Dalmatian Adventure Family Holiday

Day 1
Fly to Dubrovnik. After arrival there will be time to explore this stunning city before returning to the hotel for dinner. Dubrovnik is located right on the Adriatic, the fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and the red-tiled roofs, make this a truly enchanting place. Over the last 10 years great care has been taken to re-build the war damaged parts of Dubrovnik and the city is now returned to its former glory. The old town, or Stari Grad, is a jumble of cobblestone streets, fountains, churches, palaces and museums - all built from the same light coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles in the quiet city, but at night the streets come alive with both locals and visitors taking an early evening stroll along the main 'Stradun' street covered in smooth shiny marble.

Day 2
Transfer by boat to the island of Mljet, our base for the next 6 nights. Depending on departure date, this will either be an early morning fast boat, or a late afternoon ferry. Groups using the fast boat will have the afternoon to swim in a lake on the island of Mjlet, whereas groups travelling by ferry will have more time to see the city of Dubrovnik. Mljet itself is an elongated island, with an average width of only 3km, and is 37km long. It is an island of great diversity and contrast, and in 1960 the northwestern part was designated a national park in an attempt to protect its original ecosystem. As well as the stunning coastline with its cliffs, reefs and collapsed caves, forested hills rise steeply into the interior of the island with its unique salt water lakes that are a geological phenomenon.

Day 3
Walking tour around the island including Mljet lakes. Starting directly from the hotel, we walk along the northern shores of both lakes and then climb the peak of Montokuc, the highest point on the island at 253m. From the summit there are beautiful panoramic views of the whole island of Mljet and the southern part of the Dalmatian Coast. The walk is likely to take about 4 hours including breaks. En route there will be the opportunity for a refreshing swim in one of the beautiful lakes.

Day 4
Cycle tour around the national park. We will ride around the beautiful boating lakes all the way to a point where the sea enters the lake. After another swim we cycle back to the hotel. It is a lovely traffic-free route with a few short climbs and views of the old villages on the island.

Day 5
We have explored the island by foot and by bike, now it's time to experience it from sea level with an introductory day of sea kayaking. After a 20-minute walk from our hotel we arrive at a small bridge, which marks the start of our own little adventure on the 'Great Lake'. Paddling across the lake in our kayaks, we will stop off on an island for a break, before continuing all the way to the end of the lake to the start of the Adriatic Sea. It makes for an exciting day out and as ever there will be the chance to swim.

Day 6
Free day to relax or try one of the many optional activities available on the island including snorkeling, windsurfing, canoeing, sea kayaking, cycling or walking. Alternatively you may want to take advantage of the hotel wellness center and book a relaxing massage or treatment.

Day 7
On this second walk we will head to the Zakamenica cliffs on the opposite side of the lakes. This high point has far reaching views across the open sea. This is about a 3 hour round trip. Depending on the group, on the way back there may be the opportunity to visit the pretty island of St. Mary with its ancient Benedictine monastery and a church dating back to the 12th century.

Day 8
Return by boat to Dubrovnik; fly to London.