Exploring Croatia

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Venice and Motovun

You’ll meet at Venice Marco Polo International Airport at 1:00 pm and transfer (4 hrs) to Motovun (Istria), a captivating little walled town perched on a 277m hill in the Mirna River valley. The setting is astonishingly gorgeous and a large part of its appeal is in the lost-in-time views over the verdant valley, with the town rising above it like something from a fairy tale. After exploring Motovun we will have a traditional Istrian dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Motovun. D 

Distance: 2.2 miles | Ascent: 426 feet | Descent: 426 feet (may vary)

Day 2 – Istrian Hilltop Towns

Today, we'll take a short transfer (20 min) to a small village on a former railway called Parenzana, a narrow-gauge Austrian railway connecting Trieste with Poreč through a series of Istrian small towns, for 123 kilometers long. The railway was in function from 1902 until 1935, and today, the track has been rearranged for cycling and hiking paths wounding through Istrian hills. We can enjoy many fantastic viewpoints before reaching the village of Završje, perched scenically atop a hill, this is a real architectural gem. Built with wood and stone, Završje is one of the most off-the-beaten-path places in Istria. Today's walk ends in Grožnjan, widely known as the town of artists. In the 1950’s this was almost a ghost town when a group of painters, musicians, and artists decided to renovate the houses and started to live in the town. Today most of the inhabitants are artists, almost 200 of them. You’ll find numerous galleries and art studios in the narrow, cobbled alleys with handmade jewelry, souvenirs, and art. Musicians from all over the world meet in Grožnjan to create a unique atmosphere. Grožnjan is surrounded by endless vineyards, so tasting some supreme local wines would be a perfect closure for the day. Transfer (30 min) back to Motovun for dinner and overnight. BD

Distance: 7.9 miles | Ascent: 830 feet | Descent: 384 feet (may vary)

Day 3 – Truffle Hunt in Istria and travel to Plitvice Lakes

After breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and travel to Hum, the smallest town in the world. Its 24 residents will share with you the breathtaking views of the countryside and Ucka mountains. From Hum, we will hike to a small village where a local family leads us on a truffle hunt. Istrian soil hides both the Black Summer Truffle and the mythical White Alba Truffle, fetching hundreds of dollars per kilo. Truffles grow underground among the gnarled roots of oak, beech, and chestnut, and exude an exotic aroma when they arrive at peak maturity and maximum flavor. This is where your trained truffle-sniffing dog goes to work to uncover these forest gems. We’ll return to the farm home for a light lunch to celebrate our find. We will then continue our journey to one of Europe’s most beautiful nature reserves in Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (4.5 hr drive). Overnight in Plitvice Lakes. BSD

Distance: 6.8 miles | Ascent: 295 feet | Descent: 1082 feet (may vary)

Day 4 – Plitvice Lakes

Today we will have all day to explore Plitvice National Park. The park protects 16 lakes, interconnected by stair-stepping waterfalls spilling through hundreds of chutes, caves, and terraces. Veliki Slap is the country’s largest waterfall and a must-see for any visitor to Plitvice Lakes. The park is divided into the upper and lower falls, with a boat ride connecting the two areas. We'll walk on well-placed trails and wooden boardwalks with various hiking loops available and enjoy a boxed lunch while in the park. Overnight in Plitvice Lakes. BSD

Distance: 10 miles | Ascent: 1082 feet | Descent: 1082 feet (may vary)

Day 5 – Plitvice Lake to Split - Marjan Hill Walk

We'll travel from the mountain setting of Plitvice Lakes (4 hrs) through the rugged Dinaric Alps to the Dalmatian Coast with its abundance of Roman ruins, spectacular beaches, old fishing villages, and medieval architecture to arrive at Split, one of the most vibrant ports of call in the Mediterranean. Through the centuries Split has changed hands between Greeks and Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Austrians. But the city’s historic treasure is the sprawling 3rd-century Diocletian’s Palace. Today the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most imposing Roman ruins in existence. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to hike up to the Marjan Hill Viewpoint that overlooks the entire Old Town of Split. Overnight in Split. B

Distance: 6.6miles | Ascent: 558 feet | Descent: 558 feet (may vary)

Day 6 – Island of Hvar

This morning, we will have a short walk to the Split harbor from where we will embark on a passenger ferry to the island of Hvar (1 hr). After our arrival in Hvar, and a short transfer to Velo Grablje, we'll begin our hike. We will see traditional architecture along the trail connecting Velo Grablje and Malo Grablje villages as we are led downhill surrounded by olive groves. Malo Grablje is an uninhabited settlement with Konoba serving up lunch with local traditional recipes. After lunch, we will continue further down the trail passing through Milna village and meandering along pine trees and wild Mediterranean gardens. We will arrive along the coast and have the option to walk back to the town of Hvar. Dinner on your own in Hvar. Overnight in Hvar. BS  

Distance: 8.5 miles | Ascent: 548 feet | Descent: 1797 feet (may vary)

Day 7 – Island of Korcula

Our next island hop takes us to Korčula by ferry (1.25 hr), the hometown of Marco Polo. After arrival, we will have a short transfer (15 min) to the village of Pupnat from where we will start walking back towards Korčula. In the 15 century, Korčula was transformed from a humble settlement into a city after going through rapid growth thanks to Dubrovnik master builders for high-quality stone. Local workers working alongside masters became skilled enough to establish their own workshops and began to receive orders for Dubrovnik. Growing more prosperous they began to build new houses and expand the city of Korčula. Overnight in Korčula. BSD

Distance: 5.4 miles | Ascent: 495 feet | Descent: 961 feet (may vary)

Day 8 – Mljet National Park

A short ferry ride (40 min) takes us from Korčula to Mljet, known in Biblical times as Melita, where the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked. You’ll surely have a gentler landing at the port village of Pomena before entering the national park and exploring the salt lakes within the island. Mljet was a holiday resort of wealth in Roman times, and some of their ruins remain, along with a 12th-century monastery on a small island in the center of Veliko Jeziro (Big Lake). Return by ferry (40 min) to Korčula for the evening and overnight. BS 

Distance: 7.1 miles | Ascent: 525 feet | Descent: 525 feet (may vary)

Day 9 – Dubrovnik

We will start the day with a passenger ferry to Dubrovnik (2 hrs). Upon checking in to the hotel we will walk to the old town (20 min) and explore the city walls of Dubrovnik which is perhaps the most beautiful medieval city in the world. Like many of its other Dalmatian coastal neighbors, Dubrovnik came under Byzantine, Venetian, and Hungarian rule before becoming an independent republic in 1382 and went on to become a power player in the Adriatic with a fleet of 500 ships. We will have time to walk in Dubrovnik and explore the stunning monuments, the impressive city walls, and the glistening limestone Stradun; Dubrovnik’s pedestrian promenade. You can enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants before returning to the hotel on your own. Overnight in Dubrovnik. B 

Distance: 3.1 miles | Ascent: 492 feet | Descent: 492 feet (may vary)

Day 10 – Lopud Island

We'll take a short transfer (10 min) to the Gruz port to catch a boat across to Lopud Island (1 hr). Lopud is a charming, car-free town with a population of under 300 people. We will have time for a circular hike around the island and enjoy the atmospheric ruins of a fortress, palace, churches dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and a restored Franciscan monastery. We return to Dubrovnik by ferry (1 hr) for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Dubrovnik. BSD

Distance: 6.4 miles | Ascent: 1574 feet | Descent: 1574 feet (may vary)

Day 11 – Depart Dubrovnik

Breakfast and transfer to Dubrovnik airport for your return flight or onward travel. B