DESTINATIONS – Croatia

Croatia, with its secluded beaches and coves, clear waters and forested islands, is one of the most varied and beautiful natural areas on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. Elder Expeditions is pleased to invite you to join us in exploring this adventurer’s paradise.

During our tour we will visit incredible city gems such as Split, the city of Dubrovnik, the island of Brac with its quiet and unspoiled charm, and the old town of Mostar, an important cultural crossroads located in Bosna-Herzegovina. All of these incredible locations provide an idyllic environment for the hiking, rafting, swimming and kayaking, as well as the cultural visits and the historical points of interest, that await us on our adventure trek through Croatia.

Minimum participants: 4 | Maximum participants: 7

Languages: English, German, Czech, Turkish

Day 1: (Arrival Day, Split)
An Elder Expeditions representative will meet us at noon in the international airport in Split and transfer us to our Base Lodge A.
Afternoon: After lunch and a short break it’s time to observe the coast area and the beach.
Evening: Dinner and overnight in Base Lodge A.

Day 2: (Omis, rafting)
Morning: After breakfast we will do a 3 to 4 hour, 10 km (16.5 mile), rafting trip on the Cetina River. As we wind our way past fields and the cliffs which create the rapids, the waterfalls, and the lakes surrounded by wild vegetation and canyons, we will marvel at the untouched natural beauty around us.
Noon: Lunch will be served in a local restaurant where our river tour ends.
Afternoon: After lunch we visit the small town of Omis, surrounded with high cliffs and the sea, a town renown for its pirate history.
Evening: Dinner and overnight in Base Lodge A.

Day 3: (Brac Island, hiking)

Morning: After breakfast we will go by ferry to explore Brac, the largest Dalmatian Island, known for its famous white marble quarries, the source of some of the marble used in the White House in Washington, D. C. We will hike on the limestone paths leading to a lonesome monastery surrounded by rocks, from where we will have a great view of the other islands.
Noon: Lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch we will walk along the beach to the famous “golden Horn” of Brac. In the late afternoon we will bid adieu to this picturesque island as we take the ferry back to the mainland.
Evening: Dinner and overnight in Base Lodge A.

Day 4: (Dubrovnik, Sightseeing)

Morning: After breakfast we will leave Base Lodge A and make our way to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and one of the most beautiful cities in southern Europe. In 1979 Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Upon arriving we will check into our new lodging, Base Lodge B.
Noon: A lunch break will prepare us for an afternoon of sightseeing.
Afternoon: This will be our opportunity to see and savor Dubrovnik. During our tour we will explore this impressive town as well as the oldest pharmacy of Europe, located in a Franciscan Monastery.
Evening: Dinner and overnight in Base Lodge B.

Day 5: (Dubrovnik, Sea Kayking)
Morning: After breakfast we head over to Dubrovnik’s harbor to board the small boat that will deliver us to the island for some sea kayaking.
Noon:Lunch in a local fish restaurant on one of the Elaphiti islands.
Afternoon: After our kayaking experience which promises to be truly awesome, we will once again board the small vessel that will return us to Dubrovnik’s harbor.
Evening:Walking and dinner in the old town of Dubrovnik. Overnight in Base Lodge B.

Day 6: (Mostar, Sightseeing, transfer to Split)
Morning: After breakfast we will leave Base Lodge B for the return trip to Split, opting for a route that will take us through Bosna and Hercegovina. A stop along the way in the old town of Mostar, will allow us an opportunity to explore this historical town named after the bridge keepers who guarded the old bridge over the Neretva river. Maintaining its traditional position in the town’s lore, the bridge remains at the heart of Mostar’s identity.
Noon: in a restaurant in Mostar’s old town.
Afternoon: After lunch we will visit the old town, its famous Bridge, the clock tower, churches, mosques and Turkish houses. Completing our tour of Mostar, we will continue by car to Split.
Evening:Dinner and overnight in Base Lodge C in Split.

Day 7: (Split, Sightseeing, Hiking)

Morning: After breakfast we will visit the historic center of Split, also on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Our tour will include Diocletian’s Palace from the Roman period, the Golden Gate, Peristyle, the Cathedral and many other interesting monuments.
Noon: Lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We’re off to Marjan hill on the peninsula of the City of Split. Covered by a dense pine forest and completely surrounded by the city and the sea, the hill provides an interesting and unique sight.
Evening: Dinner and overnight in Base Lodge C.

Day 8: (Departure)
Morning: After breakfast we will be transferred to the Split airport where we will bid our local host a fond farewell.

Trip Extensions
If you wish to extend your trip, for example, a day or two longer in Dubrovnik, or visit elsewhere in the region before or after your Croatian adventure, ELDER EXPEDITIONS is available to assist you in formulating your plans.

2012 DATES
June 15, 2012 to June 22, 2012 (7 nights)

4 to 7 trip participants: $2590.00 per person

A single supplement of $450.00 applies unless a solo Participant agrees to share lodging and Elder Expeditions is able to arrange same sex shared lodging.

The stated price includes all transportation from the meeting point at the Split airport on Day 1 to the return to the Split airport on Day 8, all lodging, all meals, all activities and safety equipment, and all entry fees.

The stated price does not include gratuities, beverages (neither alcoholic nor non-alcoholic) or items of a purely personal nature.

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance (including the single supplement, if applicable) is payable thirty days prior to Day 1 of this expedition.

LODGING

Base Lodge A: Located in the vicinity of Omis, also known as the Omis Riviera. Our base will be in a guesthouse with modern and comfortably equipped rooms close to the beach.

Base Lodge B: Accommodation based in Dubrovnik fully equipped with private baths.

Base Lodge C: Small hotel located directly in the old town of Split with comfortable private rooms with bath.

The local hosts are an English speaking couple who reside in Vienna and who are thoroughly familiar with Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries other than Croatia or Bosnia-Herzegovina are advised to check with the Croatian or Bosnian-Herzegovinian Embassy (or a consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements. As of the date of publication, U.S. nationals planning to enter Croatia and / or Bosnia-Herzegovina for less than ninety days for tourism will need only a valid passport. Elder Expeditions advises its clients to be sure that their passport will be a valid for a period up to six months after their intended date of departure from Croatia and Bosna-Hercegovina.

There is currently no requirement for American citizens to have a visa for a stay of ninety days or less in Croatia and / or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

For more information, visit the Embassy of Croatia website:

http://www.croatiaemb.org/

You may visit the Embassy of Bosnia-Herzegovina at:

BHEMBASSY.ORG

INOCULATIONS

No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter Croatia, unless you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is present; in this case you may be required to show a current vaccination. All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot. Elder Expeditions recommends that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.