April 12, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 17 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 17 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 17 moved on bikes from Rastoke to Zavižan in Northern Velebit National Park. 

100 kilometres for the day: Lačko and the crew didn’t mix it up on this part of the journey, and Day 17 consisted of just one, really long 100-kilometer bike ride from Rastoke to Zavižan. 

Day 17 started from Rastoke to Lička Jesenica, at the ranch Ples konja.

From Lička Jesenica on the way to Dabar, a village in Lika-Senj County that is 21 km northeast of Otočac.

From Dabar to Otočac.

Crossing the Gacka river the only way they can. 

And seeing Majerovo vrilo along the Gacka. 

To end the day? A striking sunset from the top of the Vučjak peak in Zavižan, one of the best-known localities in the Northern Velebit National Park.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Rastoke.

Northern Velebit National Park.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 18, as Lacko moves from Zavižan to Novalja on foot and kayak.  

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 11, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 16 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 16 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 16 moved on foot, bike, and kayak from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Rastoke. 

67 kilometres for the day: 15 km on foot at Plitvice Lakes National Park, followed by a 35 km bicycle ride from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Korana, and 17 km on a kayak from Korana to Rastoke to continue forming the ‘L’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 16 started at Plitvice Lakes National Park, the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. 

And then onto Baraćeve spilje, or the 'Caves of Barać', located near the village of Nova Kršlja in Rakovica.

Making their way to Rastoke by bike, the historic center of Slunj.

And a warm welcome to Rastoke by the Slunj majorettes.

Lacko had to stop to get a picture with the girls.

The Slunjčica river flows into the river Korana at Rastoke.

Some of the breathtaking sights; as if you're in a fairytale. 

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Rastoke.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 17, as Lacko moves from Rastoke to Zavižan by bike.

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 10, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 15 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 15 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 15 moved on bike from Prpa (Baške Oštarije) to Plitvice Lakes National Park. 

85 kilometres for the day: 22 km bike ride from Prpa to Smiljan, followed by a 65 km bicycle ride from Smiljan to Plitvice Lakes National Park to continue forming the ‘L’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 15 began at Baške Oštarije, Prpa mountain lodge, with the faces and furry friends they met there. 

Lacko setting off from Baške Oštarije.

Running into a herd of sheep at the foot of the Velebit mountain. 

You know you've made it to Smiljan when a statue of Nikola Tesla greets you. 

The Nikola Tesla memorial center, in his birthplace, in the house where he was born.

But that's not all Smiljan has...

There is even a potato farm. 

Lacko continued onto Lika, where he ran into curious cows. 

And then onto Korenica. You can see Cedo rushing off in his car, while Daniel struggles on the bike.

But Lacko persists and continues onto Korenica.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Baške Oštarije.

Plitvice Lakes National Park. 

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 16, as Lacko moves from Plitvice Lakes to Rastoke on foot, bike, and kayak. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 9, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 14 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 14 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 14 moved by kayak, bike, SUP, and foot from Silba to Prpa. 

46 kilometres for the day: 22 km by kayak from Silba to Pag, followed by an 8 km bicycle ride on Pag island, 4 km of SUP (standup paddle boarding) from Pag to Karlobag, and 12 km on foot from Karlobag to Prpa to begin forming the ‘L’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 14 began with Daniel Lacko rowing from Silba to Pag, passing Olib in the background. 

They were greeted on the island of Pag with an old stone house in Proboj.

The colors of Proboj on the island of Pag.  

And, of course, lambs. 

The rocky Proboj should make parking the kayak easy?

Picturesque Pag. 

Making their way towards Paška vrata.

Arrival in Karlobag as the sun dimmed. 

Relaxing at Baške Oštarije, Prpa on the Velebit mountain ridge.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Silba.

Baške Oštarije

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 15, as Lacko moves from Silba to NP Plitvice Lakes by bike.

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 8, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 13 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 13 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Mali Lošinj

Day 13 moved on kayak and bike from Mali Lošinj to Silba. 

40 kilometres for the day: 5 km by bike from Mali Lošinj to Veli Lošinj, followed by 35 km by kayak from Veli Lošinj to Silba to complete forming the ‘E’ in ‘Welcome’.

The Day 13 journey began on the island of Lošinj in all of its glory. A look at Mrtvačka bay. 

Lacko began kayaking towards Silba, with the view of Osorcica in the background.

The group arrived in Silba, an island southeast of Lošinj and one of the very few islands with absolutely no cars or traffic.

Ecological awareness on Silba.

And a sign for Ožujsko, which is usually hard to find on the more remote islands, Lacko wrote back in 2011.

More Silba sights.

And to end? A Silba sunset.  

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Mali Lošinj.

Silba.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 14, as Lacko moves from Silba to Prpa by kayak, bike, standup paddleboarding and foot. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 7, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 12 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 12 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 12 moved on kayak, foot, and bike from Martinšćica to Mali Lošinj.

41 kilometers for the day: 15 km by kayak from Martinšćica to Osor, followed by 26 km on foot and bike from Osor to Mali Lošinj to continue forming the ‘E’ in ‘Welcome’.

And it begins on the island of Cres, making their way towards Osor. 

The narrow channel between Cres and Lošinj in Osor. 

And onto Osorscica.

With a much-needed moment to take in the hazy view from Osorscica.

The picture-perfect Sv. Mikula in Osorscica. 

And a wild view from Osorscica onto Mali and Veli Lošinj. 

Finally in Lošinj to stop and look at the reflection of a very colorful boat. Lacko considers it the most creative thing they did that day. 

They made it to Lošinj just in time to catch the festival of local cuisine. 

Of course, they had to try it. 

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day.

Mali Lošinj.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 13, as Lacko moves from Mali Lošinj to Silba by bike and kayak. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 6, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 11 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 11 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 11 moved on kayak and bicycle from Nijvice to Martinšćica.

61 kilometres for the day: 31 km by kayak from Njivice to Merag, followed by 30 km bike ride from Merag to Martinšćica to continue forming the ‘E’ in ‘Welcome’.

Unlike the rest of the days of the journey, Day 11 saw only a few photos taken by photographer Luka Tambača.

One of which was on the ferry to Cres from Krk. Lacko wrote that there were even some tourists from Germany traveling as well. 

And another of them napping on a bench on the island of Cres with the caption “We were so tired that day.” Understandable. 

But then a bike race on Cres to wake them up.

A stellar photo with a view on both Cres and Krk from the old path above the village of Merag.

And Lubenice.

Lubenice in bloom, too.

They even fed hens with grass there.

Lubenice in all of its glory.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Lubenice was the one landmark they did visit on this part of the journey, which is an ancient fort city on the island of Cres, exactly opposite Valun.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 12, as Lacko moves by kayak, foot, and bicycle from Martinšćica to Mali Lošinj. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 4, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 9 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 9 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Senj - Nehaj fortress 

Day 9 moved on foot and by bicycle from Senj to Begovo Razdolje.

65 kilometres for the day: 35 km bicycle ride from Senj to Samarske stijene, followed by 30 km on foot from Samarske stijene to Begovo Razdolje to continue forming the ‘E’ in ‘Welcome'.

The journey started in Senj, accompanied by a bit of the famous bura. 

Daniel Lacko above Senj approaching the wind power plant Vrataruša.

Klarićevac, and one of the many abandoned houses. 

And the snow coming down near Vodice.

The group then met Aleksa Tomic who played Vuco's classic "Volim piti i ljubiti". Tomici used to have 600 residents, and back in 2011, there were only a few older residents.

Lacko coming through the Bijele stijene cliffs, through a lot of mud and snow. 

Continuing on foot through even more snow. 

In some parts, the snow hit their waists.

Samarske stijene - Ratkovo shelter.

And finally, their final destination for the day - the Jastreb hotel in Begovo Razdolje. Begovo Razdolje is the most populated settlement in Croatia (1078m).

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Senj.

White and Samarian cliffs.

Begovo Razdolje.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 10, as Lacko moves from Begovo Razdolje to Njivice by bike and kayak. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 3, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 8 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 8 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Off day in Nijvice

Day 8 moved on foot, bicycle, and kayak from Malinska to Senj.

57 kilometres for the day: 25 km bicycle ride from Malinska to Stara Baška, followed by 10 km on foot from Stara Baška to Baška, before 12 km of kayaking from Baška to Senj to begin forming the 'E' of 'Welcome'. 

After some much-needed rest, Day 8 kicked off in Malinska.

With a stop for petrol in Krk. 

Lačko pedaling away in Punat on Krk. 

Sheep on the road to Stara Baška.

And the hiking route on the way to Batomalj. 

On the plateau between Baška and Stara Baška, father and son duo Zeljko and Martin Ivnik joined in on the walk.

Another look at the plateau. 

From Baška, Daniel set off on a 12 km long rowing trip to Senj. 

With the windmills above Senj in the backdrop.

Upon arrival, a Senj shepherd showed off a newborn lamb. 

And a well-deserved meal to end at Lavlji dvor tavern in Senj. Lačko and master Željko checking out the skampi and St. Peter's fish.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Malinska.

Baška.

Senj.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 9, as Lačko moves from Senj to Begovo Razdolje by bike and on foot. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 2, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 6 of this incredible adrenaline trip from 2011 covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 6 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 6 moved on foot and by bicycle from Opatija to Delnice.

65 kilometres for the day: 25 km bicycle ride from Opatija to Podkilavac, followed by 15 km on foot from Podkilavac to Crni Lug, before heading north once more on the very final part of the first letter (W of Welcome), with another 20 km of cycling from Crni Lug to Delnice.

On the road above Klana - Elvis Kalcic completing the "W" shape for "Welcome". Darija Bostjancic and Marija Kalcic were the only girls in the team this day.

Forrest Gump and his followers in a green forest.

The Sv. Rok tunnel, and Daniel Lacko ahead of the thirsty gang.

Somewhere under Platak.

Gomance ruins. 

The road to Platak covered with snow.

They decided to leave the bikes and carry on by foot towards Risnjak.

The final push to Risnjak.

Risnjak, 1528m up.

Priceless.

A mandatory break to eat. 

A quick departure from Risnjak to ensure they make their arrival time in Delnice. 

Through Crni Lug, which is just a bit longer onto Delnice...

And finally, arrival in Delnice in front of the hotel Risnjak. The first letter is now complete - only six more to go! 

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day.

Delnice.

Risnjak.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

While the group has a day off next, tune in tomorrow for Day 8, as Lacko moves from Malinska to Senj.

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page.