NEW independent walking tour in Croatia

Regular Breakaway guests often ask us to come up with an independent walking tour in Croatia, so we're delighted to be introducing Castles to Coast Walk into our 2013 portfolio.




This new walking holiday opens up a timeless world that in the oldest towns takes you back 2000 years. The Croatian provice of Istria lies at the very northern tip of the Adriatic.

Istria was part of the Venetian empire for 300 years, and is a fusion of Croatian and Italian influences in cuisine, architecture and language - so much so that it is often referred to as Croatia's Tuscany.

You begin with three nights in a converted C17 palace with a stunning spa in hilltop Motovun. Here, walks follow high ridges and an abandoned railway offers panoramic views over truffle-rich valleys of oak, fruit orchards, and emerald ranks of vines.
From Motovun you walk above the Mrna River valley to the fortified hill town of Buzet, for two nights in a beautiful converted townhouse, set within the original C18 Venetian battlements. You then head east to the bright lights of the Adriatic Riviera, summiting Istria's highest peak - Mt Vojak (1401m) - along the way for incredible views as far as the Dolomites and Switzerland.

The final two nights are spent in Lovran, once the playground of the wealthy classes in the C19. Impressive villas line the shore, shops and cafes cluster around C17 churches, and fishermen land their catch just outside bustling local restaurants on crowded marinas. Home in Lovran is a converted villa just 50m from the waterfront with sea view balcony rooms. Dining options are excellent and varied, so we have included two dinners, with five nights free to enjoy local restaurants.

Departs on Tuesdays from May 7 to Sep 24 with prices starting from $2,759 per person, per night based on two people sharing a double room.

Places are limited, so early booking is advised.

Labels: Croatia walking tours, Europe, Istria, self guided walking

posted by Breakaway Adventures @ 9:42 AM