Croatia: Sibenik & the Kornati Islands

Trip Type: Explorer
Croatia | 5 Days | 1 - 12 People
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Eat, walk, swim and wander to your heart’s content on a five-day exploration of Croatia’s Central Dalmatia region. This slice of the country delive...

Croatia: Sibenik & the Kornati Islands

Eat, walk, swim and wander to your heart’s content on a five-day exploration of Croatia’s Central Dalmatia region. This slice of the country delivers in both natural wonders and cultural treasures while offering up something to entice all those who set foot on its shimmering shores. Walk in the shoes of a local in the city of Sibenik, dig into the past in Zadar, have lunch with new friends on the spectacular Kornati Islands, venture into the wonderland of Krka National Park and discover the charming streets of Trogir. History? Incredible. Food? Unforgettable. Scenery? Couldn’t be better. This is a place that ticks all the boxes.

Welcome to Croatia! Your adventure starts off today with a 9.30am meeting at Split's central bus station, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers; but you won’t hang around for long – the wonders of Central Dalmatia are waiting! Do as the locals do and hop aboard a bus bound for Sibenik, a beautiful city on the Adriatic coast with a spellbinding history. Settle in on arrival then head out to get to know the city in the best way possible – through the eyes of a local. Meet with an inhabitant of Sibenik who will show you a side of their city that most don’t get to see as you explore the winding cobbled streets of the Old Town. Our local guide will then take you to a little-known tavern down a quiet alleyway to experience marenda, a light meal between lunch and dinner and a big part of the culture in Sibenik. Later this evening, you may like to head out for dinner in the town with your new travel companions and get to know each other over a glass of local rakija.

Rise bright and early for a transfer to the port, where you’ll jump aboard our private boat to the incredible Kornati Islands archipelago. The islands are best explored on foot, so on arrival you’ll set off on a hike to uncover the history and legends of Kornati. Sharing food and drink is a big part of Croatian culture, so for lunch today you’ll sit down with a local family, enjoy some homemade local specialties, and hear firsthand stories about life on the island to get a glimpse at what daily life looks like. You’ll hear about the importance of olive oil production to the Dalmatia region and learn the true meaning of the olive tree from the locals who know it best. And of course no visit to Dalmatia would be complete without an olive oil tasting session. This afternoon you'll see the islands from a different perspective as you snorkel through the clear waters, then it’s back to the mainland via boat for another night in Sibenik. The evening is yours to explore more of what this fascinating city has to offer – your leader will know all the best spots for an authentic dinner experience!

This morning, hop aboard a local bus to Zadar (approximately 2 hours), the former capital city Dalmatia. Remnants of Zadar’s past are visible all over the city, which you’ll discover on an orientation walk with your leader on arrival. Walk on marble streets through the Old Town and see Roman ruins scattered among medieval churches. Visit the musical steps of the ‘Sea Organ’ on Zadar's waterfront, representing its important relationship with the sea. The rest of the afternoon is free for your own discoveries. You may like to check out St Donat's Church, St Anastasia's Cathedral or the Roman Forum. While in Zadar, you can’t miss the chance to try the city’s famous liqueur, Maraskino – it’s been produced here since 1759 and is a local favourite to this day. Return to Sibenik by bus late this afternoon.

Travel this morning by private vehicle to Krka National Park. Like something straight out of a fairy tale, the park amazes with its tiered waterfalls, vibrant Krka river, beautiful woodlands and Roman ruins – it’s a truly magical place. Venture into the park with a local guide at the helm, allowing you to dodge the tourist hotspots and explore without the crowds. Traverse criss-crossing paths, bridges dotted with old watermills and little stone houses immortalised as museums as you walk from waterfall to waterfall. Pass by an ancient Roman amphitheatre on your way to the Krka monastery, built above Roman burial catacombs. After a day of exploring, return to Sibenik for an evening at leisure.

Hop on a local bus to Trogir this morning. On arrival, you'll meet a local guide who will take you on a walk to get acquainted with this delightful seaside town, whose medieval walls are bursting with beautiful Romanesque, Renaissance and baroque buildings. Take some time to explore, perhaps have lunch, then catch a transfer back to Split. You can expect to arrive in the late afternoon, at which point your adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to stay on in Split, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Meals
1 Lunch(s),

Transport
Public bus , Boat , Private vehicle

Accommodation
private apartment (4 nights)

Included Activities
  • Sibenik - Marenda Snack
  • Sibenik - Cathedral of St James
  • Sibenik - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Kornati Islands - Full Day Boat Cruise
  • Kornati Islands - Home-cooked Lunch with Local Family
  • Kornati Islands - Olive Oil & Honey Tasting
  • Kornati Islands - Snorkelling
  • Zadar - Orientation Walk
  • Krka National Park - Day Excursion
  • Trogir - Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • See a different side of Sibenik as you explore the city with a local guide who will the hidden gems of the town before taking you to a tucked-away tavern for a traditional snack.
  • Take a boat trip to the little-known Kornati Islands where you’ll hike through stunning scenery, enjoy lunch with a welcoming local family and sample olive oil produced on the islands, all through our local partner - non-profit organisation MEET.
  • Enjoy an ecotourism experience in the ethereal Krka National Park, where you’ll explore waterfalls and ancient relics with a local guide in the part of the Park that's more off the beaten track.
  • Get to know the dynamic city of Zadar, Dalmatia’s former capital. Discover remnants of the past wherever you go and check out the city’s famous ‘Sea Organ’.
  • Walk the charming streets of Trogir, with a local guide on hand to point out fascinating examples of Romanesque, Renaissance and baroque architecture.
  • Please be aware that the Croatian coast is very hilly and mountainous, which means lots & lots of steps are an inherent feature of the landscape. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines. Also, stone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Croatia's topography very demanding. Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Additionally, please be aware that July, August and the first half of September is high season along the Croatian coast, which means that the local infrastructure is under a lot of pressure with a lot of people in the towns we visit. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. Please note that in Sibenik we are staying in private apartments that locals rent out. These are in various centrally located buildings. The apartments are not hotels, which means there's no reception, room service or daily cleaning service, no televisions or washing machines, but plenty of charm. They differ in layout and facilities, can vary in size and most don't have air-conditioning and wi-fi but we do try to book rooms with private facilities. This is the most effective way of staying in the centre of town. If you have more time to explore the region you can start your trip earlier in Dubrovnik to explore more of the Dalmatian Coast. Check out our trip 'Explore Croatia' (trip code ZMSF). Most departure dates are designed to create this perfect combination trip. If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip to explore more of Dalmatia with our longer 'Highlights of Dalmatia' trip (trip code ZLSOC), starting in Dubrovnik. Most departure dates are designed to create this perfect combination trip. On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

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Availability

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Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
ZLSL
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Split, Croatia
Trip Finishes:
Split, Croatia
Countries Visited:
Croatia
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