Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the summits, particularly the Paklenica walks. Lunch at the mountain hut with spectacular views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Warm, friendly and knowledgeable. On the long walks when it was really hot Zeljko made sure we all drank enough water (even providing extra when I didn't take enough on the first walk) and found shade for short breaks. Great company for the week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate to book this trip. Croatia is a beautiful country and you get to see lots of fantastic places.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sudden appearance of the dramatic view over the sea at the top of Vidova Gora.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It is impossible to put into words how excellent a leader Žarak is. As well as being very helpful and friendly and highly competent at leading the group, he has an almost inexhaustible supply of knowledge about the history of the region and seems to know all the locals. He made a great trip into an unforgettable one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like flowers and are going in April or May, you might want to take a Mediterranean flower book as there are so many flowers to see.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many wonderful moments, the views on the last 2 days walking in Paklenica National Park (especially from the mountain hut at lunch time...), the beauty of the waterfalls in Krka NP - though we were very lucky to be at the end of the season - apparently it is usually very crowded. Also having a beer on the terrace of our hotel - Pansion Andelko - in Starigrad, watching the sunset over the sea just yards away. Lovely wine and some ofthe best sea bass I've had!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zeljko is an excellent guide, he is fun, knowledgeable, helpful and passionate about Croatia. One of the best guides I've had on Exodus trips

Advice for Potential Travellers

I don't often use walking poles, but I was very glad I had one with me on this trip as it helped a lot on the downhill parts of some of the walks. I would recommend the end of September as a time to go, we were lucky with our weather and it was nicely warm for all our walks and generally it was less crowded than other times of the summer. I would also recommend checking the flight times and think about booking your own. The trip feels very short otherwise as we got to our hotel at 10:30pm on day 1 and left at 5:00am on day 8!

Suggestions

The walking varies a lot in grade which is nice from the waterfalls in Krka which is a nice stroll to the last 2 days which were much harder but this adds to the holiday. The landscapes and views are so different on each walk, all very beautiful and opened my eyes to a part of the world that I've never thought about visiting before. I'll be back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Paklenica National Park through the limestone gorge (day 6 ). The initial trek was through a Beech woodland but gradually descended to a fantastic view of near vertical limestone cliffs used for rock climbing. Also the guided tour of Dubrovnik old Town and having the chance to walk on the Town walls

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zeljko was superb. He was proud of his country and had a wealth of knowledge about the areas we walked in. He was also courteous and kind I have been on around 10 Exodus trips and Zeljko is probably the best guide I have had. A real credit to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think about making your own arrangements to and from Croatia. The flight times arranged by Exodus are suche that you will arrive after 10.00 pm local time on the Saturday and depart to the airport around 5.00 a.m. the following Saturday so the trip is really 6 days (Sunday to Friday). There are flights back from Zadar Saturday evening to Stanstead and Manchester with Ryanair and Zadar is only 45 mins from the last Hotel. May was a good time to go with loads of flowers out. I would think the July and August may be too hot for some

Suggestions

As I arrived early Exodus advised me that I should do my Dubrovnik Old Town sightseeing before the trip started , however there was sufficient time on the Sunday afternoon for a guided tour (which Zeljko arranged) which was great value for money. There is also time to walk on the walls. This is quite expensive but is purposefully priced high so as to try and deter the masses of cruise passengers. It is however well worth the money.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 6 and achieving the extension walk having walked down through the gorge at the end of the Paklenica walk (a really great day already with an unexpected accordion-accompanied beer song sung by Zeliko, our hosts at the mountain hut, and another guide) we then had the option to do an extension walk. Some of the group went back in the mini bus whilst the rest of us carried on. This was a really challenging walk, with heights, scrambling over really sharp rocks/boulders, climbing steep areas, plus the additional distance, but that made it hugely rewarding once completed and a great end to the day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zeliko is just a fab leader. Enthusiastic, friendly, knowledgeable and funny. A problem solver and smoother away of difficulties. He even produced Gaffa tape when my husband's boots started to fall apart!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking sticks - whilst my husband and I did not take or use sticks and managed very well without them, others in the group did find them hugely beneficial as the going can be rocky and unstable underfoot on many of the walks. Temperature - we went at th end of May and the temperature was generally lower to mid 20s (C), with some wind (very welcome) as you went higher. We had a very small amount of rain which rarely lasted long (We never used our waterproof trousers and I only used my coat once) . Some of the paths however are exposed and due to the rocky environment could create a very hot walking environment- in the summer this would be very hard going. Because of these varieties in temperature and conditions it is worth taking clothes to layer. Hats and sunglasses used daily. A good pair of boots is essential for the terrain. Money - exodus suggest a daily amount for food and drink but do take along more to pay for guided tours of Dubrovnik and Split. Having said that ATMs available everywhere and most places took cards.

Suggestions

Croatians are a really friendly people, with generally excellent English. Crime appears almost non- existent and certainly no sense of danger or threat...other than from other group member's walking poles!! The wild flowers and wildlife are just beautiful with huge variety in the flora and fauna as you go to different parts of Croatia. Sadly we never saw a bear, although a previous group has.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking up in the Paklenica mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Best.leader.ever.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're going in July: it gets really (really) hot.

Suggestions

Should have spent 1 day in Paklenica, 1 day in Plitvice - instead of 2 days in Paklenica, at 30+ degrees temperatures.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk in the Velika Paklenica national park and the stop for bean soup.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He made the holiday for us, he worked tirelessly always with our best interests at heart. An excellent communicator and a man who quickly became a friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking sticks might be useful as paths are a bit rocky.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day with the walk up to The Doorstep overlooking the sea surrounded by limestone rock formations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Good sense of humour and lots of fun. Helped us rearranging taxis to Zadar on the last day. Carried my case at the last hotel preserving my knees for the walk!

Advice for Potential Travellers

See advice about booking taxis above.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say, the swimming pool! (In joke)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent (see Summary)

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was hot. August trip suited my calendar and not usual for me to travel to Europe at that time so only myself to blame. However, the sea or swimming pool did provide welcome relief at the end of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, getting through the more challenging sections of the walks - I am not a hugely experienced trekker by any means, but this was very doable and I was pretty proud of myself by the end! I also was inspired by those who lived in the mountains - although that way of life has changed, I felt like I got an appreciation for what it had been like in the past and a real respect for that way of life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Zeljko Zarak was outstanding - experienced, wonderful at accommodating everyone's needs, encouraging, and shared his love and knowledge of Croatia generously.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely bring sturdy hiking shoes - I only had my light hiking shoes and while it was perfectly fine, the trails are rocky and my feet would have been happier in my sturdier boots. It was hot, even in early June - so be prepared with water and sun protection.