Active Croatia – multisport (8 days)

Upon arrival in Zagreb, you are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the city center. We meet our Expedition Leader at 6:30 pm in the hotel lobby and get to know fellow travellers over a welcome drink. The guide will provide a brief orientation to discuss the upcoming itinerary.
Our hotel is well located for exploring the city’s main attractions. The city grew out of two medieval communities, Kaptol to the east and Gradec to the west, each sited on a hill. Zagreb grew rapidly in the nineteenth century, and many of the city’s buildings are well-preserved, peach-coloured monuments to the self-esteem of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

• Meals: on your own
• Destination visited: Zagreb
• Accommodation: hotel 4*

Drive by pastoral villages and unspoiled landscapes to magnificent Una River. Along the way, we stop to explore Rastoke, a little village which is known for its well preserved mills and the picturesque waterfalls along the Slunjcica river. After lunch, we drive to Una River, a natural border between Croatia and Bosnia and one of the most beautiful rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Strbacki Buk Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in this part of Europe (18 m) and our rafting trip starts right below it. A marvellous day will end with a glass of wine or beer at the picturesque Korana village situated at the doorstep of Plitvice Lakes National Park which is our home for next 2 nights. Traditional houses are built on both sides of Korana river that flows through the village.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch
• Destination visited: Rastoke, Una river, Korana village
• Accommodation: guest house in Plitvice
• Activities: walking (30 minutes), rafting (3 hours)

Today we explore the park’s spectacular karst landscape – a sequence of 16 turquoise lakes linked together with cascading falls and travertine pools. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979, in recognition of its outstanding natural beauty and undisturbed production of travertine (tufa) through chemical and biological action. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. We enjoy a picnic lunch along the trail. Relax this evening in Korana Village.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch
• Destination visited: Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Accommodation: guest house in Plitvice
• Activities: walking (3 – 4 hours)

Less than an hour’s drive from Plitvice is Paklenica National Park, part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a favorite hiking destination for the locals. Lying on the southeast slopes of the Velebit Mountains near the coast and cut by two awe-inspiring gorges, Mala Paklenica and Velika, Paklenica’s scenery is one of the most pristine in the whole Mediterranean. The lofty peaks making up this range offer huge views of both coastal and mountain scenery. There are several wonderful hikes through beech and black pine forests to choose from depending upon weather and other factors.. This evening we transfer to the town of Skradin, located near the Krka River and at the entrance to the Krka National Park. Inhabited by Croatians since the 9th century, Skradin is a romantic Mediterranean town with narrow paved streets and a picture-perfect marina.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch
• Destination visited: Paklenica National Park, Skradin
• Accommodation: villa or hotel in Skradin
• Activities: hiking (3 – 4 hours)

We explore the park’s extensive waterways and complex history dating back to late 10th century and the first Croatian kings. We visit Skradinski buk waterfall, the place where the second hydro plant in the world was built, just a few days after the one on Niagara Falls. In the afternoon we drive to Šibenik and spend the remainder of the day exploring in the old town.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch
• Destination visited: Krka National Park, Šibenik town
• Accommodation: villa or hotel in Skradin
• Activities: walking (3 – 4 hours)

Our morning begins with a ride to Zaton Bay close to Dubrovnik where we start kayaking. Zaton Bay is a charming, 2 km long bay and only 8 km away from Dubrovnik. Our kayak tour will take us out of the bay to Kolocep island which is the most interesting of 13 Elaphiti Islands with centuries’ old woods of pine and carob, olive groves and gardens filled with oranges and lemons, romantic villages, sandy beaches, pleasant walks and no cars. We will explore the dramatic landscape of giant rocks, high cliffs, hidden caves and quiet bays by a kayak. We will also explore the silent underwater world in one of its most interesting spots and get into the famous Blue Cave. After a breathtaking scenery, we will paddle back to Zaton Bay and have time for before dinner.

• Meals: breakfast, dinner
• Destination visited: Zaton Bay, Kolocep island
• Accommodation: villa in Zaton Bay
• Activities: sea kayaking (3 – 4 hours)

Today we drive to Konavle region (Croatian Tuskany) where our bike ride will begin. We will cycle on quite, easy and scenic paved roads through vineyards, olive groves and ancient villages. We will stop by a Franciscan monastery from 15th century and at the old mills by the river Ljuta where will get to know how the locals were milling in the medieval times. End our biking tour at a 300-year old winery where we will have wine tasting. After an unforgettable day of riding, our guide will take us to Dubrovnik town. This evening we say farewell to Dalmatia over a festive dinner.

• Meals: breakfast, dinner
• Destination visited: Konavle region, Dubrovnik old town
• Accommodation: villa in Zaton Bay
• Activities: cycling (2 – 3 hours)

Transfer to the airport for return flights home. Or, continue your time in Croatia by joining us for our Dubrovnik Extension!

• Meals: breakfast