Words can’t describe the beauty, charm and unique culture that is Croatia. After exploring Split and cycling for 3 days through Brac and Hvar, we arrived on the island of Korcula. We stayed on the water at Hotel Aminess Liburna just a short walk from Korcula’s Old Town. That evening we met at the city center fountain, walked to dinner and explored the town’s quiet charm. Day 4’s ride was scenic and much easier - coastal roads with no large hill’s to climb.  We biked past vineyards and farmlands shouting “Marco!” And “Polo!”to each other. Our first stop was for coffee and a fun game of Bocce Ball at Bistro Cin-Cin. After a total of 32.7 miles, we lunched in Supetar and then biked to the beach for a dip in the warm sea.   That evening, our final group dinner was at a traditional Dalmatian stone tavern for pots of meat and vegetables slow-cooked for hours over hot coals and served cafeteria style.

 

Day 5 took us by van to the Peljesac Peninsula, Croatia’s wine country.  We visited the Matusko Family Winery for a private tour and tasting so good we bought several bottles to take with us. That day’s ride was our shortest - 16 miles through several vineyards to Ston Bay where the ancient Romans once farmed shellfish.  We feasted on ceviche, and fresh mussels and oysters harvested just moments earlier.  After a farewell group photo, we said goodbye to our Cycling Croatia guides and headed by van to our final destination: Dubrovnik.

 

Dubrovnik, made famous by Game of Thrones, draws over 1.5 million visitors annually.  The ancient city walls stretch nearly two kilometers offering stunning views of the Adriatic and the historic town below. We met our guide Pablo and learned about the city’s history dating back to 300 AD.   We walked the wall, toured the Maritime Museum showcasing Dubrovnik’s seafaring dominance and thin visited the famous Buza Bar - hidden in the walls and only accessible through a narrow doorway. From a cliffside table, we watched brave swimmers jump off the rocky ledges of the cliff into the deep blue sea below.

 

We took a cable car up to a lookout built by Napoleon and then later used during the Bosnian War as a last stronghold before Dubrovnik fell to the Serbs in 1991. The site now houses Croatia’s War History Museum. Back in town, we made one final walk through Old Town then took a bus to Sunset Beach and the popular Cave Bar.   There we sipped their signature MaiTai’s and watched the waves crash against the rocks.  Our last day was spent poolside at Hotel Rixos, relaxing, reminiscing and savoring our adventures. We had just ate, drank, walked and biked our way through Croatia laughing all the way. We started out this trip as neighbors and friends, and arrived back home in Sarasota soul sisters for life!