You could walk. Or drive. Or take the bus. But in my opinion the best way to travel in the new European Union country of Croatia is by bike. On two wheels – and by simple pedal power – you cover the ideal distance each day. By bicycle, too, you’ll see this beautiful Dalmatian country from a perfect up-close vantage point.

10 more reasons to see Croatia by bike

1) By bike you can easily, freely and cheaply travel Croatia, between the mainland and islands, boarding one of a busy network of small and large ferries that criss-cross the Adriatic Sea.

2) The Croatian roads are among the smoothest I have ever ridden. (And I have ridden many roads across the world!) Even the small back roads are covered in fabulously smooth tarmac.

3) Cyclists can choose to ride five miles or many dozens of miles each day, pick and mixing from a surprisingly wide network of roads on the mainland and islands. My favourite islands were Korcula, Hvar and Brac. Each island offered flat and undulating coastal routes, or hilly over-island routes, and with a choice of A to B, out and back or circular routes.

4) If you like coastal routes try Korcula town to Racisce on Korcula island or Stari Grad to Jelsa and Vrboska on Hvar island. I also enjoyed Supetar to Pucisca on Brac island.

5) If you like a hill with fabulous sea views choose Hvar town to Stari Grad.

6) If a bike ride with the promise of wine tasting is for you, choose Korcula town to Lumbarda to taste delicious GRK white wine (if there is any left when you get there) or full-bodied red Plavac Mali.

7) If you fancy a bike ride to a port village boasting one of the world’s best ice cream shops, so it’s claimed, head to Eis Caffe in Jelsa from the ferry port of Stari Grad on Hvar island. I have no idea if it is a world-winning ice cream shop but our double scoop cones were certainly fabulously tasty!

8) The cycling on Croatia is rarely far from a stunning sea vista, a village or town located at the end of an idyllic sea inlet or a perfect swimming spot. Seeing really is believing.

9) Cycling works up an appetite for guilt-free lunches of Greek salads bursting with creamy goats’ cheese and home-baked pizzas, evening meals of locally caught fish, wonderful steaks or seafood and lots of Croatian wine and beer.

10) Cycling is a great way to meet people. People on bikes naturally gravitate to each other and during our Croatian trip we found ourselves chatting to many other riders, some following a similar bike tour and others on a different bike tour. Croatians also enjoy talking to visitors and they found that an easy introduction was to enquire about our bike route, where we normally cycle and what we like about cycling in Croatia. Many smiled and chatted about my pink Planet X bike! Cycling on Croatia is also perfect for couples who like me-time and romance.

11) Croatia still offers great value for the British pound.  We were pleasantly surprised how far our money went, from food and drink to ferries and attractions.

12) The history of Croatia is fascinating. Make sure you join a couple of historic tours in places such as Korcula town, Dubrovnik or Split. You will be spellbound.

Thanks to Macs Adventure for organising the week-long self-guided Croatian bike tour through Meridien Ten  for my partner and I.