Seaside Hikes in Croatia

Activity note: Hotel check in is at 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Upon arrival take a private coach transfer (approx. 15 minutes) to the hotel for check in. During the welcome orientation, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel. Water is included in the program cost at all meals.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 6 miles of walking for 3 hours on dirt and stone trails and pavement with little shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: Transfer by coach to Zedno village (704 feet), the starting point of today's walk along the Ciova island. Enjoy splendid views of the Adriatic Sea, along with a field lecture about the history of Ciovo Island. Take an excursion to the Gospa od prizidnice chapel.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Trogir. Unless otherwise noted included lunches on this program are typically a set menu.

Afternoon: A field trip through the old town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Hear a field lecture entitled "Trogir: A Treasure of Art."

Dinner: Plated meal at the hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an evening lecture with Kristie Evenson: "Croatia in Transition from 1992 (recent war) until now."

Activity note: Up to 3 miles of walking for 1.5 hours on boardwalk and dirt with shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer by private coach to the entrance of the Krka National Park and begin a circular walk in the area with one of the largest waterfalls in Europe, Skradinski Buk, before continuing by boat upstream to Roski Slap (48 feet). Pass the island of Visavac, where a Monastery built in the 14th century is located. This eco-ethno village has returned to its ancestral way of life, without the rings and noise of cell phones and other electronic devices. This morning's field lecture will cover the Krka National Park.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Return to the hotel by private coach. For the remainder of the afternoon, enjoy some time for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Dinner: Plated meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 2 miles of walking on paved surface in the city.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Private coach to Split for a walking field trip through the old town and an excursion to the Palace of Diocletian, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This morning's field lecture is entitled "Split Past & Present."

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Split.

Afternoon: This afternoon visit the Mestrovic Gallery to see works by Ivan Mestrovic - the greatest 20th century Croatian sculptor. The gallery is situated in the villa where he used to live that overlooks the blue Adriatic sea. Continue the coach transfer to Makarska. Once you check in, you can explore the little town on your own or join your program staff for a stroll along the nearby beaches.

Dinner: Buffet meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 6 miles of walking for 3 hours on dirt trails through vineyards with little shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Transfer by minibuses to the old village of Lokvicici (1968 feet). Excursion to the nearby cemetery with its large family tombs covered with many flowers. Walk through the vineyards to the Grabovac winery for a wine tasting and a special lunch hosted at a local's home.

Lunch: Hosted at a local's home in Lokvicici.

Afternoon: Return to the hotel by minibuses with a brief stop at Imotski Blue and Red lakes.

Dinner: Buffet meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 7 miles of walking 3.5 hours on river banks, small rock trails, vegetation, and pavement.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer by private coach to the bone-gray karst carved by the Cetina River over millions of years, to Kostanje (717 feet). The field trip walk begins on a slightly uphill trail and then on a downhill trail leading to the Cetina gorge. Hear a field lecture on the Cetina Canyon.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue by boat on the crystal clear water through the Cetina Canyon to the former impregnable pirate stronghold of Omis (108 feet). Remnants of the old city walls still remain. Optional walk offered in the afternoon along the coast (one hour).

Dinner: Buffet meal at the hotel.

Evening: If the weather permits, take in an evening lecture by the Makarska Astronomy Club on "Astronomy with a Telescope."

Activity note: Up to 4 miles of walking for 2.5 hours on rocky mountain trails with little shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Unforgettable coach ride along the winding road to the top of Sveti Jure (Saint George, 5800 feet). Revel in breathtaking views on the roof of the Biokovo Mountain range. On a clear day one can see as far as Bosnia-Herzogovina. Walk begins below the summit on a switch back trail up to Mt. Vosac (4665 feet) and ending with spectacular views of the Makarska Riviera. Today's field lecture is on the Biokovo Nature Park.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: At the end of the trail the private coach awaits for the transfer back to the hotel.

Dinner: Plated meal at a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 1 mile of walking.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to an olive oil factory south of Makarska where we can try six different types of oil. After olive tasting we head towards the river delta Neretva where we will enjoy a boat ride through river canals. Arrive at the museum of the ancient Roman city, Narona.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, start towards Prapratno on the Peljesac peninsula before taking the ferry to Mljet.

Dinner: Buffet meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 4.5 miles of walking for 2.5 - 3 hours around the big lake.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Mljet is a highly forested paradise that is the origin of many stories, legends, and myths. Homer's Odyssey, the story of the Apostle Paul, as well as story of the Benedictine monks and the Mediterranean Seal all take place here, on this island only 15 miles off the coast of Dubrovnik. Mljet National Park features two salt water lakes. In the middle of the Great Lake, an ancient Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th century sits on a small isle, St. Mary. Beautiful, rich forests surround the lakes and fill the park. The small wood roads and discrete pathways are ideal for hiking and bicycle rides. The woods gently descend all the way to the surface of the crystal clear lakes providing hikers with refreshing shade and enhancing the tranquil feeling which Mljet radiates. Enjoy a walk around the lakes before lunch.

Lunch: At a local tavern.

Afternoon: On your own to see and do more of what interests you most or relax at the hotel.

Dinner: Buffet meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 2 miles of walking for 1 hour on pavement with little shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Take a ferry back to the mainland. The private coach travels along the spectacular Dalmatian coastline to Dubrovnik via the walled village of Ston (0 feet) for a walking excursion. Today's field lectures are called "Dalmatian Coastline" and "Importance of Ston, Then and Now."

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue on to Dubrovnik.

Dinner: Buffet meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 6 miles of walking for 3 hours on rock and dirt trails with little shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer by minibuses to Cavtat. Walk along the coast, taking pleasure in the endless view of the open sea from one side and the Konavle mountain from the other. Take in a field lecture called "Konavle - Southernmost Region of Croatia." Continue the walk, passing picturesque villages before reaching Cilipi (502 feet). While in Cilipi, experience a Folklore Parade. Transfer by minibuses to the modest mountain village of Velji (1486 feet).

Lunch: At a mountain inn.

Afternoon: Transfer by minibuses back to the hotel.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Up to 2 miles of walking for 2 hours on pavement in the city.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: After breakfast depart the hotel for a field trip through the old town of Dubrovnik, the walled and surprisingly compact old town surrounded by city walls that stretch for 2 kilometers (1.5 miles). It's impossible not to be struck by their remarkable size and state of preservation. Hear a lecture on Dubrovnik called "Pearl of the Adriatic."

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Dubrovnik. Your program staff will give you additional ideas of what to see and do.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: Private coach transfer to the Dubrovnik airport. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures.