Day 1, Sat: Arrival in Zagreb, Croatia and transfer to Samobor Our trip begins today in Samobor, a colorful picturesque town at the doorstep of Croatia's capital city. Arrive in Zagreb (or Rijeka) by late afternoon and transfer to the hotel in Samobor for the evening. Samobor is one of the favorite spots for inhabitants of Zagreb. It is well known for the beautiful nature that surrounds it and many restaurants and inns which offer local culinary specialities. Samobor is situated at a breathtaking entrance to a romantic valley, surrounded by mountains (Samobor, Zumberak, Plesivica, Japetic) that shelter this Baroque town. We will meet in the hotel lobby for a welcome drink and brief orientation where you will have the chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know your guides and fellow travelers. Hotel in Samobor; Meals: dinner on your own Day 2: Medvednica Nature Park (“The Bear Mountain”). Visit Zagreb. Meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast and head out to Mount Medvednica embracing Croatia’s capital city. Medvednica is a unique example of an almost fully preserved natural environment just outside a large city. The mountain is covered by dense forests of beech, oak, and chestnut. It has a great history dating from prehistoric times when first human settlements appeared and is a favorite destination of the citizens of Zagreb and their guests. Bikčević Trail (2.5 miles) leads us through rich forest habitats to Puntijarka mountain hut. It would be a shame to miss out on traditional lunch - warm bean soup with sausages. The peak, Sljeme, is only a short walk away (0.8 miles). We’ll visit the top of the mountain, including the ski resort famous for the Snow Queen Trophy slalom race, held as part of the Alpine skiing World Cup. Spend the evening enjoying Zagreb's beautiful architecture, the old town, ancient monuments, and nightlife. Hotel in Samobor; Meals: B (picnic lunch on your own); hiking / walking: 6-8 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 3.395 ft (1035 m, Sljeme) Day 3: Zumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature Park We start our day with a short van ride towards Samobor Highlands, a Nature Park extending over some 350 km², established in 1999. This area's natural beauty and tradition certainly deserve the “title” of a Nature Park. It is a hilly territory situated southwest of Zagreb, with an elevation range from 180 to 1,178 meters. It is an exclusively rural area, there is not a single town in the Nature Park. Having today’s long hike in mind, we put smiles on our faces and head out into the wild. Leaving the van behind in Smerovišće, we reach Japetić (4miles), a reserve of forest vegetation. Continuing to Soiceva kuca (2.2miles), we take a break enjoying a local specialty: “zagorski strukli”, a rich cheese strudel. Finishing the loop (3miles) we hop into the van for a power nap before retiring in our new accommodation in the Mreznica River area. The Mreznica is one of Croatia's cleanest rivers, with plenty of great places to swim and relax under the waterfalls. The water temperature in summer can reach 27 degrees Celsius. Hotel in Mrežnica River area; Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 45min one way; hiking / walking: 9-10 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 2.883 ft (879 m, Japetić) Day 4: Hiking / walking in Plitvice Lakes National Park Early in the morning we start our ride through lovely countryside roads towards Plitvice Lakes, the first Croatian National Park. We start our day hiking / walking along the wooden paths and bridges in and around Plitvice Lakes National Park. Its exquisite series of 16 emerald green and opal blue travertine lakes, more than 90 waterfalls and numerous caves make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the pure and untouched nature. A panoramic boat and train rides will take us back to the start. Later in the afternoon we return to the accomodation in the Mreznica River area. Hotel in the Mrežnica River area; Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1h30 one way; hiking / walking: 4-6 miles; Terrain: easy, well marked paths Day 5: Risnjak National Park The Risnjak mountain range is named after a rare animal that inhabits its woods – the lynx. It is located in Gorski Kotar, the most mountainous and heavily forested region of the country, about 15 km inland from the Adriatic Sea. The pristine park covers an area of 63,5 km2. It includes both the Risnjak and Snježnik ranges and the source area of the Kupa river. The diversity of the flora and fauna is respected and admired by scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. We start our hike from Crni lug, the seat of the Park’s management. The Leska educational trail will lead us towards our goal – Big Risnjak, the highest point of the mountain range. Schlosser’s mountain hut, situated 100m below the peak, is probably one of the most beautiful mountain huts in Croatia. After resting and enjoying the amazing view over the sea, other peaks of Gorski Kotar and even the Alps, we will descend slowly back to Crni Lug and complete the educational trail. Our hotel is situated near the entrance to Risnjak National Park. Hotel in Risnjak NP area; Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 20min one way; hiking / walking: 7-9 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 5.013 ft (1528 m, Big Risnjak) Day 6: Ucka Nature Park. Visit Opatija. If there was ever a morning worth getting up early, this is the one. We start our journey with a drive to Lovran, a charming little coastal town at the bottom of Ucka, the highest mountain of the Istrian Peninsula. Ucka Nature Park reveals a great variety of regional features within a relatively small area. This is where the Mediterranean and continental climates meet, resulting in a unique spectrum of flora and fauna. Thus, this is the only place on Earth where you can enjoy taking pictures of steno-endemic Ucka's Bellflower (Campanula tomassiniana). It is also one of the very last European sites where you will be rewarded by the impressive silhouettes of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) or the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Hiking trails from Lovranska Draga will lead us to the highest peak Vojak (5.45 miles). This is a sightseeing point that offers you a breathtaking panoramic view of the Croatia’s northern coast and islands, the mountains of Gorski Kotar, the Italian Alps and Dolomites and the whole of the Istrian Peninsula. The way back takes us across “Little Ucka” towards our starting point. Later in the afternoon we will visit Opatija.This elegant tourist destination is the oldest resort on the Adriatic coast, and is a land of contrasts: sea and mountains, green parks and blue sea, old buildings and modern comforts, fun entertainment venues and quiet destinations for excursions. Hotel in Risnjak NP area; Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1:30min one way; hiking / walking: 10-12 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 4.508 ft (1396m, Vojak) Day 7: Free day – optional trip You can relax in Delnice, swim or even take another optional bike tour on your own. Day 8: Departure day Depart from Delnice for the airport and flight home. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time. If you decide to spend more time in Croatia, our guides will be happy to recommend other beautiful places to visit - especially those you won’t find in tourist guide books. Meals: B; Van ride: 2 hours Note on the itinerary: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions and forecasts, water levels, special events of interest, etc. Our guides and trip leaders will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for their clients without compromising safety at any time. This may mean changing the original itinerary to avoid discomfort or risk which could be caused by exceptional situations. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice. PRICES 2013. 8-DAY Apartments - Double rooms High season 760 eur Intermediate season 690 eur Low season 590 eur Children 8-14 years, 10% reduction High season 684 eur Intermediate season 621 eur Low season 531 eur Single use, 20% supplement High season 912 eur Intermediate season 828 eur Low season 708 eur 5-DAY Apartments - Double rooms High season 590 eur Intermediate season 550 eur Low season 490 eur Children 8-14 years, 10% reduction High season 531 eur Intermediate season 495 eur Low season 441 eur Single use, 20% supplement High season 708 eur Intermediate season 660 eur Low season 588 eur NOTE: The prices are fixed in euros. This conversion is for comparison purposes only. The exact price in dollars or pounds is calculated on the day of booking according to the exchange rate of the Croatian National Bank. High season - July 6 - August 23, 2013 Intermediate season - June 8 - July 5, August 24 - September 13, 2013 Low season - April 20 - June 7, September 14 - October 19, 2013 All prices are per person, in EUR. DEPARTURE DATES 2013. MAY 25 JUN 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 JUL 6, 13, 20, 27 AUG 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 SEP 7, 14, 21, 28 Member discount: Notes: Prices include: 
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