An official army family and MWR Site

Autumn in Istria | Fly to Croatia

The Plava Laguna resort complex in Umag, home to beautiful scenery and striking beaches, will be your home away from home during October’s long weekend. Set in a tranquil pine forest along the coast, this beach front complex has indoor and outdoor pools, a wellness center, sports facilities and direct access to seven beaches. The nearby city of Umag is most well known for tennis, but the city also contains a protected harbor and marina offering boat cruises, a long promenade packed with restaurants who specialize in fresh seafood and westward facing views of the water. A tour of Pula will allow you to stroll the streets of the ancient Roman city enjoying its intact Roman amphitheater and several gates and temples, and you will be impressed with the natural beauty of Lim Fjord; 12 kilometers long with surrounding hills up to 200 meters high. The waters in and around Umag maintain a temperature in the upper 60s in October.  That’s too cold for bikinis, but it’s perfect for wetsuits and Istria is a well known destination for year round diving

Army Outdoor Recreation makes it easy for you to fly to Croatia. Our included airport shuttle will pick you up at your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks and take you directly to Frankfurt Airport. Both locations have plenty of free, on-post parking, eliminating expensive parking fees, train transfers or multiple stops along the way in a shared airport shuttle van. After a short flight you will find yourself in Umag, ready to start enjoying the four-star resort complex which will be your home away from home.

Warm up your October in Croatia! Airlines have limited capacity and early deadlines. Contact Army Outdoor Recreation today to reserve your flight to Croatia!

Price, on or prior to Monday, June 30:

  • Double Occupancy: $1649 per person
  • Single Occupancy: $1849

Price, on or after Tuesday, July 1:

  • Double Occupancy: $1829 per person
  • Single Occupancy: $2029
     
  • Additional airline price supplements may apply to all registrations made on or after Friday, August 1
     
  • Rates for older children or family rooms upon request based on personalized requirements
  • Infants under 2 on existing bedding in single or double room: $299

Trip Includes: 

  • Round trip air transportation from Frankfurt to Trieste including local shuttle to Umag
  • Round trip airport shuttle bus from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks to Frankfurt Airport
  • Free on-post parking
  • 4 overnights at Residence Garden Istra Plava Laguna**** or equivalent
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Daily Dinner
  • Guided Istrian Excursion including:
    • City tour of Pula
    • Visit to Lim Fjord

What to Bring: 

  • Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes and clothing
  • Credit/Debit Card or Euro
  • Military ID and Passport

Departure: 

  • 7:30 a.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks to Pulaski Barracks
  • 9 a.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation to Frankfurt Airport

Return: Late Monday Evening

Estimated Itinerary

Thursday: Fly to Croatia

Theres no need to pay for parking at the airport or take an expensive airport shuttle to Frankfurt when you fly with Army Outdoor Recreation. Our included airport shuttle will pick you up at your choice of either Pulaski or Smith barracks and take you directly to Frankfurt Airport. You will know you have arrived at a beach front paradise when you check into your four star hotel,  just steps away from both paved and sandy beaches and only a short distance from Umag. Breakfast and dinner are included in your package, but you may want to sample the fresh seafood the area is known for in town.  Other than that difficult decision, all you need to worry about is how to spend your free time! If the beaches, pools, sports facilities, and entertainment programs inside the resort footprint don’t keep you busy, the Residence Garden by Plava Laguna will happily share information about countless activities in and around Umag which make up the Istrian experience.

Friday: Pula and Lim Fjord

Pula, the main city in Istria offers you the chance to see an ancient Roman city, including architectural treasures like the Temple of Augustus and the Gate of Hercules.  Pula Arena is one of the worlds best preserved Roman amphitheaters, remaining in use to this day as a location for major concerts. This ancient venue has hosted Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John, Foo Fighters and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, among others.  You will also be able to visit Lim Fjord, which while technically a submerged karst canyon and not a fjord, was forever associated with Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons after the channel was used as a film site for the hit 1958 movie “The Vikings”, starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis. A cave at the far end of the fjord is associated with St Romuald and is home to protected species of bats and beetles which are only found in Istria.

Saturday/Sunday: Free Days

Some of the best beaches in Istria can be found in and around Umag! If you would rather not take the resort complex’s tourist train connecting the seven beaches in its footprint, you can reach the city of Umag in just 15 pedal powered minutes or take a calming 45 minute walk along the coast. Even though bikini season will be over, the waters around Umag are still warm enough for diving and snorkeling with a wetsuit. At least 6 dive sites are located near Umag. In the resort complex, you will find tennis, mini-golf, bowling and many other activities, while apps like Getyourguide and Viator will allow you to book your own excursions into the Istrian countryside. Umag’s westward facing beaches will give you unobstructed views of the sun sinking into the Adriatic sea every evening. You will only be bored at Plava Laguna if you choose to be.

Monday: Return to Germany

Your return flight doesn't take off until this afternoon, so you won't have to rush to check out of your hotel room at the break of dawn.  Two short flights which connect Croatia to Germany in Rome, will give you the chance for a relaxed final morning. Once you land in Frankfurt, our airport shuttle will return you promptly to your starting point. 

Registration Information

All reservations must be made through Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation. Reserve your space today by filling out the registration paperwork before contacting:

Army Outdoor Recreation, Kaiserslautern Community
Pulaski Barracks, Bldg. 2905

Army Outdoor Recreation, Baumholder Community
Smith Barracks, Bldg. 8167

Cancellation Terms: 

  • 10% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or prior to Friday, August 1
  • 55% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Saturday, August 2
  • 75% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Monday, September 8
  • 85% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Wednesday, September 17
  • 100% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Wednesday, September 24
     
  • In the event that a customer cancellation results in a fee charged to Outdoor Recreation, regardless of the date of or reason for that cancellation, the total sum of those fees will be passed along to the customer.
Program
Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation

Other News

Paddy's Day in Dublin
New Years Week on the Albanian Coast
Autumn in Istria | Fly to Croatia
Pulaski Auto Skills Summer Hours
Monthly Fitness Schedule
Sign-up for our Weekly Newsletter or Get it Here!

More Outdoor Recreation

thumbnail

Come Fly with Us!

thumbnail

Overnight and Weekend Trips

Amsterdam Express

Plan your adventure in Amsterdam early and save $20 per person with our Early Bird Discount on Day Trips!

Jun 7
thumbnail

Amsterdam Express

Plan your adventure in Amsterdam early and save $20 per person with our Early Bird Discount on Day Trips!

Jun 7
thumbnail

Poland | Krakow and Auschwitz

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Krakow, shop for blue-glazed Polish pottery, and witness the somber history of Auschwitz on this trip from Army Outdoor Recreation.

Jun 18
thumbnail

Poland | Krakow and Auschwitz

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Krakow, shop for blue-glazed Polish pottery, and witness the somber history of Auschwitz on this trip from Army Outdoor Recreation.

Jun 18
thumbnail
thumbnail

Via Ferrata - Rock Climbing next Level

Looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience that takes your outdoor skills to the next level? Join USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Army Outdoor Recreation on June 8, 2025, for the Stage 1 and 2 Klettersteig Manderscheid climb—an unforgettable guided adventure that’s perfect for thrill-seekers of all skill levels!

Jun 8 6 am - 5 pm
thumbnail

Paris Express

Prepare for an exciting day, full of sightseeing in Paris, the City of Light!

Jun 14
thumbnail

Provence and the French Riviera

Whether you like mountains or beaches, high fashion or history, you will find something to love on this trip to Provence and the French Riviera!

Jul 3
thumbnail

Scandinavian Spectacular | Denmark, Sweden and Overnight at Sea

Visit Denmark and Sweden and enjoy an overnight mini-cruise with Army Outdoor Recreation.

Aug 28

Trier Hidden Culture Tour

Get ready to take a walk back in time just as the Romans did on this breath taking tour of Trier!  Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a flat our history buff, this is your chance to explore the Hidden Culture of Trier.

Jun 14 9 am - 9 pm
thumbnail

Trier Hidden Culture Tour

Get ready to take a walk back in time just as the Romans did on this breath taking tour of Trier!  Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a flat our history buff, this is your chance to explore the Hidden Culture of Trier.

Jun 14 9 am - 9 pm
thumbnail
thumbnail

Oktoberfest Weekend at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort

thumbnail

Autumn in Istria | Fly to Croatia

thumbnail

Canoe the Mosel Valley

Jun 15 7 am - 6 pm
thumbnail

Canoe the Mosel Valley

Jun 15 7 am - 6 pm
thumbnail

Halloween in Transylvania

thumbnail

Iceland - The Land of Fire and Ice

thumbnail

Skydiving

Get the thrill of a lifetime when you go tandem skydiving with Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation.

Jun 15
thumbnail

Trout Fishing

Get back to nature, relax, and enjoy a day of trout fishing.

Jun 19
thumbnail

Baltic Sea Christmas Markets

thumbnail

New Years Week on the Albanian Coast

thumbnail

Antwerp Beer Passion Festival

Sample more than 200 specialty Belgian Beers at the Antwerp BierPassion festival!

Jun 21
thumbnail

Prague Express

Enjoy a day in Prague, the Bohemian capital, where the sight seeing opportunities are endless.

Jun 28