Croatia and Montenegro

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Croatia and Montenegro

Flights and Packing
Destination

Croatia
Montenegro

Current Grades

9th-11th

length

14 Days

view dates and prices
Airports

Arrive: Split (SPU)
Depart: Dubrovnik (DBV)

Rock climb, stand-up paddle board, and swim in one of Europe’s most scenic and storied landscapes. Canyoneer through waterfalls; explore Croatia’s old town villages, UNESCO world heritage sites, and famous castles in Dubrovnik; and whitewater raft through Montenegro’s gorgeous canyons. Explore the clear waters and snorkel among exotic marine life, and sample the delicious local cuisine.

Overview Image

Croatia and Montenegro Itinerary

Days 1-3: Tour cities, canyons, and waterfalls

We’ll start our Balkan adventure by exploring Split, the center of Croatian culture. We’ll wind through the narrow pathways of the city, through its many museums, galleries, and Diocletian’s Palace, a huge fortified compound built in the fourth century. The next day, we’ll jump on the gorgeous Cetina River, where the outdoor adventure possibilities are endless; here, we’ll learn the basics of canyoneering and celebrate by splashing around beneath waterfalls in Krka National Park, a wilderness area known for its impressive cascades. The next day will be filled with rocks climbing; the higher you go, the more historical churches and hermit settlements you’ll see built into the canyons!

Accommodation: Hostel

Days 4-5: Island-hop to Hvar

It’s time to visit Hvar, an island known the world over for its fields of lavender. We’ll get to see these fields in full bloom; the countryside is painted in purple so vibrant you’ll think you’re on another planet! While the beaches are indeed some of the most pristine and beautiful in the world, we’ll also spend some time inland exploring ancient villages like Velo (“big”) Grablje and Malo (“little”) Grablje. The next day, our focus will shift to snorkeling in the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean and visiting neighboring islands! One place we’ll visit is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave that glows with an otherworldly iridescent blue.

Accommodation: Hostel

Days 5-6: Tour Korcula Island

We can’t wait to take you to Korcula, whose colorful architecture and medieval squares contrast beautifully with the bright blue Adriatic Sea. Fun fact: Korcula is one of two places claiming to be the birthplace of Marco Polo; however, most historians have successfully refuted this as evidence points to Venice as his home. Regardless, Korcula is dripping with fascinating history, all of which we’ll explore before heading out to glide through the calm seawaters on stand-up paddleboards!

Accommodation: Hostel

Days 7-9: Welcome to Montenegro

Lord Byron described it well: “At the birth of our planet, the most beautiful encounter between land and sea happened on the coast of Montenegro.” We’ll stop in Kotor, whose beautifully preserved medieval villages have led it to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Risan, we’ll view famous Roman mosaics and ancient villas dating back to the 2nd century. We’ll sea kayak in the bay before hiking up Kotor’s infamous “ladder,” a steep but extremely rewarding hike whose summit offers unobstructed views of the walled city and hilltop fortress. Next up is a boat tour on Lake Skadar, a wilderness landscape still untouched by the tourist masses. A handful of active monasteries still line its shores, and we’ll get to visit one of them and get to know its monks!

Accommodation: Hostel

Days 10-11: Whitewater rafting on the Tara River

Now we’ll head into Tara River Canyon, one of the deepest gorges in Europe. We’ll run Tara River’s 20+ famous rapids, bouncing through turquoise waters and surrounded by waterfalls, lush pine forests, and sheer cliffs. We may even get to hike into one of Tara’s 80 caves! 

Accommodation: Hostel

Days 12-14: Explore Dubrovnik

Our final stop is the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, aka “the Pearl of the Adriatic” and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dubrovnik is known for the old city walls that line its edges; in places, the walls are up to 20 feet tall and 20 feet thick. (Recognize those walls? Dubrovnik is the filming site of Game of Thrones’ Kings Landing!) We’ll take a cooking class in the countryside; we’ll even pick our own vegetables from organic gardens to help prepare our meal. We’ll walk along the city’s white limestone thoroughfares, ducking into locals’ shops and gazing up at Baroque-style cathedrals. We’ll cap off our trip with a final dip into the Mediterranean!

Accommodation: Hostel

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Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    07/01/23
  • Return Day
    07/14/23
  • Grade
    9–11
  • Price
    $5,388
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    07/17/23
  • Return Day
    07/30/23
  • Grade
    9–11
  • Price
    $5,388
  • Availability
    Open
Departure Day Return Day Grade Price Availability
07/01/23
07/14/23
9–11
$5,388
limited
07/17/23
07/30/23
9–11
$5,388
open

Accommodations

  • 13 nights of bed and breakfast–style accommodations. We stay in small, comfortable, and authentic places.

Activities

Hiking

Kayaking

Rock climbing

Sightseeing

Snorkeling

Whitewater rafting

Reviews

Debbie C, parent from Mission Hills, KS

Sending our daughter on Bold Earth trips was time and money well spent. You can’t put a price on what your child experiences and learns when they travel independently to another country, are immersed in another culture, and travel/live with people they have never met before. I can’t think of a better way to spend a few weeks in the summer.

Brooke F, parent from Saint Louis, MO

Bold Earth is a fantastic program for teens. These trips offer the opportunity for kids to grow through unique, enriching, cultural and outdoor experiences.  It’s an investment we believe will pay dividends far beyond the two-week trip!

Kat B, parent from Jersey City, NJ

I sent my somewhat sheltered kid to have a fun experience, make friends and discover herself. The young woman who came home was more mature, more open to new experiences, and enthusiastic about future travel adventures. She raved about her trip and her counselors – and even appreciated the physical activity and the time away from her phone. Though she hasn’t been off the phone since she got back texting with the new group of friends she’s made all over the country.

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