For this week's Walk of the Week we thought that we would head somewhere Mediterranean, somewhere warm and utterly beautiful.  For the last 10 years Croatia's reputation has blossomed from 'Where is that again?' to a must visit destination.  So, otherworldly, ancient and beautiful that it has formed the basis for TV's Game of Thrones, we cordially invite you to check out Dubrovnik Vineyards and Dalmatian Coast.   [caption id="attachment_15481" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Lokum on the Dalmatian Coast[/caption]  

In a Nutshell

• Distance: Around 60km.  Compared to our normal tours where you are walking point to point and have a strict distance, this tour is a bit different.  While there are a couple of days that have dedicated lengths that you are walking, others are based around city tours, vineyard tours, walking the wall that surrounds the Medieval city, you know, that kind of difficult stuff!
• Grading: Moderate - Easy to Moderate

With so much on offer on this trip, the idea that you can push yourself a little harder or easier is quite a nice distraction.  After visiting the vineyards, you might not have the impetus to take a long walk for instance.

Where is it?

Croatia is across the Adriatic Sea from Italy and due to this, the two countries actually share a lot of traits.  Dubrovnik is in the very south of the country, located right on the azure Adriatic. There are a good few low cost flights from around the UK to Dubrovnik these days, so you should have no problem getting there direct, but if you are flying from North America you would more than likely fly into Zagreb and take a domestic flight down.  Once in Dubrovnik, our lovely Croatian partners will come and pick you up from the airport and take you to your first hotel. [caption id="attachment_15482" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Caveat from the air[/caption]

When to Go

Spring in Croatia is sublime and April, May and June are absolutely lovely; July and August can be hot so you will have to start early to miss the heat of the day, although the towns and villages are busier with many seasonal festivals on which is great.

Why walk it?

This trip is really a celebration of Croatia, one which you should definitely invite yourselves to.  Firstly, Dubrovnik is absolutely stunning.   It is one of the best preserved Medieval cities in the world.  The marble streets and baroque architecture are so unique and the way that the city absorbs the light of the Mediterranean sun and reflects it is what has attracted filmmakers and photographers for years. [caption id="attachment_15477" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dubrovnik Harbour[/caption] Despite not having the international reputation of Italy or France, Croatia is an old world wine producer, beginning wine production around 2200 B.C.  There are 64 indigenous grape varieties as well as the old favourites that have been imported over the years, but this makes for a diverse range of wines.  The reason you have never tasted it before is not because it is rubbish, but because not a lot of it gets exported.  This is very common across Europe where smaller countries keep all the good wine for themselves and quite rightly so.   It is guaranteed, that if you put in enough groundwork, you will find a wine that will blow your mind. [caption id="attachment_15480" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Not the worst spot to sample some Croatian Wine[/caption] Then you have got the Dalmatian Coast.  Golden beaches, contrasted by the sparkling crystal sea, looking out to unpopulated islands, sounds like something I could be doing with right now.  There are hidden hiking trails all along this coast, letting you discover a side that most tourists will never see. The Dubrovnik, Vineyards & The Dalmatian Coast tour is a total sensory experience.  While the trip is extremely relaxing, your senses will be on overdrive for the entire time that you are there.  A true slice of Mediterranean paradise. Visit the tour on macsadventure.com or contact info@macsadventure.com if you’d like more information.