Croatia

Croatia is beautiful and my husband and I had a lovely vacation there. The trip was well organized but we were both a bit disappointed with several of the rides. Two were from our hotel to another location and then back again along the same route. There were also several rides that were too short for us so we did them twice. Our favorite ride was almost 40 miles, had significant altitude, and incredible scenery. We felt like we had really worked that day. The electric bikes worked very well and were much appreciated. Our hotels were all modern and conveniently located. We're already looking at another VBT biking trip for next year.

Loved the relaxed pace and flexibility of this tour. Most days you could bike as little or as much as you want while exploring the beautiful towns, beaches, and sea-side restaurants. Amazing sea views from the rides and hotel swimming pools.

An Unforgettable Adventure: Croatia Bike & Boat with Peter, Julian, and Mateja From the moment we embarked on VBT’s Croatia: Split & the Dalmatian Islands tour, I knew this would be a journey to remember. Over eight days, this trip was perfectly balanced — challenging yet restorative, full of stunning scenery, delicious food, engaging culture, and truly excellent leadership. ⸻ What Made It Exceptional 1. Outstanding Leadership: Peter & Julian Peter and Julian didn’t just guide us; they inspired us. Their knowledge of the local history, geography, and customs brought each place to life — from Split’s ancient Roman walls to the whisper of olive groves on Brač, and the vineyards of Pelješac. They were always attentive, adaptive, and encouraging — whether we were tackling a steep climb or enjoying a coastal glide. Their sense of humour, kindness, and professionalism made even the hard biking days something to look forward to. 2. Flawless Bike Logistics & Fueling by Mateja Mateja’s role was crucial, and he delivered at every turn. Bike fittings were smooth, every ride began with clarity about what to expect, and he made sure our bikes were safe, well-maintained, and appropriate for the terrain. Equally important, the fueling stations — snacks, water, and rest stops — were always well-timed and thoughtfully arranged. At moments when energy lagged, Mateja’s preparation and organization made all the difference. 3. The Route, the Islands, and the Sights Cruising between islands, anchoring in secluded bays, taking swims in the clear Adriatic — these moments were magical. Cycling through olive and pine groves, tasting local olive oil, and stopping at a stonecutting school on Brač added texture and depth to the journey. The experiences on Pelješac — wine tasting, coastline riding — felt like a postcard come to life. Each day’s ride choices meant you could push yourself or opt for something gentler. 4. Meals, Accommodations & On-Ship Comfort We stayed aboard a deluxe private yacht, with top-tier accommodations, well-prepared meals, and spaces to relax after a day in the sun. The onboard chef’s cooking demonstration was not only fun but added a cultural taste of Croatia we’ll always remember. 5. Perfect Balance: Challenge & Relaxation The itinerary struck a wonderful balance — some legs were physically demanding, others more leisurely, and always with options. Afternoons or evenings gave space to unwind, swim, explore towns, or simply enjoy the sea. The blend of riding, sailing, history, natural beauty, and downtime was perfectly measured. ⸻ Final Assessment This tour was everything we hoped for — exhilarating days, awe-inspiring scenery, rich culture, and warmth from both our leaders and fellow travelers. Peter, Julian, and Mateja elevated the experience beyond expectations — thoughtful, encouraging, and reliable. If you’re contemplating a VBT bike & boat tour, this one should be at the top of your list. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

We are now totally spoiled. Where to go next to come close to the amazing scenery!? Each day was an absolute gift. Memorable moments: gliding into town on a downhill with tower bells ringing to greet us; rounding a corner to encounter a village that is so picture perfect, it looks fake--but people actually live there; experiencing the Bura winds and the "sea dust" swooping off the crests of white caps. What a fantastic trip!

The Croatia bike trip was simply outstanding. First and foremost, we could not have gotten better guides from Croatia to show us the islands of Hvar and Brac. The culture, the scenery, the comraderie could not have been better. Plus we learned how to ascend and descend rather large hills! Would absolutely do it again.

This was an absolutely delightful experience. I am very impressed with VBT's way of supporting the local economy by hiring local guides, and setting up dinners with locals. Our hotels were great, the guides were wonderful, and i learned so much about local culture and history. Our guides, Mario and Neven, are just wonderful people and so helpful fun to be around.

Walking and dining with fellow travelers was an exceptional experience for us. From the beautiful vistas to the gourmet meals our every desire was fulfilled. Learning about the culture from our knowledgeable guides was an added bonus.

This was a wonderful trip to start traveling again! Even with lots of rain at the start, we had beautiful scenery and good temperatures. The group was wonderfully good natured, and the guides were fantastic. Irena and Matej knew so much about both countries in terms of geography and history and culture! They went, well, literally above and beyond? The castle wasn't even on the itinerary, and now I know all the best gelaterias in the area. I look forward to making more memories and friends on a future Country Walkers adventure.

We had an amazing time on this trip and could not have been happier with our decision to take our first ever group tour with Country Walkers. Everything about our trip was seamless. Our tour guides, Dani 1 and Dani 2, were knowledgeable, mature, funny and amiable, each in his own way, and added greatly to the trip/experience. Their local knowledge of culture, food, people, history was unmatchable. We had deep trust in them, and we knew that although everything seemed to go smoothly, they were constantly working behind the scenes to adjust plans due to weather, changes in schedule, etc. They made it look easy, but we knew it was not. Of course the hiking was nice, the views and location fantastic. The food was sumptuous and always different, so we sampled many things and felt we got exposed to all kinds of traditional Croation fare. The wine and grappa were always flowing generously. The eating locations themselves were unique. We heard rumors that this tour was being regrouped or cancelled and were quite surprised as everyone in our group seemed quite happy indeed. It would be a shame to lose these fantastic guides/guys.

We had a great trip thanks in a large part to our guides and our Croatian hosts! Dani and Dani were a great guiding team, who adapted the itinerary to meet our needs. They were thoughtful, informative and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this trip. You will learn so much about the wonderful and beautiful Dalmatian coast.