Like to stay active while you travel, but also know when (and how) to admire a stellar view? Visited Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split already and itching to see what else Croatia has to offer? Or perhaps you’re after something a bit different. A trip that’ll turn heads at your next family get-together. Your aunt gushing over how adventurous you are, while your cousins fidget with jealousy.
Well, your luck is officially in. There’s a perfect trip for you. All aboard a converted racing yacht and let’s set sail (whispers…) off the beaten track in Croatia. You’ll explore the country’s lesser-known islands, bays and beaches… by bicycle. You’ll swim in the glistening Adriatic. You’ll dine on fresh seafood, drink local wines, and square it all off with your conscience at the morning yoga sessions.
This trip is so new, it still has that fresh-out-the-packet smell. Expect active wellness adventure vibes, plus exclusive destinations.
Get off the beaten track
Exclusive destinations, you say? Yup. Off the tourist trail, you say? You bet. Here’s the itinerary (in a nutshell, mind you)…
You’ll meet your future-BFFs at the beautiful Opatija harbour and set sail to Krk, where you’ll admire cathedral complexes and cycle through olive groves. Next up, it’s Rab Island or the ‘island of love’ to hike up Straža Peak and swim in St Mara bay. Sample world-famous cheese in Novalja before picking roses in Ilovik. From Ilovik, you’ll set sail to Lošinj Island to check out the famous waterfront. You’ll watch the sunset at sparsely-populated Cres, before journeying to our final port of call: Opatija.
Keep on moving
This trip combines the inner peace of watching a spectacular sunset with the endorphin release of a good old fashioned hike.
When you’re not hiking… you’re swimming. When you’re not swimming… you’re cycling. And when you’re not cycling… you’re hiking. But it’s an active wellness retreat, not a triathlon. All abilities are welcome, and there’ll be plenty of time to relax and explore with your new travel BFFs.
Morning mindfulness
Where does ‘converted racing yacht in the middle of the Adriatic rank on your list of ideal morning yoga locations? Top 10, surely? Somewhere between ‘frozen lake’ and ‘on a colossal spaceship charting course for Mars’.
This is a chance for some serious pre-breakfast zen to get you and your boat-buds ready for a day’s exploration. There’ll be a certified yoga instructor on board, and all the equipment is provided, so just bring your calmest thoughts and listen out for your next pose.
An all-inclusive adventure holiday
The sailboat you’ll call home for the next 8 days won’t just be your home. There’ll be the captain and crew (duh!) plus a certified yoga instructor for serene mornings, a professional cycling guide for smooth daytime adventures, and expert chefs on board for scrumptious snacks!
All breakfasts and lunches, plus two dinners, are included in your booking. The same goes for yoga and guided tours of all the hotspots. So yes, it is like an all-inclusive adventure holiday. There’ll even be a tipple or two, but don’t forget money for souvenirs… and beer.
Croatia not for you? Check out these other active adventures in Europe:
Trade fishing villages for fjords in Scandinavia
Always dreamed of exploring Scandinavia? On this trip, you’ll ride the adrenaline wave from Denmark to Sweden.
It all kicks off in Copenhagen for a bike tour and a spot of stand-up paddleboarding (what else?). From there, you’ll tackle Oslo’s high ropes and go white water rafting in Voss, Norway’s adventure capital. You’ll get your natural phenomena fix from a trip to the Tvindefossen Waterfall and a cruise around the Geiranger Fjord, so serene it’ll make your eyelashes stand to attention. Then you’ll head off to Sweden to play with working Alaskan Huskies—but not before Bobsledding like an olympian in Lillehammer. The trip ends in Stockholm, where you’ll explore the city by kayak, jetboat and occasionally on foot! All the eats, all the sites. Don’t worry—you’re not shaking, you’re buzzing.
Trade sliders for snow boots in Iceland
Welcome to Iceland, where the only thing bigger than the glaciers is our hot tub.
You’ll meet your bezzies-to-be in Reykjavik for a traditional feast—all in the name of building good vibes, and strength for the adventure ahead. From there, it’s off to visit lagoons and look out for geysers, followed by a 7km white water rafting trail. You’ll spend one night at Midgard Base Camp, AKA the home of the Northern Lights. Will the lights come out? Depends on the season. But one thing’s for sure, you’ll admire the northern skies from a rooftop hot tub. You’ll experience life at a frosty ranch where Game of Thrones was filmed, so get memorising your quotes. Toes tingling? Don’t fret, you’ll get to warm up in a secret lagoon. The trip draws to a close at Skaftafell to admire famous waterfalls and black sands, before visiting Vatnajökull National Park to get up close and personal to gargantuan glaciers.
Trade Med Seas for Mythic Monsters in Scotland
Soak up culture in the land of whisky, wildcats and circular sausages.
Here, you’ll see the Scottish highlands in all their sprawling glory, sandwiched between Scotland’s two biggest cities. The trip begins in Edinburgh, where you and your new BFFs will bond over dinner (yes, haggis will be on the menu). Our first hike is a memorable one, to the top of an extinct volcano that overlooks the city. After a tour of Edinburgh castle and a traditional whisky experience, it’s off to the highlands. Look out for elusive Scottish wildcats in the Cairngorms, and grab your binoculars for a cruise on Loch Ness. After basking in the peace and quiet of Oban, you’ll head to Stirling to admire the castle. The trip finishes up in Glasgow—where contemporary art collides with gothic architecture to produce a true explosion of culture. Ken?
