Highlights
- Trek and explore among the jagged peaks of the Italian Dolomites
- Kayak to sea caves and snorkel along pristine beaches on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
- Ferry across the Adriatic Sea to explore historic Venice
- Experience Italian and Croatian cultures, cuisines, and landscapes
Trip Details
- Start: Venice, Italy
- End: Venice, Italy
- Age Range: 15 - 18
- Cost: $5,399
Dates
Jun 28 - Jul 10 (Available)
Jul 16 - Jul 28 (Available)
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Trip Itinerary
A transalpine adventure like no other. From the dramatic limestone cliffs of northern Italy’s Dolomite mountains to the crystal-clear waters of Croatia’s Istrian coast, this two-week hiking and kayaking adventure is a dream for active teens seeking variety and challenge. Beginning and ending in the storied city of Venice, you will backpack through some of the most iconic terrain in all of Europe before trading boots for paddles to explore the shimmering Adriatic Sea by kayak.
Backpacking the Alta Via 1
After meeting in Venice, our journey begins in earnest as we enter the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and welcoming mountain rifugios. We will spend five days hiking a stunning section of the Alta Via 1, a classic long-distance trail, staying in cozy, family-run rifugios each night. With epic views and hearty meals waiting at each stop, it’s a hut-to-hut experience that combines challenge, awe-inspiring vistas, and cultural immersion.
Paddle and Snorkel Croatia’s Coastline
After our alpine adventure, we will transit to Pula, Croatia, a coastal gem known for its Roman ruins and turquoise coves. We will spend two days kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming along the Istrian Peninsula, discovering hidden beaches and exploring sea caves. Evenings will be spent in a peaceful campground under the stars, enjoying good food and great company by the water’s edge.
Full Circle in Venice
A ferry ride across the Adriatic Sea will mark our return to Venice, where we will celebrate the journey we have shared. After exploring the winding alleys and canals of this historic city and enjoying a celebratory dinner out on the town, we will spend our last evening in a comfortable hostel reflecting on our accomplishments and friendships. From alpine trails to Adriatic tides, this unforgettable adventure for high schoolers is the perfect mix of mountains, coast, and cultural discovery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Please see our General FAQ page for many more frequently asked questions and answers!
How physically challenging is Dolomite Mountains & Croatian Coast?
Given a Challenge Level 7 (out of a maximum of 10), we consider Dolomite Mountains & Croatian Coast (DMCC) to be an advanced hiking trip. We believe that any moderately fit, motivated student can successfully complete this trip with appropriate preparation. Compared to similar hiking trips, we believe that DMCC is slightly more challenging than our Pyrenees Mountains & Coast trip due to the greater total mileage covered while hiking and longer kayaking days, but slightly easier than our Alps Explorer trip. The group will hike up to 9 miles on their most challenging day, while their daily mileage typically spans between 5-7 miles with significant elevation gain. Please note that all of Apogee’s Challenge Levels are not scientific and are subjectively calculated by the Apogee staff.
Where will my child be sleeping at night?
Our DMCC group will be camping for seven of the twelve nights over the course of the trip, and each of those nights will be spent in established, front country campsites. They’ll spend the other five nights of the trip indoors (four nights in mountain hostels called rifugios and one night in a Venice hostel). Leaders will separate students by gender into tent groups, and will rotate those groups several times over the course of our trip. Students will generally share a tent with two or three other students. Our groups will have access to running water and showers every night of the trip.
Is this trip van-based?
No, this trip is not van-based. The group will utilize a private shuttle company and public transit (including a spectacular ferry across the Adriatic) for their travel between locations. Otherwise, they’ll be walking and paddling everywhere they go!
How will I communicate with my child while they are on this trip?
We are a technology-free program, meaning that your child won’t have access to their phone or other electronics over the course of their trip. That said, students on international trips will call home at some point on arrival day, depending on schedules and arrival times. Since physical mail to Europe is frustratingly slow, we have an email stop as a part of the program instead of a physical mail stop. Parents, relatives, and friends are welcome to use this to send an email to a student that they know (the trip leader will share the emails with the student). If you have an urgent message to get to your child, you’ll be able to call our office and we’ll work to get you connected with your child.
What is the maximum number of students I can expect on my child’s Apogee trip?
There are never more than twelve students on an individual session of this trip. Additionally, we limit enrollment by gender to two-thirds/one-third. Groups are always led by two qualified leaders.
This trip starts outside of the United States. What do I need to know before traveling internationally?
In addition to needing a valid passport, we encourage you to coordinate travel with other attendees. To that end, we’re happy to put you in touch with other enrolled families from your region. Please note that Apogee staff members do not travel with students; our trip leaders will already be in Venice on arrival day and will stay in Venice after the trip ends. Apogee staff and trip leaders will have a detailed flight itinerary for each student and will be at the airport to greet them on arrival; our staff will also accompany students to the airport to assist with departures. We will provide enrolled families with a Travel Information document covering details specific to traveling to and from Venice, including airport information and arrival and departure time windows. We know that international travel can be daunting – rest assured that regardless of flight cancellations or delays, we will always have someone on hand to assist with our students’ arrivals and departures.
Aside from the trip cost, what are the additional expenses for this trip?
Apogee’s tuition costs are meant to be all-inclusive and include all meals, accommodation, and activity fees. The most significant additional expenses on our Dolomite Mountains & Croatian Coast trip will include travel to and from Venice, Italy, hiking boots, sleeping bag and pad, backpacking pack, and personal gear. We suggest that you review the packing list (downloadable on this webpage) to determine what personal gear you already own and what you might need to acquire for this program. Please also check out our Gear Recommendations blog post for links to our personal recommendations.
