Croatia: Islands & Mountains

Our week in Croatia was a very enjoyable mix of hiking, sightseeing, socialising, food and wine. It also included perhaps a little too much adventure when the bora winds struck. On our second hike the winds, gusting at record speeds, literally blew several of us off our feet. Luckily injuries were limited to bruises and scrapes. Our leader, Zeljko Zarak, managed to get us all safely back despite road closures and emergency conditions. Otherwise the weather was beautiful, the hikes challenging but satisfying and the companionship of the group very pleasant. Some beach time was also included, as well as historical and architectural experiences in Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar. Zeljko provided very interesting and informative background on the history and politics of the country. I liked the fact that dinners were on our own but also appreciated Zeljko arranging several optional meals, particularly a bean soup lunch at the midpoint of one hike and a superb dinner at a family farm in Bol. My girlfriend and I are vegan/vegetarian and were initially concerned by what we heard was a heavily meat-based diet in Croatia. But we were very pleased with the options available to us. We were also told the hotels were very basic but all of them were excellent and each was better than the last as we moved from Dubrovnik to Bol to Starigrad and then Zadar.

It's a full on itinerary so not much chill time, but we saw a lot of a very beautiful country in a short time. This was my first trip to Croatia but I'm pretty sure not my last.

This was a wonderful trip which was challenging but rewarding and we loved Croatia!

What a great week. Although the actual days of activity only number 6 you pack masses in, whilst still feeling unrushed. Food great, scenery stunning, guide brilliant, hotels comprehensive, Croatian people friendly, walks perfect. We just loved this holiday.

A fine mix of culture- Dubrovnik and Split, with daily walks. Brac was a sample of Dalmatia's islands and Bol was both a quiet characterful resort, and ferry port. The long linking distances were made in a comfortable mini bus and the travel linked first rate scenic highlights. The northern Krka National Park with its superb waterfalls; and the sharp, bare fluted limestones mixed with rich pine and beech forests of the Paklenica National Park made a memorable finale. Our guide was excellent and the choice of restaurants for the evening meal together was generally much appreciated.

Great way to see lots of Croatia in a short space of time. The tour takes you along the coast from Dubrovnik in the South to Zadar in the North via islands, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. It's quite a fast paced tour but Exodus has got the itinerary down to a fine art and the schedule is well thought out and works well.

This is an amazing trip with spectacular scenery and amazing history. It has great variety, with waterfalls, sea views, dramatic gorges and incredible limestone outcrops. On top of all of that, there is a wealth of history with Roman ruins, ancient Christian sites and abandoned farmhouses. The food is also excellent as are the interesting spirits you are offered with almost every meal! My personal favourite had to be the Herb Raki, but there are lots of choices!

Booked this trip having previously been to Croatia and wanted to explore further. The trip was a great mix of walks, each with fabulous views followed by a refreshing dip in the sea and delicious food recommended by our guide Zeljko. There were also sightseeing oportunities in Dubrovnik and Split and a more relaxed stroll round the beautiful Krka waterfalls. We were a small friendly group of four plus our guide. There were lots of opportunities to chat with Zeljko about the walks, history and culture of his country. We also visited some local people for some grappa and figs. Travel between places was very well organised and we stayed in good accomodation in each place. As a vegetarian I was well looked after. Great food everywhere with Zeljko going out of his way to make sure I ate well.

Really enjoyable itinerary and the trip leader, Mario, was fun and entertaining and did a wonderful job. The overall rating of "3" moderate is appropriate as a weekly average, although some walks were a "1" and perhaps one day might rate a "4" due to the size of the rocks and boulders along much of the path. The seaside views were stunning and the sea itself lovely for evening swims. Definitely take your togs and plan on swimming. August proved very hot and very crowded during the summer holidays - probably not the best month to see Croatia, and particularly not good timing for Krka N.P. as it was a national holiday and quite honestly over sold for the day. Dubrovnik was beautiful and worthy of adding an additional day on the front end if possible. Accommodations, transfers, flights (we booked our own), and meals were all very good.

A fantastic trip with stunning scenery, amazing walks, and beautiful towns. Quite full on with the walking times not leaving loads of time to relax, but fabulous nonetheless. A really noce country.