Croatia

The beauty of the Dalmation Islands is stunning. Very scenic views of the Adriatic Sea and coastal villages. Routes were along quiet, well maintained, but narrow roads without shoulders. That said, motorists were courteous and I never felt unsafe. The two long routes had challenging hill climbs for analog road bikes. We went in May, before the summer tourist season, a good choice.

fabulous trip. great organization by VBT and wonderful safe routes.

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.

An Unforgettable Croatian Adventure with VBT! Island hopping across Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian coast aboard a luxury private ship was nothing short of magical. Each day brought a new island and just when you thought it could not get any more beautiful, we were surprised by more stunning landscapes. The rides were challenging at times, but the pedal assisted e-bikes and encouragement from all participants made them doable AND enjoyable. Our incredible guides, Mario and Irena elevated the experience. Their warmth, humor, and deep local knowledge made every moment special. Whether they were leading us through scenic bike routes or sharing stories of Croatian culture, they were the heart of the journey. The logistical planning that goes into a tour like this is incredible and it went flawlessly. This was a bucket list trip for me and it surpassed all expecations.

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.

This was a fantastic trip! As usual CW found terrific local guides - Irena & Matej, were wonderful - very organized, knowledgeable with great senses of humor. The interesting thing about this trip is being able to experience the Julian Alps and Istrian peninsula and compare the very different landscapes. While the length of the trip was perfect, I wouldn't have minded an extra day in each place! And I did appreciate that we didn't move around too much - we stayed in the same hotel for several nights in each area which allows you to settle in and relax. Another wonderful CW excursion!

This was a wonderful trip! Despite some rainy weather, the hikes were beautiful and well paced. Lovely to see two different countries and learn from our knowledgeable and fun guides about some history and culture. The hotels were top notch and convenient to things during free time. We had a great group and we definitely laughed a lot!

I have been on multiple bicycle and walking adventures and this was one of the best. The guides were exceptional. They were from Croatia and they did a great job leading us on challenging walks every day and, at th4e same time, educating us on their country. The hotels where we stayed were very nice and well located for our walks and for us to spend free time. The morning breakfast and other meals were excellent. I would highly recommend the Croatia - Dalmation Coast Adventure to my friends and anyone who is relatively physically fit. A fantastic 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.