Explore the world with others…
Croatia 2024
Discover the allure of the Mediterranean while embarking on an exhilarating SUP adventure! Our meticulously crafted trip, scheduled later this year, presents an ideal opportunity to explore the enchanting beauty of Croatia, renowned as a top destination for SUP touring worldwide. Embrace the warm, inviting waters, relish in delectable cuisine, and bask in the tranquility of Mediterranean island life—all while gliding gracefully on a stand-up paddleboard.
Throughout this captivating journey, we've handpicked charming B&Bs, ensuring delightful stays with sumptuous breakfasts to fuel your daily excursions. Immerse yourself in a series of breathtaking SUP journeys, spanning 3-6 miles each, across crystalline waters that beckon exploration and blissful serenity.
But the adventure doesn't end there! Our itinerary boasts a diverse array of activities to keep your wanderlust satiated. Delight in cycling through picturesque landscapes, take refreshing dips while swimming in inviting coves, and venture on invigorating hikes to unveil hidden treasures.
Unleash your sense of adventure, experience the Mediterranean like never before, and create cherished memories that will linger long after the trip concludes. Join us on this remarkable escapade and unlock the magic of Croatia, all without breaking the bank.
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Day 1: Upon your arrival at Zadar airport, transportation will be arranged for you to our exquisite hotel nestled in the heart of Zadar city center. There, our attentive guides will be eagerly waiting to welcome you. We'll take care of your immediate personal needs, such as obtaining a phone card, currency exchange, and acquainting you with the surroundings. Just steps away from the hotel lies the captivating world heritage site of Zadar, a charming Roman city. As the day winds down, we'll gather at a waterfront restaurant to enjoy a delightful group dinner while discussing the exciting adventures ahead.
Day 2: Rise at a comfortable hour to acclimate to the new time zone. The morning is yours to leisurely explore the wonders of Zadar city. Witness the enchanting sea organ, visit ancient Roman churches, and indulge in personal shopping. When noon arrives, we'll convene for a satisfying lunch before embarking on a ferry ride to our final destination, Molat! As we cruise through the scenic Croatian Islands, anticipation for the island of Molat builds. Upon arrival in the afternoon, we'll settle into our charming B&B. To kick off the island experience, we'll enjoy an introductory 1-mile paddle to a secluded island, followed by our first invigorating yoga class on the island.
Day 3-7: Embrace the unhurried island lifestyle and unwind in this tranquil haven with a population of 500. While we have plenty of planned activities, you're welcome to explore the island's charms at your own pace. Escape the crowds and hop between islands, hike to vantage points with stunning archipelago views, paddle to snorkeling sites, and cycle through narrow streets to explore charming fishing villages—ideal for group and family adventures. Every day, savor breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and anticipate a new SUP journey, leading us to neighboring islands, delightful restaurants, and serene hikes. If you're eager to delve into the local culture, our Croatian partners will take you to an organic bee hive for a taste of local honey and explore the remnants of one of the island's oldest castles.
Day 8: As the trip nears its end, we'll bid a fond farewell with a tinge of sadness. We'll commence early, catching the 7 am ferry—the sole departure from the island. Breakfasts will be thoughtfully packed for our journey. Upon reaching Zadar at 8 am, the official trip concludes. However, we're more than happy to assist with any transportation or travel logistics, whether you're returning to the states or embarking on further explorations of Croatia!
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Immerse yourself in the authentic charm of this quaint island by staying in local homestays offering both private and shared accommodations. Nestled amidst the island's picturesque landscapes and surrounded by the warm hospitality of the locals, these homestays provide an intimate and immersive experience like no other.
For those seeking a more private retreat, the homestays offer cozy and comfortable private rooms, where you can unwind and soak in the tranquil ambiance of the island. Enjoy a restful night's sleep and wake up to the gentle sounds of the sea, ready to embrace a new day of exploration and adventure.
For those looking to forge connections and share experiences, the homestays also provide shared accommodations, fostering a sense of camaraderie among fellow travelers. Engage in lively conversations, swap stories, and create lasting memories with like-minded adventurers.
Throughout your stay, you'll have the opportunity to savor homemade, traditional meals prepared by your hospitable hosts, immersing yourself in the island's authentic culinary delights. Interact with the locals, learn about their unique way of life, and gain insights into the rich cultural heritage of the island.
At night, under the shimmering stars, bask in the tranquil atmosphere, recounting the day's escapades with newfound friends or simply relishing the serenity of the island.
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Transportation from the airport to the hotel and vice-versa is not included in the itinerary. Uber is pretty much universal in Croatia, you can hail one from the airport or hotel. Hotel Kolovare is a 15-minute car ride from the Zadar Airport. We recommend this as the best and easiest option.
We'll be taking a ferry from Zadar Old Town Ferry Terminal to the island of Molat. The ferry tickets are included in the trip and take about one hour to arrive at Molat. We will walk to the city center of Zadar to catch the ferry to Molat. A shuttle will take all of our luggage from the hotel to the ferry.
Once on the island, we will have bikes available to travel around the island but walking is also a grat option as this is a small island to get around.
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Throughout this exceptional trip, all your meals are thoughtfully included, commencing with a delectable dinner in Zadar.
Typically, we indulge in breakfast at one of the charming local homestays. For lunch, the options may vary based on the day's activities. On more extensive paddling days, we'll carry packed meals with us, while on lighter paddling days, we'll have amazing lunches made by our local chef.
Prepare your taste buds for an exquisite journey through Croatian cuisine, which bears striking similarities to Italian and Greek fare due to its Mediterranean roots. Californians, in particular, find it delightful as it resonates with flavors familiar to those at home. During the trip, you'll relish a plethora of delectable treats, including an assortment of fresh fish and shellfish, caught and cooked on-site.
Another scrumptious dish to savor is "Blitva," a delectable Swiss chard preparation blended with potatoes. Our personal chef offers a unique twist, ensuring a tasty and nutritious vegetarian option. The menu also boasts roasted lamb, beef, and other hearty meats, which can be expertly grilled, roasted, or prepared in an upside-down dutch oven known as "ispod peke."
You'll be spoiled with an abundance of salads, bread, fruits, prosciutto, and cheese, all perfectly complementing the Mediterranean delights. The coastal influence means seafood takes center stage, while pizza, pasta, and a variety of vegetables and fruits round out this delectable culinary journey.
Prepare to indulge in a gastronomic experience that not only nourishes your body but also serves as a delightful exploration of Croatian flavors and culinary traditions.
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Typically, we suggest purchasing two round-trip tickets for your journey: one from SFO to the designated European hub and another from the hub to Zadar. To ensure smooth flight connections, it could be nice to spend a night at the hub either on the outbound or return leg of your trip. Although this entails additional expenses, it presents a wonderful opportunity to explore the captivating sights of Europe. London and Copenhagen, in particular, exude their beauty during this time of the year, with the end of summer bringing pleasant temperatures.
While planning your flights, it's essential to check the airports serving the "hub" to Zadar route. For instance, if you're flying from SFO to London, you'll likely arrive at Heathrow Airport (LHR), but for most flights from London to Zadar, departure is from Stansted Airport (STN). This knowledge will assist you in making appropriate travel arrangements between the two airports if necessary.
So, seize the chance to enjoy a brief interlude in a vibrant European city while transitioning between flights. Absorb the allure of the hub's surroundings, and let the journey become part of your grand adventure in this beautiful part of the world.
Registeration Opening Soon for 2024
Costa Rica 2025
We have chosen the amazing and remote Osa Peninsula as our base in Costa Rica. Believe us, we don't make our decisions lightly - The Osa is magical. Truly one of the most spectacular tropical environments in the world, this unique location is the best place to experience what Costa Rica has to offer. With vast rainforests that shelter Costa Rica's largest remaining population of jaguars and tapirs, the Osa is the gateway to the Golfo Dulce, a pristine marine paradise teeming with sea life. We will explore it all. Venture under the forest canopy, SUP the dazzling waters of the gulf, and just chill on the beach.
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Daily Paddles - From the Beach Lodge, there are a number of paddles that we can do. Sunset paddles are some of most spectacular is this remote gulf. All paddling equipment is included SUP, paddle, PFD, leash, fin.
Mangrove Tour – during mid or high tide, we can go explore the mangroves. There’s is a wide estuary between one of the islands and the mainland. The estuary comes from one of the winding rivers of the Osa and meets the gulf. The water is partially freshwater and partially salt water and can be very clear during midday. Jungle wildlife viewing is amazing in the mangroves during dawn and dust.
Gulf Tour – Golfo Dulce is a long south facing gulf. It is one of the deepest golfs in North and Central America. We can explore the Golf Coast towards the pacific for miles. There are numerous beaches on the way and tons of wildlife to see.
Boat Tour – We have access to a tug boat that can take us to various parts of the golf and pacific coast. We will have an all day boat trip searching for the 100+ dolphin pods and whales breaching the crystal clear waters of the gulf.
Jungle Walk and Waterfall Hike – Just 45 minutes drive from the Osa Beach House is the national park of Corcovado. We will do an all day excursion into the park that is just bursting with wildlife! So many different kinds of monkeys, sloths, birds and a lush jungle creating an experience of true immersion to this area. The beach walk is amazing too with almost no one on the beach.
Waterfall Hike & Beach Tour – There is a beautiful creek we hike up to explore and swim in an awesome waterfall. In the surrounding areas there are some beautiful beaches of the Osa Peninsula that are not to be missed. After we will go to a really wonderful bar and restaurant to relax and enjoy dinner and drinks.
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The Beach Lodge is the best-kept secret in the Osa. The lodge has multiple cabanas that fit different size parties. Located right on the water, we can launch our boards within steps of the lodge. There is an open-air yoga space the overlooks the waterfront and a beautiful communal area to share meals and relax. Breakfast, lunch and some dinners are served on the property with our private chef.
We offer double cabanas with 2 double beds up in a loft and a kitchen / common area on the ground floor. We also have private cabanas with 1 king bed. All cabanas have AC and private bathrooms.
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We’ll have a couple vehicles for our excursions, pick-up and drop-off from the airport and will take daily trips to town for supplies if needed. We have bikes at the Osa Beach house if you want to go explore the town. The town is small enough to take the bike and see everything. Walking is pretty easy as well along the marina and downtown.
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All meals are included in this trip!
Breakfast - will be prepared and served by one of our resort chefs. Typical Costa Rican breakfast includes; strong coffee, eggs, tortillas, beans, tropical fruits, juice, and some kind of meat.
Lunch - We will either eat lunch at the resort or pack lunches to go while we're on our adventure.
Dinner - Most nights we will be eating at the resort with our private chef making delicious local meals.
Groceries and Snacks - There are two large grocery stores in town. Puerto Jimenez, although remote but being close to Panama has a wide variety of products.
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Getting to the Osa is easier than ever – although it is still a longer trek than other locations in Costa Rica. The reward is that there are hardly any crowds in the area, it is truly a wilderness experience with modern amenities.
Getting There - Leave on Friday for a flight from your home destination to San Jose, Costa Rica; stay at a hotel by the airport on the evening of Friday; on the morning of Saturday take a short flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez where you will be picked up from the airport and taken to our Beach Lodge.
Coming Back - Leave on Friday in the afternoon for a flight from Puerto Jimenez to San Jose; stay the night at a hotel by the airport on the night of Friday; the next morning take a flight back from San Jose, Costa Rica to your home destination on Saturday. This way you still have all day Sunday to recuperate and be ready for work.
San Jose Airport to Puerto Jimenez - You can book your one-hour jumper flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez on the same day as your bigger flight from your home destination BUT, this increases your chances of missing your small jumper flight to Puerto Jimenez if your flight is delayed for any reason. It is easier to do both flights from Puerto Jimenez, to San Jose, to your home destination as the smaller jumper fights are less likely to be delayed. However, if you decided to do this either direction we recommend giving yourself A LOT (4hrs at least) of time between these 2 flights in the case of delays. If there are any delays with either of your flights, which is quite likely in Central America, it is going to be tough to get on another flight. This is why we recommend that you spend a night by the airport and go on the flight the next day. Domestic flights also overbook at times and they tend to push customers to the next flight during the day so booking an early jumper flight will decrease your chance of the airline delaying your arrival.
Please note that the domestic flights to Puerto Jimenez is not at the international airport in which you arrive. It can be in the small airport next to the international airport (10 minute walk) or another small airport about 15 minutes away by car.
Sansa Airline has daily flights to Puerto Jimenez: https://booknow.flysansa.com
Registeration Opening Soon for 2025
Introducing our exclusive invite-only travel club, a special creation for our cherished clients with whom we've built deep friendships during our regular group trips. The enthusiasm for adventure is infectious, and after each group trip, we are delighted to receive numerous inquiries from clients, eagerly asking, "Where are we going next?"
The allure of exploring new corners of the world is mutual, as we, along with all our clients, share a deep passion for discovery. That's why we carefully designed this club—to bring together our favorite clients and embark on exciting exploratory journeys across the globe. It's an opportunity to create extraordinary memories with our closest travel companions, celebrating the spirit of adventure together. Let the wonders of the world beckon us, and let's venture forth on these remarkable escapades as a united group of avid explorers.