SWIMMING HOLIDAY CROATIA

Swimming holiday on the southern tip of Istria

After successful editions in previous years, we will once again be organizing week-long swimming holidays in Istria in 2026. Will you join us?

Includes:

  • 2 Swim in Balance® swimming courses of your choice
  • a wonderful boat trip/snorkel/open water swimming excursion in the middle of the week
  • 7 nights stay in a 4-star hotel based on half board (breakfast and dinner)
  • Unlimited use of the wellness area (sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, water beds, etc.)
  • Introductory course Alexander Technique (3 x 1 hour)

Optional:
Open water swimming workshop, extra backstroke workshop, private swimming lessons, private Alexander Technique lessons, excursions, massages, beauty treatments, bicycle rental, tennis, and more

Are you interested? Let us know.

During this holiday you will receive two hours of Swim in Balance® swimming lessons per day for a week, with a rest day in the middle of the week. You can choose two courses from: crawl level 1, crawl level 2, breast stroke of butterfly. In a 25 meter indoor pool filled with filtered seawater, right by the sea!

Where is it?

The swimming holiday takes place at the Park Plaza Hotel 'Belvedere' in Medulin, near the city of Pula, in the southernmost tip of Istria. The hotel is located 200 meters from the sea and has two outdoor pools in addition to the indoor pool. Please note that the outdoor pools can be a bit chilly in the early season. We bring wetsuits for the sea. In the high and late season, they aren't necessary, as the sea is nicely warmed up then. Pula Airport is a 15-minute taxi ride away. There are direct flights from Amsterdam to Pula and Rotterdam to Pula. You can also fly to Venice and take the ferry to Pula in 3 hours, which is a lovely trip. In winter, we do cold-water training in the sea (11 degrees Celsius), but that's just a quick dip (optional), followed by a warm-up in the sauna.

How intensive is the program?

Depending on your preferences, you can tailor your program to your needs. The holiday is ideal for individuals. You can also bring family or friends. They don't necessarily have to participate in the swimming activities: there are plenty of other fun things to do. You can book their stay (including half board and use of the swimming pools) through us at a discount and enjoy a holiday together.

Data

  • Winter season: Sunday, February 15 – February 22
  • Preseason: Sunday, May 24 – May 31
  • High season: Sunday 5 July – 12 July
  • Late season: Sunday, September 13 – September 20

Pricing

  • 1597 euros per person for a double room (winter)
  • 1997 euros pp for a double room (pre-season)
  • 2097 euros pp for a double room (late season)
  • 2197 euros per person for a double room (high season)
  • 1997 euros per person for a double room (winter)
  • 2397 euros for a single room (pre-season)
  • 2497 euros for a single room (late season)
  • 2597 euros for a single room (high season)
Information for families >

'Exclusive swimming holiday through Swim in Balance®! Sounds good! But I still have a few questions.'

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What else can I participate in besides the 2 courses?

  • joint boat trip (included)
  • Introductory course Alexander Technique (3 x 1 hour spread over the week) (included)
  • private Alexander Technique lessons (45 min) 85,- euro
  • extra swimming course in the mornings (breaststroke, butterfly stroke, etc.) 395 euros
  • open water swimming course (2 x 1 hour) 150 euros (not in winter)
  • individual swimming lessons, from 85 euros
  • Back crawl workshop (2 hours) 150 euros

What's there to do?

  • snorkeling in the sea, 2 outdoor pools (not in winter)
  • cold water dip (in winter)
  • walking, cycling (nature reserve)
  • yoga in the morning (free, availability depends on hotel offer)
  • running (beautiful promenade along the coast)
  • tennis (courts for rent)
  • boat trip to Ceja
  • diving or surfing course (at neighboring hotel)
  • make bike rides (for rent) to beautiful nature reserve
  • wine tasting (15 euros, 6 wines)
  • View Pula (Beautiful Roman Amphitheater)
  • Istrian music evening
  • Istrian cuisine tasting

What other facilities are there?

  • extensive wellness facilities, many types of massages, sauna, etc
  • bathrobe service
  • babysitting service and children's entertainment
  • fitness facilities

Sign up now and experience your ultimate swimming holiday!

Apply now! >

To register for this holiday, click on the button above or write an email to: esther@swiminbalance.nl.  

Then you can receive more information about, for example, the rates for family members and get answers to other questions. Because the hotel is very popular, we recommend that you register as early as possible, then we have the best chance that we can still reserve your room. Last minute bookings are a gamble, but possible. We expect between 15 – 20 participants.

Prices for fellow travelers not participating in the swimming holiday: pre-season €1000, high season €1200, post-season €1100 based on double occupancy and half board, including a shared boat trip.

Introductory Course Alexander Technique

These swimming holidays include an introductory course of 3 x 1-hour sessions, led by Swim in Balance founder Esther Visser. She is an Alexander Technique instructor and professional violinist. In this course (on dry land!), you'll learn more about efficient and healthy movement in everyday life: walking, sitting, getting up from a chair, picking something up from the floor, and working at a computer. What happens to your foot balance? How does head balance affect joint function? How can you reduce tension in your shoulders? In short: a more efficient and healthy lifestyle. If this interests you, this course is highly recommended.

A warm welcome!

General Terms and Conditions for Swimming Holiday Croatia

Reviews

I really enjoyed the swimming holiday in Croatia. My swimming technique improved by leaps and bounds in a week. Besides swimming there was also plenty to do in the area and you could also completely relax. Nice group, relaxed atmosphere and great swimming!

- Anne (swimming holiday)

The Swim in Balance 'swimming holiday' is also, if not extremely suitable for seniors: learning to swim (better) in a holiday atmosphere, according to a method that suits advanced age, with personal attention and great respect from the teachers.

- Bert (swimming holiday)

Had a great week. Learned so much, super relaxing and fun. Came back full of energy and desire to swim. The program was well put together, communication and guidance were great. There was plenty of flexibility to tailor the lessons or additional offerings to personal needs. The feedback in the lessons was always positive and constructive. Information in advance was also great. A super nice group in which everyone flourished, young and old, beginners and advanced. Do you also want to feel immersed in a warm bath full of lessons, learning and swimming fun for a week and a wonderful week of relaxing away, go for it!

- Ruth (swimming holiday)

A wonderful holiday, during which I learned to swim in a whole new way. Nice location, quiet pool and on the sea, so all possibilities to practice in between. Nice lessons with a lot of personal attention. I thought I would find two hours of swimming hard, but learning this technique is wonderful.

- Floortje (swimming holiday)

Very nice week in a beautiful environment to learn the method.

- Martin (swimming holiday May 2022)

If like me you thought you could never learn how to crawl, and if you want to learn how to get more effect (not just in the pool) with less power, this is a course to do. Accessible, nice people, interesting method, wonderful location and real results.

- Cilia (swimming holiday May 2022)

I wholeheartedly recommend the swimming holidays of Swim in Balance. Learning a new stroke really well, with all the individual guidance that every participant needs, is guaranteed to succeed here. Moreover, I learned a lot about the Alexander Technique, on which Swim in Balance bases its swimming method - also super valuable for other sports, making music and life in general. Although we worked hard, it really felt like a holiday – great to dive into the sauna after swimming! I wish Swim in Balance many more happy participants!

- Alix (swimming holiday May 2022)

A memorable adventure, where to my amazement I really learned to front crawl, unbelievable!

- Nicolien (swimming holiday May 2022)

Taking a vacation and learning something has never been so much fun!

- Esther (swimming holiday)

This special journey has brought me a lot, through the Alexander swimming technique and the relaxing way of teaching I have become friends with water again. In addition to this “reunited friendship”, other wonderful people and experiences have also crossed my path. Thanks for this special week.

- Sylvia (swimming holiday)

The swimming holiday to Croatia was wonderful! Good weather, beautiful people, learning new things every day in the salt water pool, fun optional activities and plenty of free time to go your own way. Perfect!

- Lydia (swimming holiday)

A wonderful mix of sporting effort and relaxation. Exactly what I needed! Sun, sea, salt water and inspiring swimmers!

- Annelies (swimming holiday)

If you thought you could swim you should give this a try. You will learn relaxing techniques from expert teachers in a beautiful swimming pool on the coast of Croatia.

- Nora (swimming holiday)