TOUR AT A GLANCE – Croatia by Scooter
Duration: 5 nights/6 days
Departures: June 19 & Private departures, contact us for details!
Trip departs from: Split, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Day 2
Trip finishes: Split, 1 p.m. Thursday, Day 6
Price 2010: €1,800 per person in double occupancy. Single supplement €200.
Click on the Currency Converter to see the price in your local currency.
Explore some of Croatia’s most beautiful islands by scooter. Follow our guides along quiet country roads with dramatic views onto the glittering Mediterranean. We explore the islands of Brac and Hvar (frequently rated as one of the “Ten most beautiful islands in the world). After the ride, relax in charming, historic villages and enjoy the local cuisine and world-famous wines. Traveling by scooter allows us to discover the hidden landscapes of these gorgeous islands. Our hotels are specially chosen to be comfortable and reflect the beauty of their surroundings.
The Scooters – Traveling by scooter is fun and easy. We have a local scooter provider, who supplies us with modern 50 or 125cc scooters. They are not “Vespa” brand but are very similar, with an electric start and automatic transmission. The brakes are on the handlebars, like a bicycle. We provide you with helmets. The scooters are powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the Croatian countryside (*you need a motorcycle license for the 125cc in Croatia). It’s the best way to get off the beaten track without working up a sweat! Of course, couples can ride together on one scooter (and save €100 for one person).
NOTE: You must arrive at the start of the tour already a safe, competent rider. We are not a motorbike school.
Day 1 – Saturday: Independent arrival in Split, which is easily reached by air from most European hubs, or by ferry from Ancona (Italy). Check into our hotel, located in the historic city center (specific hotel depends on departure). Meet your guide at 7 p.m. tonight for a drink followed by dinner. Overnight Split. Dinner and hotel included.
Day 2 – Sunday: Meet your guide at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the hotel and transfer by taxi or foot to the harbor for the 11:00 ferry to Supetar on the island of Brac. We pick up our scooters there and have an orientation and safety talk. Once we feel comfortable on our scooters, we ride along the west coast of the island and stop for lunch at one of the villages along the way. We then cut across the top of the island and make our way to Bol and settle into our hotel. Relax or have a swim at the famous “Golden Horn” beach, shaped by the sea into a changing tear-drop shape. We dine tonight at a local restaurant. Overnight in Bol. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 3 – Monday: Enjoy a full day’s riding today as we explore the north and east side 
of the island. We visit the fascinating archaeological museum in Skrip, with remains from Neolithic, Classical, and modern times. We also have a visit of a local winery and can tour the limestone quarries that made the island famous as far back as Roman times. Enjoy an afternoon swim or just relax by the waterfront before dinner. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 4 – Tuesday: Today we transfer to the island of Hvar and see why the island is always on everyone’s “Most Beautiful Islands” list! We begin in the charming village of Jelsa and then ride through beautiful small roads through the “wine country” where Hvar produces some of its best wines. After lunch at a local kanoba (café), we ride over a spectacular ridge to elegant Hvar town, where we have time to explore the backstreets and port-side cafes before meeting up again for dinner. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 5 – Wednesday: This morning we head out to explore the southern coast of the island, pausing for a short walk to the deserted village of Malo Grabjle, lunch by the sea, and maybe a swim before heading back to Hvar town. We dine together at one of the city’s many seafood restaurants. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 6 – Thursday: An 11:00 ferry takes us back to Split and the end of the trip. We arrive around 1 p.m., so you have time to make further travel plans the same day. Or, you might want to extend your trip to include beautiful Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site just 3 hours south of Split. Let us know and we’ll set something up for you! Breakfast and ferry included.
IMPORTANT | QUALIFICATIONS
You must be over 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license and an INTERNATIONAL driver’s license to drive a scooter. Of course anyone can be a passenger. To drive a scooter, previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised. If you have not ridden or scooter or motorbike before then you should do so before you do this trip. Rent a scooter locally, and learn how to ride it before coming on the trip. U.K. residents can try Vroom by the Sea, a scooter rental in Brighton
WE ARE NOT HERE TO TEACH YOU HOW TO DRIVE A SCOOTER. YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE START OF THE TRIP ALREADY A COMPETENT RIDER. In the last three years we have been amazed by people who arrive to drive a scooter on public roads who have never ridden a scooter before and who are clearly uncoordinated, unathletic, and who will clearly never, ever be able to drive a scooter safely. Please do not be one of these people. It would be funny if they were not endangering themselves and the lives of others. Our scooters are easy to ride, but a good sense of balance and coordination is required. The scooters have a 125cc engine and an all-steel frame. They are lighter and easier to drive than a larger motorbike but they are also heavier than a moped and other smaller 50cc scooters (the scooter weighs 110 kg, or about 235 lbs).
You will be driving a motor vehicle on public roads. You are responsible for your safety but also for the safety of other motorists, bikers and pedestrians. You must be able to control the scooter and drive it competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk we reserve the right to take the scooter away from you. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on one of the scooters, then we will help to arrange an alternative mode of transport, either taxi, or rental car, but at your expense.
At the end of the day...
Finally, age may be a factor. We have found that most people who are over 50 and who have never ridden a scooter or motorbike have problems riding the scooter. If you have not used the “motorbike” part of your brain before the age of 50, then it may be too late to learn. We don’t know why this is, but such are the mysteries of Life, Zen, and the Art of Scooter maintenance. So if in doubt, please take the time to try a scooter at home. Find a big vacant parking lot, put on a helmet, read our accompanying document about motorcycle safety, and give it a whirl. If you are happy with your abilities and you feel safe, then you are ready to ride one of our scooters.
The bottom line is that we just want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday!
Scooterbella in the news: our tours have been featured in the travel section of The Guardian (UK), Jan 20th, 2007. Another article was published by The Observer on April 23rd, 2006. Our Tuscany by Vespa trip was also featured in a 3-page full-color article in the London Telegraph, and in London’s The Times.
Note: Everyone who drives one of our scooters needs to have an international driver’s license (or EU driver’s license). This is very easy to get! Please click here for more information.
General Information
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Trip cost includes: all accommodations (1 night Split, 2 nights each on Brac and Hvar island); 5 breakfasts and dinners; one 50cc or 125cc scooter (you need a motorcycle license to ride a 125cc scooter in Croatia); insurance and petrol/gas; bilingual guide; all van transfers and luggage transfers from pick-up in Split to drop-off in Split as per itinerary. (*Depending on availability of scooters at time of booking, couples may be obliged to share a scooter, thus receiving the discounted price.) Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page) Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
