CROATIA, BUT NOT ONLY DALMATIA - A DETOUR THROUGH THE PEARLS OF THE ADRIATIC WITH A STOP IN SLOVENIA

POCZESNA (PL) -> MARIBOR (SLO)

We begin the adventure (and with some of you we will end it) at the point of our contractual base of departure for southern Europe in the village of Poczesna, at the Zornica Inn (GPS: 50.712850, 19.147917, http://www.zornica-hotel.pl). Here, participants in our expeditions can take advantage of the full range of hotel and restaurant services, at a special price for MOTOpodrozni.pl,

We meet at the appointed detailed plan (communicated to participants) in the morning and set off with the group by the fastest possible route towards Slovenia's Maribor - our overnight stop on the transit route to Croatia and the place where the world's oldest grape tree grows and gives birth (staratrta.si/en/story). An evening in the old town and some photos with 400-year-old vines, maybe some shopping in the capital of Slovenian wines and of course the opening dinner....

MARIBOR (SLO) -> PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK (HR)

No time is wasted - we set off right after breakfast, no later than 8:30 on the road. Around noon we will arrive at Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia - a true natural wonder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is huge, beautiful and offers a great number of routes to choose from, allowing for a structured tour in 2 to 8 hours. We will choose a medium route for about 3-4 hours of sightseeing.

PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK -> DUBROVNIK

We don't break up at the crack of dawn - we are already in the right place, where time goes a little slower. After breakfast, unhurriedly, taking in the Dalmatian atmosphere slowly, we set off in the direction of Dubrovnik. The route leads away from the coast, surrounded by beautiful inland landscapes, along local roads. You will see Croatia as you do not know it.

And in the evening the real pearl of the Adriatic - Dubrovnik. It is said that who has not seen Dubrovnik, does not know Croatia. The old town looks magnificent regardless of the time of day, but we would like to show you it in the evening. Full of historic buildings, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Today we will also stay overnight near Dubrovnik.

DUBROVNIK -> MAKARSKA RIVIERA

The drive along the Adriatic Magistral (national road D8) in the direction to the Makarska Riviera will provide considerable excitement. Beautiful views and a palpable breeze from the sea, plus great asphalt allowing you to drop a little adrenaline.

On our way north, we'll deviate a bit for a pre-morning coffee on the Pelješac Peninsula, to the picturesque village of Trpanj, where we'll enjoy the view "from the sea" of the Makarska Riviera from a vantage point near the ferry port. Depending on the time of day, participants' preferences, we will return by land to the route, or take a ferry from Tripanj to Ploče. We will stop near the Biokovo Park.

MAKARSKA RIVIERA and what's within a 100 km radius

This day could have many scenarios. We stay and lodge near Makarska another night, we are in the very center of Dalmatia, on the warm Adriatic Sea. All around are the attractions themselves!

MAKARSKA RIVIERA and what's within a 100 km radius

Another day in the same place and a day that can have - like the previous one - many scenarios. We stay and lodge near Makarska another night, we are in the very center of Dalmatia, on the warm Adriatic Sea. All around are the attractions themselves!

MAKARSKA RIVIERA -> KRKA NATIONAL PARK -> OPATIJA (ISTRIA)

Croatia is not only Dalmatia. It's time for the northern part and the Istria Peninsula, towards which we set off right after breakfast.

On the way, the area around Krka National Park, which we will make a mandatory visit. Although it is located in the immediate vicinity of Šibernik with its magnificent old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most valuable cathedrals in the country (St. James), keeping our memories of Dubrovnik or Split we will consciously skip this city. In Krka National Park, the natural wonder is the string of waterfalls, the river valley and the monasteries.

From here, depending on the time we have left, we will take the coastal route, or a faster one - the national route, to reach our next departure point near Opatija - on the ISTRIA peninsula - before evening. Istria is the center of Croatian winemaking, with towns on hills covered with vineyards, with forests full of truffles and orchards of flowering figs.

OPATIJA (ISTRIA) and what's within a 100 km radius

Another day that could have many scenarios. We are in Istria. The eastern coast of the peninsula is a real paradise for windsurfers and lovers of calm seas. The place where we are quartered is called the Opatija (Opatija) Riviera, another name is the Liburny Riviera and the third is the Kvarner Riviera. They all refer to the same stretch of coastline, the only one in Croatia facing east rather than west. In this place sunset will not be admired. The place is very sheltered from winds and rain clouds, effectively held back by the mountainous interior of Istria. The peninsula itself has a lot to offer.

OPATIJA (ISTRIA, CRO) -> PREDJAMA (SLO) -> WIENER NEUSTADT (AT)

It's time to end our Tour de Croatia. After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Adriatic and set off on our way back north, not yet leaving the Balkans. The return transit similarly to the Adriatic leads through the smallest of the 11 Balkan countries - Slovenia. Less than 2 hours from Opatija, directly on our transit one of the most famous sites - Postojna Cave Park and the possibility of visiting it in several options to be decided by the participants themselves (https://www.postojnska-jama.eu/pl/bilety/). The park's programs include the possibility of a tour with an audio guide, a visit to Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, or the Vivarium. The time provided for stopping in the area will be sufficient for each option.

The distance for today is about 500 km with an overnight stay near Wienner Neustadt in Austria.

WIENER NEUSTADT (AT) -> POCZESNA (PL)

Last episode. We said our goodbyes yesterday. Today, on the way back to Poland, more participants will be leaving us, deviating from the main route in places most convenient for them and heading home.

We would like to thank everyone very much for their participation and invite you to our next joint voyages.