† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
Ride Description
This 19-day tour features everything you could ask for in a ride: quiet coastal roads, spectacular mountains, and an abundance of historic sites, nice hotels, and fine local Croatian cuisine and restaurants. Cycle through highly atmospheric old port towns and stretches of unspoiled coastline dotted with remote coves as we island hop our way south through the island – studded Kvarner Gulf and then down the rugged Dalmatian coast. Because most of the beaches are rock or pebble, the thousand-mile-long Croatian coast has the clearest waters in the Mediterranean.
Experience an abundance of historical sites as this coast was occupied in turn by ancients, Romans, Franks, Croats, Hungarians, Ottomans, Venetians, French, Austro-Hungarians, Italians & Yugoslavians before Croatian independence in 1991. Explore beautifully preserved medieval cities, ancient, Roman and dark ages constructs, and UNESCO world heritage sites everywhere we ride.
Climb the ridges of the islands, experience local wines, cheeses and specialty foods or enjoy calamari and fine craft beers in seaside fishing villages. With a Mediterranean climate, abundance of local produce from truffles to olive oils to wines to salts to lamb to seafoods and many delicious red and white wines laid over a diverse food heritage there are bound to be many enjoyable tasting experiences on this tour.
Sitnica commercial tour owner (Alen) has been leading cycling tours in Croatia for 10 years and is excellent, as are his routes for keeping us on quiet scenic roads as much as possible. He and his assistant are both local Croatians and speak English. One of them will ride with us each day to guide us and to provide the history of the area. A detailed tour itinerary may be found at the end of the tour description.
RIDE RATING - This ride is a 3B! Three days exceed the ride rating with elevation gains of 4,081,’ 3,674’ and 3,700.’ One day exceeds 50 miles though just by 2 miles. This is a hilly tour. Grades rarely exceed 10% but there are lots of extended 8-10% climbs. Downhills are steep as well. Shoulders do not exist in Croatia but most roads are in good condition with very little traffic on the majority of routes. Unavoidably there are a few sections with busy traffic. Drivers generally will give adequate room to cyclists but not always. There may be some riding on packed dirt, but most of the roads are paved with chip seal.
WEATHER - Riders must plan on cool to cold (59º F) morning and evening temperatures turning warm (70º -75º F) mid-day along with possible days of rain. Less than one inch of rain in May. The probability of precipitation ranges from 20% – 30% during our tour period. It is suggested that riders have additional wind and rain gear in preparedness for possible strong winds and cold fronts.
LODGING AND MEALS Our tour includes 19 nights at 3- 4-star lodgings ranging from boutique to ocean view to beachside resort to country hotels to a past Venetian palace. Included meals: 19 Breakfasts, 9 lunches, 19 social hour drinks and 9 dinners.
LOGISTICS The trip starts June 6, 2026 in Trieste (Italy) and ends June 25th 2026 in Dubrovnik Croatia. To get to Trieste: Riders could travel early and spend a few days in Venice (Marco Polo airport code VCE) before catching one of the 50 daily trains between Venice and Trieste Centrale train station (approx. 2 hrs.) which is a 5-minute walk from our hotel NH Trieste. Or you can now fly into Trieste (airport code TRS) located 25 miles outside of Trieste and catch a train from the Trieste airport to Trieste Centrale train station. The airport trains take 30 minutes and run approx. every hour. We overnight the first night in Trieste (NH Hotel) then get shuttled about 1 ½ hours to a small town just across the border in Croatia where we assemble our bikes, sort out bike rentals, and start the commercial tour. The first meeting is at the NH Trieste bar at 5:00pm for happy hour on day 1 - June 6, 2026.
The tour will end in Dubrovnik (airport code DBV) after breakfast the morning of June 25th. The hotel can help you arrange transport to the airport. Train service unfortunately is not a good option as the closest train station is in Split, a 4-hour bus ride away.
LUGGAGE Two pieces no larger than what you'd be able to carry on a plane, and not over 25 lbs each.
VAN SUPPORT There is no sag support. However, if a health issue arises, space can be made available for one rider in the van.
BICYCLES You may bring your own bicycle or rent one for €300 (hybrid from Sitnica) – E bike €600 with payment in Euros directly to Sitnica upon arrival. Tandems are welcome. Please notify the Ride Coordinator if you wish to rent a bike. Coastal Croatia is hilly! The climbs are usually short, but some are steep at 10% plus. Bring your low gears and wider tires.
For those bringing their own bikes, your bike boxes will be transported from the NH Hotel in Trieste to our final hotel in Dubrovnik.
COST & ADMINISTRATION The cost for the 19-day tour is $ 4,725 based on an exchange rate of $1.16 to the Euro.
1st Payment - $2,000 + $100 registration fee due when moved to Pending List
2nd Payment - $2,000 due November 24, 2025
3rd Payment - $725 due February 14, 2026
Included in the price are 19 nights lodging, all breakfasts, 9 lunches, 19 Happy Hour drinks and 9 dinners, ferries, residence tax, and RWGPS and GPX files route files for downloading to your smartphone and /or GPS devices. The provided RWGPS files will enable participants to use voice navigation cues and to print their own maps and cue sheets.
Please make sure you read and understand the BAC Cancellation Policy below!
ETIAS Pre Screening
At the time of this proposed ride, Travelers to Europe must complete the new mandatory pre-screening security questionnaire ETIAS. Without ETIAS approval, travellers from the US, Canada, and many other countries will not be able to book travel into Europe. Approvals can be issued quickly and once issued are valid for 3 years. ETIAS applications can be completed online here: https://etias.com/etias-application
CANCELLATION POLICY The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
In addition to the BAC cancellation policy the commercial operator Sitnica's has the following policy based on the tour start date
SINGLES AND SOLO POLICY. Single and solo riders will be accepted. While we encourage singles to try to find their own roommate, we will assist singles who are looking for a roommate. If a roommate cannot be found by February 15, 2026, participants can cancel without penalty (except the BAC registration fee and credit card fees or singles can pay the solo supplement of $1,044.00 directly to BAC.
The solo supplement payment can be paid by Zelle or check. To pay using Zelle: In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org . Initiate a payment, in the Message block, enter the name of your ride.
Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.
Health & Safety:
Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Prior to the final payment for the tour, an infectious disease plan will be developed and communicated. The plan will identify possible actions for dealing with persons with an infectious disease on the tour that could affect their ability to ride or the health of others in the group. The plan will include items such as isolation protocols, testing, masking, distancing, and leaving the tour.
RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY Please remember that BAC Ride Coordinators are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Coordinator. While on the ride, support your Ride Coordinator with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Coordinator informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Coordinator’s decisions.
INSURANCE. Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible.
SIGN-UP Register by clicking on the ‘Sign Up’ link above the Ride Description. After the Ride Coordinator has accepted your application, you will be moved from the Wait List to the Pending List. At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable $100 BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $2000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Coordinator, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1 – June 06 Sat – Arrive in Trieste. Leave your bikes in boxes, relax and wander the canal region or waterfront. We will meet at the NH Trieste bar at 5:00 for happy hour then you will be on your own for dinner.
Day 2 – June 07 Sun - The first day of the commercial ride. Transfer to the hotel Parenzana near Buje (~3 kms from the Slovenian border); put bikes together, sort out the rental bikes, and might take a short ride into Buje for lunch before our briefing & dinner. Transfer time from Trieste to Buje = 1 ½ hours. B, (No lunch) D ( welcome dinner included )
Day 3 – June 08 Mon - Route: Buje – Motovun (~31 miles, 2,559’) – We will ride thru good wine country, but also a few areas where the locals search for truffles. Taste these for lunch accompanied by a glass of the local ruby red colored Teran wine. We then cross rolling green landscapes that touch the Slovenian border before the days’ last ascent to the imposing hilltop medieval town of Motovun. There is a lot of history in and around the old Motovun fortress. We will be staying in a former Venetian palace. B , L , D ( all meals included )
Day 4 – June 09 Tue - Route: Motovun – Labin (~47 miles, 3,116’) - A real Istrian experience because of the backcountry scenery of olive orchards and vineyards. We’ll try the great Istrian Malvazija wine; pick some grapes or maybe a fig along the road. We’ll also ride along medieval towns on hilltops and through extensive forests while riding by massive stonewalls shaded by cypresses. There are also some lavender fields to admire today. B , L , D ( all meals included )
Day 5 – June 10 Wed - Route: Labin – Cres (~38 miles, 2,952’) – Today is our first breakout to the islands along the fantastic cliffs of the Eastern coastline of the peninsula of Istria and to the unspoiled scenery of Cres island, the 2nd largest island in Croatia. Everywhere there are wild herbs that give the local food its distinctive taste, wildflowers and thousands of very old olive trees. There is a good chance we will see one or more of the white-headed griffon vultures, which nest on rocks above the sea. Dinner and overnight in the town of Cres, which is located in a beautiful bay of the island. B , L , D ( all meals included )
Day 6 – June 11 Thu – free day in Cres – optional ride of 40 kms – individually without any support –B ( just breakfast included )
Day 7 – June 12 Fri - Route: Cres – Krk – Rab (~18 miles, 1,786’) - Our goal today is the beautiful island of Rab, which is a scenic island in the Kvarner Bay. It is made of contrasts between sharp rock cliffs on the east coast and gentle pebbly beaches covered with macchia and forests of Mediterranean oak on the opposite coast. To reach that goal we’ll not only have to cycle but also spend some relaxing time on 2 different ferries.
We will for short touch the coast of Krk, called the Golden Island since ancient times due to its mild climate, lush vegetation and favourable position in the Kvarner Bay. The island of Krk is the cradle of culture and literacy as visible by the many monuments, museums and sacral buildings. Our accommodation is in, Rab , one of the most beautiful Mediterranean places of the Adriatic - B , L ( warm lunch on Rab ) .
Day 8 – June 13 Sat - Free day on Rab island and time to enjoy Rab town – B ( just breakfast ) , dinner options in town on 10 min walking distance
Day 9 – June 14 Sun - Route: Rab – Pag (~39 miles, 2887’) . Two islands on our menu today. Also ferry crossings along the magnificent Adriatic coast. Rab is a scenic island in Kvarner Bay, which is a contrast between sharp rock cliffs on the east coast and gentle pebbly beaches covered with Macchia and forests of Mediterranean oak on the opposite coast. Pag is known for its lacework and sheep, and produces the best Croatian lamb meat. The Northern Bora (North Wind) has blown away all of the vegetation causing a very peculiar moonlike scenery. Dalmatian coast starts here with whitewashed limestone villages and sapphire waters. Spend a quiet night in the town of Pag. B , L , D ( all meals included ) .
Day 10 – June 15 Mon - Route: Pag – Zadar (~41 miles, 1410’) – We cross the island Pag and afterwards to Zadar, which is one of the most famous towns of the Southern Adriatic region called Dalmatia. Before reaching today’s destination we will try to spend some time and have time for lunch in Nin, which was an early Croatian royal town inhabited for 3000 years ago and is an important archaeological locality. Old town Zadar is beautiful. Don’t miss the old network of narrow and charming city streets as well as the Roman forum and the pre-Romanesque Church of Saint Donat dating back to the 9th century. B , D ( no lunch included )
Day 11 – June 16 Tue - spend a free day in Zadar with a great cultural old city center. B ( just breakfast included )
Day 12 – June 17 Wed - Route: Zadar– Skradin (~44 miles, 1804’) - For the first time we will cycle across the region where The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995. Impressive traces still can be seen such as bullet-ridden houses and abandoned villages. The highlight today is Skradin, which is our final destination and entrance to the National Park along the Krka River. Skradin is an attractive tourist destination whose beauty is crowned by three attractive sites in the Krka National Park. B ( just breakfast included )
Day 13 – June 18 Thu - Route: Skradin loop ride (~34 miles, 2789’) - Cycle around Krka National Park and explore all of its famous sites: Skradin Buk waterfalls, Roški waterfall with its ancient mills and the small Franciscan island of Visovac with a votive sanctuary, rich library and a cultural and artistic treasury. B , L - no dinner
Day 14 – June 19 Fri - Route: Skradin - Split (~50 miles, 2,953’) Exciting day and not just because of the main goal: reaching the large but special main town of Dalmatia Split but also because we have to conquer a special region called "zagora" or "zagorje", which refers to an area "on the other side of a mountain or a hill". Throughout history, this term has been widely used to describe places physically detached from some other, economically or politically more prominent areas. We finish in Split with its Roman Diocletian Palace. Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a luxurious palace was built around 300 AD. Nowadays it is one of Croatia’s most visited monuments. B , L – no dinner included in Split , town has lots of options
Day 15 – June 20 Sat - Route: Split to Brac Island to Split – (~31 miles, 2952’) - one hour ferry to Brac island followed by a circular tour of the island and back to the ferry port with possible time for a visit to downtown Split. B ( just breakfast included )
Day 16 – June 21 Sun - We take a ferry to the island of Korcula, and we'll have a free afternoon in Vela Luka. B , D
Day 17 – June 22 Mon - Route: Vela Luka – Korcula – Orebic on Peljesac peninsula (~31 miles, 2789’). All the cycling happens on the island of Korcula. Its a beautiful ride with many ups and downs from East-to-West. Korcula is an island with a rich cultural history that started with Greek settlements in the 6th century BC. Today we will see breath taking coastal vineyards, olive groves, and small villages and hamlets. We'll pass the UNESCO town of Korcula, and where Marco Polo left for his world famous journey to China. Sightseeing stop and lunch in Korcula town and after that we will take a short ferry to cross over to the Peljesac peninsula and Orebic for the night . B , L , D ( all meals included ). We have lunch at 32.6 miles in the centre of Korcula town
Day 18 – June 23 Tue - Route: Peljesac peninsula Orebic – Mali Ston (~37 miles, 3281’). Today is our last cycling day. We climb along some of the world's steepest vineyards, which produce some good wines such as DINGAC which are ‘born’ here. You may want to try a Peljesac wine on your way in anticipation of dinner. We’ll gaze down on the picturesque village of Trstenik and climb out of it along famous Grgic winery – the one who later built a great wine story in the Napa valley . Lunch later after a few last climbs of the Tour . We finish in Mali Ston, a small place with famous Ston Walls – 3.4 mile long wall in the shape of an irregular pentangle that was completed in the 15th century. These walls were meant to protect the precious salt that contributed to Dubrovnik’s wealth. Mali Ston is also famous for the oysters. B , L , D - Farewell dinner included –
Day 19 – June 24 Wed - Our last day will include a short transfer along the coastline to reach the great and famous Dubrovnik. We have a free afternoon to visit the town. The history of Dubrovnik goes back over a thousand years and is visible in every part of this city. The city has a living museum and a live stage, and has an ideal connection between its historical past and the modern day. It is surrounded by medieval walls, which are 1940 meters long, and preserved in their original form. The walls are open to visitors and are the city’s greatest attraction. Since 1979 the town has been under UNSECO protection. B ( just breakfast included ) .
Day 20 – June 25 Thu - Departures – The Dubrovnik’s airport (DVE) is 13 miles from the hotel. Our hotel will be able to arrange transportation pickup for those needing transportation to the airport. B ( just breakfast included ) .
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org