AdventureNEXT Balkans
POST Adventure trip in Croatia
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures
13.05.-18.05.2016
Travellers say that Croatia is so rich in adventure experiences that it is difficult to get the full taste for a week or ten days. To give you at least a sense of our rich culture, tasty food and variety of adventures, five ATTA members put together this five-day itinerary. We’ll take you to the famous National Park Plitvice Lake and will enjoy a hike at Paklenica, we’ll explore Brac island by bike and Hvar island by hike. Before going to Dubrovnik, we’ll visit Korcula island where we will enjoy another biking activity. All this will be flavoured with a variety of local dishes, fresh sea food and accommodation at small local boutique hotels. We can’t wait to spend these few days with you!
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 - May 13th 2016 Skopje – Zagreb – NP Plitvička jezera – Starigrad Paklenica
After a few days of enriching knowledge during AdventureNEXT~Balkans, we’ll leave to Skopje after the closing dinner to catch an early flight from Skopje to Zagreb. After morning refreshments in the surroundings of Zagreb we will start our discovery of Croatia by travelling to Plitvice for a stroll along the lakes.
The Plitvice Lakes are constant, yet always different, and they will surely surprise you with a new experience or new revelation. The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. These geological processes continue today and the forests in the park are home to bears, wolves and many rare bird species. Before we continue our journey we will have a chance to try traditional dishes in the national restaurant “Lička kuća”, a unique place with an ambience of a traditional house in Lika. In the late afternoon we will continue towards Starigrad Paklenica, the home of our next adventure, the National park Paklenica. Overnight stay in Starigrad Paklenica in typical stone houses at the foot of Mount Velebit http://eng.hotel-rajna.com/varos.html
Type of service: single rooms, half board, tourist tax
National park Plitvička jezera
Time frame: 07.30 transfer from the airport to a local agrotourism estate for breakfast 09.00 start of the 2.5 hour transfer to the National park Plitvička jezera 11.30 – 13.00 walking tour in the National park Plitvička jezera 13.30 – 14.30 lunch in a local restaurant 15.00 start of the 2 hour transfer to Starigrad Paklenica 17.00/17.15 arrival in Starigrad Paklenica and check-in into our accommodation 17.15-18.30 time at leisure 18.30 – 21.00 dinner, which will be organized by our host in the typical village stone house “Varoš”. Dinner will be served in a room that is not a typical and formal dining area, but has an open fireplace where you will try local traditional cuisine in a special atmosphere.
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]
Day 2 (May 14th 2016) Starigrad Paklenica – Split
After breakfast we will set off on an adventure through the National park Paklenica. The area of Velika and Mala Paklenica was proclaimed a national park in 1949 due to its unique natural features, magnificent forests and extraordinary geomorphologic structures. It covers the area of torrent flows of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, and their distinctive canyons carved vertically into the south slopes of Velebit and the broader surrounding area. The relatively small area has an abundance of geomorphological phenomena and forms, diverse flora and fauna, attractive landscapes and intact nature. We will drive along historical Velebit roads and visit the plateau „Veliko Rujno“. From there we will start our hike to village Ramići, visit an agrotourism estate and enjoy a traditional homemade lunch. After refreshment with a view, we will continue our descent through the canyon of Velika Paklenica. In the late afternoon we will continue our journey to Split, the home of UNESCO’s Diocletian Palace and the heart of central Dalmatia.
Notes: Difficulty rating: hiking- easy to moderate (about 17 km, 4 hours of easy descent) Equipment: please make sure to wear comfortable sport shoes or hiking boots, a hat, sunglasses and suitable clothes for physical activity
Walking sticks: If you would like to use walking sticks, please send us a note in your booking process and we will be happy to provide them for you.
Overnight stay in Split in a 3* hotel, http://www.hotelslavija.hr/hr/ Type of service: single rooms, half-board, tourist tax
National park Paklenica
Time frame: 08.30 meeting with the guide for final briefing 09.40 after a 40min transfer arriving at the starting point of the hiking trail 12.00 – 13.30 lunch at an agrotourism estate in the Ramići village 14.00 continuation of our hike through the National park Paklenica 14.15 start of the 2.5 hour transfer to the city of Split 16.45/17.00 arrival at the hotel in Split 17.00 - 18.30 time at leisure 19.00 – 21.00 dinner in a local restaurant
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]
Day 3 (May 15th 2016) Exploring the island of Brač
On day 3, we will discover the island of Brač that is situated just off the Croatian mainland. You will enjoy a pleasant speed boat ride to Supetar from where our bike exploration starts! Discover coastal and ancient inland stone built towns, olive groves, vineyards and other beautiful sights along the way. Brač is famous for its tradition of stone cutting and carving and some important world buildings, like the White House in Washington D.C., the Hungarian Parliament Building and Diocletian’s Palace in Split, were built from its stone. A visit to the unique Museum of Olive Oil will give you a chance to taste real olive oil that is produced like in the old days. We will visit a unique family-owned art gallery, where one-off furniture made from Brač stone, sculptures, paintings and jewellery are exhibited and an ancient stonemason workshop can be seen. Following the visit, we cycle to the coast where (time permitting) we might enjoy a short swim break before our return to Split. As the sun sets, your guide will meet you and take you to discover the ancient Palace and local lifestyle during a private guided tour. Split is a pulsating urban oasis with a myriad of sights, sounds and smells, all thriving inside these almost two millennia old walls. Locals and visitors in Split find themselves inexorably drawn into spending most of their time within 1,700- year-old Diocletian’s Palace, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. One of the greatest things about the palace is that there are still real homes existing in the old walls and you can see old ladies stringing their laundry at places where once state affairs of the entire Roman Empire were discussed.
Notes: Suggested biking distance: 35 km (long option: 60 km) Difficulty rating: biking- easy to moderate Highlights: the island of Brač, art gallery, Museum of Olive Oil, coastal and inland towns
Overnight stay in Split in a 3* hotel, http://www.hotelslavija.hr/hr/ Type of service: single rooms, half-board, tourist tax
Cycling on island Brač
Time frame: 08:45 departure from the hotel in Split 09:00-9:30 boat transfer Split - Supetar (island Brač) 09:40 - 14:00 Island Brač bike tour (lunch and various visits included) 14:10-14:40 boat transfer Brač - Split 14:40-16:00 time at leisure 18:00-18:20 guided sightseeing tour of Diocletian’s Palace (start location at the hotel) 19:30 dinner
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]
Day 4 (May 16th 2016) Split – Hvar
After breakfast, you will board a private speed boat that will take you to Hvar. The town of Hvar is an ancient city with rich history. With its architecture, beautiful nature and mild climate many would describe it as a true fairy-tale city, the unique fusion of luxurious Mediterranean nature, rich cultural and historical heritage, and a mundane, tourist present. After your arrival at the port, we will proceed on a shuttle to the starting point of our hiking route. Discover authentic Dalmatia through the abandoned villages of Velo and Malo Grablje and enjoy traditional architecture and learn a little bit about Mediterranean plants, especially lavender and its importance for this area. After the arrival to the picturesque, hidden village of Malo Grablje, we will have lunch in a small tavern that is surrounded by a beautiful setting. Simple, but great local food. After lunch we will continue our hike to the village of Milna, where we will end our hiking program and return to Hvar town. There will be some free time to discover Hvar before setting off for a sunset speed boat ride to the nearby Pakleni islands for dinner. Enjoy the relaxing scenery of the Palmižana bay, magnificent views and the unique artistic restaurant with an over 100 years old family tradition. After dinner, we will return back by speed boat to Hvar town and to your hotel.
Difficulty rating: hiking- easy to moderate (about 4.5 km) Equipment: please make sure to wear comfortable sport shoes or hiking boots, a hat, sunglasses, suitable clothes for physical activity Walking sticks: If you would like to use walking sticks, please send us a note in your booking process, and we will be happy to provide them for you.
Overnight stay in Hvar in a 3* hotel, http://www.suncanihvar.com/hr/palace-hvar.html Type of the service: single rooms, half-board, tourist tax
Time frame: 7.30 meeting at the hotel lobby in Split 9.00 arrival in Hvar town and short walk to your hotel 9.50 20min ride on a shuttle to the starting point of the hiking trail Hiking on island Hvar 10.15 – 10.45 presentation of the lavender story 10.45 – 12.30 hike to Malo Grablje 12.30 – 14.00 lunch at a small local tavern 14.00 – 14.45 hike to the end point – Milna 14.45 shuttle to Hvar town 15.00- 18.30 time at leisure 18.30 meeting with your guide in the hotel lobby and departure for dinner on a speed boat 19.00 arrival at the restaurant at Palmižana bay 19.00 – 21.00 dinner 21.00/21.15 departure back to Hvar and to your hotel
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]
Day 5 (May 17th 2016) Korčula – Pelješac peninsula – Dubrovnik Biking on the Pelješac peninsula Morning ferry ride from Hvar to the island of Korčula, to Korčula town port respectively. After a short briefing, we will embark a small water taxi that will take us to the Pelješac peninsula and town Orebić. In Orebić we will board the minibus for a short drive to village Potomje where we start our cycle tour to the other side of the Pelješac peninsula and town Ston. The bike track follows the road along the coast and passes through steep vineyards, picturesque towns, hidden bays and beaches. In the small town Žuljana we will stop for a short refreshment. After the short stop in Žuljana we will continue cycling towards the bay of Ston, where our bike ride ends. The next two hours we will spend on a small island in the Ston bay, where the best oysters and mussels in Croatia are cultivated. After a short sailing trip through the farms and an introduction about the tradition and farming culture, we will stop on an idyllic island, where we will taste the oysters and have lunch of mussels with white wine, olive oil and garlic (the recipe to prepare mussels that is used here is very old and simple, but very tasty) . Before and during lunch you will have the opportunity to taste local brandy and red wine. After lunch we will continue to Dubrovnik. There will be a short break when we arrive at the hotel after which we will continue to Dubrovnik’s historical center tour & dinner. Upon arrival to the historical center there will be a sightseeing tour of the main sights in the old town. If time permits, we can also visit the city walls. After the historical tour we will have dinner in a restaurant with local specialties.
Cycling on Pelješac
Suggested biking distance: 42 km http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/903965789 Difficulty rating: 2-3 (cat 5 is a most difficult climb), guided, supported by van Highlights: Food and wine (experience of local cuisine, wine) Cultural part (visiting and exploring historical towns (Ston, Dubrovnik
Time frame: 10.00 Korčula town, meeting and greeting the group, water taxi across the channel to the Pelješac peninsula 10.30-10.45 start of the bike ride 13.30 - 14.00 arrival in the bay of Ston, sail to oyster beds, lunch on the island 16.00 shuttle to Dubrovnik, check-in 17.00 – 18.30 time at leisure 18.30 meeting in the hotel lobby with the guide and city tour of Dubrovnik 18.45 – 20.00 city tour in the historical center 20.00 dinner in a local restaurant 22.00 group departure back to the hotel
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]
Day 6th (May 18th 2016)
Shuttle from your hotel to Dubrovnik airport according your flight times.
Dubrovnik
TRIP PRICING Delegates (international buyers, media) will be fully hosted, while other AdventureNEXT~Balkans delegates will have the opportunity to participate to explore and experience the Balkans on 5 day PostAdventures that will be offered and run by local ground suppliers.
For non-qualified buyers who wish to attend, the discounted trip price is: 890,00 Euro per person in single rooms for lend only program.
Flights on 13.05.2016 Skopje – Zagreb and on 18.05.2016 Dubrovnik – Zagreb, will be made as individual reservation which are a matter of availability and the price will be sent to you upon your request.
Price includes: - Overnight stay in Starigrad Paklenica in typical stone houses at the foot of Mount Velebit http://eng.hotel-rajna.com/varos.html, single rooms - Two overnight stay in hotel Slavija , http://www.hotelslavija.hr/, single rooms - Overnight stay in hotel Palace Hvar 3*, http://www.suncanihvar.com/hr/palace-hvar.html, single rooms - Overnight stay in Dubrovnik 3*hotel http://www.hotelzagreb-dubrovnik.com/, single rooms - All land transfers, ferry and speedboat tickets - Bike rental with helmets, water bottles, pumps, rear rack bags - Entrance tickets to NP Paklenica and NP Plitvice - Van support on the island of Brač and the Pelješac peninsula during the bike tour - City tours in Split and Dubrovnik - All breakfasts, lunches and dinners - Visit of the Art gallery on Brač - Visit of the Museum of Olive Oil with olive oil tasting on Brač
Contact: [email protected] ESSENTIAL INFORMATION This itinerary is designed to provide you with all the information you need to know pre-booking. Once you have made a booking with us we will send you Trip Document including full joining instructions and equipment list.
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]
All times in suggested itinerary are indicative and together with agenda is subject to change due to weather conditions and/ or other unforeseen circumstances.
BIKE HIRE Bike rental is included on this trip, but you are more than welcome to bring your own bike if you prefer.
YOUR GUIDES Passionate and knowledgeable guides will personally introduce you to their homeland. As highly qualified and experienced outdoor guides you can expect to be in the safest of hands while exploring Croatia.
INSURANCE It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks. We also strongly recommend you take out cover for cancellation and curtailment.
Itinerary was created by: Viator Travel Sv. Kriza 3, 20 000 Dubrovnik, Croatia + 385 20 313 144 (T) skype:tomi.viator e-mail:[email protected] www.dubrovnikviator.com, [email protected]
www.bikingcroatia.com
Aktivni Odmor d.o.o. Split, CROATIA Tel: +385 (0)21 277 344 Mob: +385 (0)91 1543072 WEB:www.andadventure.com, www.croactive-holidays.com, Shuttle service: www.split-shuttle.com Youtube: &Adventure - Active Holiday Company Croatia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CroactiveHolidays
Meridien Ten d.o.o. - putnička agencija Ivana pl.Zajca 7, 21000 Split, Croatia T: 00 385 21 388951 M: 00 385 91 6198 790 Skype: Snjezana Tartaglia Franetovic E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.meridienten.com
VMD Travel Agency Odranska 1 | 10000 Zagreb | CROATIA tel 00 385 (0)1 60 65 846 fax 00 385 (0)1 60 65 841 gsm 00 385 (0)98 203121 e-mail [email protected] web www.vmd.hr skype: lauravmd ID HR-AB-01-080038509 | IATA CIF 75-3 2127 1 | član UHPA
Fiore d.o.o. - putnička agencija Mate Vlašića 6, 52440 Poreč, Croatia Tel. +385 52 431397 Cell +385 98 255058 Web: www.fiore.hr E-amil: [email protected] Skype: dalibor.rudan1
Bike, hike, taste and dive in Croatia’s adventures [email protected]