- Tour Contractor: Alen Augustin, owner, operator Sitnica Tourist Agency, Buje, Croatia. sitnica@pu.t-com.hr.
- CCCTS Tour Coordinator: Delores Franz Los, 604 894-6182, dfflos@hotmail.com [The Tour Coordinator (TC) acts as liaison between Sitnica Tourist Agency and participants]
- Tour Dates: May 30th to June 19th, 2015.
- Registration Opening: Nov. 15th 2014 @ 5:00 PM (1700h) PST.
- Tour Numbers: Minimum 12, Maximum 16.
- Tour Rating: Intermediate with hills.
- Tour Price: €2200.00 (approx. $3170.00 CAD).
Description: Croatia has a population of four million and prides itself on its cultural, artistic, scientific, and athletic accomplishments, as well as its scenery, cuisine and wine. The entire western border is on the Adriatic Sea where there are over a thousand islands. The tour’s first eight days will be on the very scenic Istrian Peninsula (the Croatian Tuscany). The remaining thirteen days will be along the spectacular Dalmatian coast with island hopping between the mainland and certain coastal islands. The tour will take in mountain vistas, coastal views, medieval towns, Roman architectural remains, olive orchards, vineyards and the World’s most beautiful city, and World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik. Three non-cycling days are planned during the Tour to permit a savoring of Croatia’s Adriatic culture and history.
Alen Augusten contracted two most successful CCCTS-sponsored tours of Croatia in 2012 and 2013, and is described by participants “…. as well organized, capable and personable”. He also organized a very successful private tour for CCCTS members in 2011. The 2015 tour will be the same route as that of 2013; each with shorter daily distances than the 2012 Tour.
Sitnica can arrange excellent bike rentals at a cost of €300.00 for the tour. For those planning to bring bikes, a touring bike (28 mm tires) or a hybrid bike is recommended. Road bikes with 23 mm tires are not advised.
A sag wagon will be available at all times to transport luggage (two bags per rider will be permitted. Please no bags heavier than 18 kg) and ill or injured riders.
Please note: Sitnica Tourist Agency (STA) accepts Euros (€) only, thus individual payments will be made by each registrant to the Tour Coordinator, who will pay STA via bank transfers. This payment process worked well for all previous tours.
Cycling conditions: Total cycling distance is approximately 950 kilometers, all on asphalt with the exception of one 5 km stretch of gravel. The average distance per day is ~60 km; the longest day will be ~80 km. Average speeds will be about 15 km/h to 20 km/h, but riders can ride at the pace of their choice with the proviso that they meet for each day’s group lunch.
Hills are unavoidable in coastal Croatia, however, participants should not be intimidated – just be in good cycling condition i.e. train on hills. (Club members >75 years successfully completed the 2012 tour.)
Logistics: The tour starts in Pula on the Istrian Peninsula and ends in Dubrovnik at the most southern end of the Dalmatian coast. Pula is accessible by plane, however, several on previous Croatian tours flew to nearby Trieste and were shuttled by Sitnica to Pula [€200.00 return per van load (~six passengers) or €140.00 one way]. At Tour’s end a Sitnica van can shuttle participants from Dubrovnik back to Pula at a cost of €400.00 per van load. It is recommended that participants fly in and out of the same city, but for those wishing to depart from Dubrovnik, bike boxes can be transported for a fee (This would only be cost effective, were there a number of participants who wanted to have this service).
The tour fee includes 20 nights’ accommodation in hotels, based on two persons per room (single room supplement for the Tour will be €280.00); all breakfasts and dinners; storage for bike boxes; a luggage-carrying van with trailer (when needed for scheduled bike transport); an English speaking cycling guide; a van driver; basic technical assistance for bike repairs; operators insurance; daily maps, cue sheets and route narratives; and ferry fees.
The tour fee does not include lunches, tour/city guides on free days, bike rentals, arrival and departure transfers, health insurance and any other personal costs.
Registration/Participation Selection will begin on November 15th at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. A two dollar non-refundable registration fee is required at sign up, which must be done online at http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g. Applicants will be selected first, on the basis of date and time of receipt-of-registration; secondly, on fitness and health in relation to the requirements of the tour; and thirdly, on the availability of suitable roommates for single registrants (double room occupancy assumed). Once participants have been determined each will be pay the Tour Coordinator the first deposit [~30 % of the tour fee (~CAD $635.00)] within 72 hours. The next payment of 60% of the tour fee (CAD $2220.00), also payable to the Tour Coordinator, will be due April 25th, 2015. The last payment of 10% of tour fee (~ €220.00) will be paid directly to Sitnica on May 30th, 2015. Registrants cancelling for any reason will incur all costs made or committed on their behalves unless vacancies are filled.
Please note: Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society and the Tour Coordinator are merely assisting CCCTS members with registration, and facilitating tour arrangements. All financial commitments and responsibilities are between Tour registrants/ participants and the Tour Contractor (owner/operator of Sitnica Tourist Agency). Participants are strongly advised to obtain both trip cancellation/interruption insurance and out of country medical insurance.
Itinerary:
Day 1, May 30 – Arrival in Pula, assemble bikes, tour briefing and dinner;
Day 2, May 31 – Pula to Klostar – about 65 km;
Day 3, June 1- Klostar to Buje – about 55 km;
Day 4, June 2 – Buje – circular tour to the coast and back – about 50 km;
Day 5, June 3 – Buje to Motovun – about 55 km;
Day 6, June 4 – Free day in Motovun – take an excursion or enjoy the pool and a massage;
Day 7, June 5 – Motovun to Buzet – about 55 km;
Day 8, June 6 – Buzet to Lovran – about 65 km;
Day 9, June 7 – Lovran to Cres – about 51 km – leaving the Istrian Peninsula by ferry to ride on the 4th largest Croatian island;
Day 10, June 8 – Losinj to Cres about 56 km – transfer to the island of Losinj and cycle back to Cres following a ridge with astonishing views of the coast line;
Day 11, June 9 – Free day in Cres – historically interesting, and with beautiful beaches;
Day 12, June 10- Cres to Rab – about 60 km;
Day 13, June 11- Rab to Pag – about 60 km;
Day 14, June 12 – Pag to Zadar – about 65 km;
Day 15, June 13 – Zadar to Skradin – about 70 km;
Day 16, June 14 – Free day in Skradin;
Day 17, June 15 – Skradin to Split – about 80 km;
Day 18, June 16 – ferry to the island of Korcula
– Vela Luka to Korcula – about 45 km;
Day 19, June 17 – Ferry from Korcula to the Peijesac Peninsula
– cycle peninsula to Ston- about 60 km (last cycling day);
Day 20, June 18 – Ston to Dubrovnik by vehicular transport (about 55 km), followed by an unforgettable dinner;
Day 21, June 19 – Departure.