Croatia
Islands and Interiors
Spring 2007 Date Coming Soon
There is something magical about Croatia. The diversity of landscape includes steep mountainous slopes rugged and bare, to gentle hills covered in vineyards. There are 8 National Parks with unsurpassed beauty
Expect gorgeous beaches, unspoilt islands, terraces of vines, the clearest seas, Roman ruins, Franciscan monasteries and Venetian palaces. This small country offers 2000km of coastline and over 1,000 islands . Look forward to un-crowded coastal paths, small fishing villages and untouched historical sites
Day 1 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Arrival to Ljubljana, meet your guide for late afternoon city tour of the city tour. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and with its 280 000 inhabitants is one of the smallest European capitals. It is a neat city of diverse architectural styles.
Overnight: Ljubljana
Day 2 Ljubljana – Motovun
In the morning we leave Ljubljana and drive on a comfortable freeway south about two hour to the Slvenian Karst region. (There is an option of visiting the famous caves but it will cut into your walking time.) We will start walking in small village Podpec located right below the limestone cliffs of the Karst. We will start walking in small village Podpec located right below the limestone cliffs of the Karst. An one and one-half hour walk will take us through the vineyards to another village, Hrastovlje. The old church in Hrastovlje has unique collection of medieval frescoes; its most famous one is called The Dance Macabre. We will picnic or lunch in local restaurant (the restaurant is not open every day). In the afternoon we’ll have a walk to Gracisce, then a short drive to the border with Croatia. We’ll continue on to Motovun via Buzet and Istarske Toplice. . Dinner and overnight is in hotel Kastel on the very top of this hill town.
Overnight: 3-star Hotel Kastel, Motovun (2 nights)
Day 3 Motovun –Zamask - Motovun
From Motovun, you will drive towards Pazin, turn off to little village called Beram, where you will be see the church of Sv. Marija, about 15minutes from town in the forest. It holds frescoes from the same school of painting as the church in Hrastovlje - both the most valuable in the country. After the visit of the church, we drive to Zamask. From here we take a wonderful ridge walk to Motovun. Again, this is on country, gravel roads (partly tarmac), first down the hill via Kal, Beleticev Br and Sv. Bartol, then up the hill via Mozari and Rozari back to Motovun. About 12 km, a very nice day with six star views. (Note – There is the possibility of a night time truffle (mushrooms) hunting excursion in truffle season. This would include, going out with a hunter and dog – this is for an extra cost around $80 per person. The hunter keeps the truffles).
Overnight: 3-star Hotel Kastel, Motovun
Day 4 Motovun –Groznjan - Motovun
The interior of Istria is famous for its hill towns which might remind people Tuscany many years ago without the crowds of tourists. In the morning, you will be transferred by van via Livade to Oprtalj. Before the village at the end of switchbacks, there are excellent views again. Then we’ll take a scenic road via Sterna, Boskari and Martincici to Groznjan. The drive to Groznjan will take about 45 minutes. Here you can explore this little town full of art galleries, wine cellars and restaurants which offer local specialties. You might consider later start and lunch here. We’ll walk on an unpaved road from Grozjnjan through deep forests, small villages and vineyards, then drive to Porec. Here you will see a different kind of Istria. Porec is the old fishing town with its church listed as a World Heritage Site. We can explore the town and then drive to Rovinj - the most beautiful town on Istria and one of the most beautiful on the whole Dalmatian Coast.
Overnight: Rovinj (2 nights)
Day 5 Full day Briuni Islands
Today we enjoy a full day trip to Brijuni Archipelago. We leave Rovinj and take a short drive to Fazana near Pula. Here we board the excursion boat and sail to Veli Brijun. The Brijuni Archipelago is made up of 14 islands and is a national park. The Romans had villas here and, after World War II, it was the residence of Marshal Tito and later also that of the highest ranks of the Yugoslavian army and the communist party. The islands have been closed to the general public for many years. One had to be either the leader of the country or a famous movie star to get in. There is a small museum with pictures of VIP visitors such as Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Elizabeth, Muammar Kaddafi, and Sophia Loren. Veli Brijun has its own safari with many animals, mostly gifts from African dictators to Tito. Veli Brijun is a place where one can walk, ride in the tourist train, or simply relax in style. You can also rent bikes on the island. If time permits we can stop at the Roman Amphitheater in Pula on the mainland as we return to Rovinj for the night. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Overnight: Rovinj
Day 6 Cres Island
Leave Rovinj in the morning. Drive via Pazin to Brestova (about 2 hours) where we ride on ferry to Rogozina on island Cres. On Cres we experience very different world from the busy Rovinj. Our first stop will take us to village Beli. Only about 40 people live here in these days, its 3 children are taken daily to the school to Cres (town). But Beli is special place in Croatia. In this northern tip of Cres, about 70 pairs of European griffon vulture live here. The old school has been changed into research centrum and small exhibition. Time stopped on Cres many years ago. It is small port full of old buildings very well located in the bay and protected from storms. There are thousands and thousands of olive trees on the gentle slopes above the town. We drive to Lubenice, an old village about 4000 years old located on the top of the cliff. Only about 20 people still live here. From Lubenice, walk to Valun or Vidovici with great view to all sides.
Overnight: Apoksiomen Hotel (2 nights)
Day 7 Losinj Island
Losinj is very different from Cres. Its pine forests and pleasant climate brought attention of Austrian aristocracy long time ago and the first spa has been established here in the late of 19th century. Our walk will take us to Veli Losinj, tiny old harbour at the end of the world. Sea around Losinj island is rich for dolphins and small research centrum has been established in Veli Losinj. We visit the small exhibition about these wonderful animals. Today we walk on a waterside path to Veli Losinj, a charming little harbor town. From here we walk to top of hill to church with a stunning view of the island. We can picnic here. There are additional trails in the area for more walking if desired.
Overnight: Apoksiomen Hotel
Day 8 Rab Island
Private boat transfer to Rab. Our excursion boat will take us across the sea to the pearl of Kvarner Islands (official name of this archipelago) island of Rab. North side of the island is bare, beaten by strong bura all the time but the southern side of Rab has plenty of water and thanks to that fertile land. No surprise that town of Rab has been established. You’ll never forget the beauty of this place! The walk is on the car-free peninsula.
Overnight: Ros Marin Hotel– 2 nts
Day 9 Rab Island
Plenty of time to explore this fascinating city and then enjoy a view of the island on a walk up to the highest point
Overnight: Ros Marin Hotel
Day 10 Pag Island
Private transfer to Pag island drive length of island (no walking because of snakes). We’ll stop in Pag for lunch. You can buy handmade lace from the local ladies or try the famous sheep cheese. Then we’ll drive Krka waterfalls in the National Park for a beautiful walk.
Overnight: Trogir (1 night)
Day 11 Departure
Air from Split (or optional: take a ferry from Split to Dubrovnik on Sept 26 (start at 6:30 am and in Dubrovnik is at 4:pm) .
Island Extension:
We enjoy 4 nights tranquil nights on the beautiful Islands of Hvar and Vis.
2 nights Vis Island
The island of Vis was inhabited by Neolithic tribes. In later times (4th c. B.C.) the island was colonized and became an independent city state, even forging its own money. An ancient Greek cemetery lies on the island and there is evidence of Romans, early Slavs, and the English.
In its modern history, Vis was a militarily strategic location. It served as Tito’s headquarters in the event war, thus the island is full of bunkers, foxholes, machine gun emplacements, and uncovered manholes. From the island’s caves, Tito directed the partisans (a Yugoslavian underground resistance army) during the end of World War I. Today, 5,000 inhabitants populate the 13 settlements on the island. Vis was not open to foreigners until 1989.
5 km southwest of Vis is the island of Bisevo, 5.8 square km in size. Though beautiful in itself, having a fertile center and a pine forest in the north, Bisevo is most famous for its Blue Grotto, or Modra Spilja. At noon, with a calm sea, sunbeams penetrate through a submarine opening and reflect up from the white bottom floor. The cave then glows an iridescent blue. Objects in the water shimmer silver. The cave is accessible only by small boat. If you wish, you may swim in the haunting colors of the cave.
2 Nights Hvar Island
You will begin your journey here with the realization that you are being enveloped by the sweetly scented air, an aromatic mixture of myrtle, lavender, rosemary. Then, the perfect blue waters surrounding the island will become the blurry backdrop for the ancient architecture surrounding you, the most obvious example being the 16th century Venetian Fortress towering above the town of Hvar. The view of the sea from the Franciscan Monastery is also breathtaking.
If you are less inclined to walk about, then engage yourself in the sport of people watching along Riva Street. Study the marina life, its people and their yachts as everyone goes about leading their playful, sailing-based lives.
October 1 Ferry to Dubrovnic
Details.
10 Nights, 11 days
4 Night, 5 Day island Extension
Air Not Included
