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Dalmatia
Multisport & Culture Holiday
 Although Croatia developed under the impact of many different
cultures - Greek, Roman, Celtic, Illyrian, Austrian, Hungarian,
Byzantine, Islamic - it gave its own and unique imprint to
the history of European civilization.
Dalmatia is a region
on the eastern coast of the Adriatic
Sea, situated mostly in the modern Croatia and
spreading between the island of Rab in
the northwest and the Gulf
of Kotor (Montenegro)
in the southeast. The hinterland,
Inner Dalmatia (Dalmatinska Zagora), ranges from fifty kilometers
in width in the north but narrows to just a few kilometers
in the south. Its name has probably derived from the name
of an Illyrian
tribe called the Dalmatae which
lived in the area of the eastern Adriatic coast
in the 1st
millennium BC.
We will explore central Dalmatia, Split where the Roman Emperor
Diocletian spent his declining years in an enormous palace
(305.a.c.) that he had built near his birthplace, Aspalthos.
We
will explore the islands Brac and Hvar, their secrets, monasteries,
churches, old fisherman villages, beautiful stone architecture
, natural beauties and tranquillity, Dalmatian
vegetation which is unique….Passing through vineyards
we will have a chance to try this nectar of gods.
We will
explore the Dalmatian hinterland, and its ancient villages,
which are away from busy and crowded tourist places. In the
tranquillity of these villages we will sample the culinary
delights of the region and enjoy in preparation of food in
a traditional way ...
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DAY
1 |
Arrival
to Bol, island Brac
Bol is the oldest coastal town on the island Brač, and from the town of
fishermen and wine growers, it became a well-known tourist destination. Bol is
in many a way a very special town. It is the first and the oldest little island
town on the coast. It didn't take the usual position like other coastal towns
between the amphitheatrical slopes of the protected bays, but it stands alone
and separated on the southern, open part of the island, with the beaches connected
like necklace of pearls. We will have an introductory meeting and dinner tonight. |
DAY
2 |
 Biking
to Dragon’s cave + optional windsurf intro
course
To reach Dragon’s cave we will pedal along the
south coast of Brac, passing numerous beaches and bays
on a gravel road…. The Dragon's Cave contains
a famous relief showing a dragon, a first class monument
to the monastic life in the caves of the Glagolitic
friars in the 15th century. Set about 200 meters above
Murvica this cave served as a dwelling and a temple
to the priests who fled to these uninhabited steep
southern slopes to begin here their monastic life and
to develop it to a high standard.. The whole cave was
altered and used as a church or hermitage. There are
holes of various shapes and at their foot are stone
seats on the walls of the cave. On the eastern side,
above the little chapels are figures of humans and
birds in their nests ...
After our visit we will have an optional “Dalmatian
lunch” in an ethno village, and then we will
start our way back to Bol.
OPTIONAL: Optional introductory windsurfing course
in the afternoon.
Today Bol has become the favourite place for surfers
from all over the world.
The channel between the islands Brac and Hvar and the
wind that blows there offer the ideal conditions for
windsurfing. Due to these conditions, Bol has become a well known
windsurfing destination. Every year numerous competitions
are organised.
Ride: we ride today cca 6 km on flat gravel road to
Murvica, followed by a 45min. walk before reaching
Dragon’s cave. We have 6 km of the same road
on the way back. Total 15km. Passing near many nice
beaches along the coast
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DAY
3 |
Boat
excursion to Blaca
After breakfast we board the boat for Blatacka bay – the
harbour of Blaca, located in the southern part of the
island, between Bol and Milna.
Blaca is actually a monastery founded 500 years ago
by glagolitic priests hiding from the Turks. Through
centuries the monastery grew from a simple cave shelter
to a very important cultural and scientific centre
with a school for children, a library with nearly 8000
books in 5 different languages and an astronomical
observatory. Today it is a museum. Blaca is a unique
monument on our coast.
Return to Bol in the afternoon.
Note: in case of rough sea we will shuttle to Blaca
by bus. From the bus stop we have a 45 min walk
to reach The Blaca monastery.
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DAY
4 |
 Exploring
Island Hvar
Today we will explore the island Hvar by bike. Greeks
settled the island of Hvar in the 4th century BC.The
ride today is relatively flat and takes us through lavender
and rosemary fields, quiet stone built villages, and
alongside the narrow “fjord” between Vrboska
and Jelsa. We start the morning ride in Jelsa, for many
years a simple fishing port. From here we ride the flat
and scenic road on the edge of the “fjord” filled
with small coves perfect for a cooling dip (don't forget
your swimsuit!). Our second destination, Vrboska, is
an adorable small harbor famous for its fortified church.
Unique in all of Croatia, the church is a result of a
strange but necessary alliance between the church and
the need for fortification from invaders. The next town
we reach is Stari Grad, literally Old Town,
the oldest settlement on the island, and one of the first
on all the Adriatic islands. The town’s architecture
is a complex of Greek walls, Roman Mosaics, the complex
of streets built in the Middle Ages and above all Tvrdalj
- the Renaissance fortified castle with a fish-pond and
park constructed by the Croatian poet Petar Hektorović (he
wrote Ribanje i ribarsko prigovaranje - "Fishing
and Fishermen's Narrations"). After a short break
in Stari Grad we ride through the mountain village of
Pitve, with its traditional stone houses, it's “konobas” (taverns),
and its terrace gardens, Pitve epitomizes the island
towns of Croatia. In the late afternoon we will shuttle
into Hvar town. Hvar, with its seven century-old walls
and fortifications, that became powerful in the
Middle Ages being an important port for the Venetian
Republic is definitely worth visiting. After some time
at leisure in Hvar, we transfer back to Bol.
Note: in case of rough sea there are 2 ferries from Brac
via Split to reach the island Hvar. If this happens we
will not be biking on the island, but will still be able
to see most of the island!
Ride: 20 kms of almost flat terrain, afternoon shuttle
to Hvar town and back to Jelsa to catch boat |
DAY
5 |
 Sightseeing
of Split and canoeing in the river Cetina canyon
Today we say goodbye to Bol and our islands explorations,
and continue to Split - a city with a 1700 year old
tradition, a variety of archaeological, historical
and cultural monuments, among which the world famous
Palace of Diocletian, inscribed into UNESCO World Heritage
List, the Peristyle, Diocletian's mausoleum, Jupiter's
temple, the colonnades along the streets, Early Croatian
churches, Romanesque houses.... With the passing centuries
the original architecture of the palace has been altered,
the people inhabiting the city using the structures
of the palace, damaging it as little as possible, under
Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rule. Enjoy
guided walk through the old Palace while looking how
ordinary people live day by day ...
After a lunch break we transfer to Omis and further,
to Podgradje, a village situated on the river Cetina
where we cool down while paddling along the Cetina
river in canoes. Be a participant of an exciting and
attractive meeting with the river. Due to its wilderness
and constant rearing this river was called the River
Horse in the Illyrian times. Feel the charms of that
beautiful and unpredictable Dalmatian river.
Overnight in old traditional houses in Podgradje,
village situated on the river Cetina.
Guided sightseeing of Split (cca 1.5 h) + canoeing
7 km long. On the scale ranging from I to VI the river
got marks II to III. Canoeing lasts from 3 to 4 hours |
DAY
6 |
 Trekking
in the canyon, then visit Omis, pirate town…
Today after breakfast we go for a walk through the
vineyard in stone "Pasike", the amazing "Pograjska
jut", full of cracks, funnel-shaped holes and
round karsts valleys, with different trees and plants
in the canyon of the Cetina river.
A lot of birds and small forest animals dwell here. Feel a breath of
past times, since the forest Jut is full of old, half-demolished housings and "bađine" and
different remainders of stone fences which were important to people, living
and existing in that interesting landscape. It is necessary to wear sports
shoes and trousers to protect you from sharp plants, growing by the paths.
It is also possible to have some time for swimming in the river so take your
bathing suit. After a small picnic of home made food, we transfer to
Omis, where you will have time at leisure to explore the ancient town, the
Mirabela fortress of the Pirates of Omis, or just have a coffee and relax before
dinner tonight in Podgradje. We sleep again in traditional houses in
Podgradje.
Trekking cca 3 – 4 hours, small picnic included
after the hike, afternoon time at leisure in Omis |
DAY
7 |
 Canyoning
or rafting on the Cetina river + Split
Canyoning
Experience a real adventure in the canyon of the Cetina
River, which is called, due to its wilderness, its rearing
and timelessness The River Horse. Enjoy its hidden beauty,
its canyons that reach 120 mts of depth, explore the
famous Gubavica waterfall, and have a swim in it. Don't
be afraid, the people leading you were born by the canyon
and have spent their whole lives there. They know all
the charms and eventual dangers of the canyons. Visit
the deserted Devil’s home, see the lake 'Crni kotao’ high
up in the mountain, Enjoy the breath taking reliefs of
cut stone, and astonishing never ending play of rock
and water. At the end of the trip we will again have
a small picnic waiting for us….This is called
canyoning!!!
For those who don’t feel so adventurous, rafting
is the more relaxed option, 9 kms of river, level 1 to
2 on the difficulty scale. During the rafting on the
Cetina River you will pass light and moderate water rapids,
deep calm lakes, ideal for having a refreshment, river
banks covered with rich vegetation that makes tunnels
of branches, impressive rocks and caves. Most of the
parts are easily managed, but combined manoeuvres and
teamwork are a must…
After this trip we will transfer
to Split, foe accommodation and free time until our final dinner
tonight!
Rafting (level 1 to 2), 9 km of river, cca 3 hours
Canyoning 3-4 hours,
Transfer Split, time for leisure, final dinner together |
DAY
8 |
Transfer
to Split airport, end of our services |
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Price
per person for groups of 4 persons:
From
£1190* (seasonal variation may apply ... contact us to confirm price)
Price
per person for groups of 6 persons:
From
£1060* (seasonal variation may apply ... contact us to confirm price)
Price includes:
- In and out transfers from/to Split airport,
- HB accommodation
in Bol (4 nts), Podgradje (2 nts),
- BB accommodation in
Split ( 1 nt),
- sports activities as described in programs,
- sightseeing
of Split.
- introductory dinner in Bol, welcome drink
- farewell dinner
in Split
- 1 picnic lunch
- 1 lunch
- tour leader assistance
Price does not include:
- tips
- travel insurance
Lodging:
- lodging in a 3* or 4* hotels , Podgradje - rooms (shared
rooms in private houses)
N.B: accommodation in Podgradje is
in private houses, and usually two sleeping rooms have
to share 1 bathroom.
* All prices below are Sunshine World Holidays’s own prices
and we reserve the right to change our prices at any time.
Your confirmation receipt price will not change. Please contact
us to discuss our putting together of an all-inclusive
package for you!
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