CROATIAN NATIONAL PARKS

 

  

The unique nature of Croatia surprises all the visitors with its richness and beauty. Exceptional geographical and biological variety is due to strong interweaving of Mediterranean, prealpine, Dinaric and Pannonian, bio-geographical influences on the relatively small area. The specificity of Croatian karst ecosystems, the richness of plant and animal life, vast swamp areas and flood forests have become acknowledged part of the most valuable world natural heritage. Rich wildlife of a number of untouched ecosystems is protected in numerous ornithological, botanical and forest nature reserves. The most valuable and the most attractive of such areas in Croatia are to be found in up to 8 national parks and 10 nature parks. Each of them is unique for its landscape but also for its cultural and tourist particularities and values. By visiting Croatian national parks and nature parks you will not only rediscover ancient roots between the man and the nature but also have the opportunity to rest and relax.

Arrival in Zagreb. Check in at the hotel. Overnight.

 

Breakfast. Leaving for Poreč. A drive through Karlovac and Gorski Kotar, also called “the lungs of Croatia”, to Crni Lug – entrance to the RISNJAK NATIONAL PARK. This wooded mountain massif impresses with its numerous mountain peaks of which the highest is Big Risnjak, 1.528 m above sea-level. Walk along the Leska Lane will last around 2 hours. Visiting LOKVE and the Lokvarka cave, also called “Croatian Postojna”. Continuing the journey to the Učka Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Croatia. Driving along Glagolitic Monks’ Lane, the unique memorial complex nearly 7 km long, will lead you from ROČ to HUM – “the smallest town in the world”. After a short sightseeing tour continuing through the valley of the Mirna river to MOTOVUN, the fortified settlement founded in the Middle Ages. After sightseeing leaving for the western coast of Istria and the city of POREČ. Built in the 2^nd century by the Romans as the system of streets that are positioned at right angle (cardo and decumanus), Poreč occupies a small peninsula. The highlight of the town is the Euphrasius’ Basilica, the complex of buildings that includes the atrium, the baptistery, the bishop’s palace and the three-nave basilica. Enjoy the wall mosaics from the early Byzantine period, of extraordinary quality and comparable to those in Ravenna, Italy. Check in at the hotel. Overnight.

 

After breakfast driving along the LIM BAY to ROVINJ, “the pearl of the Istrian west coast”. Walk through the streets paved with stone up to the St Euphemia’s Cathedral – the symbol of the city. According to the legend the marble sarcophagus of St Euphemia sailed to Rovinj in the 9^th century. Leaving for Fažana and boarding on the boat for Big Brijun. Sightseeing of the BRIJUNI NATIONAL PARK, the archipelago of 14 islands with exceptional vegetation and important archaeological sites. Continuing for PULA, the oldest town on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Sightseeing of the old town covers the famous amphitheatre. Continuing into the continental part of Istria to the ancient fortified settlement BERAM. Return to Poreč. Overnight at hotel.

 

Breakfast. Leaving for SENJ and continuing the trip across Vratnik pass and Žuta Lokva to KUTEREVO, a picturesque mountain village where the only shelter for abandoned bear cubs in Croatia has found its place. Visit to Krasno and theSJEVERNI VELEBITNATIONAL PARK (if the weather permits). Climbing on ZAVIŽAN peak and visiting the mountain hut located at the highest level above the sea in Croatia. Possible is the visit to the VELEBIT BOTANIC GARDEN that serves for various scientific researches and education of visitors. Lunch at the mountain hut on Zavižan peak. Leaving for Otočec and continuing towards PLITVICE LAKES. Check in at the hotel. Overnight.

 

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the PLITVICE LAKES, the most famous national park in Croatia. The complex of Plitvice Lakes was proclaimed a national park in 1949, while since 1979 it has been included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Wooded surrounding hides 16 beautiful crystal-blue lakes cascading into foamy waterfalls, provided with the water by a number of rivers and streams. Continuing towards Starigrad – Paklenica, entrance to the PAKLENICA NATIONAL PARK, which is placed on the southern side of the Velebit mountain as its most precious natural phenomena. The park was named after Big and Small Paklenica – the two impressive canyons vertically splitting the main ridge of the Velebit mountain. The multitude of extraordinary karst shapes and caves includes the most beautiful Manita peć cave and Vodairca pit. Short sightseeing tour of a part of the national park. After a break leaving for SPLIT. Check in at the hotel. Overnight.

 

Breakfast. After breakfast city tour of Split . The most significant monument of the city is the Diocletian’s Palace, the most famous and the best-preserved antic monument in Croatia that has been built at the end of the 3^rd century by the Roman emperor Diocletian, born in the surrounding of Salona and known as the reorganiser of the Empire and persecutor of Christians. Continuing for TROGIR and the sightseeing of its historical core under the protection of UNESCO. After city tour driving along Makarska Riviera to the VALLEY OF THE NERETVA RIVER. Voyage on “trupica” boats, characteristic for this river, through the untouched nature and channels of Neretva delta – the only Croatian delta. Boarding on the ferry to Polača on the island of MLJET. Accommodation at hotel. Overnihgt.

 

Breakfast.

Mljet also known as “the island of secrets” and home to mongoose and Mediterranean monk seal. According to the legend Ulysses, Paul the apostle and August the emperor stayed on this island. Mljet National Park is situated on the western part of the island which, with its rich vegetation of pine forests and dense maquis, carries the name of “green island”. Woods surround two salty lakes, Big Lake and Small Lake. The particularity of this island are “blatine” – brackish lakes that occasionally run dry and serve as resting-place for birds. Small fields covered with olives and vineyards make the landscape even more impressive while its cultural and historical heritage includes the Benedictine monastery and church from the 12^th century on the island of St Mary in the middle of the Big Lake. This picturesque island is a symbol of the Mljet National Park. Ferry trip to Ploče and proceed to Dubrovnik. Possible in the afternoon city tour and sightseeing. Accommodation at hotel. Overnihgt.

 

Breakfast. After breakfast time for the city tour and departure.