Island Hopping the Elaphiti: DUBROVNIK'S REMOTE ISLANDS

The Island Hopping Tour is designed to be active, but not in a demanding way. We move at our own pace — kayaking in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, snorkeling into underwater caves, hiking along old goat trails to a hilltop fortress, and biking alongside olive groves & vineyards. We are constantly charmed and mesmerized by the old customs, layers of history, and small island life. Meals, in small family owned restaurants on the islands, are a highlight. Seafood is freshly caught; produce is locally grown; and Croatian beers and wines are excellent. Island Hopping is suitable for families and novice paddlers, but also flexible enough to accommodate experienced kayakers. Our most popular tour begins in Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic". Stari Grad (Old Town), perhaps the best preserved Medieval city in the world, is Croatia's biggest tourist draw. Old Town, completely encircled by towering stone walls, is now a crowded and chaotic destination. We happily board a 4 PM 1960s era ferry to the Elaphiti Islands. The Elaphiti Islands are a group of 13 islands north of Dubrovnik, a quiet little oasis of untouched nature. Only three of the islands are inhabited. Our base for the week is Lopud, the middle of the three inhabited islands. The 50-minute ferry ride immediately gives you a feeling of open space and tranquility, surrounded by the calm, blue Adriatic Sea and views of the mountainous coastline and green islands. The small village of Lopud, the only village on the island, is a charming town without roads and cars, with a year-round population of roughly 150 inhabitants. The pace of town life follows nature — it awakens just like nature in springtime, in early April, when our tours begin. Lopud is the perfect base for kayaking and exploring the Elaphiti Islands. We take in the island's relaxed way of life and old traditional customs. We explore ancient ruins and feast on fresh seafood and home-grown garden delights. Our surroundings for the week: the brilliant, blue sea and the island's pristine nature of limestone cliffs, citrus and olive groves, and pine forests.