Langdale Walking & Adventure Holidays

INTRODUCTION
Our journey through the Republic of Croatia is by private luxury coach. After one night in Zagreb, we drive to Plitvicka National Park, the most beautiful and best known of Croatia's national parks, where we walk around lakes filled with crystal clear water and see hundreds of shimmering waterfalls. We drive through remote and spectacular countryside, crossing over the Velebit mountain range, to the Adriatic near Zadar, and spend two nights at the Dalmation coastal village of Starigrad, close to the entrance of Paklenica National Park. The next part of the journey is to Split, where we visit the Diocletian Palace and then follow the spectacular Adriatic coastal route to Dubrovnik for four nights in a 4-star hotel situated on the sea front with its own private beach and excellent leisure facilities.

The walking programme is graded Moderate with excellent guided walks, some including historical and cultural interest. It is worth pointing out that anyone joining us on this holiday is welcome to either join in some or all of the walks. Equally you could be tempted, particularly for the four nights in Dubrovnik, to do your own thing as there will be many tempting alternatives both in and around the hotel and the local area.

The price of the holiday includes international flights outbound from UK to Zagreb, returning direct from Dubrovnik. A discounted price is offered if you would prefer to make your flight arrangements.

Zagreb
Zagreb, capital of the Republic of Croatia, is an old Central European city that for centuries has been a focal point of culture. It is located on the intersection of important routes between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe. It became the capital in 1991 when the Croatian people achieved their independence and is today an ideal starting point for a holiday in Croature due to its charm, character and Baroque atmosphere.

Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is known as "the Pearl of the Adriatic" and the most important tourist destination in Croatia. The prosperity of the city of Dubrovnik has always been based on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages, as the Republic of Dubrovnik, it became the only eastern Adriatic city-state to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries. Dubrovnik was one of the centres of the development of primarily the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars. The city is a UNESO World Heritage Site.

Early June is one of the best times of the year for visiting Croatia. For the first part of the holiday we can expect the temperature to be around 15 - 20 C and 20 - 30 C on the coast with plenty of sunshine and the sea warm enough for comfortable swimming.

Day 1 - Saturday 11^th June 2011 - UK TO ZAGREB
Depart either Gatwick (Croatian Airlines) or Manchester (Lufthansa).  Met by our agents on arrival at Zagreb International Airport and transfer by private coach (30 minutes) to Hotel Dubrovnik. Meet in hotel lobby and walk (10 minutes) to Restaurant Kaptolaska for a welcome reception and dinner party of traditional Croatian home cooking. Overnight Hotel Dubrovnik.    D

Day 2 - Sunday 12^th June 2011 - Plitvicka Jezera National Park
Meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast and depart with a local guide for a two hour city tour to include the fortified upper town, Kaptol and lower town with its elegant pavements, cafes, restaurants and picturesque open-air markets. Optional coffee stop in the city square before checking out of the hotel and driving towards Plitvicka Jezera National Park. After about two hours we stop for a simple peasant workers lunch of fresh trout at a rustic riverside restaurant in the village of Rastoke - now completely restored following its destruction in the Serbo-Croatian war in 1991.

After lunch drive (30 minutes) to Plitvicka Jezera National Park for a stunning walk around lakes filled with crystal clear water and teeming with trout.

We take the park bus to the start point for the Upper Lakes walk. Following a well marked trail through forest and amongst lakes with hundreds of shimmering waterfalls we reach a lakeside jetty where we take a boat across Lake Kozjak. From this point we follow a mainly flat trail and boardwalk until reaching the highest waterfall in the park which will be the highlight of this remarkable walk. Optional clamber up to a view point above the falls (20 minutes) before returning to the main entrance of the park where our private coach will be waiting to drive us to Starigrad. Approx 14 km. 5 hours. Grade Moderate.

Drive (2 hours) south through the remote and attractive countryside of Lika Province close to the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, over the Velebit Mountain Range towards the Adriatic Coast near Zadar to Starigrad where we spend the next two nights at Hotel Vicko. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Hotel Vicko.    BLD

Day 3 - Monday 13^th June 2011 - Paklenica National Park
We are driven from the hotel to the entrance of Paklenica National Park where our walk commences. Follow a limestone trail up into the gorge, elevation 550 metres. Our companion on this walk is a pristine mountain stream, spectacular limestone cliffs, wild flowers and immense rock faces. The park is a world famous rock climbers paradise and it is usual to see climbers of all ages and abilities working the rock faces. Follow a zigzag path near the north face of the gorge until we reach the largest cave in the area, which we explore with a local guide. We then retrace our steps down the zigzag until we reach a mountain hut where a simple cooked lunch will be prepared for us by the national park staff. There is only one way in and one way out of the gorge, so we return by the same route to the entrance of the National Park. From there we return to the hotel along the sea shore, or if the legs are getting tired, we have the option of returning from the park entrance to the hotel by coach. 13/15 km. Full day.Grade Moderate. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Hotel Vicko.    BLD

Day 4 - Tuesday 14^th June 2011 - Split & Dubrovnik
Check out of the hotel and drive south via Starigrad along the coast to Split (2 hours) where we stop for a visit to the old town. After an optional coffee break we are met by our guide for a two hour conducted tour of the Diocletian Palace to learn something of the architecture and history of this famous Roman palace, and its transformation from a palace into a town. After an optional lunch, continue to Dubrovnik (4 hours) where we can enjoy a delightful scenic drive along the Adriatic Coast, crossing briefly into Bosnai-Herzegovina and stopping at Neum for optional refreshments. Check into the Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel where we stay for the next four nights. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel.    BD

Day 5 - Wednesday 15^th June 2011 - Dubrovnik
After breakfast we take the bus from the hotel into Dubrovnik for a two hour historical and cultural guided tour of the old town. Optional lunch followed by free time for you to explore the many cultural delights of Dubrovnik, including a recommended tour of the city walls. Grade Easy. Return to the hotel by bus under your own arrangements. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel.    BD

Day 6 - Thursday 16^th June 2011 - Elafiti Islands
This full day excursion takes us by boat to three of the largest Elafiti islands. First stop, for about an hour, is the Island of Kolocep, notable for its tranquillity, intense colours and thick pine forest.

Next stop is Lopud, truly a pearl amidst the Elafiti Islands, where we stay for about four hours. This island is known for its numerous summer residences, small churches and beautiful sandy beaches. We explore the island including an ancient botanical garden and Franciscan monastery.

Sipan is our third and final port of call. This is a typical fisherman's village where the port is a refuge for numerous fishing boats. Time for a stroll and coffee in one of the harbour-side cafes before re-embarking for the return cruise to Dubrovnik. A traditional lunch with grilled fish, salad, fruit and wine is prepared by the crew during the cruise. Walking distance today is down to you. Grade Easy. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel.    BLD

Day 7 - Friday 17^th June 2011 - Dubrovnik
From the hotel we walk initially along the shore, then the harbour and residential area into Dubrovnik. Our guide today is provided by Dubrovnik Walking Tours. We have included an hour's special walk of The Old Jewish Quarter or Story About The War. After an optional lunch, continue the walk into the hills overlooking the old city to a look-out point at the Imperial Fortress, returning to Dubrovnik on a footpath and then back to the hotel by bus. Approx 10km. Full day.Grade Moderate. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel.    BD

Day 8 - Saturday 18^th June 2011 - RETURN TO UK
Transfer by private coach to the International Airport at Dubrovnik for the return flight to UK.    B

B = breakfast    L = lunch    D = dinner

Please note that the following flight times, flight numbers and routings are the latest known and are subject to change and confirmation by the airlines. All times are local.