Paddle Dalmatia: SEA KAYAKING EXPEDITION

Paddle Dalmatia combines camping in olive groves on the mainland coast with nights spent at traditional old stone guesthouses on islands. Paddle Dalmatia travels further afield than Island Hopping, north to the Pelješac Peninsula and the outer uninhabited islands in the Elaphiti archipelago. Highlights include six days of paddling and overnights at campgrounds and in villages without many tourists. Meals are in family-owned restaurants and packed picnics in more remote areas. The kayaking is moderately challenging and invigorating, but not overly demanding, as we move at our own pace. Paddle Dalmatia is an expedition style tour, a way to get to know the whole Dubrovnik region by kayak. We begin by paddling north from Zaton Bay, a beautiful narrow bay two kilometers long just outside of Dubrovnik, to Ston, the border of the old Dubrovnik Republic. Ston was built as a fortress town to defend Dubrovnik from northern invaders. Ston is famous for its well preserved 15th-century defensive walls, the longest in Europe, and salt mines, as well as its delicious mussels and oysters. On the way, we travel along the mainland coast that was once the path of ancient Roman travelers. From Ston, we paddle south, leaving the mainland coast for the outer uninhabited Elaphiti Islands of Olipa, Tajan and Jakljan, to Šipan, the largest and most remote of the three inhabited Elaphiti islands. While we pack and carry all our gear in our kayaks for the whole tour, we lighten our load after day 3, when we move from tented camping to more luxurious private guesthouse accommodations. We eat fresh and organic delicacies at cozy restaurants and guesthouses.