Croatia Coast & Island Walk

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1 8 days Cavtat to Dubrovnik Explore the stunning coastline and idyllic islands of Croatia on this 8 day walking tour. Hike to the summit of Mount Snijeznica the highest peak in southern Croatia, explore the UNESCO-listed city of Dubrovnik, walk around the islands of Korcula, Lopud and Mljet and explore the magical coastline of Ston. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Mount Snijeznica Hiking to its summit from Kuna and enjoying spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea and across the Konavle region, as well as neighbouring Bosnia and Montenegro Lopud Island Walking up to the hilltop fort and Spanjola Tower, and then following a trail leading to a series of vantage points with views across the Elaphiti Archipelago Ston Following the defensive walls of Ston and visiting the small salt-producing village of Broche Mljet Island - Passing through small wine producing villages and climbing to Montokuc peak, with spectacular views of the Dalmatian coastline Orebic Walking to the Franciscan monastery on the slopes of St Ilija Hill and visiting the coastal village of Kuciste Korcula Taking a water ferry to the birthplace of explorer Marco Polo and visiting St Mark s Cathedral Dubrovnik Enjoying free time in this UNESCO-listed city why not take a stroll along the old city walls, or wander through the cobbled streets after dark What's Included 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners 7 nights in simple hotels and guesthouses Escorted by an English-speaking local tour leader Group size: minimum 4 / maximum 14 Guided walks to Mount Snijeznica, on Lopud Island and Ston Wall, to Montokuc Peak and to St Ilija Hill Land transportation and all ferry transfers noted in the itinerary National park entrance fees One group airport arrival and departure transfer (please read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for further information) What's Not Included International flights and visas Tip for your tour leader. An entirely personal gesture DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Welcome to Croatia Upon arrival at Dubrovnik airport a single timed group transfer is offered to take you to the group hotel near the picturesque town of Cavtat (see Joining Your Tour' notes for details). This is our base for the next two nights and after settling in, there will be time to explore the surroundings of this traditional setting. Located in the southernmost region of Croatia, Konavle is known as the Konavle Valley but it is much more than just a valley. Covering approximately 125 square miles and with a population of 10,000, the region is home to around 30 villages and hamlets dotted within the area. Although some hamlets are so small and contain only a few hours, the whole area is stunningly beautiful due to its beautiful forest of pine and cypress trees. Konavle is the region of vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees including tangerines and figs and mulberries. During the evening the leader will brief us on the week ahead and we'll enjoy our first dinner together. Overnight - Konavle Valley (D) - 1 -

2 Day 2 : Mount Snijeznica Konavle Valley Kuna. After breakfast we take a brief drive through Konavle Valley and arrive at the charming village of Kuna. The area of Konavle extends all the way to the Montenegro border in the south, whilst in the north it borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a compact region with a distinctive rocky coast from Cavtat to the south, mountains on the north and green valleys in between and is known as the "The Golden Valley of Dubrovnik." We follow a trail which is easy underfoot and pass through fern, olive and wine groves as our path gradually ascends towards the summit of Mount Snijeznica (1234m). As the terrain changes, we are soon above the forest of black pine and can enjoy views of the Adriatic Sea. As we reach the summit of Croatia's most southerly mountain, there are wonderful views across into neighbouring Bosnia, Montenegro and back across the Konavle region. Returning to the village of Kuna and after a lovely day of walking, we transfer back to our accommodation. Time: 4-5 hours walking Ascent: 540m / Descent: 540m Distance: 10km Overnight - Kuna (B, L, D) Day 3 : Lopud Island Coast. On reaching the port of Dubrovnik we'll take a short ferry ride across to the island of Lopud. As only 5 square kilometres and home to only 200 people, this compact gem is described as the most beautiful of the Elaphiti Islands due to its wonderful vegetation which includes citrus gardens. Once the capital of the Republic of Dubrovnik, and vehicle free, it provides the perfect setting for today's walk. The island was once the preferred place for wealthy families of the former republic to build their summer residences. After leaving the ferry we walk up to the hilltop fort where Illryian settlements were found. Around the Spanjola Tower fragments of pottery were discovered and this vantage point has beautiful views down to the harbour and across to the neighbouring island of Sipan. Next we'll explore the heart of the island as we follow a trail to a series of wonderful view points across the Elaphiti Archipelago. The island was once home to 30 churches and there are still churches on the island from the 15th and 16th Century, plus a Rector's Palace and a Monastery from the 15th Century which overlooks the village of Lopud. After a wonderful day on Lopud we take the ferry back to the mainland and drive to the world famous oyster town of Ston. Ascent: 300m / Descent: 300m Distance: 9km Overnight - Ston (B, D) Day 4 : Ston & coastal salt fields and 15th centuries as an additional defence for the Republic of Ragusa, Dubrovnik's former title. However their secondary aim was to protect the region's salt pans which we'll visit today. Ston's walls consist of three fortresses - Veliki Kastil, Korula and the Prodzvizd Fort plus a number of smaller towers. Sections of the walls were destroyed following the fall of the Republic of Ragusa, but after extensive renovations they are now open to visitors. Today our walk follows the coastline and the defensive walls of Ston as we hike towards the salt-producing village of Broce. The 4000 year old tradition of harvesting salt is still produced in the same way, using the sea, sun and wind and lasts one to two months depending on the weather. Solana Ston consists of 58 pools divided into 5 groups due to the process going through five stages. During the time of the republic two of the pools had granite bottoms from which the purest salt was extracted and then sent to the court of Vienna. Salt was of enormous importance to the region and brought in a profit of 15,900 gold coins per year. Even today with an annual yield of around 200 tonnes, it is customary for young people to visit Broce and uphold the traditional method of salt harvesting. After exploring Broce we'll walk through pine forest and make our way back to Ston. In the afternoon we take the ferry to the beautiful island and national park of Mljet where we stay tonight. Ascent: 470m / Descent: 470m Distance: 11km Overnight - Mljet (B, D) Day 5 : Mljet National Park Kuna Dubrovnik Lopud Ston. Today we leave the Konavle Valley and take a short transfer heading north-west along the Adriatic Ston Mljet. Today we spend time enjoying Ston which is largely known for 3 things - the faming of salt and oysters alongside its magnificent walls. The walls of Ston are longer than those of neighbouring Dubrovnik and are officially the longest defensive structure in Europe. Often referred to as the "European Walls of China," they were built in the 14th - 2 -

3 Mljet Orebic. After breakfast we set out on foot to explore this seductive island as we head into the National Park of Mljet. Described as the most forested island in the Adriatic and one of the most beautiful parks in the Mediterranean, Mljet is untouched nature combined with olive groves, vineyards and rich forest. The national park makes up most of the island alongside several villages, two salt water lakes - Veliko (big) and Malo (small) Jezero plus a Benedictine monastery. The island is rich in flora and fauna and includes a number of underground Karst caves where the resident snail caves live. The island is also home to lizards, geckos, mongoose and a wide variety of birds including terns, buzzards, falcons, tawny owl and the rare eagle owl. Along the trail it's not unusual to see footprints or glimpses of wild boar and fallow deer. The whole region is captivating and tales are told of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem Odyssey been shipwrecked near Mljet, the result being him remaining on the island for years. Said to be discovered by the ancient Greeks, Mljet has remained a paradise throughout history with two salt water lakes which are the focal point of our walk. During the walk we can enjoy panoramic views across to the Dalmatian coastline, whilst the unspoiled beauty is spectacular as we walk through small wine producing villages and along paths to the high point of Montokuc. After enjoying the tranquillity we return to our hotel where there may be time to enjoy a swim before heading to the ferry for a quick journey back to the mainland. We end the day with a brief transfer along the Peljesac peninsula to the coastal town of Orebic. Ascent: 280m / Descent: 280m Distance: 11km Overnight - Orebic (B, D) Day 6 : Ilija Hill and Korcula Orebic Korcula Orebic. After breakfast we start the day by hiking through the charming region of traditional vineyards and rolling countryside which surrounds the town of Orebic. Our initial trail is undulating before we gradually ascend up to the picturesque Franciscan monastery situated on the slopes of St. Ilija hill. This Gothic-Renaissance building has a stunning location, so we are rewarded with spectacular views across the islands of Korcula, Hvar, Vis and small islets of the archipelago. After enjoying the views we'll leave the monastery and take a different footpath down to the coastal village of Kucište before arriving back in Orebic. From here we take a water taxi to the beautiful island of Korcula, the reputed birthplace of Marco Polo. As the 6th largest island in Croatia, Korcula is 47km long and only 9km wide. The main town is known as Little Dubrovnik and it still has a long tradition of practicing traditional religious ceremonies alongside music and dance across the island. The island is dominated by the splendid Gothic-renaissance architecture of St Mark's Cathedral and has a wonderful labyrinth of narrow medieval streets that are just perfect for strolling and exploring. Wine lovers should take a seat at the pavement café and watch the world go whilst sampling some of the excellent wine that is produced on the Pelješac Peninsula. Late afternoon we'll take the ferry back to Orebic. Ascent: 240m / Descent: 300m Distance: 15km Overnight - Orebic (B, D) Day 7 : Dubrovnik Orebic Dubrovnik. After leaving Orebic we take a scenic drive across the Peljesac Peninsula to the Atlantic gem of Dubrovnik. Brimming with Baroque buildings and marbled streets, it is impossible not to be bowled over by the fairytale charm of this former Republic of Ragusa. Surrounded by the azure blue Mediterranean Dubrovnik prospered as a maritime power, rivalling Venice. In more recent times and during the break up of Former Yugoslavia, the city witnessed considerable damage to the old town. However UNESCO did an amazing job coordinating the reconstruction and today the incredible city is back to its former glory. The perfect way to see the city is to head up onto the old city walls (10 Euros) and walk them. The walk takes approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on your speed and there are cafes along route to stop for refreshments and enjoy the view. After the walls the vibrant streets are the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of Dubrovnik's historic centre and lose your-self in the shady lanes. Alternatively, you may just want to head to a harbour side bar and watch Dubrovcani fisherman go about their daily life. At the end of a great day we'll meet up and enjoy a final dinner together. Overnight - Dubrovnik (B) Day 8 : Dubrovnik Services end after breakfast. A single timed transfer to the airport is included for those leaving on this day. Dubrovnik is a great place to explore for a couple of days, therefore if you would like to extend your time please contact us and we can help you arrange this.(b) Our partners Please note that this tour is operated by KE Adventure Travel. Travellers on your trip will - 3 -

4 have made their reservation with KE Adventure Travel or On The Go Tours. Is this holiday for you? The walking on this holiday is not particularly difficult or sustained. Each day we'll enjoy a leisurely paced hike of between 9km to 12km with ascents typically between 240m and 500m. We'll be walking on a variety of trails from quiet country lanes to more rugged paths, with a mix of woodland, coastal and the walls of Ston. In general the paths are good with no difficult sections and no degree of exposure. While there is sufficient walking on each day to satisfy regular hikers, it is intended that this should be a relaxing holiday. Travel Insurance It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks including repatriation costs. We advise you to arrange insurance at the earliest opportunity including cancellation cover to protect your deposit and any other payments should you subsequently need to cancel your holiday. You will need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration which we will send to you. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover all of our Active Tours. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing holidays. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. We recommend the "Travelex Select " package for our holidays. For residents of any other countries, please carefully select a comprehensive insurance policy which covers you for all of the activities on your tour. As with all travel insurance policies, it s advisable to pay close attention to the limits of cover for all sections, particularly medical cover, before purchasing the policy. Also please ensure that your policy covers you for hiking/cycling up to the maximum altitude you will reach on the holiday. Group Size & Holiday Status For this trip there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. It is essential that you DO NOT book flights until we have advised you that the trip is guaranteed to run. Once the minimum number is reached, the departure date will have a 'G' next to it on our website. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Joining your tour A single timed group transfer is provided on day 1 of the holiday from Dubrovnik Airport to the first night's accommodation in the Konvale Valley. This transfer will depart from Dubrovnik Airport no earlier than in the afternoon and anyone who arrives before this time can join the transfer. If you are arriving earlier there are left luggage facilities inside the airport and a regular shuttle bus service into Dubrovnik takes around 30 minutes (approximate fare is 5 Euro). The group will meet at the airport (at the entrance to the arrivals hall) in time for the group transfer. Alternatively it is very easy to get a taxi direct from the airport to the group hotel (cost approximately 20 Euro) or we can book a private transfer for you upon request. Hotel contact details together with an emergency telephone number will be provided with your tour voucher. On departure there will be a single timed group transfer back to the airport in the morning after breakfast. Alternatively a return taxi is easy to organise from the Old Town to the airport and costs approximately Euro. Food Croatia has a fantastic variety of food due to the rich influence of the Mediterranean and Central Europe, which means that there is something for everyone s tastes. Breakfasts are continental in style with bread, cheese, meats, jams, tea and coffee etc. Late lunches are the main meal of the day for Croatians who prefer not to eat a full meal in the evening, however there are lighter options available for tourists who prefer a smaller meal at lunch or picnic items can be made up by visiting one of the local supermarkets or bakeries. Due to its close proximity to Italy there are few towns on the coast without a pizzeria, whilst seafood on the coast is extremely popular and Croatians love their fresh salads with each meal. We haven't included dinner on the last night due to the excellent range of restaurants available in the Lapad area in Dubrovnik, suiting all budgets and tastes. The leader will arrange a meeting time and place after the free afternoon and part of the overall group experience will be enjoying dinner in a traditional local restaurant leaving you free to control your portion size and budget. Alongside the excellent food, Croatian wine is fantastic and very reasonably priced. Good quality wines are available by the glass and Croatians prefer to buy wine by the glass, half litre or litre. After dinner digestives are extremely popular in Croatia and worth a try, ranging from the warming and delicious honey, walnut and blackberry brandies to the fiery pear, herb and plum schnapps! All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners are included in the holiday price. Daily picnic items can be made up by visiting one of the local supermarkets or bakeries and the leader will advise you on this. See the itinerary for details of which days these meals are included. Dietary Requirements Please note that whilst we routinely cater for vegetarians, we cannot guarantee to provide for special diets. If you do have specific dietary requirements or allergies, please be sure to tell us in advance, and discuss this with your tour leader on arrival and liaise with them during the trip. Please note that we cannot provide separate menus for different diets and we cannot accept any liability for any problems arising from specific dietary needs. Accommodation Accommodation on this holiday is in a variety of comfortable hotels and guesthouses. All accommodation is based on twin sharing. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired with another solo traveller of the same sex. Single - 4 -

5 rooms can be arranged for a supplementary charge and are dependant on availability at the time of booking. Spending money GBP 220 / USD $270 (in local currency) should be sufficient to cover all non included meals and reasonable personal expenses. ATMs are ready available in the larger towns of Mlini and Dubrovnik. Guidance on tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you to your leader and local team. Tipping is entirely voluntary and should be dependent on good service. We advise you to tip as a group. Packing list The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You must bring the following items: Hiking boots Trainers or sandals Socks Underwear Trekking trousers Waterproof jacket Waterproof overtrousers Thermal baselayer shirts T-shirts and/or casual shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Daypack 30 litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including for lips Water bottles 1 litre (x2) Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Swimwear Small towel Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multivitamin tablets. The following items are optional: Gaiters Trekking poles Shorts Insect repellant - (DEET) Camera Spare laces Small padlock Group size and holiday status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. It is essential that you do not book flights until the trip is guaranteed to run. Once the minimum number is reached, the departure will have a G next to it, showing that it is guaranteed to run. You can check the trip status for each departure in 'Prices and Dates'. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Visas Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours, therefore it is essential that you check current visa requirements with the embassy before travel. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Croatia. UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA passport holders don t require a visa for a stay of less than 90 days. South African passport holders REQUIRE a visa (issued before departure). Requirements for the procurement of a Croatian visa are subject to change but application requirements include the need to show proof of sufficient funds to cover duration of stay, proof of pre-paid accommodation or documentation regarding the purpose and means of travel (such as a return or onward ticket, details of holiday arrangement etc). Health and vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations. As a guide Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are strongly recommended. UK residents should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is still vital when travelling overseas. Currency The unit of currency in Croatia is the Kuna. The easiest way to obtain money in Croatia is to draw it out of an ATM (cash machine) on a credit or debit card (e.g. visa or cirrus). ATMs are widely available throughout Croatia and credit cards are accepted in many restaurants and shops. Another option is to bring cash, in either US dollars or euros (pounds sterling and other currencies cannot always be easily changed) but we advise against bringing all your money in this form, in case of theft. In all of the cities that we visit there are many places to change money and your tour leader will be able to show you where to get the best rates of exchange. Time and voltage Croatia is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT). From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, Croatia observes Daylight Saving and is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Standard voltage is 220 volts, AC 50Hz. Primary sockets generally require European plugs, of the two round pin variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. Climate Croatia is a northern hemisphere destination with Mediterranean and continental climatic conditions. The continental climate is predominant with hot summers and cold winters. Along the Adriatic coast, dry summers are experienced with mild winters. Recommended reading We recommend the following books when planning a trip to Croatia. Lonely Planet Guide: Croatia Marco Polo Guide: Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast - 5 -

6 Chasing a Croatian Girl: A Survivor's Tale - Cody McClain Brown - 6 -