Itinerary:

Day 1 Dubrovnik
Arrival transfer to Dubrovnik.

Visit the Old Town and enjoy the charm of this renowned Mediaeval town and its shiny cobble streets and many attractions (time permitting)

Overnight Dubrovnik

Day 2 Dubrovnik - Sipan
Today we climb the Mount Srdj on the old serpentine road. As we climb each serpentine offers more and more fascinating view over Dubrovnik Old Town, open sea and Elaphite islands. We reach the top of the Mount Srdj and visit the 1991 War Museum situated in the Napoleon Fortress. The walk continues on top of the Mountain to the village of Bosanka and on the donkey stairways down to Dubrovnik.

Transfer to pier Gruz in Dubrovnik, evening departure to the island of Sipan where clients are welcomed by local host.

Welcome dinner – the participants of the tour will have an opportunity to meet each other and get the basic information from their guide.
S¹ipan: dinner and overnight

Day 3 Sipan
After breakfast which is served on the terrace of the local restaurant we start our walk through the dense pine wood, we arrive at abandoned stone house with walls and castle that was used as mint during Dubrovnik Republic days. Our way takes us through olive trees and fields to big fortress church St Spirit, built in the form of cross, we climb the top and enjoy the 360 degrees breathtaking view of the Elaphite islands and Sipan valley and hills.

Our walk continues on the local road between the fields and terrace shaped olive groves (Sipan has most olive trees to number of inhabitants in the world according to Guinness’s book of records), carrob trees and vineyards. We reach the old monastery complex with castle and walk on to the hill of St Nicolas chapel with view over the Sipan channel to mainland mountains chain and small villages nested along the shore. Walking down the hill takes us back to our accommodation. Free time for swimming or relaxing at the beach.
Dinner in local restaurant.

Day 4 Sipan
Morning walk across the island, passing the fascinating castle and ruins of large renaissance villa to the village of Luka, situated in a deep bay. This village has lovely Dalmatian architecture, and exceptional natural setting. Our walk continues along the sea on a narrow pathway and the landscape is changing all the time. The shallow crystal clear water, small beaches, Dalmatian flowers and Mediterranean bushes will delight you.

Cary on walking on the island pathway through the fields and pine covered hills. Short break at the top of a hill in a farm house nested in middle of the olive trees for Dalmatian ham and goat’s cheese and olives lunch. Return to Sudjuradj on a pathway between the stone fences and terrace gardens, passing the old goat’s village.
Evening in Sudjuradj

Day 5 Sipan – Lopud via Kolocep
Embark the local boat to the green island of Kolocep .We start our walk from Donje Celo village and its deep bay with sand beach, passing the old preromanesque church ruins and chapel of St Nicola, walking around the island on a pathway that takes us to the protected forest area of the old pine trees and Mediterranean groves. The breathtaking steep cliffs green pine trees touching the clear water and open sea on our route are on the south western side followed by red lantern and cause bays on the northern side.

We reach the small fishermen’s village Gornje Celo. After lunch, relax on the beach and return to Donje Celo where we take local boat to Lopud.

Evening on Lopud – enjoy walk or dine in one of many small restaurants on island.

Day 6 Lopud
Morning walk through the village of Lopud, visiting the Renaissance garden and Franciscan Monastery, continue walking along the orange gardens to the highest point of Lopud with the fort Kastio that offers magnificent view over Lopud, its red tile roofs, bell towers and green Elaphite islands on one side and Mountain range on the mainland. We descended on the shady pathway through green forest of pines, laurel, carob and Mediterranean groves.

Evening – enjoy sunset and drink in one of many restaurants on the sea front.

Day 7 Lopud
A morning crossing on the local pathway to the other side of the island to the sandy beach where we make a short stop for coffee or drink. Optional swimming and sunbathing before we continue our walk, passing the ancient church of Gospa od Sunja, and on the walking pathway through the pine forest back to Lopud.
Dinner Lopud

Day 8 Lopud - Dubrovnik
Departure

In case of unfavourable weather conditions we reserve the right to alter the itinerary


Mountains
The walks offer breathtaking view over the largest group of Adriatic Islands – Elaphites, Montenegrian high mountain range, countryside region of south Bosnia and Herzegovina. The peaks are: Srdj (415); Strazisce: 700 m, Kuna 700 m Snjeznica 1234 m - above sea level. Departure points are from 100 meters to 700 meters.

Accommodation & Transport
During the tour we stay in small family owned hotel in village of Uskoplje (Konavle region, about 20 km from Dubrovnik). Rooms are large and comfortable, with AC/heating, satellite TV, internet access. Each of the rooms has a private bathroom with hot shower.
All transfers by minivan are included in price.

Packing
Hiking shoes, sweater, wind proof and water resistant jacket with hood, long and short sleeved shirt, T-shirt, comfortable pants.
For Dubrovnik: casual clothes and comfortable shoes.

Meals
7 breakfasts, 7 dinners included
Food is Croatian Mediterranean, with lots of fresh garden grown vegetables.

Flights
There are many direct charter flights from UK & Ireland to Dubrovnik. For more detailed information, please visit the following websites:
www.thomsonflights.com
www.croatiaairlines.hr
www.britishairways.com
www.westernair.co.uk/charterdubrovnik.html
www.aerlingus.com

Currency
Official currency in Croatia is Kuna.
1 Euro = aprx. 7.3 Kuna
1 GBP = aprx. 10 Kuna
1 USD = aprx. 5 Kuna
In Croatia you can only use Kuna as currency. We recommend you to exchange your money in Dubrovnik.
On the island of Lopud there are exchange offices and a cash machine.
Credit cards are widely accepted.

Local Costs
Approximate costs for guidance only:
Coffee/tea…….€1.30
Soft drink……. €2.00
Medium beer……€2.00 - €3.00
Sandwich……€1.30 - €2.30
Medium ice cream……€ 1.30
Loaf of bread in grocery store……€0.90
Snack lunch in local tavern (fried /grilled calamari, pasta, risotto)…. €7.50
Portion of fresh fish in local tavern……..€9 - €14 (depending on the sort of fish)
3-course dinner……..€20.00
*the above costs refer to reasonable mid-range restaurant and may vary according to location and type of the restaurant

Climate – Air Temperature & Rain
January - Rain 139, Max Temp (C) 12, Min Temp (C) 6
February - Rain 125, Max Temp (C) 13, Min Temp (C) 6
March - Rain 104, Max Temp (C) 14, Min Temp (C) 8
April - Rain 104, Max Temp (C) 17, Min Temp (C) 11
May - Rain 75, Max Temp (C) 21, Min Temp (C) 14
June - Rain 48, Max Temp (C) 25, Min Temp (C) 18
July - Rain 26, Max Temp (C) 29, Min Temp (C) 21
August - Rain 38, Max Temp (C) 28, Min Temp (C) 21
September - Rain 101, Max Temp (C) 25, Min Temp (C) 18
October - Rain 126, Max Temp (C) 21, Min Temp (C) 14
November - Rain 198, Max Temp (C) 17, Min Temp (C) 10
December - Rain 178, Max Temp (C) 14, Min Temp (C) 8

How to get there
Airlines
The closest airport to fly to is Dubrovnik
Scheduled flights from UK arrive daily
www.thomsonflights.com
www.croatiaairlines.hr
www.britishairways.com
www.westernair.co.uk/charterdubrovnik.html
www.aerlingus.com

Ferry
Jadrolinija ferries run scheduled trips with both vehicle and walk-on passengers service from Bari (Italy), Rijeka (northern Croatian coast) and Split (mid Croatian coast)

Bus lines
Several companies run scheduled trips: Zagreb - Dubrovnik (aprx. 10 hours); Rijeka – Dubrovnik (aprx. 12 hours); Split – Dubrovnik (aprx. 4.5 – 5 hours); Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – Dubrovnik (aprx 4 hours) **In case of unfavorable weather conditions we reserve the right to change the itinerary

DUBROVNIK
Dubrovnik (Croatia) has a population of 43,770 (2001). The city is a port and one of the most prominent tourist resorts on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia, and the center of the Dubrovnik-Neretva county, positioned at 42.39 N Lat and 18.04E Long. It has the nickname "Pearl of the Adriatic".

The city of Ragusa/Dubrovnik was based on maritime trade, and in the Middle Ages it became the only eastern Adriatic city-state that rivaled Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the Latin/Slavic Ragusa/Dubrovnik achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th century.

Dubrovnik was one of the centers of the development of the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars.

Dubrovnik has a unique political and cultural history (the Dubrovnik Republic, the Statute from 1272), The city has a world-famous cultural heritage and beauty (inscribed on the List of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO). The city is one of the most attractive and famous cities of the Mediterranean. Apart from its outstanding natural beauties and well-preserved cultural and historical heritage, Dubrovnik also offers high-quality visitor opportunities. It is also the city of hotels, of high ecological standards and tourist programs, and is equally attractive in all seasons. Its geographical isolation is compensated by high traffic and communication standards - especially through air traffic and fast hydrofoil boats.

The tourist development of Dubrovnik started before the First World War; quite soon, the exclusiveness of its attractions made Dubrovnik a powerful international tourist centre.
The sightseeing of Dubrovnik and its monuments requires several days. However, already a walk through Stradun, through narrow streets and small squares, monumental ramparts and fortreses, provides enough opportunities to experience the millennial beauty of its shell-shaped urban core, centuries of building, stone-cutting, carving and engraving, the history of the Duke's Palace, libraries, the oldest pharmacy in the south of Europe, etc.
Dubrovnik offers individual choice among numerous museums and galleries, which contain the jewels of Croatian heritage.

Konavle Region- Rural Croatia.
Limestone Villages, friendly local people, lush Mediterranean vegetation and pleasant climate of Dubrovnik Countryside region give it a special charm. The area is known for its delicious food, superb wines and home made brandies.