SELECT Active Additions

Fun and unusual active experiences

Stunning nature, active lifestyle and adventure are a way of life from Slovenia, through Croatia and on to Montenegro and the entire region.

Whether you prefer a cultural, historical or active trip, these expereinces will liven up any journey.

All of our active experiences are customized for your choice of activity level from novice to epxert, leisurely to agressive.

For biking experiences, choose your favorite – street bike, mountain bike or electronic bike.

Hiking | Biking | Kayaking

No matter what your interests or focus of your trip - an active break or custom adventure tour - our activities are adjusted to your style, pace and level from casual to challenging.

BIKE from Summit to Sea

You will take the van to the highest point in the Adriatic islands – Vidova Gora. Bike down to Sutivan, one of our favorite island villages. This downhill route leads through old villages, past the stone stone quarries, through the olive groves and some of the most beautiful areas of the island.

End your bike with lunch at Bokuncin restaurant (included) on the sea in Sutivan. You’ll have time to wander a little in Sutivan, a very pretty village.

  • Length of route | about 26 km
  • Level of difficulty | moderate, confidence on bike necessary
  • Duration | 3.5 hours

BIKE the route of the ancients on Hvar

Hvar island is perhaps the most well known of the Croatian islands. The island itself is beautiful with stunning vistas, charming villages, vineyards & lavender fields.

The back story of Hvar is what we find the most intriguing about the island – hidden coves on the coast, tiny stone villages, St. Nikola’s peak, the rocky lavender fields and the people, who even today have kept their way of life in the fishing villages and hamlets.

On your bike tour, you’ll explore Hvar’s stunning beauty lead by native Hvar guide – a great way to connect with this verdant island – old villages, lavender fields, ancient Stari Grad plain and local lifestyle.

From Stari Grad, you’ll head towards the old villages of Dol, Vrbanj, Svirče, Vrisnik, Jelsa and through ancient Greek plain back to Stari Grad.

Option to include wine tasting at one of our favorite wineries at the end of your tour.

  • Length of route | about 20 Km
  • Level of difficulty | moderate, confidence on bike necessary
  • Duration | 3 hours

Choose your street bike, mountain bike or electronic bikes.

HIKE in the Light, Lakes & Gorges of Slovenia

The Slovenia lakes region is stunning for its spectacular light, majestic mountains and deep lakes.  Start with a walk around Lake Bled.  Bled Island in the middle of the lake and Bled Castle.

The castle stands on a rock approximately 100 yards above the lake with wonderful views of the town, lake and surrounding countryside. The castle museum has a large collection of armor and weapons from the 16th to 18th centuries. After castle visit, time to try world famous Slovenian cream cake.

Hike to the top of Ojstrica with a remarkable view to Bled Lake.

Continue on to visit Vintgar Gorge, about 4km to the northwest of Bled village. The highlight is a 1600m wooden walkway through the gorge, built in 1893 and continually rebuilt since. It crisscrosses the swirling Radovna River four times over rapids, waterfalls and pools before reaching 16m-high Šum Waterfall. The entire walk is spectacular. There are little snack bars at the beginning and the end of the walkway.

HIKE to the top of Kotor Fortress

The earliest Kotor city walls were built into steep, rocky cliffs back in the 9th century to protect the town from invaders. They were added to over the years by whoever ran the city at the time – everyone from the Illyrians to the Byzantines and Venetians – until the 15th century when they finally formed a full loop running up into the hillside. There’s a mixture of ramparts, gates, churches, forts and bastions mixed in with them, and despite the onslaught of time, invasion and earthquakes they’re still remarkably well-preserved.

Take a guided or self-guided hike to the top of the mountain and ramparts of St. John’s (Sveti Ivan) Fortress, originally built by the Illyrians in the 5th century.

It is a rigorous hike, with steep steps, some loose rocks and no hand rails.   But you if take it slow, you can stop at any point and descend back down.  If you make it close to the top, you can descend the back side, stop by the small chapel, have a drink at a small family cafe and descend the switchbacks back to Kotor.

Our Lady of the Remedy is about 10 minutes up and easier going if you want a shorter hike.  The hike up to the very top is about an hour, the hike down, about 45 minutes.

HIKE the Trails of the Julian Alps

Ascend to the top of Mt. Vogel, you will be rewarded with the fantastic view to Triglav National Park  Bohinj Lake and Mt.Triglav.

On the top you have some great dining options – The mountain hut at Zadnji Vogel (opened from end of June till mid of September) offers the homemade traditional Slovenian dish koruzni žganci, an Alpine dairyman’s cold platter, homemade schnapps, whey and cottage cheese strudel.

The trail from the upper Vogel cable car station to the mountain pasture is well marked, partially winding its way up and down the ski slope. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes.

Mountain Inn Merjasec offers wide variety of traditional meals,such as: Garlic soup with mohant cheese, lunch for the master, sheperd lunch, Sweet biscuits “Trdinka” corn žganci with sour milk Home-made bread.

Option to go kayaking or hiking and easier or harder trails.

SEA KAYAK in Kamenjak National Park

Enjoy kayaking in the beautiful Kamenjak National Park, about an hour outside Rovinj.

Cape Kamenjak is an extensive nature park located on the Premantura peninsula on the southern tip of Istria. The pretty landscape, rolling hills, miles of rugged coastline,  beaches, coves & caves make kayaking in the area a lovely experience.

Rent a kayak on your own, or join a group to explore small bays, cliffs & snorkeling.

KAYAK or RAFT on the Zrmanja River

Join our local adventure partner for a private kayaking trip down the magnificent canyons of the Zrmanja and Krupa Rivers in Velebit Nature Park.  Perfectly clear and green waters, rapids and waterfalls, hidden swimming pools and steep sided canyons will steal your heart and make this excursion an unforgettable experience.

No previous canoeing or kayaking experience is needed if you can swim.

SEA KAYAK around the Ancient Walls of Dubrovnik

Enjoy a leisurely paddle around the fortress walls, harbor and channel between Dubrovnik city walls & Lokrum island. Stop for swim and snorkeling. Your guide will share local history and stories. You’ll experience:

  • Caves and beaches of Lokrum island
  • Paddle along the ancient Dubrovnik City walls
  • Learn  the history and the stories of Dubrovnik
  • Swimming & snorkeling
  • A truly impressive view and understanding of Dubrovnik

This is a private or group activity with like-minded travelers and a recreational Kayak with low level of required fitness. The more adventurous can paddle faster.

SEA KAYAK the hidden bays on Brac Island

Explore hidden bays, beaches and small picturesque villages. Sea kayaking & some snorkeling is truly one of the best ways to experience Brac island.

You’ll receive basic instructions from your guide before setting off to your adventure. Start kayaking from Sutivan along the North-West coast of the island of Brač, through the clear sea along the pristine coast.  In your double sit-on-top kayaks you’ll paddle close to the shore, away from the sailing boats along the pretty beaches, hidden coves and rocky shoreline.

Snorkel, swim or simply enjoy the beach and the sun along the way.

Lenght of kayak: 5 NM (9 Km)
Dificulty: easy, family excursion
Duration: 3.5 hours

Day Sails & Jet Skis

If you love the wind in the sails, the thrill of a motor yacht or the fun of a Rubber Inflatable Boat (RIB), you will never run out of places to explore in the Split Archipelago and Elfatia islands along the Dubrovnik coast - hidden coves, blue caves, fabulous seaside restaurants, unspoiled villages and international hotspots.

Sail the Split Archipelago

Enjoy exploring islands off the Split coast –  hidden coves, island hotspots – by private sail or speed boat, large or small, with skipper & cook. Your day is flexible and your crew full of ideas.

We’ll have drinks and snacks on board.  Stop by island restaurant for lunch or dinner, swim, snorkel and bask in the sun.  Larger boats have donuts, SUP, kayaks.

Some of our favorite destinations:

  • Sailing around Hvar and the Pakleni Islands
  • Sailing around Brac & Solta islands
  • Motor boat trip to Vis and the Blue & Green caves
  • Speed boat around nearby islands with choice of multiple destinations for the day
  • Zip down to Medieval Korcula
  • Circumnavigate Brac island on speed boat – stop along the way at famous Golden Horn beach, hidden beaches and seaside knobs

Sail the Pakleni Islands

Spend a lovely day sailing on your private 40+ foot sailing yacht (with cabins, salon & bathrooms). Sail around Brac & Solta islands or Hvar and the Pakleni islands, stopping along the way to swim in quiet bays, snorkel and sun bathe. Lovely snacks, gourmet lunch, champagne & your choice of drinks are served on board – light crisp salads to enjoy in the sun, amazing desserts to round off your meal and tasty canapés to accompany your sunset cocktails.

Or choose a Champagne Sunset Sail with dinner – very romantic.

Sail the Elifiti Islands

Enjoy a day exploring the islands of the Elafiti archipelago off the coast of Dubrovnik – Koločep. Suđurađ, Šipan & Lopud, with time for swimming and sunbathing along the way. Lunch included on board or at island restaurant.

Your choice of comfortable & spacious sailing or motor yachts.

JET SKI Adventure Dubrovnik

Jet Ski around Dubrovnik Fortress, harbor and Elafiti islands – Kolocep – Sipan – Lopud

Take a ride with our guide or explore on your own – swim, dive and enjoy riding the jet skies.  Explore Old Town Dubrovnik Walls from the sea,  Betina cave, island of Lokrum, Zaton and even Cavtat. At the beginning of the tour your guide will set up the perfect route with you.

Snorkel in popular Blue cave before making our way back home.

Sunset is an especially enchanting time!

Cultural
Inspiration

More AE Select Experiences . . .