A New Saab Tradition Takes Shape Along the Adriatic
Saab Club Nederland has built a reputation for hosting some of Europe’s most engaging and well-organized Saab driving tours. Their members are not passive collectors – they actively explore Europe behind the wheel of their Saabs, and over the last decade their tours have consistently sold out. Denmark & Sweden, Italy, the Alps, the German lake regions, the Lakes & Mountains edition of 2024, the upcoming Scandic Tour 2025 – each year adds another chapter to the club’s touring heritage.
But one route in particular clearly resonated with members: the Adriatic region. In 2023, the club organized the memorable Saab Club Nederland Croatia Tour – a tour that still stands out for its dramatic terrain contrasts, welcoming coastal towns, and the warm reception from local enthusiasts. That report can still be read on SaabPlanet.com.
Now, two years later, the Adriatic is back on the schedule — with an even more ambitious route, expanded stops, and a richer program for 2026. The official event page is already live:
https://www.saabtour.nl/tours/
Introducing the Saab Adriatic Tour 2026
Dates: 7 May – 15 May 2026
Organizer: Saab Club Nederland & Roads4ClassicS
Registration: Open now
Starting point: Ogulin, Croatia (inland)
Final destination: Dubrovnik (coastal south)
Length: Nine days
Driving profile: Mixture of inland forests, mountain passes, gravel segments, Dinaric mountain valleys, Dalmatian coastline, ferry crossings, and island viewpoints.
This new edition is more than a re-run of the 2023 program. The organizers fine-tuned the route to balance spirited mountain driving, scenic country roads, and time to explore historical coastal towns at a comfortable pace. The highlight for many returning participants will likely be the Velebit mountain segment—an iconic Croatian landscape that rewards Saab drivers with sweeping views and technical, enjoyable roads.
What Makes This Tour Stand Out
Unlike many automotive rallies that emphasize speed or competition, Saab Club Nederland structures its tours around:
- roadbook navigation using the bol/pijl system, favored by classic rally enthusiasts,
- carefully pre-driven stages designed to bring out the character of each Saab,
- professional Dutch guidance and technical assistance,
- well-curated hotel selections,
- and routes that alternate between inland and coastal scenery to keep the rhythm dynamic.
The 2026 tour follows the same philosophy.
Participants travel through Croatia’s interior first — forests, karst valleys, and historic towns — before descending toward the Adriatic coast, where the tone of the journey becomes more Mediterranean: blue water vistas, fishing towns, ferry crossings, and coastal roads shaped by cliffs and open sea.
It’s a tour designed for drivers, not tourists — though it provides plenty of both.
Day-by-Day Program: From Ogulin to Dubrovnik
Below is the complete itinerary published by Saab Club Nederland and Roads4ClassicS.
Day 1 – Arrival in Ogulin
Meeting point: Ogulin, a forested inland town known for its quiet atmosphere and proximity to the Dinaric Alps.
The first day is reserved for:
- arrival,
- check-in,
- group briefing,
- socializing,
- and the first group dinner.
No official driving stage is planned.
Day 2 – Ogulin → Velebit → Gospić (161 km)
A scenic day through the Velebit forests.
This stage introduces participants to Croatia’s mountain environment, with long, steady climbs and calm woodland stretches.
Optional visit: Nikola Tesla Memorial Center (6 km from the hotel).
Participants can choose to relax first at the hotel or visit the memorial center later in the day.
Day 3 – Gospić → Sveti Rok / Mali Alan Pass → Pakoštane (115 km)
A decisive highlight for any driving enthusiast.
The Mali Alan pass at 1,044 m is one of Croatia’s most dramatic old military roads. Most of its 30 km remain gravel and rock, making it a challenging but rewarding all-terrain segment suitable for drivers accustomed to loose surfaces.
An alternative fully paved route is provided for participants who prefer a smoother drive.
Arrival in Pakoštane is followed by check-in at an unusual and well-rated accommodation that the organizers chose specifically for its location and character.
Day 4 – Pakoštane → Split (126 km)
The convoy joins the Adriatic coastline, traveling south along one of the most attractive coastal sections of the Adriatic.
Split is a city with a deep Roman heritage, and participants will have time to walk through the historic center and enjoy its restaurants on their own schedule.
Day 5 – Split → Makarska (130 km)
The route continues along the coast toward Makarska.
This stage is shorter but packed with scenery: cliffs, hidden bays, sweeping corners, and the impressive Biokovo range towering above the sea.
After arrival, participants can enjoy the beach, promenade, or hotel facilities.
Day 6 – Free day in Makarska
A full rest/exploration day.
Suggested excursions:
- Biokovo Skywalk at 1,128 m – a glass walkway with a remarkable viewpoint over the Dalmatian coastline.
- Island of Brač via ferry – famous for its Zlatni Rat beach and elevated viewpoints.
Each participant chooses their own pace.
Day 7 – Makarska → Pelješac → Dubrovnik (175 km)
A coastal drive combined with a ferry (or the Pelješac bridge, depending on choice and schedule).
The group will stop for a wine tasting at a local Pelješac winery (subject to confirmation) before continuing south toward Dubrovnik.
The evening is reserved for rest or initial exploration of the city.
Day 8 – Free day in Dubrovnik
Participants can walk the Old Town individually or with a Dutch-speaking guide if enough interest is expressed.
The tour concludes with a joint dinner in the hotel.
Day 9 – Departure
Check-out, farewells, and the return journey home (or continued travel for those extending their stay).
Cost and Registration
Price: €1,680 per person (including VAT)
Includes:
- double-room accommodation,
- breakfast daily,
- five dinners,
- professional route guidance,
- roadbook,
- rally badge (carschildje),
- technical support,
- participants list.
Detailed program and booking:
https://www.saabtour.nl/tours/inschrijven/
For direct questions:
info@saabtour.nl
+31 6 2240 5099 (Alfons Heetjans)
Why This Event Matters for the Wider Saab Community
Saab Club Nederland has repeatedly demonstrated that Saabs belong on the road — not just stored or shown at static events. Their tours showcase what makes these cars so satisfying in real conditions:
- long-torque turbo engines responding confidently on mountain climbs,
- stable chassis tuning ideal for gravel and broken asphalt,
- excellent highway composure during longer intercity transitions,
- and interiors built for long-distance comfort.
Their community philosophy also stands out. Drivers from the Netherlands are known for welcoming Saab owners from other countries, and many previous tours saw local owners from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia join segments of the convoy.
For local Saab clubs along the Adriatic — particularly from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Slovenia — this is an opportunity to meet the convoy, join a stage, or simply greet the group while they pass through the region.
Invitation to All Owners Along the Route
SaabPlanet.com extends an invitation to Saab enthusiasts across the region:
If you live near any of the 2026 route points – Ogulin, Gospić, Pakoštane, Split, Makarska, Pelješac, or Dubrovnik – and want to meet the Dutch convoy, this is the best opportunity in years.
The dates are already fixed, the program is public, and the organizers are known for punctual planning. Local Saab owners can:
- meet the group at scenic stops,
- join a stage for a few kilometers,
- welcome the convoy at their hometown,
- or share photos and videos for a future SaabPlanet.com community gallery.
And for Saab owners from surrounding countries – Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina – registration is open for everyone, not only Dutch members. The event is international by design.
Final Notes
The Saab Adriatic Tour 2026 has everything that defines a memorable Saab road adventure: mountain passes, inland forests, coastal curves, island viewpoints, and evenings spent with a community that genuinely lives the brand. It’s an invitation. And it’s a chance to place your Saab in one of the most dramatic road environments Europe has to offer.
Registrations are now open.
👉 https://www.saabtour.nl/tours/
