From what I can remember there were plenty campsites when I visited 20 or so years ago. And now there are more, for example I searched on the net for campsites near Dubrovnik and the airport and found around 4-5 easily. Cycling from the airport to Dubrovnik we saw many more. The same was true leaving Dubrovnik I knew of a few either from our map we had or from internet search, but we soon spotted more.

The campsites range from big Autocamps where the toilet block is pretty much the same as what you will get in a 4-5 star hotels. With restaurants, game zones, babysitters and probably computers to use so that you can check your emails. They are pretty much like a theme park and centre parks all mixed together, though could be a great place to bring you kids since there will be plenty for them to do. To little idyllic sites, which are run by a family who either lives nearby or in the building that has become reception come shower block.

What we looked for and found pretty much everywhere was sites which has been rated by others to be two and three stars. e.g. with a shower/toilet block with only a couple cubicles and running (hot) water but above all very clean. And clean they were on all the sites we visited, nearly that sparkling that you didn’t dare to use them.

And did I say a friendly face welcoming us.

You will see the signs all over, at least on the Adriatic coast, in Croatia saying just the simple thing, Kamp or Autocamp. You don’t know till you arrive at the camp site what amount of stars they have or how big they or even the name of the site.

We traveled in Croatia at the end of high season, early Sept, so we didn’t have to book ahead. If you are camping in Croatia in the high season even with that many campsites on offer it is very advisable to book ahead. Because of the low season the roads wasn’t that busy but there was still a few caravans about. And since we tend to eat early we didn’t have to wait or hunt for a table with a view.

Just don’t forget to bring your Exped downmat and your knock-o’meter (hammer) though a big rock would do. Since the ground in Croatia is rocky and doing the summer dry and rock hard.

All the campsites we visited in Croatia spoke English some French and Spanish and most did speak German.

Weather in Croatia in one word, brilliant. I have only visited in July and September, where July is very hot (30c +, and sometimes even more) and September was still warm and can still be very hot. If you should get rain be prepared that the will rain heavily. I have experienced heavy thunder storms lasting for more than 4 hours. But if you should get wet the good news is that you will dry in no time becasue of the heat.

Related posts:

1. Campsite review of Camp Galeb, 21310 Omis, Split, Croatia Description: (From their site) Impressive poplars, birches, limes and...
2. Campsite review of Camp Viter, Miosica 1, 21334 Zaostrog, Croatia Description: (From their site) With long tradition in tourism...
3. Campsite review of Kamp Rogac, 20232 Slano, Grgurici, Dubrovnik, Croatia Description: (From their site) The camping site is situated...

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I’m writing this up mainly to tell you about my experience because I have read many other people’s write ups about Croatia. And all have said the same about cycling past Split, i.e. what a horror that it is! The reason I say it’s a horror, is that there’s not really an alternative and the area around Split is very busy, because Spilt is a big city by Croatian standards.

I have divided it up in 3 areas, a bit about the route we took around Split, a bit about cycling in Croatia and a bit about what to expect from the roads (with a little caution).
.

The route we took cycling past and “around” Split.

Now this is what we did when we cycled north and past Split, but bear in mind that we by luck arrived on a Sunday. So I do not know how this “short cut” would be traffic wise on a weekday, but I’m sure that the “ring road” wouldn’t be a place I would have enjoyed to cycle.

The maps I could find of the Split area was either not detailed enough or just of the old town. So no clear route around Split and since Split and surounding area is nearly 200.000 inhabitants you will get lots of traffic. And the coastal road also becomes a ring road, come motorway past past Split, not a road you want to endure on a fully loaded touring bicycle.

We arrived in Omis and headed inland up and over the mountains a bit of a hill compared to the rolling Coastal road. But it took us off the road which for sure would become busier the closer you get to Split. This will also take you down a lovely long downhill, bypassing Split to the east.

This took us into and past Zronovica, Kučine and Mravince and down onto the ring road again, north of Split. But we had cut out lots of the coastal-road-come-ring-road and motorway. We then had to join the busy and not so nice road but only for a short while and again it was Sunday so not so busy. A mile later and past a 100km/h sign, gulp, but again we were given plenty of room so not so bad. We found a turning to Kaśtel Sućurac which lead us onto the old road and away from the ring/coastal road. Though right through an industrial area with clear signs of heavy traffic on a weekday. This road takes you past the many Kaśtels dotted on the coast between Split and Trogir. Since Trogir is a pretty town, the route there will have traffic, shops, etc, but is still better than the alternative.

I would say if you are touring on the Adriatic coastal road in Croatia and want to explore the sights in Split, you should stop outside and take public transport into Split, which looked like it covered the Split region very well and can’t be that expensive even for a tourer on a budget.

Coming from north to south :

Stop in Trogir and make sure that you spend some time here! It’s a town not to be missed. There are quite a few campsites nearby, either on the mainland or the island of Čiovo. And, from Trogir, you can either take the bus direct into Split which should take around 45min – 1 hour, or you can take a ferry.

Coming from south to north :

Stop in Omis, there are a few campsites nearby on the coast either to the north or south of town. Again there is a bus going into Split, I expect it would take around an hour too.

Honestly, and this is my personal opinion, I would say you can miss Split out. It’s too full of tourists and does lack the charm and atmosphere that Trogir and Dubrovnik have lots of. So, if you can bypass Split as much you can either by island hopping past it or taking the bus service which runs all over Croatia.

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Cycling in cities and towns in Croatia

Generally, I was very surprised that we got so much space when other road users passed us. We quite often got a friendly toot letting us know that they were coming past. Yes, the Adriatic coastal road is busy with coaches and lorries at rush hours and in and around towns, for example when we passed Makarska at lunch time. But that is normal anywhere in the world. Even with the busy bits on this road, it’s well worth cycle touring there because of the amazing views you get, simply stunning.

I did not find cycling in Croatia any different than elsewhere I have cycled. If you are used to cycling in a town or city, then Croatia is not really any different.

I didn’t see many other locals cycling other than a few roadies. Though I quite often saw a cheap mountain bike standing in someone’s garden. Most old towns, like Dubrovnik, Omis and Trogir, have cobblestones all over and very narrow streets and full of cafes, bars and restaurants and locals and tourist on foot, so cycling there will be impossible. But outside the old part of these towns it is just like everywhere else.

I found that Croatia is not really used to people cycling, when you ask for direction you get “you drive …” and when you point out to them that you are on a bicycle and can’t take the motorway they still continue with “well you drive …”. That aside, Croatia is definitely a place I will come back to for more cycle touring, and would also highly recommend others to visit Croatia on your bicycle. It can only become better, but do visit it sooner rather than later.

None of the towns we were in didn’t have a cycle infrastructure as in cycle lanes etc. Though I talked to one of the staff at the Hotel Trogirski Dvori Trogir who told me that in Zagreb, cycle lanes are being built.

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How the roads are, and a little warning

The Adriatic coastal road is nice and wide and the surface are of a very good quality. I can only speak for the Coastal road since we cycle from Dubrovnik to Trogir just north of Split. We did dip inland and onto one of the islands for a short period, but that was all within the Greater Split area. So I can’t really comment on the road quality elsewhere.

Yes, the coastal road is busy because it is the main road north to south and visa versa. Though the motorway (E65) which is being built from Zragreb to Dubrovnick via Split will take a good proportion of the through traffic of the Adriatic coastal road.

A clear sign of that was just north of Ploce, which is served by the motorway from the north on its way south. Shortly after the motorway turn off, the traffic quietened down and again near Omis. I do not know when the motorway will reach Dubrovnik but when it does I’m sure that the Adriatic road will be much more pleasant to do your Croatian cycle touring on.

This will make touring in Croatia so much more enjoyable. The Croats are not used to see cycle tourists and we got stared at quite often, but also a lifted hat or a friendly toot wishing us a good journey. I didn’t see a bicycle shop other than the one I hunted down on the net in Split. But what I saw was there was plenty of places that rented bicycles, or rather what looked like cheap MTBs. The advertising for cycling I have seen on and off line is mainly for mountain biking, though I did see a few roadies. A few clearly locals out for a spin but most of them were “credit card” tourers or on a cycling holiday package tour.

OK, now to the cautionary part, but this should not stop you from touring in Croatia at all. Just remember Croatia has its own high way code which is different, just like any other country. But it didn’t seem that different to the one in the UK.

But the only thing that threw me a few times is that when you are coming up to a T-junction on what seams to be the major road passing what clearly looks like a minor road. That is not always the case sometimes the side road is the main road and have the right of way crossing the major road.

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Related posts:

1. Campsite review of Kamp Rozac, Camp Rozac, Okrug Gornji, 21220 Trogir, Split, Croatia Description: (From their site) The camp “Rožac” is situated...
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The hotel took us and our bicycles the 5min drive to the airport. Quick check in and a stamp in our passports. Where we discovered that we got stamped on the way in without us knowing it! Sneaky immigration officials ;)

We found a place to sit in the airport and shortly after heard on the tannoy that Easyjet would let us know at 11 o’clock when our delayed flight would be arriving, that was at ten to ten. Oh dear.

Then at around 10:45 we were told our flight would depart at 13:05 and Easyjet had put on a refreshments spread for us. Only ham sandwich and drinks, not good when you are veggie but still not good since the ham was just a slice of cheap ham in some sweet bread, no butter or salad. While nearly everyone was in the queue we were told that the delayed flight would not have much food on board so we should get our food in the airport if we wanted anything on the flight. They don’t call it a no-frills airline for nothing!

We got onto the plane pretty much on time and while the girls were doing their best to welcome us onboard, we were told that given the delay, Easyjet had missed our traffic control slot out of Split and that there was a good chance that we would be stuck on the plane for another 40min.

But, that said, it was pretty good going. We were bumped forward and left about ten minutes later. On all the flights I have taken with Easyjet it is only the 2nd time there has been a major delay like this. But when they stuff it up oh boy, do they do it well.

So the planned ride home from Gatwick is now out of the picture.

But anyhow, the trip to Croatia was well worth it and a holiday I will remember for a long time. It is a country well worth visiting even a second time around. If you do go do NOT miss Trogir.

Click here to read : Croatia day 1 : stress, what is that ?
Click here to read : Croatia day 2 : a marble-ous day
Click here to read : Croatia day 3 : border hopping
Click here to read : Croatia day 4 : a bit drafty
Click here to read : Croatia day 5 : Sunday day of rest
Click here to read : Croatia day 6 : a day of dead ends
Click here to read : Croatia day 7 : Thor rides again
Click here to read : Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet

Click here to see all the photos.

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We tried to sleep and ignore the storm since our black octane 3 tent kept us nice and dry. Though shortly after the wind started and we heard the trickling sound of a river. Looking out into our “west wing” we saw that our Ortlieb bags did their best not to float away. And we also noticed that one of the pegs had come lose.

While complicating what to do we could hear some of the campers next to us re-pegging their tents. So of I went since I had other busting matters to attend too. There were simply no point in trying to keep dry as it was that bad. So pegs and a knock-o’meter in hand I braved the worst of it well it had calmed down a bit by then. To find a few other pegs ready to go, to I pegged all the guy-lines I could and made sure that the fly sheet was nice and taught. Good news is that rain make the hard Croatian soil nice and soft so re-pegging was easy. And then made my way to the toilet block where two other tents was spread out on the floor along with all their gubbins spread about in the dish washing area, with some worst to wear, read soaked, occupant trying to keep their dry bits away from their wet bits. We climbed back into bed and tried to sleep but the rain was very hard and the wind did try to see if our tent could fly.

By 7 we had enough and there was no point in trying to avoid what for sure will happen, us getting soaked to the bone. We mastered a plan pack as much into the bags as possible and make it the toilet block and re-pack there since there was more room and less change of getting wet while moving around the tent and it’s west wing which was still a 1-2″ deep river. Peli did the first bit of running up and down with our gubbings while as sat and packed our sleeping bags and mats on what felt like a water bed. And then I packed up the now muddy and very wet tent, I’m sure it had gained 2-3kg over night.

This is the aftermath of the Great Flood of 2009, the tent still standing, and you can see the “river” running under and around it.

We had our breakfast while standing in the toilet block and shortly made our way to Split. Can you guess what time we left the campsite ?

Since our hotel was en route to Split our plan was to drop of our bags there, but ended up checking in since our room was ready. And double checked that they were ok for picking us up at the bicycle shop in Split. I had a pretty idea how the layout is but no idea on how to do it bicycle so we just followed my nose which took us of the main ring road, come motor way, around Split but right into the industrial area of Split. The road wasn’t too bad and again we were given plenty of space but it is not something I want to do again in a hurry. My general sense of direction was only half a mile of and we found the harbour front and its tourist very easy.

We decided to have a second breakfast when we saw a bakery and somehow a Danish, fruit cake and extremely yummy chocolate cake had fallen into our hands, hey we are cycling tourer’ist after all.

We had a little wander around in Split, yes it have it’s history and looks nice but lack some atmosphere and warmth as both Dubrovnik and Trogir has in bundles.

 

It is said that if you “tickle” this mans foot you will be coming back to Split again, low and behold I did some 20 years later.

We popped our head into the tourist information to get the directions to the bicycle shop and made our way. At the shop we packed our bikes into boxes which I had email ahead for, simply great service at Ciklo Planet. After a little wait our ride arrived to take us back to the hotel, boy are we horrible organized on our last day in Croatia.

Even squeezed in time to dry our very tent, another pad on Blacks shoulder for designing a tent that is easy to put up and water proof in the heaviest storms.

Now time to kick back with a doughnut before dinner time, yes I know only an hour away, but these doughnuts are yummy.

Click here to read : Croatia day 1 : stress, what is that ?
Click here to read : Croatia day 2 : a marble-ous day
Click here to read : Croatia day 3 : border hopping
Click here to read : Croatia day 4 : a bit drafty
Click here to read : Croatia day 5 : Sunday day of rest
Click here to read : Croatia day 6 : a day of dead ends
Click here to read : Croatia day 7 : Thor rides again
Click here to read : Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet

Click here to see all the photos.

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Description: (From their site) The camp “Rožac” is situated on the island of Ĉiovo which is connected with Trogir by a bridge. It is 2 km far away from Trogir and 26 km away from Split. The whole area of the camp is surrounded by a beautiful beach (cca 500 m) and the camp itself is hidden by a thich pine woods. The camp offers many facilities for your active and pleasant vacation; diving school with the possibility of researching the Adriatic sea bed in many localities, recreative, funny and cultural trips (by bus or boat) to different destinations (Fish picnic, Rafting, Dubrovnik, Split, Krka Waterfalls).

Site visited: 13th,14th and the 15h of September 2009.

As seen on the blog: Croatia day 5 : Sunday a day of rest ?

Camp Rozac is located on the island Ĉiovo for which you have to ride over and past Togir to get too. It is around five min ride from beautiful Trogir on it’s own little peninsula with a white pebbles beach on most of it’s south facing side.

We were greeted by not so bothered staff which really lacked the service with a smile.

We found a nice spot on the north coast so to speak e.g. the cheap area since it was not facing south and overlooking the nice beach.

Some of the campsite does overlook the shipyard in Trogir and the not so pleasant sight of two container ships being dismantled. But looking away from that ugly corner this campsite is great and quite pleasant. Plenty of shade for when the sun will baking down on you and your tent.

We spotted a restaurant on the site, which I found a bit pointless when you are spoiled for choice in gorgeous Trogir 15-20 walk away.

There is also an beach bar right at the tip of the peninsula on which the campsite is located. Two toilet blocks, the one we used had a yellow section for the ladies and blue for the gents. But in a swimming pool style and again as we have become accustomed to very clean.

Showers could do without the sensor switch to turn on your shower. No way if setting the heat. The ones that I used was a bit temperamental and would not always switch on when waved at. The dent in the switch proved that it was not just me that was a wee bit annoyed with it.

And I found out another reason for why this sensor system is a bad idea. While I was getting ready for bed a massive thunder storm*) started and the power went, lucky I was only brushing my teeth. And not showering like the two pour souls in the showers and no way of turning on the water to rinse the soap off.

The campsite tried it hardest to have a good service. With a “overflow” information desk next to the reception where extra staff is at had to help you.

But that didn’t work as they had clearly planned since the lack of helpfulness from the staff.

I went to ask for some help to find an address of a bicycle store in Split. I had an address but not a detailed enough map. First I asked how I could cycle into the centre of Split, the answer I got was “you just drive”, erm how do I find my way into Split ? “you just drive when you are in Split you are in Split”. Erm I’m on a bicycle, “well there is two roads the new one and the old one, both very busy”. Ok do you have a map of Split ? “none you can have” and then she showed me a map which was not very detailed and was only of the very centre of Split, a typical tourist trap map. So therefore not good enough for me to find my way to the bicycle shop or past Split industrial area which I worried about. She managed to tell me that I could take the ferry into Split but could not tell me if I could take my fully loaded touring bicycle onto that ferry.

*) I’m typing this in our tent in what I think is probably the biggest thunder storm I have seen and been in. A good tests to see if our tent is as water proof as Blacks says it is.

Contact Site:

www : http://www.camp-rozac.hr/
phone : +385 21 882 757

Ratings:

The site could easy have received more oinks if we got a little more helpful service, with a smile, and not the I can’t be bothered service we got. Brilliant site though with lots of shade and a very good beach.

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2. A review of Hotel Trogirski Dvori, Kneza Trpimira 245, Trogir 21220, Split, Croatia Description: (From their site) Three stars family hotel –...
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Description: Bicycle Sales in Split, Croatia.

Shop visited: September 2009.

I emailed Ciklo Planet a few month ago and asked if it would be ok for us to come and pick up some empty bicycle boxes after our cycling tour in Croatia for our flight home.

Yes no problem, was the answer and the same when I send them a reminder a week before we would arrive in Split.

I called them up the day before to remind them and to ask for directions, since I didn’t, nor did the campsite we stayed at, have a detailed map of the area.

They told me to avoid the tunnel out the Marjan area of Split since it would “not be good for my health” ;). Armed with that general information I hit the tourist information in Split and within few seconds and two clicks on the computer we had an explanation on how to get there.

As I walked into the little shop and said “Hello, I’m here to pick up…” “Two bike boxes” they finished the sentence for me.

They lent us a some tools to take off our pedals and even explained on the phone to the hotel we stayed at how to find us since they where coming to pick us up in their mini van.

Shop contact:

www : http://www.cikloplanet.com/
phone : + 385 21 358 497

Ratings:

A small bicycle shop in Split with very friendly staff. By the looks of it they sell only Kona bikes but do service other brands.

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Description: (From their site) Three stars family hotel – restaurant Trogirski Dvori is one of those hotels in Trogir with the longest tradition. Hotel is situated at about one kilometer form the center of Trogir and three kilometers from the Airport Split. Hotel is ideal for business people who need to stay overnight, and for families with children. Four hundred meters long pebbly and sandy Pantana Beach is a hundred meters away from the Hotel, on the estuary of small Pantan River.

Site visited: 15th of September 2009.

Yes it is easy to become blinded by the simplest things after have been camping for a week. But this hotel is great, the welcome, the service and the size of the room we got says it all.

After a quick search on in internet for a hotel near Split airport we found hotel Trogirski Dvori. We then emailed them to find out if they had a way of getting two bike boxes to the airport early in the morning, they promptly replied we have a mini bus so no problem.

We arrived a day before our booking to check if it was possible to “use” their mini bus for picking up our bicycles at the bike shop in Split the next day, that wasn’t a problem either.

Since we had quite a bit if rain the night before on the campsite we stayed at outside Trogir, we passed on fully loaded touring bicycles on our way to Split. And asked if we could leave our panniers at the hotel until we arrived back in the afternoon. Better yet why not check in right away and put the panniers directly in your room.

We got picked on time from cikloplanet.com with our bikes in boxes and was taken to the hotel with a smile.

We went to the restaurant in the hotel and again we were not disappointed at all. I had a plate of cevapcici and a side salad and Peli had a plate of blue cheese Gnocchi.

The hotel is located around 2km outside Trogir on a busy road and somewhat under the flight path to Split airport. But we weren’t disturbed at all and had a great night sleep on the comfy bed.

The room we stayed in was very nice, roomy and had a good shower. At breakfast we were served delicious omelet and a cup of tea for Peli her first for a whole week ;)

After breakfast they took us and our bicycles to the airport a mere 5 min drive away, simply great service and location for an easy airport transfer in that early mornings.

Contact Site:

www : http://www.hotel-trogirskidvori.com
phone : +385 21 885 444

Ratings:

A little family run hotel, yes I know it is not a B and B but the friendly service and personal touch makes this hotel a B and B in my eyes.

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1. Campsite review of Kamp Rozac, Camp Rozac, Okrug Gornji, 21220 Trogir, Split, Croatia Description: (From their site) The camp “Rožac” is situated...
2. A review of Local Bicycle Shop – Ciklo Planet, Split, Croatia Description: Bicycle Sales in Split, Croatia. Shop visited: September...
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A stop at the supermarket and we hand enough for breakfast on the beach. Boy do some people like to roast in sun we could see 3-4 sun beds taken over but roasting tourist, just laying there adding to the tan.

We cycled on the road as far as we could until we hit the sea, a great spot if you looked at the sea and not what was behind you.

We headed back into Trogir to find our way to St. Something in hope of making a nice loop but we got stuck in the suburb and could not find our way out everything ended in a dead end. We then changed our plans and headed over to the Hotel Trogirski Dvori where we have booked a room for the last night. Because we have a nearly start and didn’t fancy packing up everything in the morning in the dark etc before our fight. So the plan is to pack up at the hotel have a good rest and the kind staff at the hotel will bring us and our gubbins to the airport in the morning in their mini bus.

We went to the hotel to double check our booking and also if they could pick us up from the bicycle shop in Split where we would get some cardboard boxes to pack our bicycles up in. And we got a “yes no problem, what time?” with a smile.

 

You can just make our red tent out, in the middle’ish of the picture.

We then headed back to the campsite to have a dip in the sea before dinner in Trogir. Now here is where there would had been some more photos of beautiful Trogir at sunset. But I was charging the battery in the toilet while showering and forgot to transfer the battery from the charger to the camera, doh!

Click here to read : Croatia day 1 : stress, what is that ?
Click here to read : Croatia day 2 : a marble-ous day
Click here to read : Croatia day 3 : border hopping
Click here to read : Croatia day 4 : a bit drafty
Click here to read : Croatia day 5 : Sunday day of rest
Click here to read : Croatia day 6 : a day of dead ends
Click here to read : Croatia day 7 : Thor rides again
Click here to read : Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet

Click here to see all the photos.

Related posts:

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Again our departing the campsite time was around ten past nine, go figure.

Instead of taking the Adriatic coastal road the last bit into and past Split, we climbed out of Omis inland up towards Gata and just before we then turned towards Split. We pasta statue of Mila Gojsalić who scared the Turks so much that they jumped to their death at this point. The road up to the statue was a nice switchback climb and provided some great views of the valley if you could imagine away the electric pylons.

 From there is was a great long downhill towards Split, while we had our snack, chocolate dougnuts, we were passed by the cycling road couple we spotted yesterday.

We missed a turn and ended back on to the coastal road into Split and at this point the road had turned into a proper suburban ring road of Split. Not a nice sight and not something we wanted to endure, since I have read quite a few stories about how other tourers have hated this bit. As we found our missed turn, we spotted 6 other cyclists who cheered us on. And as we came to a stop next to them they offered Peli a sip of a 10% Slovakian beer.

 As she said no, I on the other hand said yes, it would have been rude not to! Even when we only spoke English to the main character, he kept talking Slovakian to us, and talk he could! We learned that they spotted us riding out of Omis this morning. And they were cycle touring along to Dubrovnik, though by the look of them they looked like a credit card tourers with a van to carry their gear.

We arrived at the ring road again and had to join it for a mile or so. It was a dual carriageway with a 100km/h sign. I would not like to see this road on a Monday rush hour. A short mile later there was a turn off to Kastel Sucurac which took us off the busy road but took us right into an industrial area, again were we lucky it was a Sunday lunch time.

A few miles later I just randomly turned left into one of the many Kastels that dotted the coast. And found a quite nice spot to have a bite to eat, though a bit windy (the weather, not yours truly). As we rolled along the coat towards Trogir the sun started to pop out. We even saw the campsite I visited 20 years ago and it’s bungalows we stayed in, looking just the same.

Shortly after we saw a “Scottish” cricket team training. In Croatia of all places…

We arrived and went straight through over to our campsite, Camp Rozac, where we were greeted by a less than smiling reception.

But nevertheless we found a spot right next to the water and enjoyed a dip in the sea. After showers and pitching the tent we headed into Trogir to find food and by all means ice cream.

If you like sea food you will be spoiled for choice here, but we manage to find a place that served pasta. Again the freshness of the ingredients and the way they manage to make the sauce so yummily creamy, makes my mouth drool just thinking about it.

 

 

We wandered around looking for ice cream for 20 or so minutes in this magical place, best time to visit is at sun set as it really brings the magic out, just stunning. We found one place after wee bit of hunting only to find 5 more around the corner, ain’t that just so. But hey, we now know where to look tomorrow and the day after since we are staying put for a few days ;)

We headed back to our tent and pretty much crawled in as the rain started… talk about timing. The rain then turned into an 2 + hour long light show with thunders that had us shaking on our downmats. And it also took out the electricity in the campsite – not good when the showers are sensor switch operated. Lucky we weren’t in them but I did hear other soap-sudded moans.

Click here to read : Croatia day 1 : stress, what is that ?
Click here to read : Croatia day 2 : a marble-ous day
Click here to read : Croatia day 3 : border hopping
Click here to read : Croatia day 4 : a bit drafty
Click here to read : Croatia day 5 : Sunday day of rest
Click here to read : Croatia day 6 : a day of dead ends
Click here to read : Croatia day 7 : Thor rides again
Click here to read : Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet

Click here to see all the photos.

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1. Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet We slept well in the hotel’s comfy bed and did...
2. Croatia day 6 : the a day of dead ends Well what can I say Croatia do like their bins...
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Get up, pack in a hurry, and it will be nine before we are on the road. Get up and take our time, and it is still nine when we hit the road.

As we cycled away from the site the rain started, first some simple drops which pretty much dried as they hit us since it was around 22c already on a cloudy day. And again we made good time and clocked up 20 miles before 11 which also linked up nicely for lunch in Makarska. A very touristy town, I was here on a package holiday with my mum 20 or so years ago. And the promenade hasn’t changed a bit, not even the hotel we stayed at. Only difference was that when I was there last it was the height of the tourist season, and today it was at the sleepy end of the season

As we were eating our lunch on the harbour the rain picked up and it was still going we as we pulled out of the town. As we were plodding up the hill out of town we spotted the first roadie of our tour, then a wee bit later he was followed by an elderly couple. Shortly after that we saw a sole tourer getting into his wet weather gear. The rain wasn’t a problem other than we were getting wet but not cold and it was a nice change to yesterday’s hot hot weather.

While we had a wee snack break, and a wee wee break, we saw two tourers going south, shouting our hallos as they went past. The locals haven’t got used to cycle tourers because we get plenty looks and raised caps as we go past.

As we left Makarska the road was very busy but calmed down right after the turn off to the motorway. The sun tried to get out as we pulled into Omis and we saw yet another sole tourer doing a funny jump off his bicycle as he stopped to take photo of the town.

We arrived at Kamp Caleb around 15:30, pitched our tent and headed to the beach for a quick dip, the beach here was a “sandy” beach, a change to the rocks elsewhere.

After shower and change of clothing we headed into Omis. A very old and small town nice little lanes and plenty of restaurants, that is you like fish and meat. So after a little wander around looking at the sights and menus we found a place that could serve us both. Peli had a vegi pizza and I had a small, modest plate of grilled pork, steak, sausages, chivapacici, pasta, chips and some salad.

While we where eating we were passed by a wedding with music, flag and plenty of guests tarted up to the nines.

And then we went for ice cream. I wonder how the heck I could forget this country’s love for ice cream. The stalls are everywhere and all the stalls are displaying the ice cream in the same way, all heaped up in curvy mounds, like they’re silicon implanted :). You name the flavour and there is an ice cream and it is good and cheap too.

As we arrived back at the campsite we saw the wedding again, by the look of things they are using the restaurant right outside. Kinda glad that we picked a spot so far away from the entrance. We are now in bed while I’m typing this us Peli is reading her book while we listen to the rain on the tent. I wonder if this will continue all day tomorrow?

Click here to read : Croatia day 1 : stress, what is that ?
Click here to read : Croatia day 2 : a marble-ous day
Click here to read : Croatia day 3 : border hopping
Click here to read : Croatia day 4 : a bit drafty
Click here to read : Croatia day 5 : Sunday day of rest
Click here to read : Croatia day 6 : a day of dead ends
Click here to read : Croatia day 7 : Thor rides again
Click here to read : Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet

Click here to see all the photos.

Related posts:

1. Croatia day 3 : border hopping We woke up around seven and took our time getting...
2. Croatia day 6 : the a day of dead ends Well what can I say Croatia do like their bins...
3. Croatia day 8 : easy delayed jet We slept well in the hotel’s comfy bed and did...

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