The Best Of Croatia
The best of Croatia will bring you through the charming Mediterranean Experience.
Stay 8-nights and 9-days while creating dreams of a lifetime by touring the "real" Croatia from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.
This tour can ideally be combined with other tours in Europe and we highly Recommend it for food and wine lovers!
Itinerary
Letters noted below represent the following:
B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner; T=tasting
DAY 1
ZAGREB (D)
Arrival in Zagreb, transfer to the hotel (driving time approximately 20 to 45 minutes). Welcome drink during your group get together.
DAY 2
ZAGREB – OPATIJA (B, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb with your English speaking guide. In the fortified, medieval Upper Town, you will visit St. Mark’s church, with its multi-color tiled roof, Parliament, the government palace, and many beautiful long standing buildings. After our sightseeing tour, we will proceed to Opatija (driving time approximately 2 & a half hours). Opatija is situated on the picturesque Kvarner Bay, which used to be the favorite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov and Isadora Duncan. Dinner and overnight in Opatija.
DAY 3
ISTRIA EXCURSION (B, T)
Today it's time to get to know the Istrian peninsula and visit the 2000 year old roman Colosseum located in Pula. Afterwards we will relax in Rovinj, perhaps the most beautiful city in Istria and the inspiration of many artists. We will have some time at leisure in Rovinj and depart towards Motovun for a sample of one the Istrian tastiest treasures, the truffle. Overnight in Opatija.
DAY 4
OPATIJA - PLITVICE LAKES (B, D)
The most beautiful and oldest national park in Croatia. under UNESCO protection, consists of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. The park is located in the Lika mountain region and visited mostly on foot, however, the entrance includes a pleasant boat ride across the Emerald Green Lake “Kozjak” and an enjoyable train ride back to the main entrance. The visit of the park grounds takes approximately 3 hours. Dinner at our host hotel restaurant and overnight in Plitvice area.
DAY 5
PLITVICE LAKES – ZADAR – SPLIT (B, T)
After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive down from the mountain
region of Lika via the coast towards the city of Zadar. The historic town of Zadar is rich in cultural and historical monuments. Here you can see The Roman forum dated to the 1st century AD, the church of St. Donatus dated to the 9th century AD. Of special interest are the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind in the world. From Zadar we continue to the Bibich Winery for a gourmet experience that is more than a simple wine tasting. The winery burnt to the ground during the war is now producing rewarded wines and exporting 80% of their production to the USA & Scandinavia. We will taste the Dalmatian Debit white wine and Cuvee of Shiraz & Merlot, paired with delicious Croatian style Tapas. Departure towards Split for overnight.
DAY 6
SPLIT & TROGIR (B, L)
Today’s Split is the handiwork of seventeen centuries of men and women building, remodeling, adding, tearing down and touching up, so that 18th century houses intersect with ancient Roman walls and fourth century chambers house with twentieth century apartments. At the core of this sprawling cityscape is the palace the Emperor Diocletian built for his golden years at the turn of the fourth century. Today we will enjoy lunch of the traditional Dalmatian dish; Pašticada which we will taste at the Tragos restaurant in Trogir. The town of Trogir, a UNESCO site, has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. Trogir has a high concentration of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as a fortresses on a small island often referred to as the floating museum town.
DAY 7
SPLIT – STON – DUBROVNIK (B, T)
On our way to Dubrovnik, we will stop near the town of Ston where we visit a local winery and taste the famous “Plavac Mali” wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. In this winery the traditional wine making business has been passed on for generations, offering a unique story everyone must hear. The wine tasting includes a presentation on all the specifics of the wine making process. This wine tasting is paired with some local snacks. Arrival in Dubrovnik and overnight.
DAY 8
DUBROVNIK (B, D)
Completed in the thirteenth century, the old city Dubrovnik has remained basically unchanged. Its medieval ramparts encircle the Old Town which can be entered through one of the two gates. Once you cross a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise (Vlaho), you will find yourself joining the evening walk down the broad, stone paved promenade known as Stradun. After our sightseeing, you will enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
DAY 9
DUBROVNIK (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.