Hiking Cruise through the Kvarner Bay

1 week ex Rijeka – departures on Saturdays

1st day: From 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, boarding time in the port of Rijeka; welcome and presentation of the crew and the other passengers. Shortly afterwards “Cast off!” heading toward the island of Krk, the largest of all Adriatic islands. After about three and a half hours, we will enter the harbour of Punat. Punat lies in a deep, quiet bay, with the picturesque island of Kosljun and its monastery. After dinner, you may stroll along the beach and visit the village. Overnight stay in Punat.

2nd day: Early in the morning, we will cruise to Stara Baska. The village lies on the mountain side of the highest peak on the island of Krk, the Obzova (569 m). From Stara Baska we walk through the landscapes of Kaljina and Spuhotina, all the way to the top of Mount Veli Hlam (482 m), where we will be rewarded with a fabulous view over the fertile valley of Baska, which stands out with its lush green landscape. Across Vratudih, we will walk down to the village of Batomalj and then continue to Jurandvor. Don’t miss the chance to visit the church of Sv. Lucija, with its “Bascanska Ploca” (the Tablet of Baska), one of the oldest documents of Croatian language, written in Glagolitic script. After visiting the church, we will continue on the paved road to Baska, 2 km away, where our ship will be waiting for us. We set sail towards the island of Rab, and after a swim we will continue to the harbour of the city of Rab. After dinner, enjoy a guided tour through the Old Town with its bell towers, churches and chapels.

 Walking time: about 4:00 hours; altitude difference: 400 metres.

3rd day: After breakfast we set off for today’s hike on the island of Rab; we will walk through the village of Mundanije and continue on a beautiful trail, opening and closing the ancient gates in dry stone walls. These walls surround the bleak pastures where we will often meet flocks of sheep. From the top of Mount Kamenjak (410 m) we will enjoy the panoramic view over the island, with its rocky scenery in the north and lush green landscape in the south, and the impressive backdrop of the Velebit Massif on the mainland. The same road leads us back to the ship at the port of Rab. After lunch, we will set sail and head toward the “Flower Island”, Ilovik. Dinner on board in Ilovik, then we will take a walk through the town.

 Walking time: about 4:00 hours; altitude difference: 409 metres.

4th day: Hiking tour on the island of Ilovik; we will then cruise to Cikat Bay on the island of Losinj. In this area we often encounter dolphins and may have the possibility to see them play in the waves. We will take a hike along the many creeks and through pine forests to the port of Mali Losinj, where lunch awaits us on board. We will then head to the peak of Sv. Ivan, walking along a road named after Napoleon. From here the view covers not only the picturesque town of Veli Losinj, but also the islands of Cres, Krk and Rab; on the way down we will pass Veli Losinj and continue along the sea to the harbour of Veli and then along the seafront to the port of Mali Losinj. After dinner on board, there will be a guided city tour through Mali Losinj.

 Walking time Ilovik and Losinj: each about 3:00 hours; altitude difference in Losinj: 420 metres.

5th day: While having breakfast we will sail to Osor, where the islands of Losinj and Cres are connected by a swinging bridge. We will hike to the Osorscica lodge (274 m) and through the Osorscica Mountains back to Osor. After a short walk through the village we will cruise on to Martinscica on the island of Cres, where we will spend the night.

 Walking time: about 4:00-6:00 hours; ascent 274 metres of altitude difference, descent 310 metres of altitude difference.

6th day: Today’s hike begins in Martinscica – through the village of Vidovici, past vineyards and pastures, and then through dense pine forests, until we reach the summit of Helm (482 m). Throughout the journey we will encounter numerous flocks of sheep. We will continue to the picturesque village of Lubenice, perched high up on a cliff. After a break we will continue through meadows and olive groves to the bay of Valun, where our ship will be expecting us. In the afternoon, we will take a swim in one of the bays, before continuing to the town of Cres, where we will spend the night.

 Walking time: about 5:00-6:00 hours; altitude difference: 480 metres.

7th day: During breakfast, we sail from Cres to Lovran on the mainland. Here we take a leisurely stroll along the “Lungomare”, the promenade along the sea. We pass the villages of Icici and Ika and continue – always accompanied by the sound of breaking waves – to Opatija. Opatija is one of the most famous resorts in Croatia, where at the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the fashionable society used to spend their holidays. Flair and charm of those times have been largely maintained until today. After lunch on board, we cast off to the last tour of our trip – we head toward Rijeka, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Our final hike takes us into Trsat, a pilgrimage site above Rijeka. After visiting the sanctuary, we will return to the ship. Overnight stay in the port of Rijeka.

 Walking time: each leg about 2:00 hours; no altitude difference on the “Lungomare”; Trsat: about 135 metres.

8th day: After breakfast, around 9:00 am, disembarkation.

 Admission fees to museums, etc. are not included in the tour price.