EXCURSIONS

 

During your programme at our school you will be able to book weekend excursions with us which are generally divided into two categories: visits to places of historical and cultural importance (such as major cities and National Parks) or active days out (such as rafting, adventure parks, horse-riding, diving and so on). All excursions take place at weekends. Additional excursions may be possible during the week for older students (16-18 year olds), parents and teachers subject to large enough groups. If you would like to have this option available please ask a member of staff at our school. It is likely that the prices may go up a little.

 

SPLIT

Split is a Croatian city with more than 1,700-year history. It is the largest city in Dalmatia and the second largest in the country (after the capital, Zagreb). Split is located on the Marjan peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. The city is believed to draw its name from the plant called spiny broom (Greek: Spálathos), which is common in the area.

The first settlement was founded here by the Delmatae tribe before the Roman conquest, and was known as Salona. In the Roman times Salona received colony status and became the political and economic centre of the Province of Dalmatia. The archaeological legacy from that era can still be seen in the north-western suburb of Split. It is also known to be the birthplace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who ruled from AD 284 to AD 305, and is known as one of the few rulers who voluntarily retired from the throne.

After stepping down from the throne, Diocletian returned to Salona, where a huge luxurious palace had been built on his orders. According to a legend when the people started begging Diocletian to return to the throne he replied: "If you showed the cabbage that I planted with my own hands to your emperor, he would not dare suggest that I replace the peace and happiness of this place with the storms of insatiable greed." He was buried in the mausoleum that became a Christian cathedral in the mid-7th century.

In the following centuries a town was built around the palace. It was first populated by the citizens of the nearby Salona who fled from their enemies. By the end of the 7th century the entire coastal area, like the city itself, was inhabited by the Slavs. Gradually the town overgrew the walls of the palace. The authorities kept changing - from Croatian kings in the 10th century AD, to Hungarian and Venetian administration, French rulers and the Austro-Hungarian monarchy - leaving numerous traces on the city's streets.

In the city you will visit Diocletian's Palace, a rectangular mini-city, surrounded by walls. In the south it opens out towards the sea, in the east it overlooks the town market, in the north it looks onto the Strossmayer Square and from its western wall you will see the People's Square and the old town. Inside the palace there are the cathedral of St. Domnius, the patron saint of Split; a monumental court, called the Peristil, which used to be the northern entrance to the imperial apartments; and the perfectly preserved Roman temple of Jupiter. Outside the palace you will visit the Croatian National Theatre, the Ivan Mestrovich Gallery, the Benedictine Monastery of St. Eufemije, the ruins of ancient Salona and much more.

 

TROGIR

The city of Trogir is situated on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia near Split. It was founded in the 3rd century BC by Greek colonists from the Vis Island. Throughout its long history, the city has been under the Croatian, Hungarian,  Venetian, Austrian, Italian and Yugoslavian rule. In 1990, Trogir became a part of independent Croatia. Tourists from all over the world come to the city in order to learn about its cultural and historical heritage.

Trogir is different from the rest of coastal Croatia. Its "old town" is rather small, but is renowned for its numerous palaces, cathedrals, towers and ancient buildings of different architectural styles. The city seems to be woven of stone lace created by skilful medieval architects. Here you can see the monumental church of St. Lawrence, the Kamerlengo 15th century massive stone fortress, the elegant 13th century Duke's Palace, and the Gothic Dominican Cathedral.

In 1997, the historic centre of Trogir was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

SIBENIK

The city of Sibenik was built on the banks of the deep sea bay, where the Krka River flows into the Adriatic Sea. Unlike other cities along the Adriatic coast, which were established by the Greeks, Illyrians and Romans, Šibenik was founded by Croats. It was first mentioned under its present name in 1066 in a Charter of the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. Later the town was part of various states, but it was the Venetian period that left a special mark in its history. At this time two most famous Croatian medieval architects - Juraj Dalmatinac and Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino built the Cathedral of St. James, a unique masterpiece of the 15th century. In 2000 it was listed among UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Today, the cathedral is the symbol and the main attraction of the city. For its construction Juraj Dalmatinac invented a special method of stone laying that allowed him to build the stone nave and apse of the cathedral without a single brick or wooden beam. To decorate the cathedral the architect also carved 74 sculptures of his contemporaries.

Besides the Cathedral, lovers of history and the antique may also take a look at the remains of the city's fortifications, built during the Venetian rule to protect the borders from the formidable Ottoman Empire, which was at that time at the height of its power. Monuments of that era also include the St. Nicholas Fortress, built in the 16th century on a small island to protect the city from the sea, the fortresses of St. John as well as the remains of the city walls.

 

BOAT TRIP TO KORNATI 

The Kornati archipelago includes 109 islands with a total area of about 62 km2. 85% of its surface is stony, and only 15% is covered by vegetation. However, due to its unique landscape, geomorphology, the diversity of its marine flora and fauna, in 1980 almost the whole archipelago was declared a National Park. This unique reserve on the Adriatic coast will appeal to all nature-lovers, as well as to everyone who is fond of diving.

Due to specific underwater currents, mazes and mineral deposits, local underwater flora and fauna is one of the most abundant and diverse in the Mediterranean. Here one can see multiple Mediterranean marine species of fish, shellfish, sponges and corals, as well as rare and unique species which are on the Red List and strictly protected by law.

An unforgettable voyage among countless islands, isles and reefs, leaves a lasting impression and fills everyone who sees this unique work of nature with delight and awe. Enchanted by their striking beauty, the famous British writer George Bernard Shaw wrote one of the best descriptions of Kornati: "On the last Day of Creation God wished to crown his work and created Kornati out of tears, stars and breath."

 

KRKA NATIONAL PARK

Krka National Park is the seventh oldest national park in Croatia, open to the public since 1985. It is named after the river Krka that it encloses and is located in central Dalmatia, just a few kilometres northeast of Šibenik. Its territory is about 102 km2. The Park is widely known for its natural beauty, cultural and historical heritage.

With its seven travertine waterfalls and a total drop of 242 m, the Krka River is a spectacular phenomenon. The natural world of Krka National Park is immensely rich and diverse. The diversity of its plant life, with 860 recorded species, attracts both experts and visitors.

Besides its unique natural beauty, the Park can also boast of multiple cultural and historical monuments. Among its numerous treasures, the following deserve particular mention: the ruins of the Roman military camp which was erected in the 1st century AD, the Croatian medieval fortress dating back to the 14th century, the 15th-century Franciscan monastery on the Visovac island, which is still functioning, and "Yaruga", the oldest hydroelectric plant in Europe which is now a museum (this plant was launched just three days after the world's first hydroelectric power station at Niagara Falls in the U.S.).

 

PLITVICE LAKES

The site of the Plitvice Lakes, founded in 1949, are the most famous, oldest and largest national park in Croatia. It is located in the northwestern part of Dalmatia, and covers about 295 km2. In 1979, the Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Park became world famous in 1960s-70s when it was used for filming several novels by Karl May, a prominent German writer.

The whole area of the reserve is located in the mountains, 367 to 1279 metres above sea level. Its sixteen main lakes are formed by natural dams of travertine and separated into upper and lower lakes. Their total length exceeds 8 km. The lakes occupy the area of more than 2 km2. They are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue, that change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.

The lakes are arranged in the form of a ladder. The uppermost Proshchansko Lake (second largest), is 636 meters above the sea, while the downmost Novakovitsa Brod is more than 130 meters below. The two largest lakes, Proshchansko Lake and Kozjak, cover about 80 percent of the overall water body area. These lakes are also the deepest, with a depth of 37 and 47 meters respectively. On Lake Kozjak, low-noise and ecologically-friendly electric boats are being used. The lakes are connected by 120 waterfalls of breathtaking beauty. An eminent Croatian biologist Ivo Pevalek once said: "There are water, lakes, waterfalls and forest elsewhere, but Plitvice Lakes are unique, they simply must be seen!"

 

BIBICH FAMILY VINE TASTING

One of the attractions of Croatia is the national winemaking. We invite you to join the lovers of fine wines from the best Croatian wineries producing wine for over 500 years. Wine brand «BIBICh» is very popular in the world, you can see it being sold in the most luxurious restaurants of Paris, New York, Mexico City and London.

 

PRICES:

 

CULTURAL/ HISTORIC:

Split (€50 per person)

Trogir (€40 per person)

Sibenik (€40 per person)

Zadar (€50 per person)

Boat Trip to Kornati (€50 per person)

Krka National Park (€50 per person)

Plitvice Lakes (€70 per person)

Bibich Family Vine tasting (only for Parents) (€120 per person)

 

SPORTS:

Rafting (€40 per person)

Adventure Park with quad cycles (€40 per person)

Horse-riding (€60 per person)

Bungee-Jumping (only for Parents) (varies)

 

Included in price:

• Guided tour with an English speaking guide including tickets to landmarks
• Packed Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Transfer
• Full supervision (Teachers/ Tutors go on excursions too)
• Photos/ Videos from the day