After arriving at Split Airport, your transfer will pick you up and you will drive approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes north to the small dalmatian seaside resort of Paklenica Starigrad, located in the foothills of the Velebit Mountain range where your base camp for the next 7 days, the family-run Hotel Rajna, is ideally located.
You can check-in to your rooms and freshen-up, before perhaps taking a stroll and familiarising yourselves with the surrounding areas. If you are tired or running low on energy, you may wish for an afternoon siesta or simply sit and have a drink admiring the views. That evening you can enjoy a delicious dinner.
Today, you might want to spend a full day in Paklencia National Park. It is a protected area that sits on the southern slopes of Croatia’s largest mountain range, the jagged peaked Velebit, containing two canyons; Mala and Velika (meaning small and large!) In this area, you will find an abundance of different habitats, flora and fauna, nature and beautiful landscapes.
The walking here is fantastic. Discover dark secretive caves and their incredible rock formations, and keep your eyes peeled for any wildlife.
After a lovely day of nature walks under the shade of mediterranean pine, head back to your hotel for a delicious dinner, celebrating your first full day in Croatia!
Today’s adventure might take you to Pag which is the fifth largest island on the Croatian coast and the island with the longest coastline, 269.2 km to be precise! The island is very famous for its lace making and local cheese – ‘paski sir’ made from sheep’s milk is a definite must try. Often referred to as ‘The Moonrock’, it has a barren, rocky and vast landscape surrounded by brilliant blue waters of the Adriatic, creating the most beautiful landscape opportunity. There are plenty of eye-catching sights to see including; the Church of Assumption, the Benedictine Monastery, the remains of the old town walls, Pag Lace museum, Skrivanat Tower and much more. Make sure you’ve got your history hat on, as there is a lot to learn here!
After a transfer back to your hotel, you'll be able to relax, have a nice cold drink and ready yourselves for dinner after another exciting day.
Known for its breathtaking waterfalls and stunning cascades, Plitvice Lakes National Parks is home to around 90 waterfalls, 16 emerald lakes, beautiful mountains and as of 1979, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will be spoilt here with the natural beauty; there are numerous species of plants, birds and animals that have their habitat here.
You could spend the day here wandering over boardwalks, past the shimmering, turquoise colours of the water and luscious, surrounding forests clinging to the rocky hills, through walking trails and up to stunning viewpoints to take in this mesmerising place.
You'll be able to stop for lunch in one of the cafes in the park to regain your energy and relax your minds, ready for a wonderful afternoon in the park.
We recommend some comfy shoes and a fully charged camera for the day's excursions, as there are so many fantastic things to see!
You might want to spend your fifth day visiting Velebit Mountain. It is part of the Dinaric Alps, stretching 145km long along the Adriatic coast. As of 1981, it was declared a nature park and is Croatia’s largest protected area! It is home to two other national parks: Northern Velebit and Paklencia, where you might have visited on day one. Here we have more opportunities to see wild cats, bears and wolves as well as foxes, badgers and endangered species of butterflies, alongside breathtaking scenery and amazing views of the coast, which gives you plenty of chances to take in many beautiful landscapes.
You may venture into the Cerovac Caves, a complex comprised of three caves, and rich with finds from the past including rock markings from bears rubbing against cave walls! Visitors are able to explore the first 700 meters of the Lower and Upper caves, so get your cameras at the ready to capture those ancient stalagmites and stalactites.
After a day in the fresh mountain air, you will be transported back to your hotel where you may have an afternoon siesta or go for stroll through Starigrad before a nice dinner.
Today you might enjoy Vrana Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Croatia and part of a protected nature reserve. The lake covers an area of 30 square kilometres and is one of the last Mediterranean swamps in Croatia. Over 12,000 years ago, the karst valley was flooded, creating this magical lake!
Vrana boasts a huge swamp and bird habitat, with more than 260 species of birds that occasionally stay here, and for some bird species such as the Purple Heron, this is the only remaining nesting place in Croatia. During the autumn and spring migrations, more than a million migratory birds stop in the Park for food and rest. For any bird enthusiasts, this will be your haven!
You can venture up to Vrana Lake’s unique viewpoint alongside dry stack walls and olive groves, where you can take in the magnificent views, visit the chapel or even go into the Kamenjak information centre to soak up some history.
You will be taken back to Hotel Rajna, for an afternoon of rest and recuperation. You may wish to walk to a nearby beach and go for a swim in the sea, or have an afternoon siesta in the shade. Following this, enjoy your penultimate dinner and maybe a few glasses of wine...
For your final day in the Mediterranean, embark on a journey to Nin Town, Vir Island and Zadar Town.
Nin is a cute, little town in North Dalmatia that has an incredible history; being the first royal town in the 9th century and the place where the first Croatian bishops were established, who played a huge part in establishing the Croatian language!
You could then go onto Vir, which is a small island north of Zadar, connected to the mainland by a short bridge. There is no shortage of beautiful beaches and coves on this island supported with cafes and eateries! You may want to immerse ourselves in some Croatian history in the ruins of Kastelina Castle, the archaeological site of Smratina or the remains of the medieval church of Bandira.
You can then finish up in Zadar. It is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in Croatia and its fortified city is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site List. It is rich in cultural heritage, with a past that goes back 3000 years. There are endless cobbled streets, ancient squares, and stone buildings topped with terracotta roofs for you to stroll around, and find hidden gems and quaint cafes, or even lounge by the port and take in the sparkling sea.
After a busy day of sightseeing and painting, you will return back to base in Paklenica Starigrad for your final night in Croatia where you can enjoy a nice dinner, reflecting on the glorious week you've had!
After breakfast you will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight home.
