Top ten active holidays in Croatia

<p> If you love cycling and want to travel to Croatia with your bike, the island of Pag is the perfect place to cycle and discover the variety of scenery and landscapes. There are over 115 kilometres of bike trails and the best time to explore the island on two wheels is spring when Pag is covered in fragrant lavender. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, the 14 marked cycling paths will take you to the glorious coastline or the untouched interior of the island. Which trail do you choose? Try the Vodice which starts on the town beach, passes wonderful beaches and coves and through the countryside where you can rest under the shade of the pines by the St Jerolim chapel before you end up in Novalja.</p>

<p> One of Croatia's best places for freshwater kayaking is the River Cetina. The lush region is surrounded by quaint villages and the lower end of the river with its tall canyon wall and slow, flatter areas is perfect for kayaking. If you're feeling more adventurous head to the upper regions of the river for white water rafting where the water moves faster with plenty of white water rapids and rugged rocky outcrops. If you get tired of kayaking or rafting, the clear water is ideal for swimming too.</p>

<p> Many of the most attractive spots in the Velebit mountain range can only be accessed by an all-terrain vehicle, so a Jeep safari is the best way to check out the jaw-dropping views and explore the historic roads. A few of the attractions you'll come across on the drive include the Tulove Grede, the Zrmanja River canyon, the Krupa monastery and the spring of Krnjeza - the shortest river in Croatia. The Hotel Rajna organises Jeep safaris with drivers who really know their stuff and take you deep into the valleys with many stops for taking photos, walking and even swimming in the summer. Visit <a href="http://eng.hotel-rajna.com/" target="_blank">hotel-rajna.com</a></p>

<p> What better way to take in the views of the gorgeous Sibenik Riviera than by bungee jumping off the town's bridge? All you need is a strong stomach and the courage to actually jump! The bridge is 40 metres in height with a 362-metre arch range. It's the ideal way to get active while on a cultural break in Sibenik and will make for a memorable experience. From the bridge you can see the town and Sibenik's archipelago. Think you're brave enough? Bungee jumping season is from July to September. Visit <a href="http://www.bungee.com.hr/en/" target="_blank">bungee.com.hr</a></p>

<p> With an endless range of rocky peaks that reach up to 200 metres high, the stunning landscape of the North Velebit National Park is ideal for hiking. Put on your hiking boots and grab some trekking poles to experience the unique area that covers 109 square kilometres. One of the best spots is the Lukina jama pothole, which is set within the Hajducki kukovi peaks and has a depth of 1,392 metres making it the eighth deepest pothole in the world. Considered the most beautiful hiking trail in Croatia, the Premuzic trail was built through the Rozanksi kukovi area offering safe walking along the edges of massive cliffs and abysses with gorgeous views of the sea and the Kvarner islands. Visit <a href="http://www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr/novi_web/Velebit_eng/index.htm" target="_blank">np-sjeverni-velebit.hr</a></p>

<p> Take to the water at the Kornati National Park and dive into the undersea world where the famous Kornati crowns (steeps and cliffs) can be explored. There are organised visits by diving centres and seven zones for diving including off the islands of Visovac, Kornat, Zut, Piskera, Kaprije and Zirje. You will need to contact a diving centre that has the permission to organise dives in Kornati. Some of the fascinating things you may see include wrecks, red coral found as high as 25 metres, octopuses, crustaceans, sea slugs and fish in a variety of colours. If you don't have a diving certificate snorkelling is just as memorable in the Kornati islands and you can see plenty from just peeking into the blue depths of clear sea. Visit <a href="http://www.kornati.hr/eng/index.asp" target="_blank">kornati.hr</a></p>

<p> Quad biking around the mountains, paintball, archery, caving, climbing and human foosball - there's something for everyone at Rizvan City in Lika. The adrenalin park in the Velebit Nature Park is perfect for a day out with friends or for the whole family with a huge range of activities to try. You can enjoy manoeuvring from tree to tree, climbing a wall or whizzing through the air on a zip wire. There's even a giant swing for three people to try at once. Plus, you can spend the night at the adrenalin park in cosy accommodation. Visit <a href="http://www.adria-velebitica.hr/" target="_blank">adria-velebitica.hr</a></p>

<p> If you're looking for a good spot to go climbing, the Paklenica National Park is Croatia's most popular centre with outstanding natural beauty and various rock climbing routes, from single pitch sports routes to big wall rock climbing of up to 350 metres long. There are over 340 routes and Paklenica is ideal for beginners or the most experienced climbers. The best time for climbing at the park is between April and October, and every year the Big Wall Speed Climbing competition takes place at the end of April. Climbers from all over Europe and of all ages are attracted to the park, so don't be surprised if you see the youngest of climbers taking easily to the rocks. Visit <a href="http://www.paklenica.hr/Paklenica_en/Paklenica_Penjanje_en.htm" target="_blank">paklenica.hr</a></p>

<p> For a great adventure in Knin go horse riding where you can choose from small family farms to modern horse riding centres with riding schools and expert teaching. Just outside the historic town, there are seven rivers, three lakes and Dinara, the highest mountain peak in Croatia, that offer a picturesque backdrop for riding in Croatia. Knin is also a popular spot for therapeutic riding with the Association Grabarije Knin offering teaching for safety, horse management and riding.</p>

<p> Ever swam by a waterfall? For a unique experience at the must-visit Krka National Park grab your costume and take an epic dip in the clear and natural water at the park. Skradinski buk is the waterfall you can swim at and although you can't swim directly under it, there is a large area at the end for swimming. The waterfall is known as one of the loveliest in Croatia and one of the country's best natural features, so even though the water may feel a little cold, you'll want to jump in to experience the beautiful waters. Visit <a href="http://www.npkrka.hr/" target="_blank">npkrka.hr</a></p>