Best of Croatia – Multisport Adventure

Arrive in Dubrovnik and transfer to Sipanska Luka, a village at the far end of Sipan Island with beautiful sunsets is a charming and romantic fishing village in a bay surrounded with palm trees. Its beauty makes it a favorite mooring place of sailing yachts. Sipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and its landscape, castles, chapels and monasteries are ideally explored by bikes or on foot. After settling into your accommodation, we will meet for dinner and brief orientation, where we will have the chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our fellow travelers. Sipan will be our base for the first two nights of the holiday. Note: Arrivals are recommended by 3 pm. Transfers for arrivals by 6 pm are included, but you may miss group dinner and orientation. Arrivals after 6 pm may be subject to surcharge for transfers or overnight on land. If you wish to spend more time in Dubrovnik, we recommend that you plan your arrival one day earlier.

Accommodation: Sipan island guesthouse; Meals: D; Drive: 30 min + 1 h ferry. 

The Elaphiti Islands are one of the best Croatian archipelagos for sea kayaking. Each island is small and easy to kayak around, but has an interesting and indented coastline, offering numerous coves and beaches. We paddle out of Luka Sipanska this morning and head west towards Jakljan, Tajan and Olipa islands. All three are uninhabited and their beaches can only be accessed from a small boat or kayak, resulting in a number of secluded beaches and a rich, undisturbed underwater world. There will be plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling before returning to Luka Sipanska for yet another spectacular sunset.

Accommodation: Sipan Island guesthouse; Meals: B, L; Sea Kayaking: 3-4 h, easy/moderate. 

We have an early start today as we take the first boat back to mainland and head out to Mostar, the cultural and economic center of Herzegovina. The town is over five centuries old and situated between high mountains divided by the Neretva River. Without question the highlight of Mostar is the Old Bridge (Stari Most), which was originally built in 1566 while this area was a part of the Ottoman Empire. Destroyed during the war in 1993 but rebuilt in 2004 in its original form, the Old Bridge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon we will drive to Ljubuski and enjoy a trip on narrow Trebizat River surrounded by lush forests teeming with birds and the stunningly beautiful karst landscape formed by the river over thousands of years. Our tonight’s accommodation is a nice and friendly family-run hotel by the river serving traditional meals and local specialties.

Accommodation: Ljubuski hotel; Meals: B, D; Canoeing: 1 h, class I-II, easy; Drive: 1 h ferry, 2 h to Mostar, 45 min to the Trebizat. 

We drive north towards a small village near Omis, where our adventure on the Cetina River begins. Clear green water, jungle-like forests, caves and waterfalls will thrill you and make this rafting trip an unforgettable experience. The Cetina is easy enough for families and absolute beginners. After the rafting trip we continue towards Split and Skradin. In Split you are free to take a walk on its popular palm tree promenade and visit the Roman emperor Diocletian’s palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 4th century. Later in the afternoon we continue towards Skradin for the evening.

Accommodation: 3*** hotel in Skradin; Meals: B, D; Rafting: class II-III, 2-3 h, easy/moderate; Van ride: 1h30 to the Cetina + 45 min to Split + 1h to Skradin 

Today we will cycle around the Krka National Park which is famous for its fantastic karst formations and travertine waterfalls. We will start with our bikes from the hotel and continue by local roads to a viewpoint over the Visovac Lake. In the middle of the lake is the Visovac Island with the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac, dating from the 15th century. Today we will enjoy an excellent traditional Dalmatian prosciutto lunch. After cycling, we return to the hotel and enjoy a late afternoon and dinner in Skradin on your own.

Accommodation: 3*** hotel in Skradin; Meals: B, L; Cycling: 3-4 h, easy/moderate 

This kayaking trip is an expedition down the magnificent Wild West-like canyons of the Zrmanja River in Velebit Nature Park. Perfectly clear and green waters, rapids and waterfalls, hidden swimming pools and steep-sided canyons will steal your heart and make this excursion an unforgettable experience. No previous kayaking experience is needed if you can swim. We use open canoes or sit-on-top kayaks for 2 persons with optional child seat. Rafting boats are used during high water season (usually before May and after September, but the water level can vary a lot in spring and in autumn). After an amazing day on the river, we will return to our vans and drive to Korana Village, located in the Plitvice Lakes National Park area.

Accommodation: homestay in Korana village; Meals: B, D; Kayaking: class II-III, 4 h, easy/moderate; Van drive: 1h10 to the Zrmanja River, 2h to Korana village 

We start our day walking along the wooden paths and bridges in and around Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s premier national park. Its exquisite series of 16 emerald green and opal blue travertine lakes, more than 90 waterfalls and numerous caves makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the pure, untouched nature. A panoramic boat and train ride will take us back to the start. Later in the afternoon we return to Korana Village just in time to enjoy a swim in the clear river right in front of your house.

Accommodation: homestay in Korana village; Meals: B, D; Hiking: 4-5 h, easy, well-marked paths; Van drive: 10 minutes each way. 

Transfer to Zagreb airport for your flight home. There might be several group transfers between the destination and airport depending on flight departure time. If you wish to spend some time in Zagreb, our guide(s) will be happy to transfer you to your accommodation in the city.

Meals: B. Van drive: 2 hours