Redesigned

Adriatic Escapes

Destinations3
Tour MeetsCavtat, Croatia
Tour EndsDubrovnik, Croatia
Fly in toDubrovnik Ruder Boskovic Airport (DBV)
Fly out ofDubrovnik Ruder Boskovic Airport (DBV)
Group Size4-14 riders
Minimum Age18 (on scheduled departures)
485kmTotal cycling distance
82kmAvg distance / day
1378mAvg climbing / day

Trip Profile

We ride a total of 485 km with 8000 m of elevation gain in 6 days of riding. The climbing is nicely distributed throughout the tour, so we have time each day to enjoy the natural beauty and distinctive cultures along the way, while still completing substantial rides and working up the requisite appetites! On the evening of Day 1, we meet our guides for dinner and a preview of the journey ahead. Our first ride (Day 2) is a 75 km coastal ride that begins south along the Croatian coast with a series of climbs. As we enter Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor in the second half, the ride flattens out, leaving a total gain of 1000 m for the day, an ideal introductory ride. Day 3 is a much more vigorous loop through scenic Lovcen National Park, with total climbing of almost 2000 m over an 80 km distance. The Day 4 route begins flat along the bay for the first 25 km, then climbs more than 800 m steadily over about 25 km, culminating in a long descent for a daily total of 66 km and +1200 m. Riding the valley from Trebinje to coastal Neum on Day 5 gives us long flatter sections with occasional undulations, taking us 1000 m of climbing distributed over the 91 km distance. Expect some steeper climbs on Peljesac Peninsula on Day 6, adding up to 85 km and +1200 m. Korcula Island delivers a nice challenge on the last day of cycling, with +1500 m and a distance of 90 km before we transfer back into Dubrovnik for the final night dinner. Day 7 is departure day, when you may choose to head to the airport, or continue your stay in Dubrovnik.

The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

Suitability: This is a tour for cyclists with a high level of physical fitness, who are at ease on a road bike and looking for iconic climbs to conquer. Fitness will be a huge asset on those long days and challenging climbs. Bike handling skills are also essential for the long descents with some sharp turns along the way.

Biking Conditions: The roads are 100% tarmac and overall in good condition. We’ve chosen dates in the optimal seasons for riding comfort, but we may encounter hot weather along the way, along with strong gusts of wind. It’s also advisable to bring rain gear. Though there will not be heavy traffic along much of the route, there may be more crowded sections, especially as we pass through urban areas and busier coastal regions.

What's Included

  • SpiceRoads jersey
  • Water bottle
  • Support vehicle
  • Guide(s)
  • Meals (as indicated)
  • Accommodation
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Entrance fees

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Visa fees
  • Alcohol

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section.

If you bring your own road bike, please make sure it is in good mechanical order.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Montenegro

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the EU member states and citizens of the signatories to the Schengen Agreement may enter the territory of Montenegro with a valid ID card issued by the competent authorities of the concerning countries. All remaining nationalities require a valid passport for entry into the country. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. If staying less than 90 days a visa is not required for nationals of more than 90 countries. Please check the here and here for details applying to your status. The same applies for transiting through Croatia.

Health

No vaccinations are needed.

Weather

In Montenegro it’s possible to reach an altitude of 1700 m within 10 km of the coast, so wild variances in climate are to be expected. Chillier temperatures are probably at higher altitudes. Like most of the Mediterranean region, Montenegro’s coast enjoys balmy summers. The warmest months are July and August, when the temperature ranges from 19°C to 29°C (average lowest to average highest). And just to let you know – the summer sea temperature is 25°C to 28°C.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. In addition to the standard European and Mediterranean cuisine, Montenegro offers a variety of healthy food products and local specialities. Cold hors-d'oeuvres include the famous njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and njeguški cheese, pljevaljski cheese, mushrooms, donuts and dried bleak (carp family). A selection of traditional recipes of the central and coastal parts will include the kastradina (dried mutton), smoked and fresh carp (from Skadar Lake) and a variety of fresh sea fish and seafood dishes. We shall make sure you sample a large variety of local cuisine. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. But you may also want to bring electrolyte in powder or tablet form. Alcoholic drinks are available everywhere, but are NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra Euros for possible incidentals that might arise. It is always wise to have some paper currency in case of ATM absence or credit card problems. This will save you a lot of unnecessary worries. It is also customary to tip local tour guides and drivers; however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. As a general guide we suggest that €5-10 per person per day is appropriate.

Money

Montenegro is the nation that adopted the euro as its official currency.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Australia, and Canada are among those who do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina for visits under 30 days. Also, Bosnia and Herzegovina now recognizes Schengen visa documents for visits of up to 30 days. To confirm whether you need to apply for a visa, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Health

While no vaccines are required for travel into Bosnia and Herzegovina, some doctors recommend getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, as well as for rabies. Visit your medical professional to confirm what precautions you should take.

Weather

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s weather mostly reflects most inland hilly and mountainous European climates. July and August summers see averages of 25 C while winters around January can get down to around 0 C. As always, the weather is milder along the coast and a bit more varying at higher elevations, which can reach around 2,000 m. Even on the hottest days, temperatures cool down quite a bit at night, especially in the mountains. For the mildest weather with the least chance of rain, June to September may be the best time to travel there.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. The cuisine reflects influences from Eastern European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cultures. There’s plenty of stewed meats and vegetables along with spicy sausages. Make sure to try ćevapčići, spiced sausages or patties served with pita bread and onions. Enjoy seasoned meat, vegetables, and rice wrapped in grape leaves , dolmas, or in cabbage leaves, sarmas. Offal is also a staple in many local offerings. Be prepared for sweet or savoury with uštipci, fried dough, at breakfast. We’ll make sure you get to sample a large variety of local cuisine. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Money

Although the official currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the convertible marka, Euros are widely accepted, be it on an unofficial basis. So, make sure to keep up with exchange rates if you decide to use Euros! However, there are plenty of ATMs in most towns and resorts that accept foreign credit and debit cards, so you can withdraw cash on the ground. Ask your guide if you’ll be heading into a remote area that may not have ATMs available or won’t accept cards.

Croatia

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Australia, and Canada are among those who do not need a visa to enter Croatia for visits under 90 days. Also, Croatia now recognizes Schengen visa documents for visits of up to 90 days for every 180-day period. To confirm whether you need to apply for a visa, visit Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Health

While no vaccines are required for travel into Croatia, some doctors recommend getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, as well as for rabies. Visit your medical professional to confirm what precautions you should take.

Weather

With its extensive coastline, Croatia boasts a perfect Mediterranean climate. Summers and springs are warm and sunny, with hotter temperatures further inland. Average temperatures sit around 20 C. Autumns and winters are mild, averaging around 9 C, with potential snows away from the coast and at higher altitudes as temperatures may drop below 0 C. While snow is rare, rain is not, with around 1,000 mm in rainfall annually, mainly in autumn and winter.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Croatian cuisine is founded in Eastern European and Mediterranean traditions. Along the coast, look for seafood specialties, like brodet (stewed mixed fish served with polenta) or hvarska gregada (different types of fish cooked with herbs, potatoes, and white wine). Eka features lamb or fish being roasted over hot coals, and there’s plenty of hearty stews, cheeses, and vegetables to keep your energy up. Just keep room for kremsnita, a Croatian custard and vanilla cake. And if you’re so inclined, there’s plenty of vineyards featuring local wines to taste, too! We’ll make sure you get to sample a large variety of local cuisine. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Money

Although the official currency of Croatia is the kuna, Euros are widely accepted, be it on an unofficial basis. So, make sure to keep up with exchange rates if you decide to use Euros! However, there are plenty of ATMs in most towns and resorts that accept foreign credit and debit cards, so you can withdraw cash on the ground. Ask your guide if you’ll be heading into a remote area that may not have ATMs available or won’t accept cards.

General booking info

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:

FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS

Booking a SpiceRoads cycling adventure is easy and we try to do everything possible to make sure you have full flexibility and peace of mind. We do not require a deposit to hold your place on a tour and once full payment has been made your money is protected in our client account and you have the flexibility to cancel or change your booking if needed.

CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.

TRIP STATUS

There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.

BOOKING ONLINE

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us, we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for a loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

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