Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia

Excellent trip featuring the highlights of Northern Croatia. From the stunning National Parks to the beautiful coast. Well organised itinerary with a good balance of organised activities and free time. Unfortunately the weather was a little unkind in the middle of the trip so we couldn’t complete some of the intended walks, but our fantastic tour leader Ivica came up with some alternatives to make the most of our time. Accomodation was very good. Spacious and modern rooms. Clean and comfortable. Excellent breakfasts. Great locations. Would highly recommended for anyone that likes to get into nature and explore what this beautiful country has to offer.

The trip was generally enjoyable, but the tour leader was not as enthusiastic as I would normally expect from an Explore leader. We had no information about the country's history and culture and when a walk had to be cancelled because of the weather there was no alternative plan. One of the days was very long with a 2 hour drive followed by a 7 hour walk and a further 2 hour drive. We arrived at our hotel after dark and had to go out into a strange town to find a meal with no guidance from our leader. We did not have dedicated transport, which meant that arrangements were not flexible - we could have spent more time at Zadar, but we did not have a bus. The walks were enjoyable and the trip as a whole was good, but spoilt by the lack of communication about changes to the itinerary and fairly small issues that could have been easily rectified.

This tour did not meet price paid expectations in terms of other alternatives not being provided when an activity has been cancelled. Also the itinerary varied between tour notes, App information and Explore leader notes. In addition, the Explore group received lower access to facilities, such as room allocation in an annex building compared to the main hotel and being located in less favourable location in the breakfast room. In addition, location of hotel and timings need to be reviewed to ensure effective use of the time available and not arriving late to the hotel. Furthermore, the Explore leader needed to be flexible to accommodate the needs of the group especially solo travellers.

The itinerary was great with just enough free time and a little bit of flexibility for one of the walks. No details in travel arrangements were left to chance, all organised perfectly. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and watched out for us all on the walks.

Croatia is very beautiful country with breathtaking sights. Our guide, Ivica is an outstanding tour guide. He provided us with a good introduction to the country because of his exceptional professionalism and deep knowledge. He impressed us with his warm demeanour and clear passion for sharing Croatia’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. His insights brought each location to life, turning every stop into a memorable experience. Beyond his extensive knowledge, what truly sets him apart is his kindness, helpful nature, and unwavering patience. Whether navigating scenic towns or trekking through nature trails, he made sure everyone felt safe, informed, and included. He paid close attention to each guest, ensuring no one ever felt rushed or left behind — a true mark of a guide who leads with heart and responsibility.

Lovely trip to a beautiful country. Wild flowers in the mountains were a particular delight. The guide Ivica was great. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about everything he showed us as well as being interested to learn from the clients as well. All in all the trip surpassed expectations.

Enjoyed

There were a few changes to the agenda but overall a very enjoyable week

Accomodation was sub-standard for 3 nights of the 7 nights. It was a dark depressing room with shabby interior and fittings. Very small window and you wouldn't know you were at the Adriatic Sea when you were in the room. It was a room at the back of a building that was a 10 minutes walk from the hotel and it was not easy to find. For the first 2 mornings, i got lost twice until I remembered the landmarks. We had to walk to hotel every morning for breakfast and when it was raining, it was not pleasant as we had to walk 10 mins in the rain to get to the hotel and 10 mins back to the dark depressing room. Half of onr star accomodation The guide made a mistake with my transfer to Split airport on the last day of trip and there was no ride booked for me at my specified time. Taxi came at my specified time for a fellow traveller who had already transferred to airport 4 hours earlier. Driver refused to take me instead. After a few anxious moments and phone calls the local tour company was able to persuade the driver to take me. He was not happy n was about to leave the job as it was 15 mins after specified time. I was late to the airport