Viewed: 29 Sep 2021 Croatia – Coast and National Parks Activity Week HOLIDAY TYPE: Small Group BROCHURE CODE: 4031 VISITING: Croatia DURATION: 7 nights In Brief Our Opinion Croatia is perhaps best known for its coastline but, venture just a few miles inland and you’ll Croatia is utterly stunning – such luscious also find an interior to match anywhere in countryside and coastline, with a huge variety of Europe. This 7-night adventure is the active activities to match. White-water rafting, sea way for families to explore the best of both kayaking, hiking and cycling make this a fantastic Croatian worlds. itinerary for families looking for fun and adventure! Alex Charlton Speak to us on 01670 789 991 [email protected] www.activitiesabroad.com PAGE 2 What's included? • Transfers: group airport and activity transfers (private airport transfers may incur a supplement) • Accommodation: 7 nights two-bedroom apartment-style accommodation • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 7 dinners • The following activities are included in the holiday: sea kayaking to Zlarin Island, cycling to Krka River National Park and short walk, Paklenica National Park hike and Zadar visit, white-water rafting and Zrmanja River canoe safari (order of activities is subject to change) • All equipment, tuition and supervision from fully qualified instructors • Services of our local representatives or guides • A note on flights: while flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options Trip Overview Croatia is a country blessed by natural and manmade beauty. The Dalmatian Coast is a match for any archipelago in the world, cities such as Split and Dubrovnik are the stuff of legend and national parks protect stunning environments on the islands and the mainland. The small town of Skradin, where we’ve based this 7-night active family adventure, is the ideal base from which to explore both the coast and the national parks and all that they offer. This holiday makes the absolute most of Croatia’s natural environment. You’ll see the fabulous coastline from the very best vantage point, a sea kayak and spend lots of time actively exploring rivers and national parks. There’s cycling to the Krka National Park with a short walk through the park, hiking in Paklenica National Park, rafting on the fast-flowing Cetina River and canoeing through the Zrmanja River’s spectacular steep-sided canyons. Skradin is a lovely place to stay with honey-coloured stone buildings, ubiquitous red roofs, a stunning marina and an excellent choice of restaurants. The town sits on the River Krka and right next to the Krka National Park, a veritable adventure playground of rivers, lakes, hills and forests. Speak to us on 01670 789 991 [email protected] www.activitiesabroad.com PAGE 3 There is a popular local beach on the inlet, just on the outskirts of the main part of town and very popular cycling and walking trail to the Skradinski Buk waterfalls. The waterfalls are magnificent and reminiscent of somewhere you might see in a tropical TV advert. We can’t think of a better way to explore the very best of Croatia’s coast and country than on a multi- activity holiday. You’ll be safe under the tutelage, guidance and supervision of qualified guides so all you have to do is listen and then enjoy. Image credits: Croatian National Tourist Board/Ivo Biocina Agenda Please note the order of activities is subject to change DAY FLIGHTS, TRANSFERS AND WELCOME 1 You’ll fly into either Split or Zadar, both of which are well served from the UK. It’s approximately one hour to Skradin in the transfer vehicle from either airport. Your transfers will be grouped to the closest available departure time. Depending on your arrival time, you might take the opportunity to stroll through the town. We recommend doing so whilst savouring an excellent ice cream from one of the many local vendors. You’ll meet with our guide in the hotel lobby and join the other families at dinner. While you are enjoying your meal, the guide will tell you about the days ahead and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know others in the group (the kids generally sort of circle each other for a while before getting on like a house on fire). Dinner will be a set 3-course meal, drinks not included. Included Meals: Dinner DAY SEA KAYAKING TO ZLARIN ISLAND 2 You’ll be driven to Zablace, a small coastal village, for the start of your sea kayaking adventure. You’ll be provided with all the necessary equipment and given a full safety and instruction briefing before heading out onto the Adriatic. It’s a 2km paddle to the island of Zlarin and you’ll head to its eponymously named town. This is archetypical Croatia and we’d urge you to take a walk along the waterfront and the secluded harbour and take the chance to grab a bite to eat in one of the cafes or restaurants (payable locally). You’ll paddle back to the mainland at a gentle pace and there may be time for a detour into historic Sibenik before returning to Skradin. Today's activity will last for approximately 4 - 5 hours, including breaks. Speak to us on 01670 789 991 [email protected] www.activitiesabroad.com PAGE 4 Dinner at the hotel is included during your time here (set menu, drinks not included), however, there are plenty of local restaurants nearby, which serve up a variety of tasty dishes, in case you fancy heading out for the evening instead. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY VISOVAC ISLAND, CYCLING AND KRKA NATIONAL PARK WALKING TOUR 3 You and your family will be picked up in the morning and head to the shores of Visovac Lake from where a small boat will transport you to Visovac Island. Enjoy a short tour of the Franciscan monastery and a walk through the beautiful park that is looked after by the monks. After a spot of sightseeing, you’ll return to the lakeside to indulge in a swimming session before being transferred back to Skradin for lunch (payable locally). Once you have finished your lunch, it’s time for some cycling. After an introduction and safety briefing, you will head towards the Krka National Park with amazing views along the way. Having arrived at the entrance of the park, your guide will take you on a walking tour (approximately 1 hour and mostly on flat paths) where you will see the 44m high waterfall Skradinski Buk. The falls are the last and most impressive in a long series of cascades along the Krka River. Over the millennia, water has carved through the karst limestone to create an idyllic spot. After your walk, it’s time to cycle back to Skradin. You’ll cycle approximately 10km in total (2km on a road and 8km on gravel paths). You will be out and about for approximately 6.5 to 7.5 hours including transfers and a 2-hour break for lunch. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY HIKING IN THE PAKLENICA NATIONAL PARK AND ZADAR 4 It’s just over an hour’s drive to Paklenica National Park this morning but every second of that drive is worthwhile. Paklenica is probably Croatia’s most remarkable national park and you could spend days marvelling at the flora, fauna and geology as well as exploring the vestiges of the lives lived by the nomadic stock herders who lived here during the summer months. However, what most people come here to do is hike along the steep-sided and towering rocky walls of Velika (big) Paklenica and Mala (small) Paklenica canyons. These hugely impressive canyons are 14km and 12km long respectively but only between 400m and 800m wide. It’s really rather humbling to stand beneath those domineering canyon walls and look up as they soar skywards. After your hike, you will visit Zadar, a city that is known for its old town and medieval churches. Lunch is not included today, however, there is a local restaurant and shop, so you can either opt for a sit-down meal or a picnic lunch in the park. Speak to us on 01670 789 991 [email protected] www.activitiesabroad.com PAGE 5 You will be out for around 6 to 7 hours in total including breaks and transfers. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY CETINA RIVER RAFTING 5 This morning you’ll be driven south to the Cetina River where you’ll spend an exciting three hours rafting. It’s a lovely river with plenty of excellent views for those relaxing moments when you are not negotiating the rapids. A safety briefing, tuition and equipment are all included. Lunch is not included today, however, there is the option of a nearby restaurant, or a local shop, if you would prefer to make up your own picnic. Subject to when you finish rafting, there may be time to visit the historic centre of Split and spend time exploring the vestiges of Diocletian’s remarkable 4th century palace. The journey time is approximately one and a half hours between the hotel and the rafting location. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY FREE DAY/OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES 6 By now, you’ll know your local guides pretty well and they can advise you on optional activities which are available locally. Of course, you may very well fancy some downtime and the bathing area just on the outskirts of town is often a popular choice.