Adventure Associates of Wa, Inc. www.adventureassociates.net PO Box 16304 Seattle WA 98116 206-932-8352 info@adventureassociates.net Women s Croatia Plus with Elafiti Islands Extension Croatia is a Balkan beauty and an Adriatic gem. It is a small country richly endowed with immense natural beauty and a colorful history kept alive with its well-preserved castles, fortresses and palaces. Our adventure begins in the capital city of Zagreb with a visit to Samobor and a demonstration of the tradition of gingerbread making. Next it s onto Croatia s most famous national park, Plitvice Lakes, with its beautiful turquoise lakes and numerous waterfalls a day of hiking and exploring showcases the best of the best. Head west to enjoy a day of frolicking whitewater (no experience necessary) through the narrow canyons and quiet pools of the Zrmanja River. The fortressed city of Trogir on the Adriatic coast, a World Heritage Site that boasts an Old Town of 15 th century charm, is our next stop. Detour into Bosnia for a day of easy canoeing on the Trebizat River before touring the historic city of Mostar situated in a beautiful valley in the high mountains of Herzegovina. Our adventure ends in the medieval and picturesque city of Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic. Couple of extra days? Extend your time on the Adriatic Coast and discover the beauty of the Elafiti Islands, hiking and sea kayaking. Trip Dates: May 3-12, 2014 (includes extension days) Land Costs: $2335 (6 participants min.) Trip Highlights: Hike and kayak through rural villages, down wild rivers, across turquoise lakes, under limestone waterfalls, through quiet forests. Explore the charming fortress cities of Dubrovnik, Trogir and Mostar (in Herzegovina / Bosnia). Immersion in local culture traditional gingerbread workshop, small village overnight homestay and more
Travel Days: Depart USA. On your own. DAY 1: Arrive in Zagreb, Croatia. Transfer on your own to our downtown hotel. Evening get together, trip orientation and welcome drink with your guides. All meals on your own. DAY 2: After a hearty breakfast, we travel to the suburban town of Samobor for an introduction to the tradition of gingerbread making. First appearing in European monasteries in the Middle Ages, gingerbread making became a fine craft in Croatia and is, today, one of the most recognizable symbols of Croatian identities. Then it s onto the charming 18 th century mill village of Rastoke with its sweet pine forests and beautiful pools and dramatic waterfalls. It s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a traditional meal. This evening we spend in the small village of Korana located near Plitvice Park. We have the opportunity to enjoy the company of the locals in simple homestays. (BLD) DAY 3: Following breakfast, we head out to explore the Plitvice Lakes Park by foot. Hiking on the wooden paths and trails in Plitvice Lakes National Park itself is nothing short of magical! This spectacular karst landscape is made up of a sequence of turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, travertine pools and pine forests. Picnic lunch in the park before returning to Korana village for a 2 nd night. Enjoy a traditional bar-b-que on the riverside (weather permitting). (BLD) DAY 4: This morning we bid farewell to our Korana hosts and head south for an exciting day on the Zrmanja located in Velebit Mountain chain.. Imagine a wild-west canyon setting through which a perfectly clear and warm blue-green river flows with fun rapids, waterfalls and quiet pools for swimming this is that image come true. Depending upon the river conditions, watercraft will be either stable sit-upon kayaks or paddle rafts. No experience is necessary and instructional techniques will
be covered by your guides. Before we start our paddling we enjoy a traditional meal of excellent home made prosciutto and cheese! the river, we continue our drive to the medieval fortressed town of Trogir. Evening free to explore this charming town. (BLD) DAY 5: No early start today enjoy a leisurely breakfast! This morning we explore the old town of Trogir (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) stone-carved balconies, cobbled streets and car-free lanes, well-preserved fortresses, cathedrals and gothic palaces. Founded in the third century BC, this lovely island town is considered one of the jewels of the Dalmatian coast. After lunch, we continue our drive south and east into Ljubuski, Bosnia for the evening. Overnight In Ljubuski. (BD) DAY 6:. We begin our day canoeing (instruction provided) in one of the most exciting karst areas in Herzegovina on the Trebizat River. Following lunch we visit the historic and picturesque town of Mostar, Herzegovina. Mostar has long been known for its old Turkish houses and Stari Most, the Old Bridge (recently renovated) that spans the deep gorge cut by the Neretva River. The bridge links two different cultures Islamic on the left bank complete with it mosques and minarets and Christian on the right bank with its cathedrals and spires. Poke around in the quaint shops, sip a rich cup of coffee before heading on to the small coastal town of Zaton (near Dubrovnik) for the evening. Overnight Zaton. (BLD) DAY 7: Wake this morning in the quiet, bayside village of Zaton (just 20 minutes north of Dubrovnik). We re off this morning for a guided tour of the Dubrovnik s Old Town this is a near perfect, walled city founded in the early seventh century. Its massive walls and the medieval fortress towers and ramparts completely enclose the historic center. In addition to visiting the most important sites within the city, we have the opportunity to participate in the making of traditional sweet Croatian delicacies oh yum! Time on your own this afternoon to enjoy the quiet of Zaton and its bayside trails or to spend more time exploring Dubrovnik. Farewell dinner this evening. Overnight Zaton. (BD) DAY 8: : Say your farewell to Croatia and a great adventure or extend your trip for three days to the Elafiti Islands. For those departing there is one transfer to the airport based upon the most convenient time for the most people. (B)
Staying a few more days? ELAFITI ISLANDS EXTENSION: DAY 8-9: After an early breakfast we catch the morning ferry (or paddle our kayaks dependent upon group make-up and weather conditions) to one of the Elafiti Islands a quiet, car-free archipelago of beautiful islands with fragrant cypress and pine forests, lovely hiking trails, golden beaches and protected waters that lend themselves to great sea-kayaking. We have two days to fully explore a couple of these islands (Kolocep, Lupod, and/or Sipan) depending upon the group s make-up, weather, the seas etc. After invigorating and relaxing days, we return to our lodging in Zaton just outside of Dubrovnik each of the evenings. For those wishing to explore the old town of Dubrovnik more, time will be available for this as well. Meals included: 2 Breakfasts, Lunch day 8, Dinner day 9. DAY 10: Bid farewell to Croatia! Transfer and depart for home. NOTE: While as accurate as possible at the time of printing, this itinerary should be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of the trip route and activities, rather than an inflexible schedule. The itinerary, hotels and flights are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Any additional costs incurred due to circumstance beyond Adventure Associates of Washington s (AAW) control are the responsibility of the individual passengers. AAW does not accept any responsibility for refunds of unused arrangements due to any change in itinerary in any way by clients after the commencement of the journey or strike action prior to departure and while overseas. Prices are subject to change. Land Costs See below Deposit $500 ($200 nonrefundable) Internatio nal Flight: On your own Single Supplement $449 Trip Dates May 3 10 Extension: May 10-12 Group Size 6-12 Difficulty No Experience Needed Activities Hike, Kayak, Castles, Cultural Exchange, Homestay Land Package: $2335 (6-12 members); $2620 (4-5 members) Elafiti Island Extension: $490 (6-12 members); $515 (4-5 members) Single Supplement (Optional): $449 Visa: Not required Flights from USA approx.: $1270 - $1600 Airport codes: Zagreb ZAG, Drubrovnik - DVB
A FEW IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT YOUR TRIP...Read carefully Included in your Trip Fee: Standard accommodations (twin share); full meals board (BLD) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; transfers, ground transportation; sightseeing with a national Englishspeaking guide and entrance fees. Not Included in your Trip Fee: Airport departure tax (*inquire to see if tax is paid with ticket purchase), international airfare and any accommodations en route,meals not mentioned, tips, travel/medical/evacuation insurance and items of a personal nature. Optional: single supplement fee. How Strenuous are the activities: This trip is a moderate level of physical fitness enjoying active days. Paddles are easy paddles or along protected coastlines, no prior experience. You should be comfortable in the water and be able to swim. Transportation transfers can be 2 hours and more. Lodging: City hotels, quaint typical local lodging, village homestay. Travel with an open mind. Expectations need to be flexible. Single Supplement: Single accommodations are not guaranteed, but will be provided at an additional cost of approximately US$449. For passengers who are traveling alone and wish to share a room with another tour member, we will do our best to provide a roommate. However, if this is not possible, you will be required to pay the single room supplement prior to your departure from the USA. Travel & Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend that travel insurance be purchased immediately following your registration. The time and expense that you have put into planning and paying for your trip warrant protection through the purchase of travel insurance. Our primary interest in the Travelex or Access America travel Insurance package is that it covers emergency medical transportation - this is important when traveling and preparing for the unexpected. Emergency services are very costly. This coverage is very inexpensive in comparison. The insurance also protects you and your money from late cancellations, accidents or illness in remote areas, loss of baggage, airline flight changes and other unexpected delays. The particular programs we recommend will cover preexisting conditions, if you purchase full coverage within fourteen (14) days following your registration or flight purchase. Information available upon request. Transportation/Flight Arrangements: Upon your registration, Adventure Associates will work closely with you on your individual flight plans. Certain programmed activities are dependant on flight schedule - you should verify your flight itinerary with Adventure Associates before purchase. How to Register: If you have not downloaded an application form from our website, please contact our office for a complete registration packet. Complete the application form and return it to our office along with the appropriate deposit. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation and final details about your pre-trip preparation. For immediate confirmation, you may charge your deposit to Visa, Master Card or American Express by phone or fax. Payment Schedule: We accept checks, Visa, MC, payments for tour costs; checks/cash for flights and visa fees. $500 deposit due at time of registration ($200 non-refundable) $1200 due six months prior to departure Final payment due two months prior to departure Cancellation & Refund Policy If you must cancel prior to departure, the following fee will be assessed based upon our receipt of your written cancellation request: Days Prior to Departure (trip destination) 90 or more... $200 60 to 89... $500 45 to 59... 50% fee
1 to 44... 100% fee Itineraries are subject to change. No partial refunds are possible for any unused portion of your trip. Penalties on airline tickets are subject to the individual air carrier's rules and regulations. Departure is defined as the date of the first flight, or the trip departure date as indicated on our Trip Schedule, whichever comes first. Once a trip has been confirmed medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. However, if you have purchased a comprehensive Travel Insurance plan that covers cancellation, you may be able to retrieve some of the funds. Adventure Associates of Wa, Inc. www.adventureassociates.net Copyright 2013, Adventure Associates. All Rights Reserved. Info@AdventureAssociates.net PO Box 16304 Seattle, WA 98116-0304 Ph: 206-932-8352