Croatian Coast & Slovenia

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1 Highlights Immerse yourself in the natural beauty, culture and local cuisine of two southeast European gems Stroll through the polished stone streets & ramparts of World Heritage listed 800 year old Dubrovnik Swim in the beautiful lakes and hidden coves of Mljet Island, one of Croatia s island jewels Explore the canyons of Paklenica, Krka & the stunning watery delights of Plitvice National Parks Enjoy a night in Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of Slovenia Hike in the classic alpine scenery of Triglav National Park, Logarska Dolina Nature Park and the remote Soca Valley Marvel at the architectural masterpieces of the city of Venice, spread out over an impressive total of 118 islands Knowing that all I had to do was get out of bed and get ready for walking. No cooking, now worries about transport - IPT has the complete package Phylly Cant Explore two of Europe s most beautiful jewels the spectacular coastline and national parks of Croatia, then the mountains, lakes and villages of Slovenia. The World Heritage listed city of Dubrovnik is the perfect meeting point with plenty of time to explore this unique city. A short distance to the west in the Adriatic, the island of Mljet is our base for two days. Short walks lead us to the island s native forests and unique salt lakes. After our island sojourn, we return to the mainland, continuing on to Split and the ancient Diocletian s Palace. Our journey then turns north along the Adriatic coastline to the deep canyons and spring fed creeks of Paklenica and Krka National Parks. World Heritage listed Plitvice National Park is renowned for its hundreds of waterfalls dropping over travertine terraces. We follow the network of boardwalks that weave through serene aqua-coloured lakes, giving us easy access to the beauty of this park. Entering Slovenia, we spend a night in the capital Ljubljana before enjoying meadow and pine forest walks in the serene valley of Logarska Dolina. We journey via Lake Bled and on to beautiful Lake Bohinj from where we explore glacial lakes and the limestone mountains of Triglav National Park. Our final walk follows the emerald-coloured river and gorges on the So?a Trail. Our tour ends in the Italian city of romance, Venice. DETAILS Price: Twinshare / person (ex Dubrovnik, ends Venice) Advanced Early Bird: A$7,890 until 24/11/2017 Early Bird: A$8,090 until 5/01/2018 Regular: A$8,390 Single Supplement: A$1,750 Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the sole-use surcharge will apply. Minimum Group size: 10 guests Special Interest: Gourmet, Culture, Geology, History Note: Can be joined with Walk the Aegean Islands and Southern Italian Sojourn For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 1

2 WALK RATING Moderate: 5-18km per walking day with some challenging options. Age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience, and anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to join this tour. We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions and group fitness. INCLUSIONS 22 nights twin share accommodation at 3-4 star hotels with private facilities. Please note that single rooms in Europe are often smaller than Australian or American single rooms. Meals included 22 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 20 Dinners Groups transfers as listed in itinerary Guided City & Palace tours National Park entry fees Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides Pre-departure material including personalised A-Z tour information & destination tour companion EXCLUSIONS Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour Airport transfers Passport & visa expenses Heavy or excess baggage Travel insurance Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, telephone, or optional tours / excursions TOUR LEADER Luke Christiansen has worked as a guide and environmental educator for the vast majority of his adult life. For just over a decade he was employed at one of Australia s longest-established nature-based resorts, Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, and spent his days guiding visitors through the beautiful wilderness of the Lamington National Park. Luke performs regularly as a musician and creates visual art across a range of mediums. He is also a keen adventure traveller and has crossed a number of Australia s great deserts and spent two years working his way around the country. He lived in central Australia for a period, working as an entertainer (didgeridoo performance and storytelling) on the multi-award winning tourism experience, Sounds of Silence. FAQ S How & when to book? Our biggest message to you is BOOK EARLY!! Many tours book out very quickly so the moral of the story is the early bird catches the worm! To qualify for any of the early bird prices, you simply need to send a completed booking form and deposit of A$400 per person per tour, by the early bird dates listed at the front of the tour itinerary. We offer A$500 discount per person if you book by the Advanced Early Bird date and A$300 discount per person if you book by the Early Bird date. If your deposit arrives after any of the early bird dates, the tour balance will be at the regular price. To place your booking, simply visit com.au to pay your deposit and book online, or complete a Tour Booking Form, and post / fax / it to us with your deposit. Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact with regular mailings (see below). What information and contact can I expect? When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to confirm your booking. Once the tour has been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive information pack will be sent to you, including a Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, balance of payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation options. We can assist you with flight arrangements but please don t book flights until our office contacts you to confirm that your tour has been confirmed to depart. The final mailing is sent out approximately three weeks before departure and includes final tour documents, address list for family and friends, meeting points, and any final travel information. What is the group size? We specialise in small group travel with an average group size of around guests. Please see the front page for details on the minimum group size for this particular tour. All tours need a minimum number of passengers to operate at the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge. How fit do I have to be? When you are assessing your ability and agility to participate, age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience. Please read the tour walk rating and the day by day walking descriptions in the itinerary to determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness. If you have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch with either the tour coordinator or tour leader to discuss your fitness in more detail. What gear and equipment do I need to take? Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, you don t need to carry any more than a daypack with rain wear, sunscreen, drinking water, camera and lunch. A few tours include an overnight hike where you will need to carry personal gear for the journey. We recommend hiking boots on most of our tours as they offer good ankle support and grip. A detailed packing list is included with your tour s information pack. For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 2

3 TOUR Day 1 Mon 07 May Dubrovnik Your tour starts at 6pm at the Hotel Lero in the World Heritage listed city of Dubrovnik, when your tour leader meets you for pre- dinner drinks and introductions prior to our welcome dinner. Meals: D Walks: Nil Day 2 Tue 08 May Dubrovnik city tour This morning, a local guide joins us for a walking tour of this historic city. Dubrovnik by the 15 th century was a major rival of Venice for merchant trading with the near east & Europe. The prosperity of the city has long been based on maritime trade. Dubrovnik is considered by many to be among the 10 best medieval walled cities in the world and it is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic. This afternoon you are free to further Dubrovnik and we suggest you take the 2km walk around the top of the ramparts, from where there are great views of the city, the Adriatic and the coastline. Walks: Guided city tour and optional city walks Day 3 Wed 09 May Dubrovnik free day Today is another free day to explore Dubrovnik. You may like to take a ferry to the picturesque town of Cavtat and explore the beautiful beaches and lush vegetation around this peaceful harbour village. Cavtat was the birthplace of one of Croatia s most notable artists, Vlaho Bukovac, and the local gallery named in his honour displays his artworks. Dinner has not been included tonight to give you a chance to try your own selection from the large number of restaurants in town. Meals: B Walks: Own choice Day 4 Thu 10 May Mljet short walks We depart Dubrovnik on a boat bound for Mljet (pronounced Mil-yet), one of the southernmost islands on the Dalmatian coast. We check in to the harbour side Hotel Odisej, our base for the next two nights. Mljet is a long, narrow island, with the western half protected by national park. It is renowned for its two salt lakes, Veliko and Malo Jezero (large and small lake), located at the north end of the island. On a small island in the middle of Veliko Jezero, there is a 12 th century Benedictine monastery. This afternoon we take a short walk around the small lake followed by a short boat cruise, taking us to the island in the centre of the lake, where we visit the monastery and have dinner. Walks: Short, easy walk to Veliko Jezero, longer options are available Day 5 Fri 11 May Mljet hilltop walk This morning, we walk along the lakes and up to Montokuc Hill, the highest peak in the national park, for breathtaking views over Mljet and neighbouring islands. Mljet is known as Croatia s greenest island with its well-preserved Mediterranean forests and karst landscapes which are a highlight of the walk. We return to the hotel after lunch, and the rest of the afternoon is free for swimming or relaxing. Walks: 4hr return, +/- 250m in elevation Day 6 Sat 12 May Travel to Split We return to the mainland by chartered boat to then meet the driver of our bus, who will take us all the way through to Venice. Our destination today is Split, Croatia s second largest city based around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its bay and port. Most of Split s historical archaeological and cultural monuments can be found within the 1700 year old walls of the Diocletian s Palace (constructed in 305 AD). However archaeological research shows the founding of the Greek colony of Aspalathos in the 6 th century BC. Our overnight accommodation is the For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 3

4 TOUR continued... well located Hotel Bellevue and dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. Walks: Local walks Day 7 Sun 13 May Split - Sibenik After a guided walk through Diocletian s Palace, a short scenic drive brings us to the town of Sibenik in northern Dalmatia. Unlike other cities along the Adriatic coast, which were established by Greeks, Illyrians and Romans, Sibenik was founded by Croats. The town is most famous for World Heritage listed Saint James Cathedral but another trademark of the city is the traditional Sibenik hat, coloured orange and black. Another interesting fact is that the first man to build and use a parachute, Faust Vrancic, was born here. We stay two nights in the Panorama Hotel, situated out of town overlooking the gorge of the Krka River. Walks: Local walks Day 8 Mon 14 May Krka National Park Declared in 1985, Krka National Park protects a karst landscape of lakes, waterfalls and the Krka River gorge. Short easy walks and a boat cruise allow easy access to this impressive landscape. The most impressive and visited waterfalls within the park are the Skradinski buk and Roski falls. The Krka River originates from the base of the Dinara Mountains and flows through the gorge at a rate of 55 cubic metres of water every second. The river is rich with various species of fish, 10 of which are endemic. With 222 species of birds visiting Krka for spring and autumn migrations, it is one of the most valuable ornithological regions in Europe. We return to the Panorama Hotel and dinner is at a local restaurant in the medieval centre of Sibenik. Walks: 4km round trip on boardwalks and paths, +/- 100m elevation Day 9 Tue 15 May Sibenik Stari Grad After extra time in Sibenik old town in the morning, we drive the short distance to the village of Stari Grad overlooking the Adriatic. Our accommodation for the next two nights is the family owned Hotel Vicko. Your afternoon is free for swimming in the Adriatic or relaxing in these beautiful surroundings. Breakfast and dinner each day are in the excellent hotel restaurant overlooking the Adriatic. Walks: Short easy strolls Day 10 Wed 16 May Paklenica National Park Today we concentrate on nearby Paklenica National Park, a short drive from Stari Grad. This national park protects the gorges, forests and springs of the Velebit Mountain Range. We walk through the main gorge of Velika Paklenica with its amazing karst formations and towering cliffs. The walk starts out steeply up a rock paved path, and then levels out in the valley above. You can walk as far as the Paklenica Mountain Hut and return via the same easy track or take the longer, higher route along the gorge rim. Walks: 8km return to hut; +/- 500m elevation, or the 11km return track via the longer route, +/-700m elevation Day 11 Thu 17 May Plitvice National Park This morning, we drive west over the coastal range to Plitvice National Park. Our base for two nights is the Hotel Plitvice, conveniently located at the entrance to the national park. This afternoon we explore the upper section of the park with its beautiful lakes and waterfalls. An excellent system of boardwalks, trails and electric boats makes for easy walking among the 16 lakes and 92 waterfalls. Dinner tonight is in our hotel. Walks: Easy walk 6km, all downhill For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 4

5 TOUR continued... Day 12 Fri 18 May Plitvice National Park We have a full day to walk the lower system of lakes and waterfalls, and return via a cliff top track which highlights the amazing colour of the lakes below. Plitvice was declared a national park in 1949 and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in Dinner tonight is in a nearby restaurant specialising in regional food. Walks: Easy walking on boardwalks and graded tracks - a shorter optional uphill section on stone steps Day 13 Sat 19 May Plitvice - Ljubljana We continue north into Slovenia, stopping in the capital of Ljubljana for the night. It has been the cultural, educational, economic, political, and administrative centre of independent Slovenia since 1991.Slovenia s largest city also happens to be one of Europe s greenest and most liveable capitals. The European Commission awarded Ljubljana with the coveted Green Capital of Europe title for We meet with a local guide to take us on a tour of this hidden gem of Europe. Dinner is at your leisure. Meals: B Walks: Short walks Day 14 Sun 20 May Ljubljana - Kamnik-Savinja Alps From Ljubljana we continue to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps which border Austria. After passing through the town of Solcava, we reach the glacial Logarska Dolina, a U-shaped valley carved by the last ice-age and surrounded by 2000m peaks. Here, the beautiful Hotel Plesnik is our home for the next three nights. We should have time for valley walks in the afternoon. Walks: Short walks Day 15 Mon 21 May Robanov Kot valley walk With two full days to explore the Pearl in the Slovenian Alps, we spend our first day visiting the neighbouring valley of Robanov Kot where an easy 4km hike takes us to the end of the valley surrounded by massive cliffs. This less populated valley has been a farming area for more than 800 years. It was declared a regional park in 1950 and a landscape park in This prohibits the use of motorised vehicles but welcomes hikers and cyclists. Walks: Easy 4km hike on the valley floor Day 16 Tue 22 May Logarska Dolina valley or hut walk We have a variety of walking options today which could include the Logarska Dolina Trail. This easy trail follows the valley floor and reveals the glacial origins and natural history of the valley. A longer hike climbs up to the Frishaufov Hut and beyond to a meadow surrounded by cliffs. Walks: Various options ranging from easy walks of a few kilometres return, +/- 200m to longer hikes of 10km +/- 600m or more Day 17 Wed 23 May Lake Bled - Lake Bohinj Today we travel west to Lake Bohinj, stopping first at Lake Bled where we visit the castle and majestic Vintgar Gorge. Lake Bohinj is a great base for exploring the Mostnice Gorge, local waterfalls and the Limestone Mountains of Triglav National Park, Slovenia s only national park. The park was named after Triglav, the nation s highest summit at 2864m. We spend three nights in the Hotel Jezero Bohinj. Walks: 4km return walk on an easy boardwalk Day 18 Thur 24 May Julian Alps gorge & waterfall hike We have several days for exploring Lake Bohinj, the surrounding Julian Alps and Triglav National Park. Highlights include majestic snow-covered mountains, turquoise lakes, picturesque valleys and alpine farms where we can sample traditional dishes. Today we hike up through the Mostnice For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 5

6 TOUR continued... Gorge, through alpine meadows to the Mostnice Waterfall. We return to the shore of Lake Bohini. You have a choice of taking a short hike back to the hotel or following the lake shore for 4km, before returning by boat. Walks: Short gorge walks or longer more challenging options available Day 19 Fri 25 May Julian Alps overnight or waterfall hike Out of Bohinj, there is the option of a two day hike through the mountains as we are joined by a local guide. We climb the amazing Komaca trail to a spectacular view point, before continuing along the contour to the Dom Na Komni Hut (1520m above sea level). This is a key hut on the Via Alpina trail network and we return the next day to Lake Bohinj. Meanwhile the rest of the group can hike up to Savica Waterfall then take the cable car 1000m up to the Vogel winter ski area. There are grand views from the cable car terminal and we can even make contact with the group across the valley. Walks: Group 1 challenging walk - 10km, +1200m with an overnight at Dom Na Komni in 2 or 4 bed rooms with shared toilets but no showers. Group 2 Option - moderate short walk to falls with hundreds of steps, +200m and then overnight Jezero Hotel. Day 20 Sat 26 May Bohinj - Soca Valley Group 1 returns to the valley via the zig zag road constructed during World War 2, before meeting up with the rest of the group. We will then all drive around the Julian Alps via Kranska Gora and over a spectacular mountain pass and down in to the Soca Valley. Deeply carved into the white limestone of the magnificent Julian Alps, the Soca Valley is a little known gem. We stay two nights in Trenta Lodge, located in the heart of the valley. The amazing blue-green Soca River bubbling over white gravel flows through this picturesque valley, connecting cultural monuments, wooden footbridges, waterfalls, pools and ravines. Dinner tonight is in a nearby local restaurant. Walks: Group 1 overnight hikers: 800m descent over 5km. Group 2: easy valley walks. Day 21 Sun 27 May Soca Trail Today we explore a section of the Soca Trail, a track which follows the Soca River from its source towards Bovec. This was the first nature trail created in Triglav National Park, taking in the most peaceful areas of the valley. Tonight your leader will prepare dinner in Trenta Lodge. Walks: 10km with +/- 100m elevation, rough terrain in one section Day 22 Mon 28 May Venice This morning we pass the beautiful Boka Waterfall before following the Soca river all the way downstream then across the Italian border to our final destination, Venice. This is one of Italy s greatest treasure and a magical place to end our tour. Our Hotel Saturnia is just a few minutes stroll from San Marco Square and the afternoon is free to explore this incredible city. You may wish to visit the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, or explore the Scoule di San Rocco for some outstanding examples of Tintoretto and other Italian Renaissance Art. Alternatively you may like to wander through the labyrinth of alleyways and relax in a cafe. Tonight we celebrate the end of the tour with our final group dinner. Walks: Nil Day 23 Tue 29 May Tour end The tour ends after breakfast. You may like to extend your stay in Venice or connect with a flight or train to other European cities. Venice airport, main train or bus stations are all accessible via public transport or private transfers. Meals: B Walks: Nil For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 6

7 REDISCOVER EXPERIENCE CONNECT WHY TRAVEL WITH US? InterNATIONAL PARKtours have been leading small group walking holidays since Our like-minded guests bond easily and often create reunions, celebrations and friendships, many of them lifelong. Our tours are active with regular half and full day walks. Aside from walking, we also spend time meeting local people, tasting regional food and immersing ourselves in the culture and history of a destination. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, dislikes and agility of our travellers, and changing situations such as weather and unforeseen circumstances. In most locations, we stay 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. This allows us to slow down, unpack our bags and enjoy the local atmosphere at different times of the day. Accommodation is comfortable, unique plus locally owned and operated where possible. Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share their passion and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife & topography. Our journeys are designed to safeguard the ecosystems; benefit the communities we visit and contribute to the sustainability of destinations. Travel is a chance to change your perspective. Nature always provides a new view if we take the time to look. IPT offers great value for money with their programmes. There is minimum spending money needed once on tour and there are no hidden extras along the way. Judy & Peter Hughes I know that you get the blue ribbon extras with IPT and I was in the mood to be spoilt. Judy Potkonen Disclaimer of Liability Although international PARKtours has prepared the Information contained in this itinerary with all due care and updates the Information regularly, international PARKtours does not warrant or represent that the Information is free from errors or omission. Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and international PARKtours is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user. Itinerary Updated: August 2, :43 AM Responsible Travel For your protection, we are allied members of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. Your payments are kept in a trust account until required for payment of your tour. We are accredited with ATAS, a national accreditation scheme, endorsing travel agents who have met strict financial and customer service criteria. We also have advanced accreditation with Ecotourism Australia and are members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Serendipity of travel Our guides will work 24/7 on your behalf to make sure that we are doing all we can to ensure your enjoyment. We have planned an intimate adventure, but adventure cannot be guaranteed. If indeed it could then it would lose its appeal. Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth journey, sometimes things change at short notice. Some things may take longer than anticipated, transport and accommodation arrangements may alter, and you may experience occasional shortcomings and be frustrated by the manana attitude; at other times you will be amazed by local efficiency. Tour itineraries may need to be modified but this is done so with your needs in mind and to provide the best tour experience. So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the serendipity that comes from being open to the unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is ultimately up to you. T T F Timbarra Drive Beechmont QLD 4211 Australia info@parktours.com.au