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Often voted the cleanest sea in the world, the glistening, translucent, Adriatic extends 1000 km from the Gulf of Venice, right down to the Ionian Sea. Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Albania border the irregular eastern shore that is made up of a rugged and mountainous coastline, home to more than a thousand beautiful islands and sheltered bays, of which only a handful are inhabited. Hundreds of sparkling waterfalls, green mountain rivers and streams, pass by stunning lakes and spectacular canyons, across fertile deltas and wetlands on their way to the crystal clear waters of the open sea.
Croatia is one Europe's most beautiful and under-appreciated travel destinations. Located on the northeastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, across from Italy's east coast, Croatia is is blessed with more than 1000 miles of coastline and over 1100 islands, of which only 66 are inhabited. Independent since 1991, and peaceful since 1995, a new and unique cultural identity has been carefully forged turning Croatia into one of Europe's most fascinating countries. A complex history that has endured Roman, Venetian, Italian and Austro-Hungarian rule, Croatia is now home to a warm and welcoming people, proud of their heritage but ready to welcome visitors and embrace the future with open arms and minds. The Dalmatian Coast is home to numerous romantic old coastal towns abundant in renaissance art and architecture including the medieval centres of Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik, and Trogir which have been declared UNESCO world heritage sites. Home to eight national parks and 10 nature parks the natural environment plays host to a wide variety of flora and fauna from the dramatic karstic mountains and gorges through centuries old pristine forests irrigated by mountain streams to the wonders of the many islands scattered along the rugged coastline. You can soak in thermal spas, wander the emerald lakes and waterfalls of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, sail or kayak round spectacular uninhabited islands and dive some of the clearest waters to be found on the planet. All this adds up to an unparalleled adventure playground providing endless possibilities for an enriching activity holiday whether it be on foot, on two wheels or by sea kayak paddling the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. The strapline 'the Mediterranean as it used to be' perfectly sums up this fascinating country and itŐs easy to see why both Lonely Planet and National Geographic have said that Croatia is a destination that 'must be visited in the next year'.
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe and consists of a mosaic of diverse landscapes, where the Alps face the Pannonian plains and the Mediterranean meets the mysterious Karst. To the north is Austria; to the east is Hungary; Croatia to the south and Italy to the west. You can ski in the morning and surrender yourself to the luxury of the Adriatic sea later in the afternoon. You can breakfast with the shepherds on the mountain meadows, enjoy a solitary stroll through the primeval forests and undulating, winegrowing hills and end your evening in a richly stocked wine cellar in a medieval city at the edge of the Pannonian plain. The Triglav National Park includes almost all of the Slovenian Julian Alps. The tallest peak is Triglav at 2,864 metres but there are many other peaks here reaching above 2000m (6500ft), and the park is rich in flora and fauna. Mountain climbers are well catered for, but there are easy and rewarding hikes and bike rides too, through the numerous beautiful valleys, forests and fields. The more adventurous can experience the rugged alpine region which is punctuated by the numerous deep glacial river valleys and the high-lying karst plateaux with its unusual surface features, as well as exploring the mysterious subterranean caves and chasms that extend deep into the limestone landscape. The mountains of the north east provide the sources of the Sava and the Soca rivers with their translucent emerald waters and numerous waterfalls, tumbling rapids, deep canyons and narrow gorges. Watersport enthusiasts are well catered for with plentiful opportunities to become part of the natural rhythm of the rivers, whether onboard a raft or kayak or by hydrospeeding through the carved twists and turns of the river banks. Slovenia's coastal area has a warm Mediterranean climate. Summer is pleasant with average highs usually around 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Inland the eastern European climate takes hold and in central Slovenia, the winters are cold, but often bright and sunny.
Montenegro, yet another pearl of the Mediterranean, which translates to 'Black Mountain', is situated in the south of the Adriatic just south of Croatia and north of Albania. There is nowhere else that you can find, in such a small place, so much natural wealth, beauty, fantastic sandy beaches, clear lakes, fast flowing rivers and stunning mountains. In the morning you can wake up along the beautiful Adriatic coast, have lunch listening to gentle bird song on the banks of Skadar Lake, and enjoy evening walks in the Montenegrin mountains before dining next to a cozy log fire, high up on the slopes of the Durmitor mountain. In the Durmitor National Park ice has carved out a dramatic mountain landscape. Eighteen lakes dot the Durmitor Range, the largest being Crno Jezero (Black Lake). The 1.3km(0.81mile) deep Tara Canyon, the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon in North America, slits open the earth's crust for 80km (50miles) and is best seen from the rock promontory at Curevac. Here, deep in the mountains, it's possible to explore intact nature in the largest and last natural forest in Europe 'the Kings Forest' at Biogradska gora National Park which was founded in 1878, only six years after the world's first national park at Yellowstone. The ancient walled towns of Montenegro are witness to the intertwining of Orthodox and Catholic cultures and customs that have survived the vicissitudes of history and are now home to a proud and hospitable people who know how to appreciate and preserve their natural surroundings. Montenegro is an oasis of peace and tranquility, with clear air and the aromatic scent of nature carried on the whispering breeze across mountain meadows and pastures, down through the southernmost fjords of Europe to the clear blue sea of the Adriatic. We look forward to hearing
from you and helping you plan your Adriatic Adventure! or telephone us on +44 (0)20 8566 2449 Copyright © Adriatic Adventures Limited 2007 All rights reserved. |
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