On arrival in Split, make your way to the harbour where the Romantica is moored. Check-in is between 2pm to 2.30pm and at 4.30pm you are invited to join a guided walking tour of the Split’s historic old town, half of which is actually the impressive former palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The Romantica remains at her mooring overnight and we therefore highly recommend returning to the old town for an evening stroll when all the cosy pubs are bars have come to life.

Whilst we are enjoying our first breakfast, the crew cast off and the Romantica cruises across the strait to Brač, the largest of the Dalmatian islands. We moor in the picturesque little port of Postira and disembark with our bikes for the first ride of the holiday. Today’s route traverses the western end of the island and concludes with an exhilarating and scenic descent to the pretty little harbour town of Milna. We re-board the Romantica and embark on an afternoon cruise across to the neighbouring island of Hvar. We disembark for the second ride of the day in Stari Grad. It's an easy and pleasant ride to the tiny port of Jelsa where there is a hard-to-resist ice-crram parlour in the main square. We return by a peaceful coastal path to Stari Grad and spend the night moored in this idyllic littler place.

After breakfast we disembark with the bikes for our second ride on Hvar. The scenery is fabulous as we follow a quiet road that winds its way inland and uphill. The views become ever more impressive and eventually we reach the summit where a small cafe/restaurant is a welcome sight. Wild lavender and rosemary grow in abundance up here and it’s not uncommon to see clouds of colourful butterflies flitting between the plants. Our uphill efforts are now rewarded with a long and scenic descent to the town of Hvar. If you can summon the energy we recommend investing in a short additional climb up to the Spanish Fortress that offers stunning views over the town. The 13th century town is stunning and be sure to take in the beautiful Renaissance square before pedalling along the bustling quayside to the Romantica. Once we’re all aboard the crew cast off and we embark on an afternoon cruise across to the island of Korčula where we moor for the night in the port of Vela Luka.

Korčula is widely considered to be the most beautiful island in the Dalmatian archipelago and today’s route traverses the length of this little paradise. Along the winding lanes we are treated to some amazing sea views and pedal through some charming little villages. Time and weather allowing, we may stop for a swim on the south shore. The route then leads up onto the spine of the island and after a while we say goodbye to the heavenly views over the south shore and descend to the stunning blue waters of the north shore near Kneza. We then follow a road along the undulating coastline to the fortified medieval town of Korčula. After relaxing on board following our ride we are invited to join a fascinating guided walking tour of the old town. The Romantica remains moored here for the night so there's plenty of time to explore the atmospheric winding streets at your leisure.

While we are enjoying breakfast the Romantica cruises south to the Island of Lastovo. One of the outermost islands, Lastovo has a remote and wild air about it and the inhabitants still make their living from fishing, agriculture and wine (the famous Maraština grape is cultivated here). Our ride from Uble to the town of Lastovo follows a winding road that leads us past vineyards and through shady forests. Lastovo Town is set on a hillside and the houses, many with ornate chimneys, create an amphitheater effect. The Romantica remains moored in Lastovo overnight.

A morning breakfast cruise, including a swim stop, delivers us to the port of Pomena on the island of Mljet. Covered in woodland the western end of the island is a protected national park where the blue waters of picturesque inlets meet the verdant green of the aromatic pine forests. It is rumoured that this is the island on which Odysseus was enchanted and held captive by the Nymph Calypso in Homer’s “Odyssey”. Our scenic ride leads us through this little paradise and along a route that provides a wonderful combination of sea and forest views. The Romantica remains moored in the tiny port of Pomena overnight.

Our final ride leads us along the length of the green and beautiful island of Mljet. At Sobra we re-board the Romantica for a final cruise to Dubrovnik.

In the afternoon we are invited to join a guided walking tour of the old town where we will learn more about this city’s eventful history. A final farewell dinner aboard the Romantica is always an enjoyable affair and afterwards you may be tempted to step ashore for a nightcap in one of the atmospheric bars in the old port to reflect on your cycling adventure in the Dalmatian islands.

After breakfast it is time to disembark and head for home or your next adventure.