Compare Croatia: Islands & Mountains by Exodus Travels vs Shawnee National Forest: Birding & Ecology in Southern Illinois by Road Scholar

Day 1 Start Dubrovnik

The tour starts in the fascinating old city of Dubrovnik. Situated right on the Adriatic Sea, the fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and the jumble of red-tiled roofs make this a truly enchanting place. In the evening, we may have the opportunity to take a walk around the city (subject to flight arrival time) and go out for an optional group meal where we will have a briefing about the tour. Accommodation: Hotel Vis or Hotel Komodor (or similar)

Day 2 Walk from Gornji Obod to Strazisce Peak; transfer to Dubrovnik, explore the old town

After breakfast we take a short transfer (about 25 minutes) to the village of Gornji Obod. From here we follow a path that zig-zags up to the village of Velji Do. After a break, the walk continues up to Strazisce Peak; at the top we are rewarded with spectacular views back over Dubrovnik and can see the commemorative cross in memory of the US aircraft that crashed delivering aid in 1996. We return to Velji Do and then catch a bus back to Dubrovnik where we have the afternoon to enjoy the city. The shelling of Dubrovnik by Serb troops in 1991 and 1992 outraged the world. Fortunately, great care has been taken over the last decade to rebuild and the city has now returned to its former glory. The cobblestoned streets of the old town, or Stari Grad, feature fountains, churches, palaces and museums – all built from the same light-coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles in the city, but at night the streets come alive as people take an early evening stroll along the Stradun – this is the main street and is covered in smooth shiny marble. Accommodation: Hotel Vis or Hotel Komodor (or similar)

Day 3 Transfer up the coast to the Biokovo Massif; walk above the town of Makarska; transfer to Bol on the island of Brac

After breakfast, we will transfer by bus to Tucepi. This transfer takes about 3hr 30min, including a coffee break en route. Once in Tucepi we begin our walk to Makarska, through the Biokovo mountains. The Biokovo massif rises steeply above the Makarska Riviera in three spectacular shelves, providing hiking for all levels and fabulous views. Our destination of Makarska is a small but lively town, tastefully restored in stone after a devastating earthquake in 1962. It has a fantastic 1.2mi (2km) stretch of beach, so if we have a bit of time we can take a refreshing dip before we head for the island of Brac. We will catch the ferry from Makarska and transfer to Bol, by far the biggest draw on Brac. Accommodation: Villa Daniela (or similar)

Day 4 Climb Vidova Gora for views over Bol and Zlatni Rat, the Golden Beach; afternoon to relax on the beach

We start today with a 20-minute transfer to the small village of Gazul, where we begin our walk to the peak of Vidova Gora (2,559ft/780m above sea level). The first part of our walk will take us through woodland for around 90 minutes as we gradually ascend 755ft (230m) to the summit of the highest point on Brac. The views from the top of Vidova Gora are spectacular; we can see all the way to the island of Hvar in the distance and the 1,640ft (500m) long spit of Zlatni Rat jutting out to sea in the foreground – this view is one that features on many postcards in Croatia, so make sure to bring your camera. From here, our walk is downhill for around two hours towards the town of Bol. In the afternoon you can make the most of the glorious beach of Zlatni Rat. It is south-facing – ideal for an afternoon of rest and relaxation. Accommodation: Villa Daniela (or similar)

Day 5 Catch the ferry to Split and explore the old town before transferring to Krka National Park; visit the Skradinski Buk waterfalls

We begin with a morning ferry transfer to Split, the second biggest city in Croatia. The old centre is compact and easily explored on foot; many make a beeline to the best-known attraction, Diocletian’s Palace. The town as a whole is a lively and friendly place with a cafe culture. Stop, have a coffee and soak up the atmosphere. We then have a transfer (approximately 52mi/84km) by bus to Krka National Park. Here we begin our walk to Skradinski Buk, a series of waterfalls dropping down in 17 dramatic steps. The area is accessed by wooden walkways and forest paths. It’s also a fantastic spot for wildlife – an important sanctuary with several endemic species, some now extinct elsewhere in Europe. The walk will take around 2hr 30min and all on easy paths. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Starigrad Paklenica. Accommodation: Hotel Vicko (or similar)

Day 6 Velika Paklenica National Park gorge walk via Ramici Village

In the morning we take a transfer to the western part of Paklenica National Park where we start our hiking tour passing old villages and fields, hidden among rocky towers and ridges of this limestone realm. After reaching the highest point of the day (approx. 760m), offering splendid views of Velika Paklenica Canyon from the west, we go down to the main canyon and descend to the entrance of the park, admiring the mighty walls of Velika Paklenica along the way. As one of the most popular climbing destinations in the region, Paklenica attracts climbers from all over the world. While hiking down the canyon, you will be able to admire the courage and determination of climbers whom we will see high above us in the vertical world of Paklenica cliffs. We end the hike at the park entrance and take a short (10min) transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Vicko (or similar)

Day 7 Another day in Paklenica National Park; walk to a meadow beneath Bojin Kuk peak before returning to Starigrad Paklenica in the afternoon

Today we have another opportunity to explore the wonderful wilderness of Paklenica National Park and complete the most challenging hike of the trip. We walk to the saddle of Pod Jaginim Kukom, which has a great view up to Bojin Kuk. The Bojinac group is made of a vast area of limestone, with the karst scenery forming towers of rock, furrowed limestone cliffs, caves and green meadows creating a contrast against the severe rock. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a walker’s paradise. Today's walk takes about five to six hours, the terrain is quite challenging and rocky and requires concentration, steady footing and good balance. En route, we pass the unusual Mirila graves. This afternoon, we return to Starigrad Paklenica in time for a swim and relaxation before leaving Croatia tomorrow. Accommodation: Hotel Vicko (or similar)

Day 8 End Zadar Airport

Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel this morning, before starting your return journey home. Of course, if you’d like a little time to explore Zadar, home to Roman ruins and intriguing art installations, speak to your sales representative about extending your hotel stay.

Day 1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Makanda D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Dinner: Dinner in the famous CCC built Giant City Lodge.

Evening: Arrival, introductions; presentation on Illinois Natural Divisions highlighting the physiographic regions that converge in this area creating a diversity of plant and animal life.

Day 2
birding techniques in various habitats
Makanda B,L,D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Breakfast: Family style in the Lodge Restaurant.

Morning: Introduction to birding techniques in the field. Birding at Giant City State Park among the sandstone bluffs and open fields. Birding techniques and binocular use will be discussed. Short birding hike.

Lunch: Picnic style in the field.

Afternoon: Pine Hills Ecological Area. Unlike anywhere else in Illinois, this is a true extension of the Ozark Plateau. Short Leaf Pine cling to the cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. This range of habitats, from towering limestone bluffs adjacent to spring-fed swamps offer a diversity of flora and fauna. Floodplain bird species and geology are highlighted. Also see spectacular views of the vast Shawnee National Forest from the bluff top, spot soaring raptors, and see the changing Fall colors. One mile hike along flat surface.

Dinner: Giant City Lodge restaurant.

Evening: An evening Owl Prowl to call for resident Barred, Screech, and Great-Horned Owls.

Day 3
Cache River Wetlands, The Heron Pond Nature Preserve
Makanda B,L,D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Breakfast: Giant City Lodge restaurant.

Morning: Field trip hike at Cache River Wetlands/Heron Pond State Nature Preserve. A designated "Wetland of International Importance" site this wetland complex is a naturalist’s paradise! This is the northernmost range of cypress habitat. A foot bridge over the Cache River leads us to a floating boardwalk which winds its way into the secluded depths of this forested swamp, providing us a chance to step back in time and observe wetland ecosystems that have remained relatively undisturbed for thousands of years. Flat terrain, approx. 2 ½ mile hike.

Lunch: In the field.

Afternoon: Cache River/Heron Pond continued.

Dinner: Giant City Lodge.

Evening: Free-time. Optional viewing of Green Fire.

Day 4
Wildlife Rehabilitator, Pontoon Boat Ride, Performance
Makanda B,L,D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Breakfast: In the field or lodge restaurant.

Morning: This morning we'll visit the Wildlife Rehabilitator to learn about raptors.

Lunch: Picnic style in the field.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll enjoy a pontoon boat ride on Little Grassy Lake with its 27 miles of undeveloped shoreline and the opportunity to spot migrating waterfowl, osprey, eagles, and migratory neotropicals. After we'll enjoy some local beer/wine sampling.

Dinner: Giant City Lodge.

Evening: Join local songer/songwriter/storyteller/naturalist Curt Carter as he weaves an evening of songs and stories that reflect his love of rivers and passion for the natural world. His songs will take you from the southwestern deserts, to Montana mountains, the re-discovery site of the Ivory-billed woodpecker "Bayou de View" to the Cache River in southern Illinois...... the place he calls home.

Day 5
Morning interpretive hike. Program ends by 11:00 am
Makanda B
Breakfast: Lodge restaurant.

Morning: One mile hike on rugged terrain within the state park. Departures before lunch.