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Bike and Boat Croatia’s Dalmatia Coast
It’s only our 19th anniversary, but after the past 18 months, we decided to celebrate early!
Dear Friends,
I hope you will join me on a two-week bike and boat tour in one of my favorite places: Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.
About 60 lucky travelers celebrated BikeTours.com’s 15th anniversary with a Croatia bike and boat tour that gave us a week of amazing experiences and a lifetime of memories.
This time, I’m chartering two yachts for two weeks, giving us time to explore and experience deeply the islands and coastline of South Dalmatia between Split and Dubrovnik. Highlights of the trip include the historic town centers of Split and Dubrovnik, which are listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Along the way, we cycle the islands of Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet, and Šipan. Most of the route is different from our amazing 15th-anniversary tour if you were lucky enough to be on it!
This tour has been specifically designed to focus as much on relaxation--swimming, cruising, paddling, walking on beaches--and on history and culture as on cycling. Distances are lower than usual--but most days will allow more avid cyclists to add miles and elevation. Electric-assist bicycles will be available. Even if you choose not to ride on a given day (or every day), you’ll have plenty to enjoy both aboard your yacht and on land.
Some dinners will be off the boat to allow us to engage more fully with the charm of the locations--and people--we’ll encounter and to experience a variety of cooking styles.
Our July 29-August 12, 2022, tour is already sold out, and we have added a new date: July 15-29, 2022. Book now to avoid missing out! And save nearly $600 per person!
If you book by December 31, 2021, the tour price per person, double occupancy, is €3,369 plus your choice of rental bikes. For two weeks! Almost everything (but airfare, of course) included. After December 31, if there’s still space, the price increases to €3,869.
Tailwinds always--and with deepest appreciation,
Jim Johnson, Founder and president
BikeTours.com
Watch our video about coastal bike and boat tours and from my earlier bicycle tours in Croatia.
Highlights
- Cycling among walled fields, numerous olive groves and fig trees, with the scent of lavender and rosemary wafting around you
- The World Heritage town of Split, with its famous palace of Roman emperor Diocletian
- The island of Brač, known for its white marble used in the White House
- Cycling on one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, Hvar
- Optional 2-hour rafting tour through the Cetina River Canyon
- The beekeeper, Goran, with his knowledge and his honey museum
- Wine-, olive- and chocolate-tastings
- Swim stops–in open sea and along island and coastal beaches
- Town centers of Split and Dubrovnik
- Guided tours of Split, Korčula, and Dubrovnik
- Day at leisure in Dubrovnik
- Cycling on the islands of Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Lastovo, and Šipan
- In-town dining on several nights
Learn More
Learn more about guided trips.
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Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Individual arrival in Split
Check-in on board starts between 2 and 2:30 p.m. at Split harbor. At about 4:30 p.m., we meet our city guide for a guided walking tour that offers us the chance to see inside the former Palace of Emperor Diocletian and to learn about Split’s transformation into the city it has become. The boat will spend the night in Split offering you an opportunity to experience Split’s nightlife. Dinner on board.
Overnight in SplitDay 2: Breakfast cruise to Šolta and bike tour (13 mi, 990 feet elevation)
After crossing to the island of Šolta, we commence our first cycle tour. Walled fields, numerous olive groves, locust beans and fig trees line the roads. The herb smells of lavender and rosemary accompany us along our tour through this island. We visit with beekeeper Goran, his combination of passion, humor and knowledge a highlight for many guests. Back to the boat and swimming at anchor.Lunch cruise to Stari Grad, the second-largest settlement on the Island of Hvar and well known for its important harbor.
Overnight in Stari Grad.Day 3: Breakfast and bike tour to Hvar (13 mi, 1,400 feet elevation)
After breakfast, we set off on a bike tour from Stari Grad to the capital city of Hvar. We will have plenty of time to visit the magnificent Renaissance Square of Hvar town and enjoy the view up to the Spanish Fortress situated high above the city.Lunch cruise to the island of Vis, swim stop at anchor and a peaceful evening on Vis.
Overnight stay on Vis.Day 4: Breakfast and cycling tour on Vis (21 mi, 1,900 feet elevation)
Vis is the farthest island from mainland Croatia. A Greek colony called Issa was on the island 2,300 years ago. Due to its strategic location, it was a military zone until 1995 and prohibited for foreign tourists to visit. Today we have the opportunity to explore the lovely island by bicycle.Lunch cruise to Lastovo and overnight stay in a quiet bay.
Overnight in Lastovo.Day 5: Breakfast and bike tour on Lastovo (18 mi, 990 feet elevation)
Lastovo is one of the smaller inhabited islands in the Adriatic Sea. Emperor Augustus appreciated the mild climate, and in Roman times the island was even named "Augusta Insula" after him. The population of just over 800 still lives mainly from fishing, agriculture, and viticulture. Today’s cycle tour takes us around the beautiful island.Lunch cruise to the sheltered bay of Vela Luka on the Island of Korčula, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in Dalmatia. Dinner on board.
Overnight in Vela Luka.Day 6: Breakfast and bike tour to Korčula city (38 mi, 2,900 feet elevation)
A mild Mediterranean climate and a broad variety of different landscapes accompany us on the tour today. Take your time, and remember to take a break to enjoy the view over the deep blue sea and neighboring islands.Today we discover the island of Korčula by bicycle and enjoy our lunch break in one of the local restaurants. The calmness and remoteness of the vast vegetation and cypress gardens have given the shape to probably the most beautiful Dalmatian island. Our cycle tour leads us via the village of Blato, built like Rome on seven hills, along a pass road across Pupnat Bay and finally to Korčula town, where we have time to take a walk through the wonderful old town with its narrow fishbone-like alleys.
Walking tour of old town Korčula.
Overnight in Korčula town.Day 7: Breakfast cruise to Prapratno and bike tour to Slano (17 mi, 1,400 feet elevation)
We cruise to Prapratno, a small south-facing bay on the Peljesac peninsula with a sandy beach surrounded by olive and pine trees that is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole Adriatic. From there, we ride to Slano, on the mainland, passing by the town of Ston, whose three-mile defensive stone walls are the second largest in the world after the Great Wall of China.We enjoy a lunch cruise from Slano to Dubrovnik, with a swim stop possible along the way.
We dock at Gruž, the town port of Dubrovnik. It’s a short and easy bus or taxi ride from our pier to the Dubrovnik Old City, with its famous fortifications and encircled with massive 16th-Century stone walls. In late afternoon, we take a guided tour through Dubrovnik, where we hear some interesting details of the town's history and visit the most impressive sites.
Dinner on own in Dubrovnik. The boat will spend the night in Gruž offering us an opportunity to experience Dubrovnik’s nightlife and returning to the boat at our leisure.
Overnight in Dubrovnik/Gruž.Day 8: Day at leisure in Dubrovnik
Free time to explore the sights of the Old Town. Other sightseeing and recreational options will be available.Folkloric dinner with wine tasting and music in a rustic vineyard
Overnight in Dubrovnik/Gruž.Day 9: Breakfast cruise to the island Šipan. Bike tour on the island (7 mi, 750 feet elevation)
A short crossing in the morning takes us to the island of Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. Accompanied by our tour guide, we take a pleasant cycle trip past villas with exotic gardens and through a fertile valley framed by a range of limestone hills.
Overnight in Šipan.Day 10: Breakfast cruise to Prapratno. Bike tour Prapratno – Trstenik (20 mi, 1,200 feet elevation)
We cruise along the coast of the island of Mljet, the green and forested island known as the honey island. With 70% of its landmass covered by woodland, it is the most forested island in the Mediterranean region.Homer mentioned this lovely island in his epic poem Odyssey. He made it a home for the nymph, Calypso, and the legendary Greek king, Odysseus, who could not resist Calypso and stayed on Mljet for seven years.
We cross to the tiny village of Trstenik on the Pelješac peninsula. Most of its population of 116 is engaged in winemaking, and we’ll have the chance to experience why its wines are revered worldwide.
Overnight in Trstenik.Day 11: Breakfast cruise to Sućuraj on the island Hvar. Bike tour to Jelsa (34 mi, 1,920 feet elevation)
We cruise between the peninsula and Korčula before heading to, Sućuraj, the eastern-most point on Hvar Island. The small town is surrounded by thick forests and warrants a stroll along its intimate streets, squares and parks. We’ll have a wonderful tasting of chocolates flavored with local herbs and flowers.
Overnight in Jelsa.Day 12: Bike tour Jelsa – Stari Grad – Jelsa (16 mi, 1,320 feet elevation)
We start the day with a loop ride along the northern coast of the island to Stari Grad and back to Jelsa (or enjoy one of the many beaches), where our boats await. Lunch cruise to Bol on the island of Brač, where we can enjoy a 3-mile walk along the shore to enjoy Croatia's most famous beach, Zlatni Rat, known as the Golden Horn. The hornlike shape of the quarter-mile beach changes shape depending on water and wind conditions.
Overnight in Bol.Day 13: Bike tour from Bol to Postira (23 mi, 1,940 feet elevation)
We make our way from Bol on the southern side of Brač to Postira on the northern side, crossing over a ridge that will offer both a challenge and amazing views. Before we arrive at the boat in Postira, we can stop at the beach to cool off (there’s also a beach bar for internal cooling). The region is known for its olive oils, jams and liqueurs, which we’ll have a chance to sample and learn about.
Overnight in Postira.Day 14: Breakfast cruise to Omiš, on the mainland. Bike tour around the Cetina canyon (26 mi, 1,740 feet elevation)
We have a choice this morning: a bicycle tour around the breathtaking Cetina canyon, or swap bike shorts for bathing suits and life jackets, and enjoy whitewater rafting--perhaps better described as turquoise-water rafting!After our choice of adventure, we board our boats for our final lunch cruise--setting anchor and swimming before continuing to where we started, the wonder-filled city of Split.
We will enjoy a farewell dinner in a historic restaurant, and, based on past experiences with BikeTours.com groups, ending the evening on board with folk singing and storytelling. And tears and hugs
Day 15: Individual departure
Our journey ends with breakfast.Our guides can arrange taxi service from the port to the airport--about a half-hour away and $60 for up to four passengers.
*All distances listed are approximate
Surface and terrain
The routes go to heights of 670-1640 feet (200-500 m) above sea-level. The mileage ranges from 15-31 miles (25-50 km), and does go through hilly and mountainous terrain. They will be completed without any time-constraints, but you should be used to cycling distances up to 35 miles a day through hilly terrain. The rides cycle primarly on asphalted roads, most with low traffic.
You can decide most days, whether to cycle on your own using the route maps and descriptions, or to cycle with the guide and group. You are also free on any day to stay on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle-tour.
Boats
Romantica (Premium)
July 15, 29, 2022
Full boat details and photos >San Snova (Premium)
July 15, 2022
Full boat details and photos >Harmonia (Deluxe)
July 29, 2022
Full boat details and photos >How to get there
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Split, CroatiaThe tour starts and ends in Split. Check-in is on board the boat in Split harbor from 2-2:30pm on Day 1 of the itinerary. The boat will depart the harbor at 3:00pm. (Please check your pre-tour documents for any updates.)
The Split Airport (SPU) is about 20 miles (3-35 minutes) from the city. A taxi or Uber from Split Airport to the ship in the harbor is approximately 50 euros for up to 4 people. You can also take an airport bus. which arrives just across from the piers where we’ll be docked. Other options and information here.
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Dates
July 15, 29, 2022
Prices
Tour package
Per person, double occupancy € 3869 Single cabin surcharge (1 person/1 cabin) € 1650 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed € 180 Electrically assisted bike (limited to 14 per boat) € 400 Discounts
Per person discount for triple/quad occupancy (5 total cabins available) 20% Included services
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for this tour.
The current package price applies to people who book by December 1, 2021. After December 1, 2021, the per person price adjusts to €3,869.
- Two-week cruise with private cabin and en suite bathrooms
- Breakfasts (14), lunches (13) and dinners (13) including scheduled in-town dinners
- Experienced ride-along guides
- Wine tasting with snacks in Peljesac
- Visit to beekeeper on Šolta
- Chocolate tasting in Hvar
- Olive oil tasting on Brač
- Rafting trip
- Guided tours in Korcula, Split and Dubrovnik
- Entrance in the National Park Mljet and Lastovo
- Board manager
- Crew
- Bed-linen, towels (changed twice plus more often on request)
- Cabin cleaning service
- Diesel for 28 hours sailing per week
Excludes
- Drinks on board to be paid in cash to the captain
- Tips
- Harbor taxes
Bike rentals
Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
- 21-speed hybrid touring bike
- Electrically assisted bike (limited to 14 per boat)*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:
- Ortlieb pannier
Additional specifications on the Hybrid touring bikes:
- 21-gear derailleur, Alivio
- Shimano V-brakes
- Comfortable Selle Royal saddles
Please note that the bikes are deliberately not equipped with water bottle holders. There is room in the saddle bag to carry a bottle of water, along with everything else you need for the daily rides.
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals. The guide on board the boat can assist you in attaching them to your rental bike.Helmets:
It is required to wear helmets on this tour. In order to guarantee optimum protection, we request that you bring your own helmet and - for your own safety - wear it on all bike tours. A limited number of helmets are available on board to rent, at the time of booking, though it is highly recommended to bring your own helmet.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Ellen Meyer 3 weeks ago
Great trip
We all had a great time despite most of us getting mild cases of COVID. Our local tour guides were excellent and always happy to help us with whatever we needed. Of course Croatia's Dalmatia Coast is absolutely beautiful. The additional outings (wine, chocolate, olive oil tastings) were all very well planned and enjoyable.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0 before this one
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Peter Keithly 1 month ago
Well Organized Bicycle Tour of Dalmatia Coast
Very well organized and comprehensive adventure. Probably best for those who want to use E-Bikes. Guides were energetic and fun to be around. Waiter was wonderful and very entertaining. Food was well prepared and plentiful. Our room was comfortable and kept cool for sleeping with A/C. Top deck could have been a bit more user friendly as there was no shade provided.
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★★★★★ Elizabeth Kaplan 3 months ago
Nice but rushed and HOT!
The boat was good, the meals were great, the guides were helpful and entertaining. The itinerary was probably a bit too busy. The differences in the islands was not substantial so if we had visited fewer and were not cruising during breakfast, it might have made more sense to get earlier starts to avoid the high temperatures. As an alternative, providing more detailed maps for those who would have liked to bike out on their own would have been nice. The e-bikes were essential for many of us and they worked beautifully. The extent or length of the climbs was a bit surprising. Gorgeous country.
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★★★★★ Bob Weinschenk 4 months ago
Amazing trip meeting great friends
Great opportunity to see a lot of Croatia and experience some local wineries and businesses
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Cynthia Dees 4 months ago
swim and bike tour
They shortened the bike rides due to heat I imagine and spent too much time swimming. I would have preferred for them to give us choices...who would like to go on planned mileage...who wants it shortened?
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Anthony Haney 4 months ago
Exceeded All Expectations
This bike-boat tour was exceptional in ALL aspects. The Romantica was well crewed...the chef prepared outstanding and delicious meals...our tour guides, Senad and Luka, were extremely knowledgeable, engaging, humorous, and all -around good guys who wanted us to have an unbelievable experience, which we did. For non-regular bike riders, the e-bikes were a Godsend. We had so many enrichment activities...bee keeper, wine tasting, chocolate tasting, tour of boat engine room, Croatian language and history lessons, kayaking, river rafting, organic farm lunch, special group Peka dinner, after ride swimming in the Adriatic...that were artfully and skillfully woven into the tapestry of our journey. Well done. We will definitely do this again! Thank you Jim of Biketours for making this happen.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- First time
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Joseph Avveduti 4 months ago
Great first biking cruise
Our guides were excellent, gave informative briefing before each bike trip, insured our tour safety on the bikes and roads. The bikes were ready and maintained. Croatia is beautiful and the people are friendly.
Harmonia was very comfortable and her crew was excellent.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July-August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Catherine Stallworth 4 months ago
Fantastic Trip
This was one of the best vacations we have ever taken! It was fantastic! The combination of biking and boating was great! Croatia is a beautiful country, especially the Dalmatia Coast. I highly recommend this trip.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Barry humes 4 months ago
Wonderful Trip
This boat trip was very good. We rode bikes, played in the Adriatic Sea, went to wineries, ate incredible chocolate, kayaked around Dubrovnik walled city, rafted down the gorgeous Centina River and ate incredible food. It was almost a perfect trip. I had one large misgiving. There were two boats on the trip. On one boat they had a couple of people get COVID. This information was not passed on to our boat. We interacted with that boat and were on the boat one night. Just yesterday one of our group came down with COVID. Protocol was followed except information was not passed along to us passengers. Giving passengers free choice as to what to do by being transparent was not followed.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Bob Weinschenk 4 months ago
Amazing trip meeting great friends
Great opportunity to see a lot of Croatia and experience some local wineries and businesses
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Tracie Sanchez 4 months ago
An island hopping bike & culture adventure
We loved biking a different island everyday with expert guides who shared culture and provided authentic experiences and allowed village cafe time. Coming home everyday to your nice cabin on the boat was ideal and swimming was refreshing. Loved having the saloon available all day for refreshments and enjoyed the meals but it's quite a lot of food and more than we typically intake even when biking every day. 2 weeks really allows immersion which we thrive on. Zivjeli!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- Loads
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Diane Nothnagel 4 months ago
Best BIKE Trip of My Life
We loved this trip. It was wonderful to be on the boat . The guides were the best-Luka and Mario are a perfect team. Lots of interesting things to do beyond biking Loved going to a different island each day. I would urge almost all future participants to rent the ebike. Croatia is extremely hilly and the ebikes made all the difference in the world. You’ll enjoy the trip more with one. Loved the rafting , kayaking , tastings and being able to swim off the boat. Don’t bother bringing snorkel or goggles. So glad it was a two week trip-it went too quickly! Thanks to all the people who worked so hard to make this happen!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 20
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Harry Williamson 4 months ago
Well done
I thought that the tour was very well organized. The guides (Ivan and Jelena) were excellent. Ivan's command of English and tour guide experience were especially valuable. Jelena's upbeat personality and cycling experience added even more joy to the tour. Island hopping did a great job of organizing each day's rides and events and the San Snova's crew was excellent, especially Andro (Saloon manager and bartender). The Capt. and crew were very efficient and friendly.
Frankly, 2 weeks was a bit too much for me to do basically the same thing each day, I would have preferred a 1 week tour with less time spent in Split and Dubrovnik (crowded tourist towns). I do realize that most of the people on the tour were fine with the itinerary. I think that the tour information guide should more accurately describe the rigor of the tour. By the time we were barely getting started, virtually everyone (except 2 incredibly strong riders) had requested or later opted for Ebikes during the tour.
Otherwise a good tour. Also helpful that Jim Johnson was there to add his experience and fellowship.- What was the date of your tour?
- July 15- 29
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Kathy Flynn 4 months ago
Such a beautiful country
This was such a fun trip for all our friends that joined on this adventure .
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Penny Knight 4 months ago
Awesome trip
Croatia was beautiful…the terrain is very mountainous, so we were happy we had ebikes! We enjoyed the biking being only a portion of most days and having time to swim daily in the beautiful Adriatic Sea!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Kathy Flynn 4 months ago
Such a beautiful country
This was such a fun trip for all our friends that joined on this adventure .
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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