Forested islands, sparkling coves and charming waterfront towns make the Dalmatian Coast the perfect spot for adventure-lovers. Remember to pack your sunscreen as you explore the striking, sun drenched land that is known as Croatia.
Adventure tours to Croatia offer unparalleled beauty and experiences for those in search of fun and exquisiteness. Visit Split, a luminous Mediterranean city, filled with plenty of sun, stately palaces and stunning churches. Take a private boat ride to Korčula, an island in the Adriatic Sea, and pedal through its green-yellow vineyard as you take in the lovely, panoramic views that surround you. Relax in the calming waters of a salt water lake on the peaceful island of Mljet.
Don’t forget your camera because the view is absolutely breathtaking. Enjoy the sunny, Mediterranean climate of Hvar Town, situated on a bay, and admire its Venetian Renaissance construction and distinguished history. When it’s time to call it a night, relax in tranquil garden terraces before retiring to your cozy room at the waterfront Hotel Adriana.
Adventure vacation packages with Austin Lehman Adventures are sure to leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and just smitten with the destination of your choice. Call us and schedule your European vacation today.
If you are planning a European vacation, visit Croatia for its magnificent coastline touching the Adriatic Sea, the cleanest sea of Mediterranean. Miraculously saved from overdevelopment until now and yet to be explored by tourists, it is one of our best adventure vacation packages. With more than 1,000 islands and roughly a horse shoe shape, Croatia offers an authentic Mediterranean experience. Not yet overfull of tourists, a great sense of hospitality and untouched nature awaits you in this country. Cycling tours in Croatia take you along crystal clear coves, wooded islands and majestic hills filled with vineyards. You’ll enjoy pedaling through charming small towns and villages all while learning the history of every place you encounter.
Our adventure trips to Croatia take you to Vela Luka on Korcula Island by private boat for a day of biking through the picturesque landscapes and scenery. There are countless secluded bays and numerous uninhabited islands to spend a relaxing day in the quiet of nature. Take time to dive into the Adriatic Sea and explore the fascinating undersea world before making a stop at Plitvice Falls, a spectacular paradise and must see place when visiting Croatia. For adventure lovers, the Dalmatian coast offers a host of activities like scuba diving, yachting and fishing. Exploring a country ruled over 800 years by Venice and now standing proud is an experience to be remembered for a lifetime.
Join Austin Lehman on its next journey to Croatia by visiting us online to learn more or giving our 24 hour support line a call to learn more.
There are some 200 miles of Dalmatian coastline and a lifetime of adventure vacations spent getting to know the sheer beauty of the area would certainly be a lifetime well spent. The Adriatic coastline experiences warm waters and gentle predictable winds throughout the summer. It also features scores of islands with deeply wooded slopes. The entire coastline appears to be a concrete free zone (don’t look too closely though) and is one enchanting bay after another. Fishing villages, tiny marinas and small groves where oranges, lemons, figs and olives grow in plenty all mix to provide a holiday experience unlike any other.
Split is the second city in the area after Dubrovnik, and it hides a rare phenomenon. Make a visit here the centerpoint of your European vacation because the city is home to the palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian. The palace is probably the best preserved Roman ruin in existence and was originally built as the retirement home for the Emperor who was the only one to leave office of his own accord. The palace is 31,000 square meters and was constructed in just 10 years using marbles imported from the best quarries in Italy, sphinxes imported from Egypt and statues looted from Greece. The palace bore witness then and now to the power of Rome. Extensive work was done on the palace during medieval times, but the true enormity of the building can still be clearly seen. A city break on our cycling tours to the palace today shows the strength of the Roman Empire as the palace is still in use. Within the palace, 220 buildings house more than 3,000 people running small businesses selling artisan goods.
The markets paint a very vivid picture of life within the confines of the palace and the size of the structure dominates the entire area of the old city, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Join us for European vacations of a lifetime, and start the journey by visiting our online travel catalog to learn more.
When it comes to European vacations, Croatia seemed to fly under the radar. Geographically, Croatia faces the Adriatic Sea, the same sea where Venice is situated. Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is a traveler’s alternative to the expensive resorts of the Mediterranean coastline. The charming and photogenic Dalmatian coastline and quaint towns reflect its Venetian influence.
One of the favorite destinations in Croatia is the town of Hvar. Adventure vacations in Hvar are truly memorable ones. Its pleasant climate presents an opportunity for biking. The woody coves and shallow beaches welcome tourists for kayaking and snorkeling. Hvar has olive groves, vineyards, fortresses and churches. Its narrow walkways are ideal for hiking and strolling. You also have the option to bike around the town and discover little nooks for quick bites of the Croatian fare.
Explore the marbled streets of Dubrovnik. Visit museums and different architectural gems that make the city a stunning destination. Take your time to immerse in the sights and sounds of Dubrovnik by having coffee in one its bistros. Do not forget to sample local delicacies and cuisine. Try their seafood and truly savor their delightful gastronomic offerings.
Croatia remains steadfast and tough. Its tourism potential is the proof of its resilience. Its tumultuous past is but a memory. We offer adventure travel packages to Croatia with exciting itineraries to one of Europe’s best kept-secrets.
Cycling is truly a journey of the senses. And there is no better place than Europe, where the villages, castles, cathedrals and museums are unrivaled and the reward of breezing along under your own power is an exhilarating experience. What you see, what you feel, what you encounter is sharper and more relaxed, more complete, when the warm yellow sun, the lush green pastures and the crystal blue lakes dissolve the tension of our everyday lives.
You see the details that are only a blur to most tourists. You meet the country folk – on bicycle just like you. You come to understand the tranquility of a pace of life that is no faster than the pumping of a pedal. Free of gas…. Free of schedules and crowds!
But how to go about it? Well, first you will need to decide whether you wish to do an organized Europe biking tour, or whether you prefer to do it on your own, or maybe something in between. Here are your choices:
1) Sign up for a bicycle tour with a tour operator: This is certainly the most convenient way to travel by bicycle, because everything has been taken care. In effect, all you need to do is show up, pedal, enjoy, sightsee, eat, drink, sleep. When you are tired or don’t want to climb a hill, the support van will help out. The multi-lingual guides share with you their local knowledge and passion. The group size will normally range between 8 and 20 participants.
2) Do it yourself: This means a lot of preparation, because you will need to bring your own bicycle (or rent one abroad), find your own route, arrange your own hotels, fix your own flats. You are likely to end up on roads which you would not have chosen, had you know the alternatives. Last but not least, you will have to carry your own luggage on your bicycle.
3) Do a self-guided trip: In this case, an organization supplies you with a bicycle and maps. The hotel reservations are made on your behalf. Often, your luggage will be transported from one hotel to the next. However, there will be no support during the day (i.e. no sag-wagon, no repair service, no snacks, no water refills). There are no tour guides to share with you their stories. Nor will you experience the camaraderie with like-minded travelers as you would on an group bicycle tour.
Travelling with a bicycling tour operator gives you the fullest experience, in terms of overall enjoyment and efficiency. But how do you choose the bike tour operator that is right for you? Here are some aspects you can consider asking/investigating regarding the tour operator(s):
1) What kind of hotels do they use?: Do they openly list their hotels, or are they somewhat secretive about them? In general, two-star hotels are considered to be low-budget, whereas three to four-star hotels are quite comfortable. Five-star hotels are more difficult to find in the countryside. Checking the websites of the hotels will give you insight into the amenities.
2) What kind of bicycles do they use, and is the bike rental included in the trip price?: Which brand? What type of bicycle (road bike, hybrid bike)? Unless you are planning to ride through very hilly terrain, a hybrid or touring bike will suffice. The medium-width tires make for a comfortable ride no matter what the road surface is, and a back-rack plus a front pannier facilitates you to carry your ‘day-stuff’. Watch out for hidden costs, such as surcharges for the bicycle.
3) Do they operate their own trips?: or do they simply act as a travel agent? Tour operators which run their own trip are closer to their product and therefore tend to do a better job because the ‘own’ the product, feel responsible for it and constantly make adjustments based on direct feedback from their guests and guides.
4) Which meals are included?: Usually, all breakfast, some lunches and most dinners are included in the trip price. What kind of restaurants do they use? Are the drinks during dinner included?
5) Which events are included in the trip price? e.g. museums, castles, wine tasting.
6) What is the maximum group size? Groups of 16 or over become a zoo, especially if the number of guides and support vans are kept to a minimum. This leads to the next question:
7) What is the guide to guest ratio? i.e. how many guides are on the trip? With a ratio of 1 guide per 6 guests, you can be assured of perfect service. With a ratio of 1 guide per 10 guests or more, there is no way they can keep track of you and you practically end up on a self-guided trip.
8) Are there daily mileage choices? Does everyone ride the same route or are there longer/hillier routes for avid cyclists and shorter/flatter routes for those who wish to ‘take it easy’?
9) Do you get route descriptions and maps? Or do you always ride in one group? A detailed route description will give you the freedom to ride at your own pace and choose your own distance. Having a guide on a bike gives you the opportunity to simply follow. A good touring company can offer you both choices on the same trip.
10) Do they allow children on the trips? Or do they offer separate family trips?
11) How long have they been in existence? Have they just begun operating trips, or do they have decades of experience? Go for the latter, because nothing is as frustrating as being ‘misled’ by people that don’t exactly know what they are doing or where they are going.
12) What is the level of difficulty? Are the trips rated? And what is your level of experience? Needless to say, this is all very subjective. See below for recommended regions and their expected ratings.
13) Has the trip already been confirmed? Or is there a chance that it will be cancelled due to insufficient demand?
14) And don’t forget to read the small print: What if you need to change the dates or cancel the trip? What about travel insurance?
15) What will the weather be like? Naturally, no tour operator, no matter how upscale, can control the weather. But what they can do is offer the trip during the most agreeable months. For example, be aware of companies which offer Italy during the (usually) grueling hot months of July and August. Nor do you want plan a bike tour in Holland in October. And by November the days get very short no matter where you are in Europe.
Last but not least, you need to decide where you would like to travel and what kind of terrain you are looking for.
Easy destinations (flat or gently rolling) include the following:
- Netherlands / Holland
- Belgium / Flanders
- Denmark
- Loire Valley
- Normandy
- Mosel Valley between Trier and Koblenz (Germany)
- Salzach Valley near Salzburg (Tauernradweg)
If you don’t mind a few hills, you could consider:
- Burgundy
- Brittany
- Provence
- The ‘Romantic Road’ in Germany
- Lake Constance
- South-Tyrol Adige Valley (Etsch) in
The intermediate cyclists will enjoy:
- From Vienna to Prague (or the other way around)
- Rioja wine region in Spain
- Piedmont in Italy
- South-West of Ireland (Kerry, Cork)
- Dalmatian Islands in Croatia (between Split and Dubrovnik)
Avid cyclists will have a ball in:
Some last advice: if you have never been on a Europe biking tour and aren’t sure which trip is right for you, why not start with an easy destination. If you find out during the trip that you want more miles, your guide can always find them for you! Another piece of advice is that you will enjoy your vacation more if you plan several 20-mile rides during the weeks before your trip. It gets your body (especially your behind!) and mind in shape for the riding position.
Your friendly Europe expert,
Ron Van Dijk
If you have any question about Europe bike tours, please email me at ron@austinlehman.com
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