Travel Journal

Travelling around Croatia with friends during the summer with extreme temperatures, and nothing but a tent and some camping gear was quite the adventure. We embarked on a road trip from the UK with just a tent and some camping gear. We drove through Slovenia and the Italian lakes, exploring mainland Croatia up to Split. So, when I got the chance to return and explore the Croatian islands on a bike and boat trip, I couldn’t resist.

The same friends from our original trip were gathering in the UK for a wedding, making it the perfect opportunity to tag along for more European exploration. We started by flying into Dubrovnik, a city I hadn’t visited before. I had heard about its beauty but also the heavy tourist presence, which was indeed overwhelming. Nevertheless, it’s a must-visit, especially for Game of Thrones fans!

We spent our first night in Lapad, a seaside area of Dubrovnik away from the old town’s hustle and bustle. After an early start due to jetlag, we took a dawn walk along the coastline. By 8 am, the beach was packed with families enjoying their morning swim. Later, we checked out and headed to our sailing boat, a short taxi ride away. The cycling crew, a mix of Germans and Bosnians, were very friendly and helpful. Our cabin was cozy with a small en-suite and much-needed air conditioning.

That day, we tested our bikes and got them set up. I was pleasantly surprised by the saddle’s cushioning, which caused no discomfort. Before heading off to the old town with our new friends, we had a meal at a nearby restaurant. Croatian cuisine may not be world-famous, but their salads are fantastic and worth trying.

After a briefing and a little tour of Dubrovnik, our group of 18 sat down for our first meal together, prepared by a lovely Croatian chef. I always believe in getting on the chef’s good side – I love food! The meals were delicious and filling, perfect after a day of cycling.

The next day, we set sail for Sipan during breakfast. This small island, with its rolling countryside and vineyards, reminded me of parts of Italy. The cycling was enjoyable, not too hard, with some hills. We rode across the island and back, stopping at a beautiful swimming spot. By lunchtime, we returned to the boat for a meal in the shade while sailing to the next island.

Our next stop was Mjet, larger than Sipan. We arrived at the port of Pomena, a charming place with beach bars and restaurants. Our cycling route took us through the national park, mostly flat and shaded by the forest. The views were incredible, and we stopped at two beautiful lakes with high salt content, making for an unusual floating experience. After a quick shower, dinner, and some rest, we were ready for the next day.

We sailed to Lastovo the following day, where we cycled a hilly loop. After a tough ride, we sailed towards Vela Luka and docked offshore. The evening ended with a fun karaoke competition, where my friend Liv and I came second with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”

The next morning, I enjoyed an early swim in the slightly chilly but refreshing sea. After breakfast, we sailed to Vela Luka for a day of challenging hills. We stopped in Blato for a cold drink and a stroll before tackling the extra 20 km ride back to the boat, rewarded with a cold beer.

Day five was a rest day from cycling. We took a bus to Mostar in Bosnia. After crossing the border, we explored the old town and witnessed daring bridge dives. The local food was a pleasant surprise, especially for meat lovers. Returning to Croatia, we hurried to avoid an approaching storm and docked in sheltered waters. After dinner, a few of us found a local bar and had some laughs.

The next morning, we sailed to Korcula, Marco Polo’s former home. After cycling, we had a guided tour of the old town. Despite the weather turning, the sail to Trstenik was smooth, and we enjoyed a lovely fish dinner.

On our final cycling day, the weather led us to change our plans. We sailed to Slano and enjoyed a last day of cycling with our new friends, both Kiwi and German. The group had grown close, and we had great banter over dinner.

The final night was spent docked in Dubrovnik, where we reflected on a fantastic week over some beers at a local bar.