 4
lunches
• 5
Dinners
• Daily
snacks
&
happy
hours
• Guest
shuttles
and
all
luggage
transfers
• Detailed
maps
and
route
notes

2.
Day
1
We
will
meet
at
the
port
of
Dubrovnik
at
9:00
am.
You
will
find
your
guide
holding
a
Southern
Visions
sign.
We
suggest
that
you
arrive
no
later
than
the
night
before.
Catamaran
ride
to
Sobra
Lunch:
Polace
Bourbon
Cycling:
39km/24mi
Dinner
&
Lodging:
Hotel
Odisej
www.hotelodisej.hr
Our
adventure
begins
in
historical
and
romantic
Dubrovnik,
one
of
Eastern
Europe’s
most
unique
cities.
The
historic
center
is
well-­‐protected
by
fortified
walls,
making
it
a
wonderful
place
to
stroll.
Given
its
location
on
the
Adriatic
Sea,
Dubrovnik
is
the
perfect
place
to
start
our
journey.
We’ll
meet
at
the
port
at
9:00
am
and
catch
a
catamaran
to
the
nearby
island
of
Mljet.
Covered
with
luxurious
vegetation,
Mljet
has
always
been
a
desirable
destination
for
tourists
seeking
unspoiled
natural
wonders
or
retracing
the
legendary
footsteps
of
Odysseus
and
St.
Paul.
We
will
enjoy
lunch
in
Polace
and
begin
our
cycling
route
there,
stopping
to
explore
Mljet
National
Park
and
two
saltwater
lakes.
We
will
finish
our
ride
at
the
seaside
Hotel
Odisej,
which
boasts
a
caring
staff,
exceptional
customer
service,
and
excellent
cuisine.
Be
sure
to
get
a
good
night’s
rest!
Day
2
Transfer
to
Korcula
Island
Walking
tour
of
Korcula
town
Cycling:
37km/23mi
Wine
tasting
at
Toreta
Winery
Dinner
at
a
local
farm
Lodging:
Hotel
Feral
www.korculainfo.com/places/brna/hotel-­‐feral.htm
Today
we
will
begin
with
a
boat
transfer
from
Mljet
to
Korcula
Island,
one
of
the
greenest
in
the
Adriatic
Sea.
Like
most
of
the
Croatian
islands,
Korcula
was
first
settled
by
the
Greeks,
who
gave
it
the
name
Korkyra
Melaina
(Black
Corfu)
for
its
dark
and
densely
wooded
appearance.
Korcula
is
rich
in
art
and
culture,
as
well
as
beautiful
natural
elements
such
as
breathtaking
views,
tiny
and
secluded
beaches
and
bays,
and
uninhabited
smaller
islands
just
off
the
main
island’s
coast.
Legend
has
it
that
Marco
Polo
called
Korcula
Island
home.
The
main
town
on
the
island,
also
named
Korcula,
is
a
typical
medieval
walled
Dalmatian
city,
with
round
defensive
towers
and
a
cluster
of
red-­‐roofed
houses.
We
will
take
a
walking
tour
of
the
town
and
then
give
you
some
time
to
enjoy
lunch
on
your
own
in
one
of
the
many
amazing
cafes
and
restaurants.
Then,
we
will
cycle
to
one
of
the
island’s
top
vineyards
for
a
lovely
wine
tasting.
You
will
have
some
more
free
time
to
rest
or
explore
before
we
head
to
dinner
at
a
small
local
farm.
Get
ready
for
another
exciting
day
tomorrow!
Day
3
Cruise
to
Hvar
Island
&
Lunch
onboard
Cycling:
27km/17mi
+
additional
options
Dinner
&
Lodging:
Hotel
Podstine
www.podstine.com
After
breakfast
in
Korcula,
we
will
cruise
to
Hvar
Island,
enjoying
lunch
aboard
the
ship.
From
the
earliest
days
of
seafaring,
Hvar
was
at
the
center
of
Adriatic
trade
routes.
With
an
excellent
natural

3. shape
and
nearby
small
islands
blocking
perilous
winds,
the
port
of
Hvar
served
as
a
perfect
safe
haven
for
boats.
When
you
look
back
on
your
time
in
Hvar,
you
will
remember
rich
sensory
experiences:
the
feel
of
sunshine
on
your
face,
the
sight
of
beautiful
secluded
coves,
the
sound
of
crickets,
the
taste
of
wine,
and
the
smell
of
heather,
rosemary,
lavender,
and
sage.
We
will
take
an
exhilarating
ride
along
the
north
coast
between
Jelsa,
Vrboska,
and
Stari
Grad
–
a
stretch
that’s
especially
well-­‐suited
to
cycling.
After
our
group
ride,
you
may
choose
to
clock
some
extra
kilometers
on
your
bike
or
have
some
fun
in
the
city
center,
just
15
minutes
away
from
our
hotel.
Or,
if
you
prefer,
you
can
explore
the
sandy
white
beaches
and
enjoy
unparalleled
swimming
and
snorkeling
at
a
nearby
chain
of
islets
known
as
the
Resin
Islands.
Of
course
you
can
always
decide
just
to
relax
in
your
room
or
by
the
pool
at
Hotel
Podstine,
where
we
will
all
have
dinner
together.
Don’t
worry
if
you
can’t
fit
everything
in
today,
as
we
are
lucky
enough
to
spend
tomorrow
again
in
Hvar!
Day
4
Lunch:
Antica
Resto
Hvar
walking
tour
with
local
guide
Cycling:
41
or
61km/30
or
38mi
Cooking
class
&
Dinner
with
Margita
Viskovic
Lodging:
Hotel
Podstine
www.podstine.com
After
a
hearty
breakfast,
we
will
venture
out
for
more
cycling
through
peaceful
coves
and
islets
filled
with
a
multitude
of
pleasant
scents,
plus
a
lovely
walking
tour
with
a
local
guide.
These
activities
will
waken
your
senses
to
the
island’s
pleasant
Mediterranean
climate
and
rich
vegetation
of
palms,
aloe,
pine
trees,
laurel,
rosemary,
and
lavender.
We
will
stop
for
lunch
at
a
delicious
local
restaurant,
Antica
Resto,
and
then
catch
a
little
rest
at
the
hotel
before
enjoying
a
cooking
class
and
dinner
with
local
superstar
Margita
Viskovic.
We
must
bid
goodbye
to
Hvar
tomorrow,
so
be
sure
to
make
a
special
memory
for
yourself
tonight!
Day
5
Private
transfer
to
Brac
Island,
Bol
Town
&
Lunch
onboard
Cycling:
45km/33mi
+
additional
options
Lodging:
Hotel
Elaphusa
www.hotelelaphusabrac.com/en/index.aspx
After
a
lovely
last
breakfast
at
Hotel
Podstine,
we
will
cruise
you
over
to
Brac
Island
for
two
glorious
days
in
an
unspoiled
natural
environment.
Featuring
a
rich
cultural
heritage
that
dates
back
to
prehistoric
times,
Brac
Island
offers
unique
gastronomy,
beautiful
beaches
and
bays,
crystal
blue
waters,
high
quality
accommodations
at
private
facilities,
and
warm
hospitality
from
the
locals.
We’ll
stay
two
nights
at
the
newly
renovated
four-­‐star
Hotel
Elaphusa,
located
in
the
southern
part
of
the
island,
along
a
walking
path
in
a
pine
forest
midway
between
the
town
of
Bol
and
Zlatni
Rat,
Croatia’s
most
beautiful
beach.
The
hotel’s
spa,
outdoor
pools,
and
other
amenities
make
it
a
favorite.
A
ten-­‐minute
walk
along
a
seaside
path
leads
you
to
Bol,
with
many
excellent
restaurants
and
a
charming
city
center.
You
will
be
free
to
explore
and
enjoy
dinner
at
your
own
leisure.
Brac
Island
and
Bol
are
among
the
most
visited
Croatian
destinations
for
good
reason,
so
be
sure
to
take
full
advantage
of
your
time
here
and
experience
as
much
as
you
can.
Day
6
Cycling:
48
or
97km/30
or
60mi
Farewell
gathering
&
slide
show
at
Hotel
Elaphusa
Farewell
Dinner:
Konoba
Gust

4. Lodging:
Hotel
Elaphusa
www.hotelelaphusabrac.com/en/index.aspx
We
get
to
wake
up
to
the
beautiful
town
of
Bol,
ready
to
start
another
fantastic
day.
After
breakfast
at
the
hotel,
we
will
cycle
into
Bol
for
a
journey
through
history:
the
Roman
baths
and
stela
(grave
markers),
the
ancient
Christian
sarcophaguses
engraved
with
crosses,
the
pre-­‐Romanic
church
of
Sts.
Ivan
and
Tudor,
the
bishop’s
residence,
the
Church
of
Madonna
of
Graces,
the
fortified
Gothic
summer
palace,
the
Renaissance
and
Baroque
Palace
with
a
notable
gallery
of
contemporary
Croatian
art,
and
the
Church
of
Madonna
of
Karmel
decorated
with
angels
with
the
handkerchief
of
Veronica.
You
will
have
some
time
on
your
own
to
explore
the
area’s
beaches
and
underwater
playgrounds
or
to
cycle
an
extra
loop
around
the
city.
However
you
choose
to
spend
your
afternoon,
your
day
will
end
with
an
amazing
Southern
Visions-­‐style
farewell
party,
starting
with
a
lovely
cocktail
hour
at
the
hotel
and
the
presentation
of
a
fabulous
slide
show
documenting
our
adventures,
followed
by
a
farewell
dinner
fondly
hosted
by
your
guides
at
Konoba
Gust.
Tonight
will
be
filled
with
friends,
fun,
and
memories!
Day
7
Private
transfer
to
Supetar
&
Split
Farewell
from
the
Southern
Visions
Team
We
will
shuttle
you
to
Supetar,
where
you
will
catch
your
ferry
to
Split.
From
there,
you
can
depart
for
home
or
other
travels.
Of
course,
if
you
would
like
to
extend
your
stay
in
Croatia,
Southern
Visions
is
here
to
help.
Remember,
Croatians
maintain
a
strong
attachment
to
their
native
land
and
traditions,
which
nourished
their
dream
of
independence
for
so
long.
Many
visitors
to
the
Croatian
Islands
have
been
lured
to
stay
longer
or
come
back
to
continue
experiencing
and
honoring
the
extraordinary
beauty
of
this
wonderfully
preserved
coastline.
Arrival
and
Departure
Logistics
Please
inform
us
of
your
arrival
and
departure
plans.
We
recommend
flying
into
Dubrovnik
and
out
of
Split.
Please
be
sure
to
note
these
important
contact
numbers,
in
case
you
need
assistance
before,
during,
or
after
your
trip
–
Puglia:
+39
340
264
4128
or
+39
392
185
7704;
USA
+1
800
737
5760.