Beyond Boundaries Travel: Croatia - Kvarn Bay Bike & Barge

8 days /7 Nights, approx. 300 km (185 mi.) by bicycle

Sheltered by the mighty mountains of the Velebit in the east and the Istrian Peninsula in the northwest, the Kvarner Bay is situated. Enclosed by crystal clear water you can find lonely bays, green hills, rugged stone landscapes and small historical towns.

On a romantic motor yacht - your floating accommodation - discover the charm of the Adriatic in your own special way. You cycle off after a hearty breakfast. At midday meet the ship at a harbor for lunch. In the evening the ship will be waiting in the next harbor, so that you can enjoy fantastic cuisine as the sun sets, followed by a stroll through the historic harbor town. Finally, settle down in your cabin to sleep - or stay on deck under a thousand stars...

Course of the Tour - Day 1 (Sun) Omišalj – Cres, approx. 15 or 25 km (9 or 16 mi.) by bike
individual arrival in Omišalj, a nice little harbor village on the island of Krk. If you are planning to arrive by car, we will organize a safe parking space for you. The cabins on the motor yacht will be ready for you from 11 am. At ca. 1 pm the ship will take off and take you to the island of Cres in about four hours. From the town of Cres you have the possibility either to cycle to the in 350 m situated village of Predoscica or to join a little guided tour along the ample harbor bay. In the evening you can take part in a little tour through the old town of Cres.

Day 2 (Mon) The Islands of Cres and Lošinj, approx. 55 km (34 mi.) by bike
You will cycle on the east side of the island among pine, fig and laurel trees. On your way, you will pass Vrana lake, the geologically remarkable freshwater reservoir of the island that reaches down below sea level. In Osor, the artist town, you will have lunch on the ship. Afterwards there will be time for a swim in the bay with crystal clear water. In the afternoon you will leave Osor, crossing over a swing bridge to reach the island of Lošinj. You will cycle along the panorama-route to Mali Lošinj, an old seafaring and health resort. The ship will be waiting for you in the large harbor with its numerous cafés and colorful houses. You will spend the night in the harbor of Mali Lošinj.

Day 3 (Tue) The islands of Losinj and Molat, approx. 40 km (25 mi.) by bike
Along the seaside walk you cycle to the south of Losinj where you will meet the ship for lunch. In the afternoon we cross over to the island of Molat, where you will do one more short cycling tour. Overnight stay in the quiet harbor of Molat.

Day 4 (Wed) The island of Dugi Otok, approx. 45 km (28 mi.) by bike
While you have breakfast, the ship will take off and take you past many small islands to the “spice island” of Dugi Otok. Your bike-tour will start in the bay of Bozava, which is surrounded by woods of pine, agave and tamarisk trees, and you will ride on a road nearly free of traffic. Along the way you can make a short stop in Brbinj, a village with a thick-towered church, which beckons you with excellent espresso, pancakes and fresh figs. On the way to the fishing town of Sali, you will be impressed by the terrific view on the sea and the surrounding islands. In the ship will pick you up and take you to the island of Ugljan, where you will spend the night.

Day 5 (Thu) The island of Pag, approx. 35 km (22 mi.) by bike
After a cruise until lunchtime, you will reach the island of Pag. In the harsh but delightful landscape of the island you will come across many fig and olive trees. Over the centuries the inhabitants have built numerous stonewalls for protection against the wind. You will bike on the narrow peninsula until you reach the sea, where the ship will be waiting to take you to Rab. The island of Rab is one of the sunniest places in Europe. The town of Rab, the fortified capital of the island, was built in the middle ages on a wedge-shaped headland, and marks one of the highlights of the trip. The four famous bell towers are the symbol of the adorned beauty of the town. After dinner you can explore the narrow alleys with numerous cozy cafés.

Day 6 (Fri) The island of Rab, approx. 45 km (28 mi.) by bike
You will bike along the coast to the east side of the island, an area with virtually no vegetation, whose rough and cliffy rocks remind of lunar landscape. The road will lead you on to a bay with a sandy beach, which is rather atypical for the Kvarner islands. At lunchtime the ship will be waiting for you in the harbor directly in front of the old town of Rab. Afterwards you will be cycling on the green peninsula to the north of the island. In Lopar you will meet your ship again. After a swim-break the ship will take you over to the neighboring island of Krk, where you will spend the evening in the historical town of Krk.

Day 7 (Sat) The island of Krk, approx. 50 km (31 mi.) by bike
You will cycle over the ridge of the island, which is covered by fragrant macchia, to a valley of vineyards, and then onwards to the small museum town of Vrbnik in the northeast. The town, built on a 50-metre-high cliff and surrounded by vineyards, is the home of the famous white wine, Zlahtina. Another peculiarity that Vrbnik has to offer is the narrowest alley in the world. The way will lead you on across the island through old villages and rich vegetation to Omišalj, from where Rijeka will be within your sight. On the way, you will have a chance to swim in the bay of Soline. You will spend the last night in Omišalj.

Day 8 (Sun) Omišalj (Departure)
The guests are asked to check out after breakfast, i.e. by 9 am.

General Information

Alterations:
We reserve the right to make alterations to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organizational requirements. Sometimes the tour will be conducted in inverse order. You will find further details in your booking information packet.

Requirements (Level 2-3):
The bike routes require a basic level of fitness, which you should have acquired by steady cycling. The routes can reach an altitude of 200 to 500 metres. The daily routes, of 30-60 km, cover hilly and mountainous terrain and can be completed without time constraints. You will also come across some longer and rather steep climbs, where walking your bike is of course permitted. The tour guides will inform you about the course of the tour in due time. You can also choose to skip a bike-tour and spend a day sunbathing on the ship instead.
The roads are mostly asphalted and there is little traffic outside of holiday-periods.
You can decide every day for yourself, whether you would like to cycle individually, using the maps provided, or join one of the tour guides (or individual participants).

Bringing Children:
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and of a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1,40 m (4.6 ft.)

Catering:
The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and two warm meals a day. The full board starts with the lunch on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.

Services included:
* 8-day-trip on a motor yacht with crew
* 7 nights on a motor yacht in a double cabin with shower/toilet
* 7 x full board
* Bed linen and towels
* English-speaking tour guide
* 7 guided cycling tours
* Overview-maps for the daily tours on board