Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

A dazzling mosaic of tiny coves and beautiful islands makes up the coast of Croatia. We’ve crafted a superb hiking journey that brings you to legendary wine-growing regions, medieval hilltowns, and along the sunny shores of the enchanting Dalmatian Coast. We’ll explore the picture-perfect port of Rovinj, once an outpost of the Venetian Empire, charming Veli Losinj, where pastel houses line the sheltered bay, and the immense Roman Croatia: Istria & the Dalmatian Coast IDYLLIC ISLANDS, MEDIEVAL HILLTOWNS, AND CULINARY DELIGHTS Days 1-3 Ljubljana, Slovenia / Motovun, Croatia In enchanting, red-roofed Ljubljana, we stroll through narrow cobblestone streets past open-air markets and cafés, then cross into Croatia for a hike through ancient vineyards to the timeless fortified town of Gracisce. Our base is Motovun, a classic medieval hilltop village offering spectacular views over the rolling countryside of the Mirna Valley, Istria’s wine country. Days 4-5 Groznjan / Rovinj / Pula After exploring the thriving art community of Groznjan, we’ll visit Porec’s majestic cathedral, a World Heritage Site known for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics. From the church’s high bell tower, you can savor glorious views of the red-tiled roofs contrasting perfectly with the blue Adriatic. Rovinj is a dreamy town of Venetian townhouses set on a peninsula jutting into the sea, and we’ll explore its labyrinthine streets and the ancient Roman amphitheater in Pula. Built 2,000 years ago, it’s still in use for plays and concerts. Days 6-7 Cres On the rugged isle of Cres, our hike leads across hills scented with wild lavender and along the lungomare (promenade) en route to Veli Losinj, with opportunities to take a dip in the Adriatic, of course! We’ll also savor a picnic lunch on a ridgetop with sweeping views of the bay. Days 8-11 Rab / Trogir A private wooden sailboat brings us to the Renaissance-era island of Rab, and we’ll hike wooded trails in Krka National Park, an ethereal realm of pristine waterfalls, towering cliffs, and deep canyons. Our final explorations are in Trogir, with its Romanesque churches and Baroque buildings. Depart on Day 11 via Split, or extend your stay with a visit to Dubrovnik. amphitheater at Pula, built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Along the way, you’ll sip fine Malvasia and Teran wines and savor mouth-watering prosciutto and local cheeses. Our journey begins in Slovenia’s jewel-like capital, Ljubljana, and ends in Trogir, Croatia, a World Heritage Site.

“We loved the trip. The itinerary was so well designed, with a perfect mix of culture, hiking, and swimming!”

Marcella S. Los Altos CA

FRANCO COGOLI

BILDAGENTUR HUBER

From stunning ancient sites and impeccably preserved hilltowns that look straight out of a painting to sumptuous cuisine and fine wine—this is the world of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. PHOTO: ROB KAVANAGH

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike to the evocative hilltowns of

Motovun, Gracisce, and Lubenice, with glorious panoramas above terraced vineyards • Visit the amphitheater at Pula, whose amazing state of preservation makes the Roman world come to life • Explore picturesque Rovinj, Veli Losinj, and seldom-visited islands of the northern Dalmatian Coast • Savor grilled calamari and the hand-picked truffles of Motovun, and sample crisp, locally produced white wines DETAILS • 11-day trip begins in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and ends in Split, Croatia • 10 nights hotels and inns • All meals included except 3 dinners

TRIP COST $4895 (11-15 members) $5395 (6-10 members) Single supplement: $720

DATES May 3-13, 2017 Jun 28-Jul 8 Aug 24-Sep 3

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 + 3 4 5 6 7 A mix of easy to moderate walks and hikes, 2-5 hours a day, van support

Sep 20-30

Oct 4-14

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 57