Croatia | Sea | Kayaking | Tours | Grand Adriatic Kayak Tour

Grand Adriatic Kayak Tour - Venice and Croatia

Before Christopher Columbus turned Europe's gaze to the west and the New World, the Adriatic Sea was, since antiquity, the conduit through which the rich goods of the Orient flowed into Western Europe.

The ruins of Greek colonies, Roman palaces and Venetians forts scattered along both shores of the Sea bear witness to the empires' of the mighty who have controlled this important maritime trade route through the ages. Anchoring its ends were two rich merchant cities - Dubrovnik and Venice.

From 1350 until 1806 Dubrovnik was an independent Republic and the leading marine center of the eastern Mediterranean. Its boats were to be found in ports throughout Europe and were even mentioned by Shakespeare.

On the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, the Serene Empire was built and thrived for 1,000 years, until it sank under the weight of its own decadence.

An excellent way to discover maritime culture of the Adriatic Sea is on a 12-day sea-kayak expedition organized by Lifejacket Adventures - Croatia and Venice Kayak.

Dates

Thursday 13th May until Tuesday 24th May, 2010

Schedule

Day 1

3.00pm - After all guests have checked into their accommodation, Dubrovnik will be introduced through a walking tour conducted by a local guide.

Dubrovnik has been described as one of the most beautiful old centres in Europe. We will explore the town’s limestone walls which have protected from maritime depredations for centuries its narrow flagged streets, tall orange-tiled houses, Baroque palaces, churches and monasteries.
7.00pm - Dinner in a small port-sidesea-food restaurant (not included).

Day 2

9.30am - Breakfast in Dubrovnik. Guests board van for transfer to Mali Ston.

11.30am - Arrive in Mali Ston.

The twins towns of Ston and Mali Ston are renown for three things - ancient salt fields, oyster beds and medieval walls. The walls are purported to be the 3rd longest in the world after the Great Wall of China and Hadrian's Wall.

A long seafood lunch, including oysters, mussels, shellfish and lots of wine, is taken on the waterfront. Following a short drive and ferry ride the van arrives on Korčula Island.

5pm - Visit Cebalo's Winery.

White wine is the preferred drop on Korčula, with two excellent varieties being produced. Grk is grown in the fields surrounding the town of Lumbarda and Pošip in the valleys of Smokvica and Čara.

Proceed to Korčula Town.

Korčula Town is famous as the reputed birthplace of the original travelogue writer, Marco Polo, and it was in a sea-battle between the Venetians, who controlled Dalmatia at the time, and the Genovese in 1298, off the coast of Korčula, that he was captured and taken as a POW to Genoa, where his memoirs were transcribed.

Dinner and accommodation in Korcula.

Day 3

9am - After breakfast, begin kayaking.

Paddle to Trstenik, on the Peljesac Peninsula via Podobuce.

The sharp hills and rugged coast of the Peljesac Peninsula are only a short paddle across the Peljeski Channel from Korčula Town.

6pm - Visit Bartulović Winery for dinner (van transfer).

Dingač, a region midway along the Peninsula, arguably produces Croatia's best wine. The vineyards dramatically plunge down at 70 degrees straight into the water. These steep, southern-facing fields provide the Plavac grapes with maximum exposure to the already scorching summer sun, producing a very rich, complex, full bodied wine. The winery of Napa Valley expatriate, Mike Grgić, is found in the town of Trstenik.

Total paddling- 23.5 kms

Day 4

8am - The best breakfast in Dalmatia with Seka.

9am - Support boat transfer to Mljet Island and kayaking to its lakes and monastery.

The remote and wild Mljet Island, containing one of Croatia's most beautiful national parks, is rumored to have been Odysseus' oasis prison for 7 years as he journeyed home from Troy. The afternoon will be spent kayaking Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero, the lakes at the northern end of the island.

Total paddling- 23 kms

Day 5

9am - Paddle to Odysseus' Cave, and then onto the sandy beaches around Saplunara.

For geological reasons the southern coasts of all the Dalmatian Islands are the most dramatic. The south side of Mljet is no exception. The day is spent exploring its nooks and crannies, its bays and the caves before finishing on a secluded beach on the island’s eastern end.

Total paddling- 25 kms

Day 6

9am - Paddle crossing to the Elafiti Islands. Šipan, Lopud and Koločep Islands were once the playgrounds of Dubrovnik’s nobles. They are still a nice place to sip a cocktail on the beach, or take a stroll on their promenades.

Total paddling- 21.5 kms

Day 7

9am - Paddle to Dubrovnik.

Approaching Dubrovnik's walls from the sea is a paddle all kayakers should do at least once in their lives.

Dinner in Dubrovnik (not included).

Total paddling- 16 kms

Day 8

7am - Transfer to Venice. Approximately 800kms (500miles - 10 hours in total). Lunch and afternoon tea stops will be made along the way (not included).

6pm - Arrive at Camping San Nicolo on Venice’s Lido Island.

Day 9

9am - To stretch the legs and allow guests to orientate themselves to Venice a morning walk through the city will be taken, after which time can be spent visiting various monuments.

Venice is one of the most spectacular cities in the world, surprisingly unique in every way. There is no other place like it - with its history, food and splendor.

Day 10

9am - Kayaking Day in Venice. After the previous day’s interior explorations, this day will be spent on Venice’s waters.

Venice is the daughter of the lagoon - boats mean more than cars, canals more than roads, and the only way one can say to have experienced the real Venice, is by kayak.

Total paddling- 25.0 kms

Day 11

7am - An early start, for on one amazing day each year all commercial boat traffic is stopped - and all sorts of human-powered craft take charge of the canals for an event known as Vogalonga. Around 5,000 people paddle or row the 30km course around the islands of Venice.

Total paddling- 40.0 kms

Day 12

1pm - The morning will be a period of rest or skills coaching, after which a final magical evening paddle will be taken on the deserted canals of Venice.

6pm - To celebrate the end of the Grand Adriatic Kayak Tour dinner will be in be in a local restaurant before crossing back to the campsite.

Van transfers to the Venice Airport the following morning are provided if required.

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Adriatic Expeditions