Island hopping through Croatia’s archipelago of Adriatic islands has long been considered a sublime scenic getaway. Now you have the chance to join Garden Route Events from the 10 to 18 April 2016 and experience a cruise through the channels and straights separating the islands in a luxury liner, plus a mountain bike stage race across the picturesque islands of Krk, Rab, Cres and Lošinj.
Many of the 4 Islands MTB Stage Race trails are ancient footpaths. Photo by: Dunja Dopsaj.
It’s a mix of sightseeing, relaxing and riding you won’t experience anywhere else in the world.
The sea side towns and villages provide scenic and challenging riding. Photo by: Dunja Dopsaj.
The nine day, eight night package includes the first and last night of the trip in the capital city Zagreb; where 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture and the medieval complex around Ban Jelačić Square with its churches, palaces, museums and galleries are sure to keep you enthralled. After a night in Zagreb you’ll transfer to the south-west, to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The limestone canyon into which the 16 terraced Plitvice Lakes, joined by a series of waterfalls, extend is perfect for hiking, birding and shaking off the cobwebs of the flights to Croatia. From the Plitvice Lakes you transfer to the boat which will be your base for the 4 Islands MTB Stage Race.
Racing is as competitive as you’d like to make it in the 4 Islands MTB Stage Race. Photo by Vedran Metelko.
1. The racing starts straight off a ferry onto the islands. Photo by Vedran Metelko.
Days 4, 5, 6 and 7 are dedicated to mountain biking. The 4 Island MTB Stage Race takes in a total of 245 kilometres of riding with 5 100 meters of climbing. It crosses rugged coastal terrain along technical singletracks and flowing cliff top footpaths; and bisects villages dating back centuries before climbing the spines of the islands and descending back to the Adriatic. In pure riding terms it’s unlike anything you’ll experience in South Africa. It’s the experience of a lifetime.
The trails are technical but rideable for frequent South African race entrants. Photo by Vedran Metelko.
After the conclusion of Stage 4 there’s a spectacular finishers’ party before you say farewell to the other 4 Islands MTB Stage Race riders and head back to Zagreb for a day of unwinding and sight-seeing before flying home.
The Plitvice Lake National Park is one of the jewels in Croatia’s tourist crown. Photo from www.worldfortravel.com
To join the 4 Islands MTB Stage Race adventure visit www.gardenrouteevents.co.za or click here.
Garden Route Events Present Croatia Bike
Dates: 10 to 18 April 2016.
Venues: Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krk, Rab, Cres and Lošinj.
Event Website: www.gardenrouteevents.co.za
Race Format: Teams of 2.
Stage 1: 13 April | Krk | 67.73km with 1 580m of climbing.
Stage 2: 14 April | Rab | 60.87km with 1 030m of climbing.
Stage 3: 15 April | Cres | 66.63km with 1 552m of climbing.
Stage 4: 16 April | Lošinj | 49.35km with 975m of climbing.
Itinerary: Click here.
Package 1: R 42 500 (2 people sharing with 8 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels.) Note: Subject to currency fluctuations.
Package 2: R 47 470 (2 people sharing with 3 nights in 3 or 4 star hotels and 5 nights on a luxury boat). Note: Subject to currency fluctuations.
Including: All breakfasts, 5 dinners, all transfers, entry into the Plitvice Lakes National Park, entry into the 4 Islands MTB Stage Race and a guide.
Excluding: Flights and visas.
Requirements: Click here for more information on visa and travel requirements.
Book Online: Click here.
It will be from about the 28th July - 20 Aug
Damn this is SO my kind of thing! Islands and bikes!
Can life get better than that?
AND it is over my birthday!