ACTIVITIES...
Linden Tree is situated in a small village of Velika Plana (population 35), at the base of Velebit Mountain, inside Velebit Nature Park which covers over two million acres of pristine nature. Deer, bobcat, brown bear, wolf, eagle, falcon, big owl, other animals and plants, some of them endemic, call the park their home.
Horseback Riding: We have some of the nicest horses in Croatia. Bozidar worked as a wrangler and therapeutic riding instructor in the Unites States and teaches riding to all levels: from the experienced horse-owner to the first-time rider and everyone in between. He can help riders overcome old experiences and instill confidence at any skill level. To our visitors we offer three types of rides: two-hour, day-long and week long cowboy adventure. Private lessons are available upon request. See horseback riding page for more details.
Hiking: The forests around us abounds with logging trails. It is even possible to walk all the way to the coast by a shortcut trail over the mountain; it makes a great multi day camping trip. Close by the retreat are caves to visit, peaks to climb, rivers to cross and meadows to rest on. Possibilities are countless and our goal is to continue clearing and connecting trails to make them multi-purpose.
Mountain Climbing and Mountain Biking: With its endless number of mountain trails and rock formations, Velebit offers unsurpassed opportunities even for the hard-core biker or climber.
Foods: Every season we go into Velebit forests to harvest delicious mushrooms, fruits, berries, edible roots and nuts. The mountain is also a source of medicinal herbs used to make our teas and brandies.
In every way we attempt to live in harmony with nature, including the use of seasonal and local ingredients in our cooking. We grow a lot of our food in our garden or buy it from farmers in the village. It is organic and grown in accordance with time-honored methods.
Forestry: As we own acres of mixed hardwood forest, we cut our own wood for use as firewood or timber. Methods we use to manage our woodlot are in accordance with principles of sustainable natural resource management, which Bozidar also teaches at university.
On a hot day, an amazing place to visit are the nearby caves of the Grabovaca Cave Park. There, Moist Mother Earth refreshes with her cool air and delights with the stories stalactites and stalagmites tell of our Japod ancestors who used to live in them few thousand years ago.
Wintertime highlights our dedication to living with the rhythms of nature. We shut down most projects, "button-up" the place, and enjoy quiet days of reading, writing, horseback riding in the snow, hiking through the forest and listening to the inner voices.
