Croatia

Seaside Hikes in Croatia

Program No. 13402RJ
Discover the Dalmatian Coast’s seaside villages, medieval architecture, timeless traditions and national parks as you unlock the mystery of one of Europe’s best kept secrets.

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At a Glance

Greek ruins and Adriatic views: the Dalmatian Coast glimmers with tranquility and the rich influences of Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Discover the history, architecture and natural environment as you walk through seaside towns and mountain trails, Diocletian’s fourth-century palace and the ancient streets of this once-embattled and ever-beautiful region. Meet local residents and learn about the original trails that unite the villages and people of the Dalmatian Coast.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking 4-8 miles daily on paths and mountain trails; may be rocky and steep with ascents and descents. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are required. Elevations up to 5,800 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Sample Dalmatian vintages during a lunch at a local home.
  • Learn about the former pirate stronghold of Omis as you boat on the crystal-clear water of the Cetina River.
  • Study flora and fauna as you hike along the waterfalls and lakeshores of Krka National Park.

General Notes

Select dates are Micro Group departures, with 12 or fewer participants.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Daniel Jovic
A native of Croatia, Daniel studied mechanical engineering in college and has since spent his time involved educating visitors in Croatia. He is a licensed instructor and travel agent, helps run the family’s bus company and has specialized in labor protection. In his spare time he enjoys a variety of sports, traveling and motorcycles. He is fluent in English, Italian and his native language Croatian.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Daniel Jovic
Daniel Jovic View biography
A native of Croatia, Daniel studied mechanical engineering in college and has since spent his time involved educating visitors in Croatia. He is a licensed instructor and travel agent, helps run the family’s bus company and has specialized in labor protection. In his spare time he enjoys a variety of sports, traveling and motorcycles. He is fluent in English, Italian and his native language Croatian.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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14 days
13 nights
32 meals
12 B 11 L 9 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Trogir, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Trogir
D
Trogir Palace Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Riding time for transfer from airport to hotel is approximately 10-12 minutes.

Afternoon: After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via minibus unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Primosten, Trogir
Trogir
B,L,D
Trogir Palace Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 23 miles, over 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 6 miles, approximately 3 hours on dirt and stone trails and pavement with little shade. No elevation change.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll transfer by motorcoach to Marina Kremik, the starting point of today’s walk along the coast to Primosten. We’ll enjoy splendid views of the Adriatic Sea, along with a field lecture from our local expert on the area and Croatia.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Primosten.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will board the motorcoach and return to Trogir. Upon arrival, we will set out with a local expert on a walking field trip through the old town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. We will hear a field lecture entitled “Trogir: A Treasure of Art.”

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We’ll enjoy an evening lecture from an expert.

DAY
4
Krka National Park, Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Roski Slap
Trogir
B,L
Trogir Palace Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, driving about 72 miles, up to 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles, approximately 1.5 hours on boardwalk and dirt with shade. Roughly 230-foot elevation change (loss of 115, gain of 115).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board the motorcoach and ride to the entrance of the Krka National Park, beginning 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). We’ll pass the island of Visovac, 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: We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach. For the remainder of the afternoon, we’ll 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: On your own.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
5
Diocletian's Palace, Mestrovic Gallery, Transfer to Makarska
Makarska
B,L,D
Hotel Biokovo

Activity note: Getting on/off of a motorcoach; driving about 73 miles, up to 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on paved surface in the city with little change in elevation.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and board a motorcoach to Makarska. We will stop in Split for an expert-led walk through the old town and the Palace of Diocletian, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the walk, our local expert will give a field lecture entitled “Split Past & Present.”

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Split.

Afternoon: We will 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, overlooking the blue Adriatic Sea. We will continue the motorcoach transfer to Makarska and check in to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the little town on your own. You may also join your program staff for a stroll along the nearby beaches.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Sveti Jure & the Biokovo Mountain Range
Makarska
B,L,D
Hotel Biokovo

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 34 miles, under 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 4 miles, approximately 2.5 hours on rocky mountain trails with little shade. Roughly 1,380-foot elevation change (gain of 690, loss of 690).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach for an unforgettable ride along the winding road to the top of Sveti Jure (Saint George, 5,800 feet). We’ll revel in breathtaking views on the roof of the Biokovo Mountain range. On a clear day, one can see as far as Bosnia-Herzegovina. Our walk begins below the summit on a switch back trail up to Mt. Vosac (4,665 feet) and ending with spectacular views of the Makarska Riviera. Today’s field lecture, given by our local expert, is on the Biokovo Nature Park.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: At the end of the trail, the motorcoach awaits for the transfer back to the hotel. Upon arrival, take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
7
Red & Blue Lakes, Lokvicici, Wine Tasting
Makarska
B,L,D
Hotel Biokovo

Activity note: Getting on/off minibuses, riding about 44 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 6 miles, about 3 hours on dirt trails through vineyards with little shade. Roughly 1,250-foot elevation change (gain of 590, loss of 660).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we will transfer by minibuses to Imotski where we will begin and end our hike around the Blue and Red lakes. During our loop we will hear from our local expert a little about how these karst lakes were formed and enjoy the beauty of the area. We will then board the minibuses and transfer to Lokvicici.

Lunch: At a local’s home in Prolozac.

Afternoon: We will meet the owner of Grabovac winery for a wine tasting and a short walk through the vineyards. We will then board the minibuses and transfer back to Makarska.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
8
Kostanje, Cetina Canyon
Makarska
B,L,D
Hotel Biokovo

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 44 miles, about 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 7 miles, about 3.5 hours on river banks, small rock trails, vegetation, and pavement. Roughly 725-foot elevation change (no gain, loss of 725).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll board the motorcoach and ride 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. Our local expert will give a field lecture on the Cetina Canyon.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will go by boat on the crystal clear water through the Cetina Canyon to the former impregnable pirate stronghold of Omiš (108 feet). We will take some time to explore the remnants of the old city and the walls that still remain. We will then board the motorcoach to return to Makarska. On the way, we will stop for an elective walk along the coast (about 4 miles, approximately 1 hour) back to the hotel. The motorcoach will continue on to the hotel for those that wish to return.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: If the weather permits, we’ll take in an evening lecture by the Makarska Astronomy Club, located on a small hill 5 minutes from the hotel, on “Astronomy with a Telescope.”

DAY
9
Island of Brac, Vidova Gora
Makarska
B,L,D
Hotel Biokovo

Activity note: Getting on/off a ferry. Walking up to 2 hours on the island of Brac through the Mediterranean landscape of pines and macchia. Roughly 660-foot elevation change (gain of 330, loss of 330).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will set out on foot to the ferry terminal and transfer to the island of Brac (1,775 feet), famous for its white stone, which was used to build the White House. Our walking field trip starts on a slightly uphill trail through typical Mediterranean landscape of pines and macchia to Vidova Gora (2,559 feet), the highest point of the entire Adriatic islands. We’ll enjoy the sweeping view of the nearby islands and the Dalmatian coast. We’ll take in a field lecture from our local expert on the island of Brac. At the conclusion of our hike, we will explore the history of olive oil at the Olive Oil Museum in Brac.

Lunch: At the museum, including an olive oil tasting.

Afternoon: We’ll continue by motorcoach to the charming village of Pucisca, where we’ll visit a stonemasonry school before returning to Makarska by boat.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
10
Village Walks in Makar and Tucepi
Makarska
B,L
Hotel Biokovo

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, up to 1 hour riding time. Walking about 4 miles, up to 3 hours through Mediterranean terrain, dirt trails, and pavement. Roughly 1,710-foot elevation change (gain of 855, loss of 855).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will transfer by motorcoach to the village of Makar, where we will take a little time to explore the charming village before we begin our walk toward Tucepi. Along the way we will stop in Kotišina for a visit and lecture at the Kotišina Museum. This cutting-edge interactive facility is organized into three distinct exhibition themes, encompassing archaeology, ethnology, and the exploration of natural heritage. After our visit, continue enjoying picturesque views of the Dalmation coastline and the archipelago of the Adriatic Islands as we walk to the coastal town of Tucepi.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Tucepi.

Afternoon: After lunch we will return to the hotel by motorcoach. The rest of the afternoon is free.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
11
Narona, Ston, Transfer to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
B,L,D
Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 1 hour on pavement with little shade; no elevation change.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of our hotel, board a motorcoach, and travel along the spectacular Dalmatian coastline toward Dubrovnik. Along the way, we will stop in the ancient Roman city of Narona where we will visit the Archaelogical Museum.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will continue on to Dubrovnik via the walled village of Ston for a walking field trip. Today’s field lectures are called “Dalmatian Coastline” and “Importance of Ston, Then and Now.” During our visit to Ston we will have the opportunity to visit the salt factory, where the salt is still extracted in a natural way by solar evaporation. Continue on to Dubrovnik. We’ll check in to the hotel and take some time to freshen up and relax. The remainder of the afternoon is free.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
12
Coastal Walk to Cilipi, Folklore Parade
Dubrovnik
B,L
Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off minibuses; driving about 34 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 6 miles, approximately 3 hours on rock and dirt trails with little shade. Roughly 1,320-foot elevation change (gain of 660, loss of 660).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we’ll ride minibuses to Cavtat. We’ll walk along the coast, taking pleasure in the endless view of the open sea from one side and the Konavle mountain from the other. We’ll take in a field lecture from a local expert called “Konavle - Southernmost Region of Croatia.” We’ll then continue the walk, passing picturesque villages before reaching Cilipi (502 feet). While in Cilipi, we’ll experience a folklore parade. We’ll then transfer by minibuses to the modest mountain village of Velji (1486 feet).

Lunch: At a mountain inn.

Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll transfer by minibuses back to the hotel; the remainder of the afternoon is free time.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
13
Dubrovnik: The Pearl of the Adriatic Sea
Dubrovnik
B,L,D
Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a local bus. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 2 hours on pavement in the city with little elevation change.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we’ll depart the hotel and board the local bus for a field trip through the old town of Dubrovnik, the walled and surprisingly compact old town surrounded by city walls that stretch for 1.5 miles. It’s impossible not to be struck by their remarkable size and state of preservation. During our walk, our local expert will give a lecture on Dubrovnik called “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time in Dubrovnik. Your program staff will give you additional ideas of what to see and do.

Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
14
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Dubrovnik
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program's “Getting There” information regarding transfers.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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