DALMATIAN COAST. From Zara to Ragusa, let Sergio show you the way! CROATIA - DALMATIAN COAST: TOP GUIDE TOUR 2019 ITINERARY OUTLINE CLASSICO

Transcription

1 CROATIA - DALMATIAN COAST: TOP GUIDE TOUR 2019 DALMATIAN COAST From Zara to Ragusa, let Sergio show you the way! Asia and Europe met and clashed in Croatia for centuries, from the Greeks to the second World War, but the Mediterranean nature and culture continue to offer hidden gems to worthy travelers. We ll pedal along the beautiful Adriatic coast passing through ancient villages full of history, from Roman to Venetian to Hausburg to Italian and back to the modern time. P E D A L Y O U R P A S S I O N ITINERARY OUTLINE A Letter from the Guides / Page 2 Trip Essence / Page 3 Daily Itinerary / Page 4-6 Arrival & Departure / Page 7 Bike Information / Page 7 Terms & Conditions / Page 8 Reserve Your Space! / Page 8 Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 1

2 WHAT IS A TOP GUIDE TOUR? In our post tour surveys, guests often re-iterate the same thing over and over again: how much they loved our guides and can they have a list of all the tours that guide will be on so they can see them again! All of our guides are wonderful leaders for our tours, but a select few rise above and beyond. In 2014, we asked our Ciclismo Classico guides who were guiding their 100+ tour or celebrating their eighth year with us to design and/or lead their Ciclismo Classico dream tour. These guides have a certain level experience that raises them to the coveted state of a Top Guide and so we developed our annual series of Top Guide Tours! Each and every Top Guide Tour is a blend of a spectacular destination and a special menu of ingredients that make the tour an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience for both the guides and our guests. A LETTER FROM OUR TOP GUIDE Dear friends and guests, A few months ago, I was given the opportunity to create one of our coveted Top Guide Tours. I have been leading the Istrian Peninsula ride for the past year and the moment I heard that I had the opportunity to create my very own tour, I immediately started dreaming about exploring more of Croatia. The region is filled with such beauty and history packed into these small coastal sites. We ll explore the coast from Zara to Ragusa passing through Neum, Macarsca, and Spilt. As we cruise by the sea will see the beautiful islands just off the coast. It s difficult to describe but the area creates the perfect combination of historical architectural beauty and the great variety of food and wine. Let s hop on our Bianchi bikes, share a smile, and maybe some music and enjoy a new adventure together! This tour will have everything you ve grown to love about Ciclismo Classico, with a new path to experience. Close your eyes and imagine yourself riding along the Dalmatian coast, taking in the view of where the sea and sky, and pedaling into ancient small towns. Come join me in 2019! Sincerely, Sergio Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 2

3 TRIP ESSENCE Discover a secret side of this Adriatic coast Explore the masterpiece that is each small town Follow Sergio, our expert guide, who will show you the connection between art and history, the people, and their traditions Enjoy several stops to visit ancient sites along the ride WHAT S INCLUDED Use of a road bike (see page 7 for details) Service of at least 2 professional guides throughout the program Wine kitty and Ciclismo kit (jersey and shorts) TRIP DETAILS 2019 Trip Date September 7-15 Ability Level Intermediate Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 13 miles Day 2: 46 miles Day 3: 61 miles Day 4: 20 miles Day 5: 23 miles Day 6: 44.5/48.5 miles Day 7: 53.5 miles Day 8: 40 miles Day 9: Doviđenja (Goodbye)! Total: miles Trip Price $5,695 Single Supplement: $800 All accommodations 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners 3 cultural visits with local guides 2 tastings of local specialties Van support Cycling clinics Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 3

4 DAY 1 ZARA - WARM-UP RIDE Daily Mileage - 13 miles Riding Terrain - Flat along coast Hotel - Hotel KOLOVARE Location: Zara Website: hotel-kolovare.com We begin our tour in Zara, a city that has seen a number of different civilizations. Founded in the 9th century, the city was passed to the Romans and Byzantines. Then in the 11th century to the Venetians, then the French, under Napoleon, before being taken over by the Austrians until the modern time. After the ride and a little rest our guide will pick us up from the hotel for a walking tour of the downtown. Meals - L, D DAY 2 PIROVAC Daily Mileage - 46 miles We pedal to Zaravecchia for a visit to the Ruins of Basilica of St. Ivan Evangelist, before continuing onto Pirovac. Riding Terrain - Rolling Hotel - Hotel TISNO Location: Pirovac Website: hotel-kolovare.com DAY 3 TRAU Daily Mileage - 61 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling Today will ride to Capocesto where we will regroup and stroll into a small island to visit Sveti JuraJ (Chiesa di San Giorgio). We will ride along the boarder between Spalatino-Dalmatia and Sebenico and Tenin Region, crossing the border right before Marina to continue along the coast entering Trau. Hotel - Bifora Heritage Hotel Location: Trogir Duration: 2 Nights Website: biforahotel.com Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 4

5 DAY 4 TRAU LOOP Daily Mileage - 20 miles Riding Terrain - Flat along coast than hilly We will have a small ride for those interested, the rest can take a relaxing stroll into town. The city, which was created by the Greeks, was chosen as the premium place to lay veterans to rest by the Roman Emperor Claudio. You can still see signs left behind indicating the Venetian domination and French period. Hotel - See Day 3 Meals - B, L, D DAY 5 SPLIT Daily Mileage - 23 miles Riding Terrain - Flat along coast Hotel - Hotel Bellevie Location: Split Website: hotel-bellevue-split.hr Today, we will ride along the Tyrrenium coast riding around the Suma Marjan Park right before the end in Split. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia, and the largest city of the Dalmatia region. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings. An intra-regional transport hub and popular tourist destination, the city is linked to the Adriatic islands and the Apennine peninsula. Meals - B DAY 6 MACARSCA Daily Mileage /48.5 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling with some climbs Hotel - Osejava Hotel Location: Macarsca Website: osejava.com We start right before entering Zelenka and then climb up to Panorama. This section will be challenging because there is about a mile that has grades between 8-13%, but it s worth it. The views from Panorama are breath-taking. After the deserved stop at the top of Panorama, we will ride down to town with some extra short climbs where we will see small coastal towns and ports and the wilderness of the coast with the typical macchia mediterranea. The center of Macarsca is an old town with narrow stone-paved streets, a main church square where there is a flower and fruit market, and a Franciscan monastery that houses a sea shell collection featuring a giant clam shell. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 5

6 DAY 7 NEUM Daily Mileage miles Riding Terrain - Rolling with some climbs Hotel - Grand Hotel NEUM Location: Neum Website: hotel-neum.com DAY 8 RAGUSA Daily Mileage - 40 miles Riding Terrain - Rolling with some climbs Hotel - Boutique HOTEL ADRIATIC Location: Ragusa Website: hoteladriaticorebic.com The Bosnia and Herzegovina coastal strip of Neum cuts off the southernmost Croatian territory from the rest of Croatia. This is a result of the Treaty of Karlowitz of With its admission to the European Union, Croatia had to apply EU regulations at its border crossings, including the passage through the Neum section. The construction of the Pelješac Bridge, which would bypass Neum entirely, has significance for Croatia s integrity and also for its future Schengen Area membership and the EU as a whole. It would significantly improve traffic flow and the traffic connection of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) to the rest of mainland Croatia, avoiding crossing the external borders of the EU at Neum, negotiating long, costly queues and strict customs checks twice within the span of 20 km. Originally named Communitas Ragusina (Latin for Ragusan municipality or community ), in the 14th century it was renamed Respublica Ragusina (Latin for Ragusan Republic), first mentioned in 1385 (it was nevertheless a Republic under its previous name, although its Rector was appointed by Venice rather than by Ragusa s own Grand Council). In Italian it is called Repubblica di Ragusa; in Croatian it is called Dubrovačka republika. The Croatian name Dubrovnik is derived from the word dubrava, an oak grove by a folk etymology, the Turks corrupted this into Dobro-Venedik, meaning Good-Venice. It came into use alongside Ragusa as early as the 14th century. The official change of name from Ragusa to Dubrovnik came into effect after World War I. It is known in historiography as the Republic of Ragusa. DAY 9 DOVIDENJA (GOODBYE) We say goodbye today! Hope you had an amazing adventure! Meals - B Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 6

7 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO ZARA Fly into the Zadar (aka Zara) Airport (ZAD) or the Dubrovnik (aka Ragusa) Airport (DBV). We will meet at the Hotel in Zara at noon on the first day. DEPARTING FROM RAGUSA We will say goodbye at 9am. Fly out of Zadar (ZAD) or Dubrovnik (DBV). OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: or Travel Insurance World Nomads Call: (Direct/Collect) Call: (Toll-Free USA) Website: worldnomads.com Transportation Rome2rio Website: rome2rio.com BIKE INFORMATION Bianchi Intenso and Vertigo The carbon frame guarantees maximum performance with minimum stress for the riders, thanks to Bianchi s special Coast to Coast frame design/ geometry and different material combination. Carbon bikes are equipped with compact crank and 11/32 cassette. Bianchi Vertigo included free on all Easy and Athletic Beginner tours. Bianchi Intenso included on all Intermediate and Advanced tours. Bianchi C-Sport 2.5 More relaxed riding at a look-around-you pace, this is a high performance aluminum hybrid bicycle with straight handlebars. It has a sloping design for superior comfort and bigger tires and hydraulic disc brakes. Included on all tours. Tandems Cannondale RT 2: Racing position with 700c wheels. Available for $400, limited availability. Honey bicycles: Racing position with 700c wheels. Available for $400, limited availability. Co-motion Periscope: Racing position with 700c wheels. Accommodates smaller team or even children. Available for $400. Cannondale Hybrid MT800: Upright position with 26in wheels and straight handlebars. Available for $400. ON THE BIKE Included: Ciclismo Classico water bottle Two water bottle holders Map holder on handlebars and a Garmin Edge GPS Handlebar bag Tire pump Combination bike lock Gel-padded saddle Choice of pedals Card with your tour leaders mobile phone numbers Pedal Options: Flat pedals Half-toe pedals (without straps) Toe cage pedals Things to Bring: Helmet Optional: clipless pedals with shoes Optional: your own saddle E-Bike: Bianchi Manhattan Available on all easy and athletic beginner tours, some intermediate and advanced tours. Please contact us for more information. Available for $400. Bike type outside of Europe may vary, please contact us at for more information. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 7

8 INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via once trip deposit is received. We recommend World Nomads, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* days - 100% of the deposit* days - 30% of the trip price days - 60% of the trip price 0-30 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure, or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit ciclismoclassico.com/plan-your-trip/policies/ RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer, or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 8