The Best of Croatia’s Makarska Riviera

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    [title] => Arrival day
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Welcome to the Makarska Riviera. Unpack and settle in.
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    [title] => Hillside villages to Makarska
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Today's walks uses the panoramic elevated paths in the foothills of the Biokovo Mountains. The views along the coast and across to the islands are superb throughout. Both walks will visit Vepric Shrine, a wooded Catholic pilgrimage site, before following the coastline along the promenade to finish in Makarska.
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                            [title] => Hillside villages and Makarska
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Distance: 5½ miles (9km)
Total ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)
Total descent: 1800 feet (540m)
In summary: Starting at the village of Bast we ascend though the village before contouring south east on a wide path with good views over the coast.Then our descent takes us through scattered pines and olive groves to reach Vepric Shrine. After a short visit we will be transported to Makarska for refreshments and an optional walk around the peninsula.
Highlight: Explore the bustling harbour of Makarska.
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                            [title] => Bast village high tracks and Makarska
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Distance: 10 miles (16km)
Total ascent: 1,500 feet (450m)
Total descent: 2450 feet (740m)
In summary: Starting at Bast, this walk gradually ascends on a higher broad track on the flanks of the Biokovo mountains, initially in shaded forest before the views open out over Makarska. We can see the locations of walks earlier in the week on Brač and high above Makar before descending to Vepric Shrine and onto Makarska to join the easier group at the harbour.
Highlight: Superb views down to the coast and across to the islands. 
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    [title] => The Island of Brac
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The island of Brač lies approximately four miles offshore from the mainland, and is about the same size as the Isle of Wight. The island’s coastline has a series of attractive harbour villages, two of which will be visited on our walks. We travel to Brač by boat from Baška Voda harbour. We will arrive at Sumartin harbour and from here walk to a secluded cove and through olive groves to the equally attractive harbour at Povlja. Here our boat will be waiting for the return trip.
Option 1 - Island coast and harbour villages
Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)
Total ascent: 450 feet (140m)
Total descent: 460 feet (140m)
In summary: After time to explore or enjoy a relaxed morning coffee in Sumartin, we ascend out of the town and enjoy a wide track above the east coast of the island with stunning views across to the mountains on the mainland. At the hamlet of Rasotica we see how the local inhabitants collect water where there are no natural springs, before a possible swim in the nearby picturesque cove. A good track leads us to lunch in the shade of an olive grove before walking to the north coast of the island with its basilica and harbour.
Highlight: The islands beautiful coastline with it's attractive harbour villages.
Option 2 - Island coast, terraces and harbour village
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Total ascent: 450 feet (140m)
Total descent: 460 feet (140m)
In summary: This coast to coast walk starts by following the route of the easier group with an ascent to a col for our picnic lunch before continuing to Povlja. We will have time to explore the Basilica, before taking a new route on good paths to the small harbour of Ticqa Luka, where in the past, boats moored to load stone from the adjacent quarry. The route continues around the headland with good views of the mainland before returning to Povlja, where we can perhaps enjoy a swim before catching our boat back. 
Highlight: The boat journey from Makarska to Brač 
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    [title] => The foothills of the Biokovo mountains
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Both walks will start at the village of Makar, which sits on the hillside not far from Makarska, commanding superb views of the coast below, making their way via differing routes to Tučepi.
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                            [title] => Above Kotišina via villages to Tučepi
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Distance: 6 miles (9½km)
Total ascent: 500 feet (150m)
Total descent: 1,200 feet (360m)
In summary: On mostly good paths, this gentle paced walk reveals the contrasts between the traditional life at the base of the Biokovo range and the welcoming facilities of an attractive coastal resort. We visit old churches and small villages with an option to visit the Veliki Kaštel, a 17th century fort built into the cliffs, and recently renovated as a small interpretation centre.
Highlight: Admire the view out to the islands of Brač and Hvar.
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                            [title] => Into the Biokovo Mountains
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Distance: 7 miles (11km) 
Total ascent: 2200 feet (660m)
Total descent: 2120 feet (650m)
In summary: The most challenging walk of the week ascends on a remarkably constructed former mule track before contouring in welcome shade high above the coast. A slightly rougher descent takes us to a traditional café.
Highlight: An exhilarating mountain day with spectacular views.
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    [title] => Free Day
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Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently or visit local places of interest.  
Some options for your free time today may include: 
Makarska 
Spend more time exploring Makarska with a stroll along its paved seafront promenade, lined with cafés and bars overlooking the Adriatic. You could also visit the town’s Malacological Museum, home to an impressive collection of seashells, or relax beside the hotel among pine trees, white pebble beaches and clear waters. 
Baška Voda 
Follow the coast to the attractive resort of Baška Voda on a generally straightforward walk taking around two hours. There are several opportunities to swim along the way, and the waterfront cafés provide an inviting spot for lunch once you arrive. 
Split 
Around 50 km northwest of Makarska, Split has a fascinating old town filled with narrow streets and historic buildings. Highlights include the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and the remains of Diocletian’s Palace, with its impressive gates, temple and museum. Your leaders will organise this excursion if there is sufficient interest. 
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    [title] => Villages and Coastaround Baska Voda
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Today we explore the foothills of the Biokovo Mountains which rise above the village. Afterwards, both groups will descend to the coast, following a promenade through small beach resorts with the opportunity to pause for a drink or swim in Baška Voda 
Option 1 - Villages, Views and Promenade
Distance: 6 miles (9½ km)
Total ascent: 1100 feet (330m)
Total descent: 1060 feet (320m)
In summary: We explore the mainly abandoned Dalmatian village of Topici before continuing northwest, parallel to the coast, walking through small tourist resorts en route to Baska Voda. On wide paths with wonderful views this is a popular walk with numerous places to stop after lunch for a swim in the brilliantly clear waters of the Adriatic.
Highlight: Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic.
Option 2 - Napoleon’s Road, High Col and Promenade
Distance: 10 miles (16km)
Total ascent: 1900 feet (570m)
Total descent: 1900 feet (570m)
In summary: The harder walk will ascend to a high mountain col. Using a part of the extraordinary Napoleon’s Old Road we ascend to one of the best lunch spot of the week with views in every direction. A stony descent takes us to the coastal promenade in Baska Voda.
Highlight: The stunning Napolean's Road
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    [title] => Cetina Gorge
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The Cetina Gorge is an impressive natural feature that has been carved through the limestone of the Biokovo Mountains. We start inland at the village of Kostanje, behind the coastal mountain range.
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                            [title] => In to the Gorge
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Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Total ascent: 800 feet (240m)
Total descent: 1400 feet (440m)
In summary: Enjoying contrasting scenery to the coastal region, an easy morning through quiet villages takes us to a dramatic lunch spot with views to the Cetina River below. From here we follow a well-graded path through trees leading us to our boats which take us to a historic mill for refreshment, and through the gorge to Omiš on the coast.
Highlight: The delightful boat journey through the gorge to the coastal town of Omiš.
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                            [title] => Above the Cetina Gorge
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Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Total ascent: 900 feet (260m)
Total descent: 1550 feet (460m)
In summary: We will take an alternative route to the easier route to visit a church for lunch with distant views high above the morning’s path, and then rejoin the path down to and into the gorge.
Highlight: Marvel at the Cetina Gorge; an impressive natural feature that has been carved through the limestone of the Biokovo Mountains.
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    [title] => Departure day
    [introduction] => 
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We hope to see you again soon.
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