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Something New Magazine, October 2019
A new look at some of our favourite destinations
  • Taste something new: from delicious street food to little-known wines
  • Try something new: test out dog-sledding or cross-country skiing
  • Experience something new: introducing the e-bike
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Istria, Kvarner & Zadar with Plitviče Lakes

Green hills, cobalt-blue seas & cascading lakes
 
Explore the many different ‘faces’ of north-western Croatia on this self-guided journey, with car hire and ferry crossings included. Discover wildlife-rich islands and fabulous seascapes, stay in historic towns and hill-top villages, and visit the magnificent cascading lakes of Plitviče.
Istria, Kvarner & Zadar with Plitviče Lakes. 12 nights
+44 (0)1653 617007 Call now
Istria, Kvarner & Zadar with Plitviče Lakes. 12 nights
+44 (0)1653 617007 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A touring holiday in Croatia along the Adriatic

In north-westernmost Croatia, the broad, mountainous Istrian Peninsula juts out defiantly into the Adriatic, creating on its eastern flank a horseshoe-shaped bay, the Kvarner Gulf, of even grander dimensions than its own. While Istria may feel more than a little Italian – the influences of its close neighbour are evident in the food, language and architecture – the Kvarner Gulf encapsulates the essence of Croatia’s coastline: idyllic pebble coves, cobalt-blue seas, little fishing villages and a generous sprinkling of islands.
These contrasting landscapes provide a picturesque backdrop to the first part of your Croatian adventure, after which you head away from the coast and into the country’s densely forested interior, location of the Plitviče Lakes National Park. This is Croatia’s oldest and largest national park, famed for its cascading turquoise lakes, luxuriant vegetation and abundant birdlife. After a full day soaking in the Park’s natural beauty, you return to the coast to finish in Zadar, whose sweeping seafront promenade, marble streets and fascinating Roman centre make this vibrant city the perfect place to round off what has been a thoroughly relaxing journey of both cultural and scenic discovery.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 8 10 13 17 21 25 28 28 24 19 13 9
    mm 76 69 71 84 78 91 65 93 102 95 109 88
  • Arrival in Bale
    Night 1: at Hotel La Grisa (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Explore from Bale
    Spend your first day discovering the many highlights of the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula: to the south of Bale lies the idyllic Brijuni National Park, a peaceful, pine-covered archipelago just a short boat ride from the mainland; and farther south still is the seafront city of Pula, best known for its remarkable Roman amphitheatre and glorious Adriatic views. We also recommend a visit to waterfront Rovinj – with its charming cobblestone streets, Venetian architecture and excellent seafood restaurants, this pretty town is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch.
  • Bale to Nerezine
    A scenic drive east through the rural interior leads to the port of Brestova, where you cross by ferry to the island of Cres. Your route meanders along the island’s mountainous spine to reach the causeway onto the smaller island of Losinj. Your destination here is the pretty village of Nerezine, set within a secluded cove, where you spend three nights at the Hotel Manora. (Driving time: 4hrs, including ferry crossing and waiting time)
  • Explore from Nerezine
    While here, you can visit the griffon vulture sanctuary on Cres and seek out bottle-nosed dolphins off Losinj. If you fancy stretching your legs on these two herb-scented islands, there are several waymarked trails that you can follow, including a leisurely coastal walk, though you may prefer simply to relax and swim in the crystal-clear waters.
  • Nerezine to Rab
    Today features a spectacular, full day’s journey through the Kvarner archipelago. You start by returning to Cres for the short ferry crossing to the island of Krk. Detour here to the walled medieval town of the same name, before catching another ferry for a longer, very scenic ride to Rab, where you stay at the elegant, seafront Hotel Arbiana for three nights. (Driving time: 5-6hrs including ferry crossings and waiting time)
  • Explore Rab
    Beyond Rab Town, with its wealth of Venetian architecture, green landscapes await discovery by car or on foot – this is one of Croatia’s most verdant islands – but the rare beaches of golden sand may prove too tempting to resist.
  • Rab to Plitviče Lakes
    Leaving Rab, drive east to nearby Mišnjak for the short hop by ferry to Stinica on the mainland. Your onward route takes you deep into Croatia’s forested interior to the Plitviče Lakes National Park, the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. You spend two nights close to the park, at the Hotel Degenija. (Driving time: 3hrs, including ferry crossing and waiting time)
  • Explore Plitviče Lakes
    Spend your full day discovering the Plitviče Lakes National Park (entry ticket included), with its series of spectacular lakes and waterfalls set against a densely forested backdrop. Established as a national park in 1949, the area was later also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its geological and ecological value: there is a great richness of flora and flora here, as you will discover as you make your way around the Park, following the well-waymarked network of wooden boardwalks and footbridges.

    The Park is understandably popular but large enough to accommodate the crowds, and your entry ticket also includes a boat journey across the largest of the lakes, enabling you to admire the turquoise waters, tumbling falls and lush, green scenery from a different perspective.
  • Plitviče Lakes to Zadar
    Today you leave the Plitviče Lakes National Park behind and journey south to the Dalmatian Coast. Your destination is Zadar, a cosmopolitan city by the sea, where you spend your final two nights at the stylish Hotel Bastion. (Driving time: 2hrs)
  • Explore Zadar
    On your last day, join locals in wandering the Old Town’s network of marble streets, worn to a sheen over centuries and revealing an inviting collection of bars, restaurants and boutiques. Then, as another glorious day draws to a close, amble along the tree-lined waterfront leads to the Sea Organ, whose mournful notes are played by the gently lapping waves. Just beyond is a solar-powered art installation which bursts into life as darkness falls. Locals and visitors gather nightly to witness what Alfred Hitchcock described as ‘the most beautiful sunset in the world’. It's a fitting arena to bring the curtain down on a remarkable trip.
 

Accommodation

You stay in hotels of character, with plenty of space to relax at each. Star ratings are Croatian and may not correspond exactly to British star ratings.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.
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  • 12 nights: 15 April 2020 - 31 July 2020 & 25 August 2020 - 16 October 2020

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 - 30 Apr 2020 £1395 £325
    1 - 15 May 2020 £1445 £330
    16 - 22 May 2020 £1550 £345
    23 May - 17 Jun 2020 £1695 £460
    18 - 30 Jun 2020 £1880 £575
    1 - 19 Jul 2020 £1995 £650
    25 - 31 Aug 2020 £1995 £650
    1 - 14 Sep 2020 £1880 £575
    15 - 18 Sep 2020 £1695 £460
    19 - 27 Sep 2020 £1550 £345
    28 Sep - 4 Oct 2020 £1445 £330
    3rd & 4th person discount -£195 to -£270
    Single traveller supplement £195 to £270

    Includes accommodation, meals, travel between hotels and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus a detailed information pack, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Included travel: 12 days' category B car hire (e.g. VW Polo or similar with manual transmission), ferry crossings Brestova-Porozina & Merag-Valbiska-Lopar

    Driving time to first hotel: Pula 1h, Split 4h45, Zadar 4h, Zagreb 3h
    Driving time from final hotel to airport: Pula 4h15, Split 1h30, Zadar 0h30, Zagreb 3h

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Manora, Nerezine, Losinj
    Junior suite: 15 Apr - 22 May 2020 £36
    Junior suite: 23 May - 31 Jul 2020 £48
    Junior suite: 25 Aug - 18 Sep 2020 £48
    Junior suite: 19 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £36
    Superior: 15 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £6
    Superior: 25 Aug - 16 Oct 2020 £6
    Hotel Degenija, Plitviče Lakes
    'Comfort' with terrace: 15 Apr - 31 May 2020 £3
    'Comfort' with terrace: 01 Jun - 31 Jul 2020 £6
    'Comfort' with terrace: 25 Aug - 30 Sep 2020 £6
    'Comfort' with terrace: 01 Oct - 16 Oct 2020 £3
    Suite: 15 Apr - 31 May 2020 £16
    Suite: 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2020 £12
    Suite: 01 Jul - 31 Jul 2020 £10
    Suite: 25 Aug - 31 Aug 2020 £10
    Suite: 01 Sep - 30 Sep 2020 £12
    Suite: 01 Oct - 16 Oct 2020 £16
    Superior double (no twins): 15 Apr - 31 May 2020 £3
    Superior double (no twins): 01 Jun - 31 Jul 2020 £6
    Superior double (no twins): 25 Aug - 30 Sep 2020 £6
    Superior double (no twins): 01 Oct - 16 Oct 2020 £3
    Hotel Bastion, Zadar
    Deluxe: 15 Apr - 02 Jun 2020 £27
    Deluxe: 03 Jun - 31 Jul 2020 £37
    Deluxe: 25 Aug - 29 Sep 2020 £37
    Deluxe: 30 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £27
    Suite: 15 Apr - 02 Jun 2020 £14
    Suite: 03 Jun - 31 Jul 2020 £17
    Suite: 25 Aug - 29 Sep 2020 £17
    Suite: 30 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £14
    Superior: 15 Apr - 02 Jun 2020 £45
    Superior: 03 Jun - 31 Jul 2020 £50
    Superior: 25 Aug - 29 Sep 2020 £50
    Superior: 30 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £45

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day's car hire.
    La Grisa, Bale (B&B) Double room Single room
    15 Apr - 16 May 2020 £85 £97
    17 May - 20 Jun 2020 £97 £109
    21 Jun - 11 Jul 2020 £115 £133
    12 Jul - 31 Jul 2020 £128 £148
    25 Aug - 05 Sep 2020 £128 £148
    06 Sep - 22 Sep 2020 £115 £133
    23 Sep - 13 Oct 2020 £97 £109
    14 Oct - 16 Oct 2020 £85 £97
    Hotel Manora, Nerezine, Losinj (B&B) Double room Single room
    15 Apr - 22 May 2020 £65 £100
    23 May - 19 Jun 2020 £78 £126
    20 Jun - 30 Jun 2020 £98 £180
    01 Jul - 31 Jul 2020 £115 £200
    25 Aug - 31 Aug 2020 £115 £200
    01 Sep - 18 Sep 2020 £98 £180
    19 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £65 £100
    Hotel Arbiana, Rab Town, Rab (B&B) Double room Single room
    15 Apr - 21 May 2020 £95 £95
    22 May - 25 Jun 2020 £108 £108
    26 Jun - 16 Jul 2020 £122 £122
    17 Jul - 31 Jul 2020 £140 £140
    25 Aug - 19 Sep 2020 £122 £122
    20 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £95 £95
    Hotel Bastion, Zadar (B&B) Double room Single room
    15 Apr - 31 May 2020 £115 £177
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2020 £140 £225
    01 Jul - 31 Aug 2020 £155 £253
    01 Sep - 27 Sep 2020 £140 £225
    28 Sep - 16 Oct 2020 £115 £177
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Pula, Zagreb (return from Zadar, Split, Zagreb)

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Pula jet2,  TUI 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Birmingham jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Pula easyJet,  TUI 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Bristol easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Doncaster Sheffield - Pula TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Pula TUI 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Nottingham East Midlands jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Pula jet2 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Edinburgh jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Pula jet2 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Leeds Bradford jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Pula easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Pula easyJet,  Norwegian,  TUI 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Gatwick easyJet,  Norwegian,  TUI 
    Zadar - Gatwick easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Pula British Airways 
    Heathrow - Zagreb British Airways 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Heathrow British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Pula easyJet 
    Return route Airline
    Zadar - London Southend Flybe 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Pula jet2,  Ryanair 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Stansted easyJet,  jet2 
    Zadar - Stansted Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Pula jet2,  TUI 
    Return route Airline
    Split - Manchester easyJet,  jet2,  TUI 
    Zadar - Manchester Ryanair 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service (£60 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 12 nights
  • 4 dinners
    12 breakfasts
  • detailed documentation
  • Plitviče Lakes National Park entry ticket
  • category B hire car
  • ferry crossings on journeys between hotels (except Rab-Plitviče)
 
Reviews

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FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help.
  • The information that we send to you 2-3 weeks before your holiday includes practical information about each stage of your journey so that you can travel confidently from one hotel to another, recommendations for places to visit and eat out in each place, plus cultural information about the area. Where applicable, we also provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of most cities, and some large towns. Sample travel pack >
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £35 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £60 per person. More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to buy our policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Croatia, but not a visa (if you are travelling after 31 October 2019, see the Brexit question below for more information). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found through the following NHS link: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/ You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by applying at a Post Office or at www.ehic.org.uk. The EHIC allows reciprocal health care but should not be seen as a substitute for travel insurance. EHICs may cease to be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
  • The official language is Croatian. The currency is the Kuna. Croatian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 12/8/2019 3:21:22 AM