Hidden places of the Kvarner islands

Discover the ancient heritage of the Kvarner Islands and tap into the numerous traces of its rich history and culture on your visit to the numerous towns of Kvarner. During this three day tour you will visit Krk, once a Roman municipality and the centre of the Frankopans, the dukes of Krk. This is followed by a visit to Jurandvor, famous for its Glagolitic monuments from 1100 AD; Vrbnik, the home of the renowned white wine, Žlahtina; Cres, a medieval town with Gothic and Renaissance churches and monasteries, the palaces of nobles and the remains of the old town walls; Beli, known for its centre for the protection of griffons, a rare bird species still living on Cres island. These are just a few of the hidden and unexplored places and settlements you'll visit on this tour through the islands of Krk, Cres and Lošinj.

Day 1
Depart for the island of Krk, which is connected to the mainland by an impressive bridge. A short bus ride will take you to the town of Krk, the biggest town on the island. This former Roman municipality was also the centre of the Frankopans, the dukes of Krk. Sightseeing in the old town including monuments such as the Cathedral of Our Lady, the Romanesque Church of St Quirinus, and a fortified castle with remnants of its ancient gates and surrounding wall. This is followed by a ride to Jurandvor, a small but famous place in Croatian cultural history due to the presence of an ancient stone-tablet with Glagolitic inscriptions dating back to 1100 AD that was found in the early Romanesque St. Lucy Church. Afterwards you will visit Vrbnik, an ancient town which stands on a 48 m high cliff overlooking the sea. This is a wine-growing area and well-known for the local white wine called "Vrbnička žlahtina". Enjoy a wine tasting in a traditional wine-cellar. Accommodation will be provided in a hotel in Krk.

Day 2
After breakfast, ride to Glavotok, a small village on the north-western cape of the island of Krk, from where there is a wonderful view of the sea and the northern part of the island of Cres. Catch the ferry boat to the beautiful island of Cres, which has over 1300 species of flora and fauna and an exceptional number of endemic species; a genuine paradise for all nature lovers. After a short ride through the main island, stop in at Beli, which is well known for the "Eko-center Caput Insulae", a research and education centre, whose basic function is the protection of griffons. Cres is one of the last habitats of this rare species of birds. Next, ride to the biggest town of the island, the town of Cres. The panorama of present day Cres is accentuated by the medieval harbour "Mandrac", Gothic and Renaissance churches and monasteries, palaces of erstwhile noble families and the remains of the town walls. On the way to Lošinj, you will stop in Osor, a town situated in an artificially excavated strait between the islands of Cres and Lošinj. In the Roman period it was an important municipality and a trade centre for ships en route from the ports in the northern Adriatic to Dalmatia. Accommodation will be arranged in a hotel in Mali Lošinj.

Day 3
Visit Mali Lošinj, the biggest town on the island, which was a very important harbour in the past. The people from Lošinj were esteemed as the best navigators in the Mediterranean. Due to its exceptional climate, Lošinj was renowned as a climate health resort and became one of the favourite holiday destinations among the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy, who built numerous villas and residences which still adorn Lošinj today. There will be a short stop in Veli Lošinj, once the largest settlement on the island, thus named ´Veli´ (big), although now Veli Lošinj is actually smaller than Mali (small) Lošinj. Enjoy the facades of the buildings which are painted in lively colours. A beautiful church and tower adorn the small town harbour. Then ride to Lubenice, a dramatic settlement and an unusual town which is built out of stone on a 378 m high cliff. Once it used to serve as a watchtower and a shelter. Today it is a special, isolated place with a feel of mystery and solitude. On the way to the ferry harbour, you will pass the Vransko Lake, a freshwater lake which provides the island with drinking water. Its maximum depth is 60 m under sea level. Catch the ferry boat back to the mainland.