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Adult price from £1,005pp
All prices include: flights, transfers, accommodation and meals; all as listed.
VISITING: Croatia
BROCHURE CODE: 4028

Key facts

  • Duration:7 nights
  • Key Facts: Saturday departure
  • Suitable for: Children aged 8 years and over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
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What's included?

  • Flights: return direct flights from London to Zagreb or Zadar. Regional departures may be available on request. Flight routes subject to change
  • Transfers: group airport and activity transfers (private airport transfers may incur a supplement)
  • Accommodation: 7 nights' in double/twin rooms in hotel
  • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches (with activities), 7 dinners
  • Choose from the following activities (price varies depending on the number of activities chosen): Plitvice National Park exploration hike, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, Mreznica canyon kayaking and Zrmanja River canoe safari (order of activities is subject to change)
  • All equipment, tuition and supervision from fully qualified instructors
  • National Park entrance fees
  • The services of our local representatives or guides

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing sixteen lakes and numerous waterfalls which are fed by the Black and White Rivers. Located roughly halfway between the cities of Zagreb and Zadar, it is one of Europe’s most spectacular national parks, showcasing a natural landscape which is beautifully unique and sure to be popular with your family. The park covers approximately 300 square kilometres and is also home to a rich variety of wildlife including deer, boars and rare bird species.

The surrounding region is covered by lush green forests, which, combined with the rivers, provide an exceptional playground for your family adventure week. As this is a flexible activity holiday, you can pick which activities you would like to participate in. The choice includes hiking and biking in stunning scenery, kayaking through dramatic canyons, paddle boarding, and canoeing. However many you select, you can be sure of excitement and thrills! There will also be free time for you to relax and explore this wonderful region independently.

Based in a family run hotel which is full of charm, this is the perfect trip for families looking for fun-filled adventure with remarkable scenic beauty.

Photography by Aleksandar Gospic, Ivan Coric and Croatian National Tourist Board, Raftrek.

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Included in price

  • Hotel Gacka

    Nights: 1-7

    Hotel Gacka is a cosy, family-owned hotel situated in the small village of Licko Lešce and within half an hour of the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park. From the hotel, families can enjoy views of the nearby mountain ranges and take a walk along the valley, enjoying the clear water of the River Gacka.

    Renovated in a rustic, antique style, the hotel is full of charm and is a peaceful and relaxed base for a family activity week.

    Hotel facilities

    • The hotel has a reputation for the great food which it serves in its restaurant. The menu includes a range of local specialities and they are famed for their local fish dishes. Breakfast is a continental breakfast buffet
    • Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel
    • Families can enjoy the sunshine on the hotel’s terrace
    • There is a small souvenir shop where guests can buy a range of postcards and locally-made handicrafts
    • The stream close to the hotel is famed for its trout fishing; equipment can be hired locally

    Room type

    Double or twin rooms: the hotel has only 18 rooms in total. These are all comfortable and feature an en-suite shower room with bright modern furnishings, TV and phone.

We include more, no hidden costs

On each of our holidays you will see a clear outline of exactly what's included in the price of your holiday. We never use 'headline' or 'lead-in' prices like so many tour operators, as we prefer to include as much as we can, rather than see our clients incur considerable additional costs in our destinations.
Price guarantee

Minimum numbers: This holiday typically requires a minimum of four participants to operate. If there are fewer than 4 people booked, which is very unlikely, we will do all that we can to operate the holiday as planned. If this is not possible then you will be informed nine weeks prior to your departure date and all available options will be discussed with you.

 

Activities: select as many or as few activities as you wish from the schedule. The price per person depends on the number of activities chosen.

Adult (13+) price based on 2 sharing a twin/double room or 1 adult sharing with 1 child
Dates
Sat 20 Jul 2019
£1,005 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 27 Jul 2019
£1,005 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 03 Aug 2019
£1,075 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 10 Aug 2019
£1,055 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 17 Aug 2019
£1,155 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 24 Aug 2019
£1,105 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 19 Oct 2019
£1,055 		£40 per extra activity Book
Child (age 8 - 12) price based on 2 sharing a double/twin room or 1 child and 1 adult sharing a room
Dates
Sat 20 Jul 2019
£905 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 27 Jul 2019
£905 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 03 Aug 2019
£975 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 10 Aug 2019
£955 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 17 Aug 2019
£1,055 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 24 Aug 2019
£1,005 		£40 per extra activity Book
Sat 19 Oct 2019
£955 		£40 per extra activity Book

Next season’s pre-sale dates and prices

You can make a pre-reservation to secure your holiday at this stage by paying an initial deposit of only £50pp. The provisional departure dates, prices and itineraries remain subject to change. We will contact you when the final dates, prices and itineraries are confirmed, and you will have 14 days to decide if you would like to go ahead. A further deposit payment of £250pp is due by 01 February 2020 or at the time of us confirming the trip details to you, whichever is sooner. If you decide not to travel, we will refund your initial £50pp payment. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with full terms and a complete quotation.

Adult (13+) price based on 2 sharing a twin/double room or 1 adult sharing with 1 child
Dates
Sat 23 May 2020
£1,295 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 04 Jul 2020
£1,070 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 11 Jul 2020
£1,090 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 18 Jul 2020
£1,125 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 25 Jul 2020
£1,125 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 01 Aug 2020
£1,205 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 08 Aug 2020
£1,180 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 15 Aug 2020
£1,295 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 22 Aug 2020
£1,240 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 17 Oct 2020
£1,180 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Child (age 8 - 12) price based on 2 sharing a double/twin room or 1 child and 1 adult sharing a room
Dates
Sat 23 May 2020
£1,180 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 04 Jul 2020
£960 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 11 Jul 2020
£980 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 18 Jul 2020
£1,015 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 25 Jul 2020
£1,015 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 01 Aug 2020
£1,090 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 08 Aug 2020
£1,070 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 15 Aug 2020
£1,180 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 22 Aug 2020
£1,125 		£45 per extra activity Enquire
Sat 17 Oct 2020
£1,070 		£45 per extra activity Enquire

Terms

For our full booking terms and conditions please click here

Holiday group size (approximate)

Minimum 4 people and maximum 26

Group size

We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.

Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.

Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate

Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.

Itinerary amendments

The order of activities is always subject to change and you will be provided with your final itinerary upon arrival at your destination.

Single supplement

Please note that some of our holidays may incur a single supplement. Please speak to one of our Travel Experts who will provide you with a quotation.

Medical history and advice

We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.

Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant at the time of booking your holiday or you discover you are pregnant prior to your departure, firstly – congratulations! Secondly – please tell us as soon as possible. This situation does arise, and we are able to advise you both from our own first-hand experience and from discussing this at length with our expert local partners who have experience in this area. The more notice you can give us the better, in order to suggest any adaptions to the itinerary you have booked which will reduce the risk to both mother and baby. Please contact our customer service team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.

It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.

If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.

Reduced mobility

If you have a reduced level of mobility, then please contact our travel experts to discuss the suitability of this holiday in relation to your requirements.

Experience and fitness

Most of the activities we offer have been designed for beginners who have no prior experience and are of all age ranges and fitness levels. Our guides provide expert advice, tuition and instructions prior to any activity going ahead. Activities are designed to be enjoyed and not endured, but some, do require a more basic level of fitness than others. If you have any questions, then please contact one of our Travel Experts who can provide first-hand advice.

The only holidays which are not as suitable for complete beginners are the multi-night safaris which involve several days in wilderness cabins travelling by either snowmobile or husky safari. Again, this all depends on the individual taking part, but some prior experience and understanding of these types of activities can be very helpful and a greater level of fitness is recommended.

Guides & Safety

When partaking in any activity, it is imperative that everyone in your group listens very closely to the instructions provided by the guide and that they are abided by at all times. Our guides are experts in their field and no one knows the environment better than these highly knowledgeable and experienced providers.

Prior to starting any activity, please make it clear to your guide if there is any element of the safety briefing you are unsure of or would like to clarify before you set off.

Our guides will always take local conditions into account when considering whether an activity can go ahead. This is, in part, why your itinerary is subject to change at short notice. This rarely happens, however, if it does, we will always endeavour to reschedule the activity for later in your holiday. If this is not possible then the cost of the activity will be refunded to you when you return home.

Our guides' word on activities is always final and your safety is their principal concern at all times; please respect their decisions. By following their instructions, your safety and enjoyment during each activity will be greatly enhanced.

NB: In order to participate in our holidays, all guests must be able to understand instructions given in English. These instructions may be delivered verbally or in writing and will include vital safety information and ongoing instruction during activities.

Minimum and Maximum Age

The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.

Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.

Booking activities locally and equipment hire

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

Car hire

If your trip includes car hire the named driver must have a credit card registered in their name which they can present when they collect their car along with their driving licence, as a deposit will be held on the credit card.  Please see your trip dossier for full details.

Travel Safety and Foreign Office Advice

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.

The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/ The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation

On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.

Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.

Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer

If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.

If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.

Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.

Traveller Reviews

  • We loved Croatia and the activities 18 August 2018 by The Brown Family

    We loved Croatia and the activities. We saw more of the country in the time we were there due to having a guide than we would have seen otherwise which was fantastic. The activities being in a variety of different locations was great. We all had different favourites between kayaking, stand up paddling and bike ride.

  • Great holiday - highly recommended 04 August 2018 by The Rogers Family

    Valentino, our Guide, was excellent - great company and highly knowledgeable. The Mrezinca Canyon Kayaking was amazing, stunning scenery and incredibly wild and beautiful. The Canoe safari on the River Zrmanja is long & quite challenging but great fun. Great holiday - highly recommended for active kids & young people. All the children successfully faced and overcame their fears - so…
    Read more     satisfying watching them grow more confident each day.
    Read less

  • What a brilliant holiday 04 August 2018 by The Fogerty Family

    We are a family of four and have just returned from the Plitvice Lakes holiday.  The area is stunningly beautiful; we felt like we had landed on another planet.  The great thing about the activities was the fact they involved the whole family some who are less active than others. Our guide was fantastic and encouraged us to get out of our comfort zones. I never thought I would have the…
    Read more     courage to jump from a waterfall into a pool or canoe down rapids and large drops. It was great fun and the end of the week we all really felt like we had achieved something. The great advantage of having a guide is that the guide knows where the best places are, best views, best places to swim, etc. 
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  • All of it was memorable 21 July 2018 by Irena French

    Seeing Plitvice national park for the first time and kayaking down Zrvenice River which was beautiful. All of it was memorable having said that!

  • WOW, what a fabulous holiday!! 12 August 2017 by The Keeling Family

    Loved it all. Probably my favourite day was kayaking up the Zrmanja River and the picnic spot, well, I will never forget it - paradise on earth!! Petar, our amazing guide, even brought a tablecloth!! I would do any one of the activities again - loved them all!! An exceptional itinerary. Plitvice Lakes is stunning. The Hotel staff were absolutely brilliant - very friendly and helpful. Our guides…
    Read more     were fabulous. They could not have been more helpful or offer greater hospitality. Customer safety, care and fun are absolutely paramount to them, and wow do they work hard for our enjoyment.
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  • We are already thinking ahead to next year! 29 July 2017 by The Irons Family

    Our guide Petar was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and patient with the group, particularly the kids. He went out of his way to show us different places and took us to Zavratnica on our day off. Paddle boarding was the surprise hit for us all. It was great fun as it was new to us all and we kept falling in! We are already thinking ahead to next year!

  • A brilliant time 08 July 2017 by Cathy Gardener, Michael & Chad Rewsterne

    We had a brilliant time and have been recommending you to all my friends. A particular mention to our guide Marko who made sure we were always well looked after.

  • Excellent fun for all the family 02 July 2016 by The Clifford Family

    We had an excellent time on this holiday. Our guide Peter, allowed all of us to have fun by tailoring the activities to our families needs. Peter's passion and knowledge of his country and its history and geology were exceptional! Some of the highlights of our holiday included jumping off the 8m cliff whilst kayaking and the amazing views of the sea whilst hiking in the North Velebit National Park…
    Read more     during our spare day. We had a great time and will look to holiday with Activities Abroad in the future.
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  • Our guide was excellent... 14 August 2015 by Dawn Elvin

    Our guide was excellent - very flexible and accommodating to our needs. He gauged the capabilities of the group well to ensure we had a great experience without exhausting ourselves or pushing the limits! The entire holiday was superb - well balanced to give a range of activities throughout the week. The Lakes were spectacular, the day paddle boarding was a great introduction to get used to being…
    Read more     on the water and a bonus to be able to do this straight from the hotel, the cycling trip to the mill with fabulous lunch and the thrill of the kayaking trips.
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  • Indescribably beautiful 11 August 2014 by Stephen Lee

    The Plitvice lakes are indescribably beautiful and no photo can possibly do them credit. Yes, there were lots of people but nothing could detract from the utter beauty, colour and magic of the place.The lakes apart, my favourite day was on Zrmanja River where we felt we were the only people there on the azure blue water with the kingfishers. There is excitement with the falls and rapids but…
    Read more     nothing frightening or dangerous. The frightening and, to me dangerous, day was the trip down Mreznica river. The children age 14 and 16 just loved this day. Leaping off 9m drops into the water and bombing over 3m waterfalls in the kayaks was their idea of heaven. There was one 8yr old boy who just couldn't keep the massive grin off his face especially when he managed the 9m jump.The water rafting down River Una was utterly beautiful especially at the beginning. Unfortunately there was a storm in the offing so we didn't manage the swimming or jumping from a bridge but it was still a marvellous day.The cycling day was in torrential rain which made it very memorable. Barac caves were good but what we really enjoyed was home-made lunch provided by a family under an awning to keep the rain off. The lemonade was gorgeous and we drank gallons, lovely.I must now add a word for the guides. Our main guide, Slaven, who we had throughout, was marvellous. He was easy company, got us everywhere at the best possible times and very safety conscious. I trusted him when he was about to tip me over what felt like a 30m waterfall (was only 3m) which is quite amazing! The other guides we had, both in Bosnia (River Una) and Croatia were friendly, approachable and fun. I couldn't fault anyone.One word of warning to vegetarians. This is a meat loving nation so though vegetarians are catered fo, the imagination is lacking!I would recommend this holiday to anyone.
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  • FAMILY SPECIALISTS

    Created by families for families

    Experience real adventures enjoyed safely

    Family friendly destinations and accommodation

    Maximising your precious family time

  • SHARED EXPERIENCES

    Family time, not screen time

    Family memories to treasure

    No kids clubs - Mum and Dad can play too

    Enjoy the company of like-minded families

  • INDEPENDENT

    Family owned and run

    Proudly Independent

    Personal, hands-on service

    Fair and sustainable work ethos

  • TRUSTED

    We safety check every activity so you don’t have to

    100% ATOL and ABTA protection

    Peace of mind promise

    Award-winning

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