Today is free to do as you choose until our welcome meeting at 6 pm. Check-in to our family run apartments, our home for the week , located in Starigrad Paklenica. This meeting will introduce you to the other families and tell you about the week ahead. We will take insurance details at this meeting also.

After breakfast, it’s time to set off on a hike through Paklenica National Park. The National Park is one of the most visited climbing sites in Europe thanks to its incredible rock formations and stunning natural scenery. Your hike will take you to the edge of the Velika Paklenica Canyon, revealing the most magnificent views of the area.  You’ll pass by Sklopina, a 17th century village where houses were built right into the cracks in the rock. The return path leads you to the very bottom of the Velika Paklenica Canyon and along the creek where you can freshen up. This route can be adjusted dependent on the ability of the group and the weather conditions. Return to the comfort of your accommodation for a well earned rest.

Today delivers all things wet and wild as you hit the water for an exciting canoe safari or a white water rafting adventure on the Zrmanja River which travels 69 kilometres as it winds along its route from the southern part of Mount Pljesevica towards the sea. Make your way along perfectly clear and green waters, through karst scenery of narrow valleys and steep sided canyons, passing magnificent waterfalls. The first part of the trip is easy, allowing you to get a feel for your craft and enjoy the surroundings, and then it will gradually get more downhill, with an increase in waterfalls and rapids. Drifting serenely makes this a memorable day of activity. Note: The activity chosen will depend on seasonality and water levels in the river.

After yesterday’s river adventure, it’s time to head back and explore Paklenica National Park. The grassy hills and rugged mountain trails of the park make for a great spot to get some mountain biking practice in. Cycle around the countryside and enjoy this breath-taking part of Croatia. The route chosen will depend on the group's ability All trails travel through the characteristic rocky landscape of Dalmatia, dominated by the view of the slopes of the serrated Velebit mountain peaks and beech and black pine forest and the Adriatic Sea as a constant backdrop. .

After the last couple of days of frenetic activity today is left free to rest and relax. Perhaps visit the beach or explore Zadar, the ex capital of Dalmatia which has a thriving cafe culture and some cool historical spots for the kids. l spots for the kids.

Today we head out on a sea kayak adventure in Paklenica Bay. Paddle out on the clear blue sea through the Velebit Channel and spend a day on the water, with the mountains serving as your backdrop while you tour the coastline. Glide along blue satin water that’s often so clear that you can see the bottom. Feeling hot? There’ll be plenty of chances to stop and dive into the water on swimming breaks. Along the way you’ll stop for lunch. Your final destination is the nearby fishing village of Vinjerac across the bay, a picturesque place with neat rows of pastel coloured houses fronting the harbour. Perhaps try some of the daily catch for dinner in one of the local restaurants. You’ll return to Starigrad for the night.

Today you’ll continue the water theme with a trip out to the stunning World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park (approximately 1.5 hours). It's one of the oldest national parks in south-eastern Europe and the largest in Croatia, a misty Eden of endless waterfalls and spectral blue lakes. The waters tumble from a high, tree-lined ridge down through the valley and skirt dense forests of beech, spruce and pine. The interplay of water, rock, and plant-life creates a wondrous, dynamic landscape, changing the water colour from azure to bright green, deep blue to grey. A series of wooden walkways pass over the landscape, ensuring there’s little impact upon the park. A stroll around this park will leave you feeling very in tune with nature. Even amongst this pristine natural beauty, the Plitvice Lakes are shadowed by the region's history. The 1991 civil war erupted here after rebel Serbs took control of the park's headquarters, holding the park for the duration of the war and devastating infrastructure, though thankfully leaving the natural landscape intact. Return to Starigrad and celebrate your final night with the group.

Today, our Croatian adventure comes to an end, unless you want to stay on and explore a little longer. Take breakfast with the group this morning before saying your goodbyes to your newly-found friends and thinking about where to head to next. Those who have booked departures will be taken to the airport to catch your flight home.