TRIP DOSSIER
Dubrovnik and “Marco Polo” Island
CROATIA
• 2786 hours of sunshine per year
• Explore historic Dubrovnik
• Island walks and Konavle countryside
Self-Guided Departures
Walking Grade: B – Moderate
Trip Code: TCRO
For dates and prices visit
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Date of issue: 16 Sep 2014
CROATIA
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Dubrovnik and Marco Polo Island
Introduction
The beautiful, romantic island of Korcula lays its claim
to being the birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. Hotly
disputed by the Venetians, this jewel of an island in the
Adriatic with lovely coves, beaches, cliffs, forested hills,
traditional villages, olive groves and vineyards is
certainly worthy of exploration in it’s own right. Next
you’ll visit medieval Dubrovnik, the “pearl of the
Adriatic” and the iconic coastal city of Dalmatia, before
a spot of island hopping takes you over to the Elaphiti
island of Sipan. Cultured and relaxed, the waterfront
community of Cavtat then provides the perfect base to
explore the delights of the Konavle countryside with the
option of time on the beach too. Enjoy pleasing,
sunshine walking by the beautiful Adriatic.
Important Note
Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day
itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as
statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We
regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account
changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local
transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of
holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other
factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen
circumstances and other matters entirely out of our
control etc can also lead to enforced changes during
the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee
that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the
anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will
be made available on our website. We will also send
you the most up to date trip dossier with your “Final
Joining Instructions” approx. 2 weeks before departure
and you should carefully check this for any changes
that may affect your plans. Before booking you should
read our “Types of Trip” and “Essential and Useful
information” sections on www.walksworldwide.com
including our ‘Important Warning’.
usually be ample opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch
along the way. Each walk is from your overnight
accommodation, to which you return after the walk.
Private transfers between the walking locations are
provided.
Walking conditions
Throughout you’ll be mostly following roads and paths
mostly with good conditions underfoot. Some of the
routing is marked, whilst some isn’t so you will rely
solely on your route notes at times and be aware that
currently only simple tourist maps are available. This
trip will best appeal to those seeking moderate walking
at a leisurely pace. Some sections involve moderately
steep ascent and descent, although these are rarely
sustained whilst other sections will be relatively
straightforward. Each day you will be walking between
5-6 hours. A full explanation of the trip grading can be
found in our brochure or online at
www.walksworldwide.com. You should ensure you are
comfortable walking at this level of grading and are
physically prepared for the trip.
Self-Guided Holiday
As the name suggests, self-guided holidays are for
those that prefer to be independent. Within reason you
are able to dictate your own schedule, as well as walk
at your own pace with the aid of route notes and maps.
All your accommodation has been reserved in advance
and unless otherwise stated within this trip dossier, your
main baggage is transferred between each
accommodation along the way, so there’s no need to
worry about carrying heavy loads and having to back
pack. This means you only need to walk each day and
carry your usual lightweight daypack. However, it is
important that you are entirely comfortable with being
independent whilst on a walking holiday.
Your holiday
For detailed information as to what a self-guided
holiday entails please read the self-guided walking
holidays section at Types of Trip section on
www.walksworldwide.com before booking your selfguided walking holiday.
Life on trek
Route Notes - Help keep them up to date
As this is a self-guided holiday you can of course
dictate your own schedule to a certain degree. The
walks are mostly of a moderate nature and there will
Things can and do change along the routes that selfguided walking holidays follow. A sign may have been
changed, or even removed, a path may have been
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Dubrovnik and Marco Polo Island
obstructed, even re-routed, a landmark the route notes
refer to may simply no longer exist. It is clearly
impossible to keep track of all the changes that may
occur outside the local tour operators control and
knowledge. It may be the route notes translation can be
improved (they are translated into several languages by
the local operator after all) too. Clearly a case of “last
person to walk the route” has the most up to date
information. In the spirit of camaraderie amongst
walkers and in an effort to constantly keep route notes
updated and improved upon, the local operator (contact
details in your final joining instructions) will always
welcome notification of any changes along the
way/recommendations for improvement if you would
care to forward any useful and specific information to
them. Alternatively, send to Walks Worldwide and we
will forward accordingly.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Dubrovnik and transfer to the
island of Korcula
Korcula. There is a great deal to see in Korcula
including the ‘House of Marco Polo’, St.Mark’s
Cathedral, the town’s ancient walls and towers, the
Bishop’s Treasury and Hober Park. The return journey
to Lumbarda is to retrace your outbound route. Walking
time approx 4hrs, distance approx 11km (excluding
Korcula exploration).
Pension (breakfast)
Day 3 More Korcula exploration with open
views to Lastove island
Today is a return walk to Cape Raznic. There’s also the
option of adding around 3km to the distance today and
incorporating Glogovac and Usa Luka bays too.
Perhaps undulating is the best way to describe the
walking as you follow backroads through vineyards to
the large sandy beach at Przina. Walking across the
beach you continue through fields and forests to reach
Cape Raznic, a great place for a picnic and a swim.
Returning to Lumbarda you follow a footpath along the
coastline of Lumbarda bay. Walking time approx 4hrs,
distance approx 12km.
Pension (breakfast)
Arrive at Dubrovnik International Airport and transfer to
Korcula (See How to join and depart this trip section
later in this trip dossier). With a population of just over
1,000, Lumbarda extends around a small bay and the
surrounding hills and bordered by sandy vineyards.
There are several good places to eat including
Restaurant Maslina that is reputed for its fish dishes,
Restaurant Zure, a winery in Lumbarda bay that
specialises in local cuisine and Torkul, a pizzeria.
Day 4 Free morning, afternoon transfer to
historic Dubrovnik
The morning is free to relax and enjoy Lumbarda.
Perhaps take a stroll along the coastline or just soak up
the laid-back atmosphere. In the afternoon you’ll
transfer to the historic city of Dubrovnik and after
checking into your pension a local engish-speaking
guide will provide you with a walking sightseeing tour of
Dubrovnik, of around 2.5hrs duration.
Pension
Day 2 Circuit walk through pine woods,
beaches and olive groves to Korcula town
Pension (breakfast)
A nice moderate walk as a warm up to walking in
Croatia. Leaving Lumbarda you walk to the village of
Javic and follow a quiet road that passes fields,
cultivated olive groves and vineyards of the famous Grk
grape variety and affords mostly level walking. The road
then starts to rise uphill before levelling out once more
reaching the outskirts of Korcula town. Here you
descend to the Bay of Us and follow a path past the
marina to Korcula. If you leave a reasonable time this
morning you should have plenty of time to explore
Today you walk on Sipan island. The biggest and to
many the most beautiful of the Elaphite Islands. To
make the most of your day visit to Sipan Island please
take into account the boat journey is around 1.5hrs in
each direction. From Dubrovnik you take the ferry
(ticket price included) to Sipan arriving at Sujuradj.
Heading up and out of the village you are heading to
the highest pint of Sipan Island, Velji Vrh, which is only
234m above sea-lavel. All the same it is the highest
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Day 5 A walk on Sipan Island
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Dubrovnik and Marco Polo Island
point and affords fine views over the island and the
Peljesac peninsula.
You then head down to the port of Sipanska Luka and
follow the coastal path back to Sujuradj. Along the way
th
there are ancient churches (the 11 Century Church of
St.Peter) to se and in Sipanska Luka there are ruins
dating back to Roman times. Of course there is the
natural beauty of Sipan Island itself, however the
Skocibuha Castle on the edge of Sudjuradj is a good
optional visit along the way. Recommended places to
eat on Sipan are Restaurant Kod Marka and Tauris in
Luka and Stara Mlinica in Sudjuradj. Return to
Dubrovnik by ferry. Walking distance approx 17km,
walking time approx 6hrs.
Pension (breakfast)
Day 6 Transfer to Cavtat, walk in the
Konavle countryside
It’s a short 10km transfer to Cavtat in the Konavle
region renowned for it’s plantations of vineyards, fruit
orchards and olive groves. Cavtat is a charming small
port in a sheltered bay on the Adriatic and actually
closer to Dubrovnik Airport than Dubrovnik itself.
Today’s walk, which explores the Konavle countryside
is waymarked and on a mix of asphalt and gravel
surfaces. From the old church of St.George in Cavtat
(there’s a shop opposite if you want to buy water/trail
snacks/picnic) a sign points you ijn the diretion of the
starting footpath. After around 800m asphalt turns to
gravel and initially it’s all very easy going. There are
nice views out to sea and to the Cavtat Islands. The
route steepens a bit as you head to the village of
Pendovo Sedlo.
Heading under trees and the route is lined with
traditional dry stone walls you head towards the village
of Cilipi, there is a tempting option to take a detour to
Zagon Bay on the way to Cilipi/on the way back.
Heading through the odd tiny village the bell tower of
the church in Cilipi is clearly visible and serves also as
a useful navigational aid. You continue your walk to
Cilipi, perhaps the best known regional village and
noted for it’s beautiful folk costumes, as well as the
colourful folk dance the Lindjo (performances every
Sunday morning by the church). The main square here
is very attractive with it’s monument to King Tomislav,
the first Croatian King. You can return by the same
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route or take a bus/taxi back to Cavtat. For fine
Dalmatian seafood in Cavtat the Restaurant Leut is a
good bet. The Jakanovi Dori 5km from Cavtat (taxi
required) specialises in local organic produce and
healthy Mediterranean cuisine if you fancy something
high-end. Another excellent option (although 20km from
Cavtat) is in the village of Pridvorje, the Restaurant
Vinica Monkovic serves traditional food including it’s
home-made prosciutto, cheese, local meats including
lamb cooked ‘under the bell’. The Monkovic family
whom own this restaurant have a fine collection of folk
costumes. Ask them nicely and they’ll show you.
Walking distance today is around 8km in each direction
and around 2hrs each way too.
Pension (breakfast)
Day 7 Explore Cavtat or relax on the beach
There’s an optional and easy short walk today, although
you can of course just spend the day at leisure by the
sea, or explore Cavtat itself a little more. There are
several operators offeriong boat excursions from the
harbour here to nearby islands and various villages
along the Riviera too.The optional walk is an easy,
circular walking tour of the Cavtat peninsula and is
perhaps best enjoyed by taking your swimwear along
with you and finding somewhere peaceful and secluded
en route to stop and bathe/enjoy a picnic and some
peace and quiet. From the waterfront of Cavtat Bay you
follow the line of the bay itself underneath the palm
trees to the church of Our Lady of the Snow. Here
there’s the option of ascending the footsteps and visit
the Racic Mausoleum built by the famous Croatian
sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. From the Mausoleum you head
back down to the church you simply continue walking
around the peninsula along a path that hugs the coast
line as it winds its way through pine woods. Along the
way there are several small bays and beaches, so you
may just find one to have all to yourselves. Distance
approx 4km, walking time 1.5hrs.
Pension (breakfast)
Day 8 Transfer to Dubrovnik Airport
Transfer to Dubrovnik International Airport.
(breakfast)
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Dubrovnik and Marco Polo Island
with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart
this trip section of this Trip Dossier.
Practical Information
Travel by train
How to join and depart this trip
The joining point for this trip is Dubrovnik International
Airport arrivals hall on day 1 of the Trip Itinerary above.
A private transfer is provided on day 1 from Dubrovnik
Airport to Lumbarda on the island of Korcula. This
transfer will be timed to coincide with your flight arrival.
You are advised to arrive at Dubrovnik Airport no later
than 1900hrs, as the transfer takes around 2.5hrs-3hrs
and uses the public ferry service. If your inbound flight
arrives late, you may prefer to have an additional night
in Dubrovnik before starting this trip (please contact us
if you want us to arrange this for you).
The departure point for this trip is Dubrovnik
International Airport on day 8 of the trip. Transfers are
included in the trip price from Cavtat back to Dubrovnik
Airport (journey time 15-20mins). This will be coordinated to coincide with the check-in time for your
departure flight.
Flight Inclusive
We recommend that you book this trip as a 'Flight
Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights
through Walks Worldwide guarantees you peace of
mind and provides 100% financial protection under our
CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights
with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will
manage these flight arrangements both before and
during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are
able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares
with most major airlines from the UK (as displayed on
our website), as well as the option of regional departures
too.
Land Only
If you would prefer to arrange your own international
travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package,
where the price does not include international flights.
Please note that if you are booking your own flights
there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many
airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable
and often do not provide you with any financial
protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves
where you would be 100% protected under our CAA
ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that
you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and
check the limitations under any insurance policy you
may have in relation to cancellation or date changes.
We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or
consequences of any flight bookings or related travel
arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your
international flights were delayed or cancelled and you
could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do
decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you
do not book international flights or make other travel
arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties
for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is
guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making
your own international travel arrangements that they
enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance
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If you would prefer to travel by train
www.raileurope.co.uk provides an online booking
service for European rail services, including Eurostar.
You should not book your International rail tickets or
make any other travel arrangements until your chosen
holiday is guaranteed to run.
Local transport
Airport and all land transfers will be by private vehicle.
The visit to Sipan island involves the use of the public
ferry service (tickets included in Land Only price).
Accommodation
Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin
share basis unless you have already requested a single
room. Throughout the trip you will stay in a variety of
small, friendly and very hospitable family-run Pensions.
Food
Meals included in the trip price are indicated in the trip
itinerary. There are several restaurants and cafes in
each of your overnight locations serving local cuisine.
Climate
Dubrovnik and the surrounding region enjoys one of the
sunniest climates of any southern European cities. But,
it is of course impossible to predict the precise weather
conditions you will encounter during the course of your
holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to
coincide with what should be the most suitable weather
periods for walking. Dependent upon when you travel
daytime temperatures may be between 18ºC-27ºC+.
July and August are far too hot for walking. Although
most rainfall usually falls during November and
December, the dry-season is considered to begin
around mid-June. However, you should always be
prepared for inclement weather conditions. For climate
statistics visit www.worldweather.org
Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx.
1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude.
Altitude
The altitudes on this trip are modest and you should not
anticipate any problems.
Baggage
Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked
with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the
labels get detached. As your main baggage will be
transported by vehicle in which you also transfer
between locations a normal suitcase can be used for
your main baggage. You should restrict your main
baggage to one piece per person.
Vaccinations & health
We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist
for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also
have access to the most up to date information on
vaccinations and medical precautions for the country
you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are
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Dubrovnik and Marco Polo Island
necessary for Slovenia. A useful travel health online
resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either
online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office
– you will need to produce this if you have to see a
doctor.
helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out
cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are nonrefundable.
You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip
travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call
us on 01962 737 565 for a quotation.
First Aid
Passports & Visas
You should always carry your own small, personal first
aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general
anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET),
rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment
(e.g. Imodium).
British passport holders (and other EU passport
holders) do not require a visa to visit Croatia for stays
up to three months (please ensure your passport has at
least 6 months validity).
Budgeting for your trip
Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on
what is included in this trip. You will need to budget for
meals and drinks not included in the holiday, any
optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal
nature such as laundry.
Security
Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience
anything untoward it is worth taking precautions
particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible
precautions in crowded areas such as street markets
and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and
keep clear of any street disturbances. Don’t wear
jewellery, or leave your bags unattended, keep large
amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of
sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking
in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important
documents, including passports, in a separate place to
the documents themselves, together with details of
credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend
too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and
cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where
practicable.
Clothing & Equipment
Please check our website for the most up to date
information regarding packing for your trip. The
information we provide is our suggested guide to help
you with your packing based upon our many years of
travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of
course important, especially with regard to casual
clothing etc. but please do not hesitate to contact us if
you have any questions about packing for your trip.
Currency
The Croatian currency is the Kuna. Please refer to
www.xe.com for up to date rates. There are ATM
machines at Dubrovnik Airport, Orebic (where the ferry
to Korcula sails from), Korcula town, Dubrovnik and
Cavtat.
Extensions & Excursions
Please contact us for tailor-made extensions.
Language
In Croatia the language is Croatian. Although you will
find that some English is spoken by some Croats, we
recommend you take along a phrase book and also try
to learn some simple Croat phrases and greetings. The
local people will of course especially appreciate any
attempt to speak their language and is all part of the
fun.
Tipping
It is customary to leave a small tip at your discretion for
services in bars/restaurants.
Maps
We recommend Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London
WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you
have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to
responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical
and personal accident risks for the part of the world you
intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover
should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and
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01962 737 565
Date of issue: 16 Sep 2014