Excursions
Boat excursions: Makarske Riviera Panorama, Island of Hvar, Korčula or peninsula Pelješac
EXCURSIONS IN THE REGION
Photo-safari on Neretva
Surely anybody wants to escape from
hectic everyday life and turn away briefly from the enormous commitments and
the elusive rhythm in which we live. When you are daydreaming and sometimes
wander off into the wilderness of relaxing, you probably often wonder
whether there are such places that would give you a true transformation and
ensure mental peace? Neretva valley is a place from your imagination. This
is an untouched part of nature, a place where you will feel the wildness,
but also meet the hospitable hosts. Ride through narrow canals and a
backwater of Neretva in traditional Neretva vessel is a unique experience
that gives you a sense of nirvana. The vessel is very significant because of
the events of births, weddings and dieing. Neretva vessel meant life, and
today it represents a proud and indelible mark of tradition that inspires
every precious visitor to our valley. The vessel will be managed by the host
who will depict life in the Neretva and show you how Neretvans catch fish
and cultivate citrus fruits - symbols of the Neretva: mandarin oranges, figs
and grapes. He will reveal little secrets of the well-known delicious of the
Neretva, make a pledge with jug full of Neretva wine and, of course, sing.
In such a perfect labyrinth of the Neretva Channels, ornate with beautiful
water lilies, the habitat of unique bird species are hidden, disguised with
sedge and cane, and finally Lake Kuti - the secret of the sunken city.
Finally, it should be recognized, that no words can describe what a man
feels in this adventure. It offers space for discovering of yet undiscovered
beauty to everyone. The trip includes a visit to the
Archaeological Museum
Narona which is opened in 2004 year, after the archaeological research and
sensational discovery of the remains of a Roman temple Augusteum.
The
Paintball yard is located at the nearby sites and can also be included in
the excursion program.
Ride in the traditional Neretva vessel
on Baćinska Lakes
Baćinska Lakes - photo-safari Baćinska Lakes
are a natural pearl of preserved nature. Woven of seven beautiful lakes, of
which six lakes are merged in a blue-green ring. The lakes are embed between
the Neretva River Delta, the sea and surrounding hills, and are located only
two kilometers from Ploče. The visitor will feel breathless for the beauty
of the site from whichever direction. If you are traveling from the west on
Adriatic Highway, which meanders over the blue sea and islands, in the
twinkling of an eye you'll notice that the blue horizon is replaced by a
magnificent view of a green oasis. If you come from the south, through the
peaceful and rich Delta of the Neretva River, the last look at the sedge
drift by the wind will be exactly at the Baćina Lakes, were in a small space
all the beauty of this region is gathered.
The best and most beautiful
experience is certainly sailing on the lakes in the Neretva traditional
vessel. You can feel clear water under your fingers - the water where there
is still fish, eels and frogs. The coasts of Baćinska Lakes are surrounded
by reeds, in which the song-birds and marsh-birds are hidden, and still many
secrets are not revealed. As the vessel gently makes swirl on turquoise
water, from somewhere in the sedge the wild duck will appear, a frog will
utter on water lilies and the egret will make her dignified walk across the
shallows. Careful eye will be able to notice a water turtle that slid
noiselessly into the water or a copperhead that moves through the grass.
Through narrow passages maybe you will be suddenly scared by coot or duck
while listening to birdsong and the sound of wind through the reeds. It is
difficult to describe with words what you can experience at Baćinska Lakes.
If you like water, birds and nature, you will be full of impressions and you
will remember all scents and pictures. You will want to come back to
Baćinska Lakes.
Excursion to Imotska Krajina, Red and
Blue Lake visit Town of Imotski has two jewels of
nature: Red and Blue Lake. Blue Lake becomes the beach in summer. At
arranged meanders, the swimmers are stepping down to the lake and the beach,
while the access to the Red Lake is not granted over the precipitous cliffs
that surround it. The area of Imotska krajina can be divided into three
natural zones: the karst area with the fields rim and spacious karst areas
and bays in the wider area - Imotsko polje, a large tectonic sag and
mountain massif Biokovo.
Red Lake - (Crveno jezero) is a karst cave filled with
water in the vicinity of Imotski. The International speleodiving expedition
was organized in 1998 by Croatian Speleological Federation. On that
occasion, the height difference of 528 meters was precisely measured and the
depth of the lake of even 281 meters was determined. According to some data,
the Red Lake might be the deepest lake in Europe.
The lake was created
by the collapse of the arch above the pit. There is a legend according to
which the houses were located above the lake in the past, and suddenly they
perished in the ground. At that place the lake was created. Its name comes
from the red rocks at the edge of the lake.
Blue Lake - (Modro jezero)
is one of the most beautiful karst lakes in Croatia.
The water level in
Blue Lake fluctuates considerably during the year, so oftenly, the lake
completely dries. At the bottom of the lake, in this case, you can actually
play football. During the summer months, usually there is enough water for
swimming, and it is not uncommon even to play various water sports. Special
care is given for water quality and coast tidiness.
Visit of the
Franciscan Monastery of Saint Mary in Zaostrog
The largest and most
important monument of culture in this area is the Franciscan Monastery of
Saint Mary. It is believed that the monastery was founded in the 14th
century. It was founded by monks known as the “hermits of St. Augustine”.
After the fall of Bosnia in 1463 they withdrew to the islands. The abandoned
monastery was settled in 1468 by the Franciscans from the Province of Bosna
Srebrna, and they are still acting today.
Monastery in Zaostrog often is
referred to as Kačićev monastery. In addition, the permanent gallery of one
of the most famous Croatian painter, Mladen Veža, born in Brist in 1916 year
can be found in monastery. Within the monastery museum you can find the
ethnological collection - rural furniture and farm tools and various pieces
of Croatian folk costumes. The collection has been entered in the register
of movable cultural monuments protected by the state.
Nature Park Biokovo
Protected Nature Park Biokovo lies on the mountain
named Biokovo, and the mountain itself is placed as a huge wall above the
Makarska Riviera. That karst coastal area of unique natural features is
prolific with deep pits, caves, abysses, and beech forests. Some of these
caves are so deep underground that, even during the summer heats, in its
interior they hide the snow and ice which were during ages, used to preserve
food. For a tourist exploring of the mountain, interesting are visits to the
botanical garden and Peaks Vošac and St. Jure, peaks accessible by Biokovo
road. Recreation enthusiasts can enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding and
many other activities, and the real adventurers can enjoy paragliding.
The
Botanical Garden is located above the village Kotištine. Sv. Jure is the
highest peak of Biokovo. The peak can be reached by car, which makes it
especially attractive and accessible place. Every year, on the last Saturday
in July, the pilgrimage is held here. A magnificent view of the Makarska
Riviera and the central Dalmatian islands is sprawl from the peak, and when
the weather is clear, you can see the peaks of the Italian Apennines.
Sightseeing of cities that are under UNESCO protection:
Split, TrogirSplit is not only an urban, cultural and traffic center of Dalmatia with
road and sea connections to numerous Dalmatia summer resorts, but is itself
often a destination of tourist and excursionists. A city with 1700 years of
existence, with a variety of archaeological, historical and cultural
monuments, among which the most important is the Diocletian's Palace, is a
part of the world heritage by UNESCO. Split has attractive facilities and
warmth of a modern Mediterranean city.
DubrovnikThis old town, surrounded by thick walls and towers,
looks like a precious jewel immersed by the sea. This old town is also a
treasure trove of beautiful architecture and works of art jealously
preserved over the centuries.
The beautiful palaces, old monasteries and
churches, libraries, treasuries, as well as cobbled streets and squares are
just part of what you can see and feel from the rich history of this city.
Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Walking in Mostar is like
walking through time.
In this town, signs of ancient times are visible
at every step. They are located next to each other, leaning on one another,
entwined in a strange and unrepeatable symbiosis of unbelievable elements.
A tour of Makarska, visit of
Malacological Museum and Vepric Shrine Makarska has always been an
administrative, political, economic, cultural and educational resort, and
since the middle of 20th century, also a tourist resort of Makarska Riviera.
Today, Makarska is a city with more than 15 thousand inhabitants that
encompasses picturesque villages under the Biokovo, Veliko Brdo, Puharići,
Kotišina and Makar from which the name of Makarska is derived.
Makarska is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Croatian
coast, attractive for its nature and climate attributes and rich in tourist
attractions and friendly hosts. The town's history can best be introduced in
the Franciscan monastery, which celebrated its 500th anniversary. In its
area the monastery keeps a collection of old pictures, a library, a unique
Malacological Museum and Institute "Mountain and Sea". The Church of St.
Mark is located at Kačić square and on its north side, in the old school,
the Gojak gallery, public library, music school and Radio Makarska Riviera
are situated.
Malacological Museum of the Franciscan monastery was
founded by Fra Jure Radić in year 1963. With an interesting exhibition of
sea snails and shellfish from the Adriatic and the whole world, the
Malacological museum became the most famous Malacological collection in
Croatia. With its rich malacological collection, the museum holds a valuable
Herbarium with herbs from the Biokovo Mountain, together with a small
paleontological collection.
Vepric is the shrine near
the town of Makarska. It came into existence in 1908 year, and the natural
cave and scenery with hills, vegetation and stream, reminiscent the visitor
on Lourdes. The chapel with the sacristy, the altar on the square,
confessionals, Stations of the Cross, home for a spiritual exercises and
routes for the procession were built in the shrine. Because of its natural
beauty and peace this place has a very good attendance throughout the year.
Visit to Omiš and rafting on the river Cetina Hinterland tour
of Biokovo Mountain to the top of the river Cetina canyon, where from a
cliff the beautiful view stretches at the canyon and the estuary of the
river into the sea, the town of Omiš, and the island of Brač, will leave you
breathless!
A boat ride to one of the many resting places on the River
will provide you the full enjoyment of this clean, green river. In a
pleasant and natural atmosphere you will have the opportunity to discover
the magic of good Dalmatian cuisine. On the return, the shorter retention in
Omiš is scheduled. Omiš is a small town known as a strong pirate stronghold
in the middle Ages.
Visit to Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and
Kravica falls (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Medjugorje is one of the most
famous Roman Catholic shrines in the world. It became famous because of the
apparition of the Virgin Mary in year 1981, after which the religious
tourism began to develop. Since then, this Herzegovinian place, near
Sarajevo, is one of the most visited tourist centers in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Annually, about a million Catholics from around the world visit
Medjugorje. The Church of St. Jakob in Medjugorje is the central meeting
place in the shrine of Queen of Peace.
Vintage in Imotski Mandarin Harvest
The Neretva River Delta, or -
as many refer to as "Croatian California" - is the largest Croatian producer
of Mandarin. Every fall during the harvest, the Neretva valley comes to life
in a special way. Everywhere you can find mandarin pickers. Visitors
themselves can participate in the harvest or at least walk through the
numerous Mandarin plantations savoring not only their fruits, but also a
variety of local dishes and drinks.
