Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Zagreb, Croatia. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here

Begin in Zagreb, Croatia’s bustling capital city and home to nearly a quarter of the country’s population. Get to know your leaders and fellow group members, and have an in-depth program orientation. Explore Zagreb’s café culture, outdoor markets, museums, and botanical gardens. Walk the “Green Horseshoe,” a series of Parisian-style, tree-lined parks in Lower Town, or visit Art Park, an outdoor gallery of street graffiti, murals, music, and more. Ride the historic funicular to Upper Town, and photograph colorful St. Mark’s Church, its tiled rooftop adorned with the city’s coat of arms. Hear from a historian about the country’s complicated past and transition to the vibrant nation it is today while on a guided visit through the city’s WWII-era underground tunnels. Take a day trip to the forested slopes of Mt. Medvednica, an impressive mountain park that soars over Zagreb, or to the nearby village of Samobor to explore its hilltop ruins.

Transition from the urban bustle of Zagreb to the centuries-old customs of the Istrian peninsula. Stay near the seaside city of Pula, known for having the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, and explore its impressive coliseum and pass beneath the Arch of Sergii. In a nearby village, meet with a local organization whose mission is to preserve traditional agricultural and cooking techniques, and promote local growers and artisans. Lend a hand in their teaching garden, then learn how to prepare local cuisine, like fuži, a popular hand-rolled pasta dish. Finally, delve into the world of organic olive oil production, and learn why olives have been grown in this area for generations on a visit to a family-run olive orchard.

Begin your journey down the Adriatic coast to our base in the waterfront village of Starigrad Paklenica on the outskirts of Paklenica National Park. Explore the park on foot and take in its incredible views, karst rock formations, deep gorges, and canyons lined with beech and pine forests, then take an afternoon dip in the bay with your group. Spend a day in nearby Zadar, a beautiful coastal city known for its Old Town and many unique sights, including the Sea Organ and The Greeting to the Sun.

Set out on a multisport adventure as you explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Dalmatian Coast. Discover sun-soaked villages, swim in hidden coves, and camp along the shore on a multi-day sea kayaking excursion near Šibenik. Explore Split, Dalmatia’s cultural hub, and visit Diocletian’s Palace, St. Domnius Cathedral, and Pjaca Square—or stroll the Riva Harbor Promenade and peruse the day’s catch at a seafood market. Try your hand at Split’s very own picigin, a traditional ballgame played on the beach. Whitewater raft and zipline in Omiš River canyon, then ferry to the Island of Hvar to cycle along coastal paths and hike and camp in the hills overlooking the sea.

Cap your journey in the medieval port of Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Wake early and walk atop the ancient fortification walls that tower above the churches, palaces, cobbled streets, and marbled squares of Old Town. Present your independent project, enjoy a celebratory meal out on the town with your group, and reflect on your journey through Croatia.

Fly from Dubrovnik to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.