Motovun
Croatia

On top of a Motovun hill is probably the most beautiful medieval town in Istria, with houses scattered all over the hill. It is a typical example of venetian colonial architecture. . The city gate dates from the 15th century. On the inner walls are several coats-of-arms of different Motovun ruling families and two gravestones of Roman inhabitants (dating from the 1st century).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motovun

Hotel Kastel:

Hotel Kaštel is located atop a 277 metre high hill upon which arose the medieval town of Motovun.

On the highest Motovun square, surrounded by medieval walls and preserved structures of the Venetian era, one comes to the ancient town gates and the structure of the Hotel Kaštel, located in a palace from the 17th century, on the right side of the square.

http://www.hotel-kastel-motovun.hr

Truffle Picking

The Motovun Forest provides perfect conditions for the growth of the most famous type of white truffle: Tuber Magnatum Pico.

The picking season of white truffles is from September through to January.

Istria also has black truffles: Tuber Melanosporum, Tuber Unicantum and Tuber Avestivum Vitt.

The picking season for black truffles begins in early spring and lasts until late autumn. ck t

Motovun Film Festival
July - August

Motovun Film Festival is entirely dedicated to films made in small cinematographies and independent productions, films that broke out through their innovation, ideas, and the power of their stories. In everything, except for the ambition and the quality, Motovun wants to be a small festival showing small films, small in the warmest sense od the word.

Motovun Film Festival is a five-day film marathon in which film screenings alternate from 10 a.m. until 4 a.m., with evening outdoor screenings and daily screenings in theatres. Festival program consists of around 70 titles from all over the world, from documentaries to feature films, from shorts to long forms, from guerilla made films to co productions. The only criteria in their selection is that they fit in the open-minded atmosphere of the festival with their innovations.

http://www.motovunfilmfestival.com

Welcome to Istria, the land of perfectly shaped bike trails, a real web, a tangle of roads, and paths – an unexpected challenge for all biking lovers.

In Istria there is a saying: "Only the intellect and the roads have no limit".

Nature has gifted this miniature world with abundant diversity, with a variety of alternating landscapes: valleys, hills, the sea, watercourses, woods, sandstones and rocks. Particularly challenging is the expanse of our mountainous ?i?arija as well as the protected nature parks. Istria is a densely populated land, with a lot of small towns, abandoned villages, isolated churches, church belfries, antique castles, magnificent views.

http://www.moreld.net/content/view/14/37/lang,en/

Northern Velebit National Park

The Park covers the surface of 109 km2, and inside there is the Hajdu?ki & Rožanski Ledges Strict Reserve, famous for its geomorphological phenomena - the pits. Until now, there are more than 150 pits discovered.

As parts of the park, there are the Visibaba botanical reserve, with a rich founding of the endemic Croatian Sibirrhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. croatica), and the Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika kosa botanical reserve, famous for its outstanding collection of species of the mountain flora. Inside the reserve there is a widely known Velebit Botany Garden, founded by the pharmacology professor Fran Kušan in 1967.

The Park is criss-crossed with numerous mountaineering trails. The most famous and widely known is the Premuži?'s trail, named after its constructor. The path runs through the most beautiful and the most interesting parts of the park. From the numerous peaks in the surroundings you can have a magnificent view on the Adriatic Sea and its islands Pag, Rab, Goli, Prvi? i Krk, and on the continental side as well. The Park's cultural value is present in a form of numerous ruins of the so-called "summer lodges", which witness of the ages passed and long forgotten, when Velebit was inhabited by the numerous population of shepherds and cattlers. On its coastal banks you can find many ruined houses, lodges and stonewalls which once marked the specific lifestyle of the local population who scattered all around the globe in the days to come, leaving nothing but traces of their presence on this remarquably beautiful and exquisit land.

http://www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr/novi_web/Velebit_eng/index.htm

Kornati National Park

Kornati National Park occupies the area of about 220 km2 (54.000 acres). There are 89 islands, islets and reefs within the area of Kornati National Park (238 km of the coastline), what makes it the most indented group of islands in the Mediterranean.

The land part of Kornati National Park covers less than 1/4 of its total area, but the values of its landscapes, the "crowns" (cliffs) on the islands facing the open sea, and interesting relief structures, make this part of Kornati National Park unique. Besides, the Kornati submarine area, whose biocenosis are considered to be the richest in the Adriatic Sea, and also the magnificent geomorphology of the sea bed attracts divers from all over Europe to come and enjoy in unforgettable submarine adventures.

Numerous hilltop view locations offer unforgettable moments of pleasure and create unforgettable impressions! Interesting geological and geo-morphological phenomena that you will see from the hilltops are surely a sight to remember.

There are app. 20 restaurants and taverns within the Kornati National Park. With more or less success in their business, they offer quality domestic cuisine that mostly includes seafood specialties (fish and crabs) and domestic lamb from the Kornati area.

http://www.kornati.hr/eng/introduction.htm

Grand Villa Argentina

The Grand Villa Argentina is composed of 5 buildings; four exclusive Villas and one Hotel where rich fabrics and stylish furniture combine with the exuberant surrounding greenery and marine breeze. The Grand Villa Argentina charm comes from its historic architecture and sophisticated décor.

http://www.gva.hrß

Wine & Cheese Sunset Paddle

A perfect ending to the day or beginning to the evening. Paddle past Dubrovnik's famous city walls to Lokrum Island's cliffs, caves, and expansive rock beaches. Walk the island's shady trails, jump from cliffs, swim, snorkel, or simply relax and feast on Dalmatian cheeses, olives, and wine. Paddle back to Old City as he sun drops below Mljet Island in the distance.

http://www.adriatickayaktours.com/

Kotor
Croatia

Located in the heart of an ancient seafaring settlement Dobrota and directly on the coast of Boka Kotorska bay (Bocche di Cattaro) in Montenegro, Palazzo Radomiri is an extraordinary early 18th century baroque palace converted into a small boutique hotel.

Its original appearance and character have been carefully restored and brought to the most modern standards, blending existing features with contemporary details and functionality. It is a cool haven of relaxation with the best views of this striking bay.

Bursting with history, tradition and dramatic natural beauty, Boka Kotorska provides a spectacular setting for a holiday. The hotel's personal approach to each guest and intimate surroundings makes the experience in this beautiful environment even more relaxing and comforting. It is the perfect base for a truly memorable stay and a place where you can always feel at home.

http://www.palazzoradomiri.com/h

PHOTOGRAPHY ADVENTURE (10 Days)

Join us for the ultimate nature photography adventure and use light, subject, and composition to create a unique set of images that reflect your special way of seeing the world. We will benefit from the best light for photography that comes early and late in the day. Within the tour, field trips will be conducted with mild walking and short hikes to the surrounding sightseeing points. Your itinerary will traverse bird sanctuaries, active villages, seaside and mountain resorts, natural attractions and more...

http://www.montenegroadventures.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=66

HIKING THE MONTENEGRO MOUNTAINS (10 Days)

Immerse yourself in beauty as you explore both popular and remote destinations throughout Montenegro. You will be inspired by the natural beauty and rich history tucked into the hidden coves, and steep hillsides of this mountainous country. Expert guides will introduce you to the diverse flora and fauna. You will discover wildlife and wildflowers and experience while hearing extraordinary stories of heroes and villains, emperors and armies, and everyday people who traveled through and settled in this unique corner of Europe. Add to this exquisite food, time for independent exploring and personalized service, and you’ll live an adventure to remember for years to come.

http://www.montenegroadventures.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=65

VRANJAK KATUN (12 Hours)

In keeping to the style and setting of traditional shepherd huts, Vranjak Eco Katun has been designed to accommodate the needs of park visitors and hikers. Located just above the original Vranjak katun, guests can experience the isolated mountain life on Bjelasica, where you’ll eat and overnight in an authentic “koliba” (katun hut) set in the grassy plains on Bjelasica. For this trip you’ll be in the safe hands of the experienced Bjelasica mountaineers, who will guide you on the long and challenging hike. You’ll start from the breathtaking Vranjak Katun (1,670 m), where only mountain sounds can be heard, and walk to the highest Bjelasica Peaks and the beautiful Biogradsko Lake through the National Park “Biogradska Gora”.

http://www.montenegroadventures.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=28

Biogradska Gora National Park

Biogradska Gora is in the mountainous region of Bjelasica that is located in the central part of Montenegro between the rivers, Tara and Lim, and is surrounded by three municipalities: Kolašin, Berane and Mojkovac. The Park isß 54 km² in area and surrounded with mountains whose tops are over 2000 meters high and with nine glacier and one low land lakes, Biogradsko Lake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogradska_Gora

Durmitor National Park

This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are interspersed with clear lakes and harbour a wide range of endemic flora.