Croatia is a picturesque country poised on the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea. This is a biking paradise of rolling green hillsides speckled with wildflowers and paved roads with very little traffic. Croatia's rugged coastline, known as the Dalmatian Coast, is dotted with hundreds of unique islands, turquoise bays, elegant ships and historic seaports. In the neatly kept towns, there are stone paved streets winding past medieval buildings and sidewalk cafes that beckon for a cappuccino stop. Here, old world Europe meets the 21st century.

We have chartered a 27-meter gullet-style sailing yacht called the Gardelin solely for our group. Living aboard a yacht is relaxing, though quite different from a hotel. It is a trade-off between the space of a hotel room and the expansiveness of the sea and your surroundings. Plus, the camaraderie of living on a yacht will add a fun dimension to the bike tour. The Gardelin comes with an experienced captain and crew, and each cabin has a double bed (some have an additional single bunk), air conditioning and private bathroom. All meals are provided, and once on board, you only need to unpack once and keep the same cabin for the week. How easy is that!

We rate this as a moderate bike tour due to the hilly nature of the islands. Our daily riding distances are 40-70 km. A guide will accompany us and we plan to ride together as a group. On some of the islands we will do a loop ride and on others, we will be dropped off at one port and meet the yacht at another port where we spend the night. It is important to keep in mind that we will not have a support van following us to pick up tired riders. And riding is optional and you can choose to spend a day cruising on the boat whenever you like.

Springtime in Croatia is perfect for riding. Daytime temperatures are in the 60's and 70's F and the main tourist season has not begun so it will be like having the islands to ourselves! We hope you will join us on this new bike tour in Croatia! 

Daily rides are between 40 to 70 km (24 – 42 miles).

Day 1 Day 1 (May 11): We’ll meet in the lobby of our hotel in Split in the late afternoon for a trip orientation followed by a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Morning bike fitting before we board the Gardelin, our motorized sailing yacht. We will depart Split in the early afternoon and begin our cruise in the gorgeous Adriatic Sea.

Days 3 – 8: We will visit a variety of islands, but it is important to understand that the weather and the seas will dictate our daily itinerary. Some days we will pack our lunches to take with us for the day and we’ll meet the boat at a new dock in the late afternoon. Other days, we may begin with a cruise to a new island and then do a loop ride upon our arrival.

Here are some of the islands we have scheduled, but please note that the weather and sea conditions will ultimately determine the order and availability of the islands we actually visit.

Korcula, one of Croatia's greenest islands, has extensive pine forests, vineyards and beautiful old villages. One of its showpieces is the main town also named Korcula. It is a beautiful example of a medieval walled city set on a gorgeous seaside promontory. Korcula is believed to be the birthplace of the famed explorer Marco Polo.

Hvar is known as the queen of the Croatian islands with its lush Mediterranean vegetation and cultural and natural monuments. Our ride takes us past gorgeous fields of lavender, olive trees and pinewoods. The town of Hvar has 7th century AD walls and the site of the oldest municipal theatre in Europe.

Vis is the most remote, and the town of Vis was established 2000 years ago as a Greek colony by the name of Issa. It is said that the first grape vine in Dalmatia was planted by the ancient Greeks on a Vis field. After the Second World War, Vis was a military base and closed to visitors. It was reopened after Croatia's independence in 1990.

Brac is the largest island and it has a karst limestone landscape. Brac's stone quarries have been a source of building stone since Roman times. Our ride on Brac will take us past a number of beautiful bays and beaches along the crystal blue sea.

Day 9: Our tour ends in Trogir after breakfast. Trogir combines the influence of Roman, Greek, and Venetian architecture and culture around every bend. This beautiful island is such a rich architectural wonder that it has been aptly named “The Stone Beauty”. We depart our boat at 9:00 am and we will arrange a transfer to Split where you can choose to spend the night or take a flight or train to other destinations.

While we strive to create the most accurate itinerary possible, the nature of international travel demands that participants remain flexible to any changes. We will do our best to substitute activities and services of equal quality for those listed.

TOUR DATE: May 11 - 19, 2012
Group Charters & Self-guided tours available

TOUR PRICE: €1,650 Euros/pp (Double Occupancy)

SINGLE CABINS: Our boat has only 5 double cabins for tour participants, so a single will be charged €2,950 Euros for the tour.  If you are single and interested in joining the tour, give us a call and we will do our best to find someone of the same sex to share the cabin with you.  If we are unable to do so, you will be charged the full amount.

TRIP COST INCLUDES: 1 night in hotel in Split, 7 nights cabin on Gulet, dinner and breakfast in Split, all meals beginning with dinner on day 1 through breakfast on Day 9 on the boat, all beverages on the boat, bilingual bike tour guide and this trip will be accompanied by Chuck and Judy Nichols.

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: bike rentals (we rent both hybrid and road bikes for €160 Euros), airport transfers, hotel after the boat tour.

AIRLINES INFORMATION: This trip begins and ends in Split. Lufthansa and Croatia Airlines have joint fares with most airlines into Split.

RESERVATIONS: For complete reservation information & to book this tour, click here.

WHO COMES ON A NICHOLS EXPEDITIONS BIKE TRIP? You can expect a spirited mixture of singles and couples in their 20's to 70's from all corners of the US and a few international locations as well. Many have accompanied us on numerous tours in the past. The experience range within most groups spans from novice through experienced recreational riders. All seem to share the common bond of an appreciation for the outdoors and an active lifestyle. We will gladly supply references and the make-up of any trip that you are interested in joining.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: This tour of Croatia is moderately hilly and each day you can expect 40 to 70 km of riding. Since we will not have a support vehicle, this tour will be enjoyed best by intermediate to advanced riders. Folks who would like to avoid the longer hillier rides may choose to ride on the boat those days and can go for a shorter ride when the boat arrives at the dock.

THE FOOD: We will be eating meals aboard the boat and will have a nice variety of fresh seafood, meats, fruits and vegetables with enough variety to please everyone. Special dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated with advanced notice.

WEATHER: Weather can be changeable, so be prepared for riding in both sun and showers. Daytime temperatures are 60º- 75º F. and nights are 50º to 60º F. There is always the chance of rain, so to ensure your personal comfort please make sure you have a good quality rain jacket with a hood and rain pants, too. For the sunny days, we recommend using SPF 30 sunscreen and lip screen. If you are really sun sensitive, we suggest sun-blocking clothing.

RENTAL BIKES: We rent good quality hybrid or road bikes with a bike bag, a water bottle cage and flat pedals with or without toe clips and straps. You are welcomed to bring your own pedals and seat. We will supply full mechanical support during the tour. Road bike rentals are also available upon request. NOTE: You will need to provide your own water bottle and helmet.

CAMERA GEAR: Whether you shoot a digital or film camera, bring more media storage cards or film than you think you need! A portable hard drive may be the answer for digital storage. Other useful items are plenty of extra batteries, lens cleaner, lens tissue, lens brush, a mini tabletop tripod and a clean toothbrush to remove grit from your camera.

FILM WARNING FROM TSA: Equipment used for screening checked and carry-on baggage WILL DAMAGE UNDEVELOPED FILM. Make sure to REMOVE IT AND HAVE IT HAND INSPECTED. To expedite the screening process, carry all film in clear canisters or take the film out of solid colored canisters and put it in a clear plastic ziploc bag. DIGITAL CAMERAS AND DIGITAL MEDIA ARE NOT AFFECTED. See the TSA website for complete details - http://www.tsa.gov

LANGUAGE: You do not need to be able to speak Croatian, as we will have a bilingual guide. You will be surprised at how many folks speak English in Croatia.

MONEY: The kuna is the currency of Croatia. Many of the hotels and restaurant will price things in Euros. You will need cash for shopping,cappucino and ice cream stops during the ride and for tipping our boat crew and Croatian bike guide. We suggest starting with a minimum of $200US (more if you like to shop and sample the local snacks and ice cream).

TIPPING: On the tour: we suggest $125 per guest to cover our local guide and boat crew. On your own: most restaurants include a service charge, but an additional 5-10% for exceptional service is always appreciated. We suggest a small amount for baggage and taxi service.

CASH & CREDIT CARDS: US CASH: bring only NEW bills with NO tears. You can exchange money at the airport and in major towns. CREDIT CARDS: bring 2 or more Visa or MasterCards in case you have trouble with one. There are ATMs in most of the towns on the tour. To use your Credit Card to get Euros at an ATM, each Credit Card will need a PIN#. Be sure to activate the PIN# and check that it works BEFORE you begin your travels. We also suggest contacting your credit card company prior to your trip to inform them of the countries where you will be traveling and the dates. We do not recommend bringing Travelers Checks because some places do not accept them, exchange rates vary widely and they require a bank to exchange them.

PASSPORT: U.S. citizens must have a current Passport to enter Croatia.

MAKE COPIES OF PASSPORT: We recommend making 2 photocopies of your passport’s photo page and any other valuable documents you might carry with you on the tour. Travel with one copy stored separately from your passport. Leave the other copy at home with a relative or friend (ideally the same person you gave as your emergency contact). In the event that any of your documents are lost or stolen, this will greatly assist the process of replacement.

IMMUNIZATIONS: For all travelers, we suggest keeping your tetanus immunization up to date (every 10 years), and we suggest a Hepatitis A immunization, too. You can check your state health department, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the online traveler's data base http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/ for the most current information.

THE SECRET TO STRESS FREE TRAVEL: Simply put, pack light and arrive at the starting point of your trip a day early. Many have told us this was the most important thing they did to get ready for their trip. They felt rested and more acquainted with the customs and pace of life of their new surroundings.

ADDITIONAL HOTEL LODGING: Let us know if you would like us to make additional hotel reservations for you in Croatia either before or after the tour.

TRAVEL DELAYS: Nichols Expeditions is not responsible for any costs you may incur due to delays with transportation (airline or other), weather, road conditions, government intervention, sickness or other contingencies we are unable to control. For international flights, arrive at least 2-3 hours prior to departure (check with your air carrier for their requirements) and allow ample time between connecting flights. If you miss your flight and you need a special shuttle to meet up with the group, you will be responsible for the cost.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: To protect you against life's uncertainties, we have a Travel Insurance Policy that protects you against tour cancellation, trip interruption and medical emergencies along with baggage benefits. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRAVEL INSURANCE!

SUGGESTED SUPPLIERS OF OUTDOOR GEAR:
The following are suggested suppliers of quality outdoor gear:
Poison Spider Bicycles - excellent source for bicycle clothing and accessories, www.poisonspiderbicycles.com, 800-635-1792
Patagonia - the top source for outdoor clothing, www.patagonia.com
Campmor - all your outdoor gear needs, www.campmor.com
REI - lots of travel clothing & outdoor gear, www.rei.com
L. L. Bean - for travel clothing & outdoor gear, www.llbean.com
Sierra Trading Post - good deals on outdoor clothing & gear, www.sierratradingpost.com
Travel Smith - ventilated & sun blocking clothing, www.travelsmith.com
Zeal Optics - great fitting sport sunglasses, www.zealoptics.com

__ PASSPORT! Please make sure that it DOES NOT EXPIRE DURING YOUR TOUR! Make 2 photocopies of the photo and signature pages of your passport and any other valuable documents you might carry with you on the tour. Travel with one copy stored in a separate place from your passport. Leave the other copy at home with a relative or friend (ideally the same person you gave as your emergency contact). In the event that any of your documents are lost or stolen, this will greatly assist the process of replacement.
__ Passport pouch to carry passport and money around your neck

CLOTHING:
Temps. - days 60º to 75º F. & nights 50º to 60º F. , possible rain showers, dress is always casual, select synthetic quick drying clothing & do laundry in your room to keep your baggage light
__ Bike hat, visor or baseball cap
__ Bandanna or sweatband
__ Bike jerseys - 2, bright colors for visibility, breathable & comfortable
__ Short sleeved shirts - 2, synthetic quick drying fabric for evenings
__ Long-sleeved shirt - synthetic quick drying fabric for evenings
__ Long-sleeved t-neck or bike jersey - mid-weight synthetic for layering
__ Light sweater - fleece or wool
__ Light windbreaker - (optional) bright color cycling jacket for visibility
__ Underwear - sports bras for riding
__ Bike shorts - 2, padded lycra cycling shorts to prevent chafing
__ Bike tights
__ Shorts
__ Long pants - synthetic quick drying fabric, zip-off leg convertible pants recommended
__ Skirt - (optional) casual dress
__ Swimsuit
__ Rain suit - BOTH JACKET W/ HOOD & PANTS, gore-tex or waterproof nylon
__ Socks - 2 pr ea. cycling & walking
__ Comfortable shoes for walking - stiff soled if used for riding, avoid heavily lugged soles if using pedals with toe clips & straps
__ Bike shoes - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to increase pedaling efficiency & reduce foot fatigue, NOTE: if using clipless pedals we recommend mountain bike or touring style shoes so you will have a recessed cleat for walking
__ Sandals - (optional) wear with bike socks to avoid getting blisters from straps
__ Toilet kit - buy travel-size samples of your regular items, feminine hygiene products, Ziploc bag your lotions to prevent spills
__ Waterless hand sanitizer 2 oz. - clean hands will keep you healthy
__ Personal medications - keep all prescription meds. in original, labeled containers
__"Baby-wipe" towelettes - (optional) for quick clean up anytime
__ Personal first aid kit: anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhea, anti-acid, anti-biotic cream, antihistamine / decongestant tablets, Vaseline, hydrocortisone cream, band-aids, tampons, eye drops, sunburn ointment, 1" white athletic tape, second skin for blisters, sea sick medication)
__ Sunscreen & lipscreen - SPF 30 min., sweat proof so it will not run in your eyes
__ Insect repellent - small amount
__ Small flashlight with extra batteries - sm. LED headlamps are most versatile and are good nightlights in hotel rooms
__ Small travel alarm clock
__ Portable laundry kit packed in a Ziploc bag - 1 cup powdered laundry detergent in 1 qt. ziploc bag, 10-12 clothes pins & 25 feet of light nylon cord for clothes line
__ Plastic laundry bag - for dirty laundry / damp swimsuit
__ Ear plugs - 2 pr., a MUST for sound sleep, European towns can be noisy as well boat noises
__ Medication for sea sickness - both the non-drowsy for sailing during the day and the kind that will allow you to sleep at night (in case the boat has a gentle rock at night)

OPTIONAL ITEMS: Electrical systems are 220V & wall outlets accept EU-style 2 round-prong plugs. If your electrical equipment is 110 volt, you will also need a transformer.
__ Camera in protective case - new & spare batteries, extra film / media cards, lens cleaner, lens tissue, lens brush, mini table-top tripod
__ Extra freezer weight Ziploc bags of assorted sizes
__ Small "hotel size" sewing kit
__ Guidebook
__ Phrase book / dictionary
__ Paperback book(s)
__ Small sketchbook, journal, notebook, pen
__ Postcards from home - a few to show the staff and others
__ Address book - for all those postcards you will want to send
__ Small calculator - to calculate exchange rates
__ Electrical plug adapter - European style 2 round-prong for 220V appliances
__ Voltage transformer - if your electrical equipment is 110 volt
__ FRS handheld radio - guides will be using these, range limited to 2-3 mi.
__ Cell phone - must be tri-band with international service, activate US international service at least 1 week prior to your trip & check its operation

ESSENTIAL BIKE GEAR:
__ BIKE HELMET - all riders must wear them, check old helmets for cracks & replace!
__ SUNGLASSES - a MUST for eye protection, bring a spare pair
__ BIKE GLOVES - a MUST to protect your hands from nerve damage while riding & abrasion if you fall, short or long fingered
__ WATER BOTTLE - or Camelbak-style hydration system with an extra mouthpiece

OPTIONAL BICYCLE GEAR:
__ Rearview mirror - to fit on helmet, glasses or handlebars
__ Your own personal bike seat (ONLY THE SEAT WITHOUT THE SEAT POST ATTACHED)
__ Padded seat cover
__ Toe clips & straps (rental bikes have flat pedals without toe clips & straps)
__ Clipless pedals & your own bike shoes with cleats installed

IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN BIKE: YOUR BIKE MUST BE IN GOOD REPAIR! Have it checked by a qualified shop and all worn parts replaced. Install NEW tires & tubes! We only carry tools for minor adjustments, & parts may be hard to find. We suggest arriving at least one day before the tour in case of baggage delay. You will have time to build up and test ride your bike, and adjust or replace any parts that may have been damaged in transit.
__ Road or hybrid bike - NEW 28-35c tires, triple front chain rings suggested, 26 x 32 low gear recommended for the hills
__ Pad & pack bike securely in a bike case (with help from your bike shop if it is your first time), you can pack clothing & shoes in the case along with the bike
__ Rear carrier with bike bag, handlebar bag, pannier or small daypack to carry snacks, rain gear, camera and sunscreen as needed during the day
__ 2 spare inner tubes to fit your tire & wheel size
__ Bike tools to build up your bike
__ Small rag for cleaning bike parts & chain
__ Tire pump & patch kit
__ Correct bike shoes for your pedals (if clipless pedals, install cleats on your shoes)

NOTES ON YOUR PERSONAL BICYCLE EQUIPMENT:
BIKE HELMET - The pros wear them and so should you! A good helmet, along with your own common sense, is your best protection against the lifelong debilitation a head injury can cause. Replace your old helmet with a new one at the first sign of cracks, frayed straps or broken buckles. During the tour, all riders are required to wear a helmet.

SUNGLASSES - A good pair of sunglasses is all it takes to prevent an eye injury from road debris or an insect. Make sure they fit properly with your helmet. Consider replaceable or photochromatic lenses for different light levels, and bring a spare pair just in case.

TOE CLIPS & STRAPS - (optional) Rental bikes come with flat pedals. If you want toe clips and straps, please let us know in advance. Also, shoes with flat soles are safer than lugged soles for pulling your foot out of the pedal.

CLIPLESS PEDALS - (optional) Clipless pedals are great for control and pedal power, but trying them for the first time on a tour may not be the best idea. For your personal safety, you must be comfortable riding, stopping and starting in traffic and on hills. If you bring clipless pedals, make sure to bring bike shoes with the correct cleats. For bike touring, we suggest Shimano SPD pedals. The release is adjustable and the recessed cleat makes walking safer and easier.

BIKE SHOES - (optional) Simply put, a properly fit bike shoe will increase your pedaling efficiency and reduce foot fatigue. For bicycle touring, we recommend either a mountain bike or touring style shoe rather than a racing shoe. These styles flex a bit to make walking easier, and if you use clipless pedals, your cleat will be recessed for safer walking. If you have custom footbeds or orthotics, consider trying them in your bike shoes.

PLEASE NOTE: See TSA Security Regulations http://www.tsa.gov/public for procedures and suggestions for expediting your experience in security. US airline baggage regulations have changed, and we suggest contacting your air carrier(s) online or by phone for their most current carry-on and checked baggage allowances. Also, if you are using a European carrier, they may have different size and weight allowances.

HINTS ON PACKING: Here are a few simple tips to help your travels go smoothly and prepare you for European hotels where stairs often replace elevators and the boat cabins do not have much room for large suitcases.

Packing Hint #1: Follow our packing list, travel light and try to carry on your bags whenever possible to avoid baggage loss or delay.

Packing Hint #2: Limit your luggage to 2 bags. We suggest the following: one carry-on size wheeled suitcase or duffel for your clothing, and one small personal bag (a small daypack or shoulder bag) for irreplaceable essentials. Make sure to check with your air carrier for allowable baggage size and restricted items.

Packing Hint #3: Freezer-weight Ziploc plastic bags are lightweight, inexpensive, and see-through. They make a great waterproof biking wallet and are indispensable for packing items like clothing, books, toilet kits, and lotions in your baggage.

Packing Hint #4: Travel-size samples save space and weight! Visit the "samples section" of your drugstore or supermarket and see if your favorite shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, toothpaste and deodorant are available in travel-size samples. If not, transfer some to smaller plastic bottles in the size you need. Remember to plastic bag all lotions!

Packing Hint #5: Think multiple use garments! Convertible pants with zip-off legs will save bringing an extra pair of shorts. Quick dry shorts double as a swimsuit. Be creative and keep that baggage light!

Packing Hint #6: Do your own laundry. Synthetic clothing can easily be hand washed and hung to dry overnight in your hotel room.

RESERVATIONS: For complete reservation information & to book this tour, click here.