Discover Croatia, Hiking National Parks

Today we are starting at 6.00 AM. We know… you are on holiday. But there is a reason for such an early start and you’ll be able to have a 2-hour nap in the van.

We are driving straight to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most stunning national park. Mother Nature has done an incredible job and has created a series of lakes and waterfalls that are just calling to be explored. Of course, its beauty is not unnoticed, therefore we want to be the first ones to enter the park when it opens and beat the crowds. We will walk the lovely wooden boardwalks just by the lakes, be amazed by the countless waterfalls, and learn about local flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating geography & geology of this mesmerizing place.

We will leave the park just before lunchtime when it gets most busy and head to our hotel. A great home-cooked lunch and a relaxed “siesta” later, we will drive to a hidden local swim spot and splash around in the beautiful river pools!

This morning we continue to Paklenica National Park, part of Velebit Mountain UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Lying on the southeast slopes of the Velebit Mountains near the coast and cut by two deep, vertical-walled gorges, the park’s rugged karst landscape is one of the most pristine and dramatic in the entire Mediterranean. It contains the highest peaks in the Velebit Range, rising to nearly 6,000 feet and offering lofty views of the coast and mountains alike. We have a choice of several delightful hikes through the beech and black pine forest.

This unique trail starts from the abandoned village of Dragovode and leads to the once famous Glagolitic "desert" (hermitage), and later the observatory, the Blaca "Desert". The term “desert” refers to an isolated (desolate) area in which monks formed a community. The Blaca Desert was founded by Glagolitic priests in the 16th century. The desert functioned as a monastery, but they were not officially members of any order. Today there is a museum in the monastery. The trail continues to the beautiful bay of Blaca. A beautiful centuries-old monastery called Pustinja Blaca can be found here built into a rock cliff. The priests and their helpers fought off pirates from the seas below and lived a self-sufficient life making all their own food and wine on-site.

Split is the second-largest city of Croatia, the largest city in Dalmatia and the largest city on the Croatian coast. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings. After sightseeing this magical town, we continue our way to explore the Red and the Blue Lakes of Croatia. The Red lake is one of the deepest in Europe, and it got its name from the lacework of red rocks that surround it. It’s as though the ruthless rocks wanted to preserve its beauty – unlike the Blue Lake, you can’t swim in the Red Lake, nor reach it without high-quality mountaineering equipment.

We finish our day driving to Mostar. One of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most beautiful cities and a top attraction in the Balkans. It’s rich in culture, history, and beautiful buildings. Mostar is definitely worth a visit.

Before arriving to Dubrovnik and exploring the city, we first stop in Ston. A historic town on the peninsula of Pelješac, the most southern wine region of Croatia. The pristine bay of Stone is dotted by many oyster farms famous for the best oysters in Europe. The tradition of shellfish farming in Mali Ston Bay with particular regard to oysters dates as far back as the Roman Empire.

Pelješac is also home to Dingač and Postup, the world-famous wines. The tour of Pelješac is not complete without visiting at least one of its many family-run wineries and wine cellars. All of them serve Dingač and Postup together with some simple traditional dishes. After another great day you are free to relax in our van and enjoy a very scenic fifty-minute drive to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is Croatia's most photographed city and welcomes armies of tourists every day. Walking the Dubrovnik walls is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik for travelers of all ages. On this historic walk, you'll travel through the heart of the old town and witness the impressive economic, social, and cultural achievements of Dubrovnik over the centuries.

Starting by Pile Gate, you'll discover many essential old town landmarks such as the Franciscan Monastery, D'Onofrio's Fountain, Orlando's Column, and Rector's Palace. You'll hear some of the fascinating stories and remarkable facts from around 1,400 years of Dubrovnik history, including the classic period of the Republic of Ragusa. After lunch we visit Mount Srd, one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik. All the way up you are rewarded with stunning views as the path zig zags the side of the mountain.

Explore beautiful Lopud, one of the Elafiti Islands set off the coast of Dubrovnik, home to one of the biggest and most beloved sandy beaches in the area, Šunj. You can either walk 30 minutes across the scenic island or take a local golf cart to get to the beach. Once at Šunj, enjoy relaxing on the sand, swimming in the sea, lounging on sunbeds, and grabbing something to eat or drink at the local restaurants.

There is only one village on Lopud, perfect for a little exploration, followed by a hike to the fortress above the village, Fortress Sutvrac. From the top, your efforts are rewarded with a beautiful view of the entire area. You'll also encounter the highest palm trees in the Mediterranean on this little island!

After breakfast, this unforgettable hiking tour ends. Your memories of Croatia, however, will remain in your hearts for a long time. It was a pleasure having you!