Essence of Croatia: Zagreb to Dubrovnik – 8 Days

Essence of Croatia: Zagreb to Dubrovnik – 8 Days

Duration
8 Days
Group size
up to 8 persons
Arrival location
Zagreb
Departure location
Dubrovnik
Duration
8 Days
Group size
8 persons
Arrival location
Zagreb
Departure location
Dubrovnik

Overview

“Essence of Croatia: Zagreb to Dubrovnik in 8 Unforgettable Days” invites you to experience the very soul of this Mediterranean gem. From the dynamic capital of Zagreb to the coastal allure of Dubrovnik, this 8-day journey showcases the country’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Immerse yourself in the historic charm of Zagreb’s Upper Town, traverse the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park, and explore the ancient treasures of Split. Bask in the allure of Dubrovnik’s “Pearl of the Adriatic” status, walking its city walls and absorbing the breathtaking views. Join us for a remarkable exploration that encapsulates the essence of Croatia in just 8 unforgettable days.

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  • All transportation in destination location as explaind in itinerary
  • Hotel Accommodation in 4* with breakfast
  • Island Hopping boat tour (Hvar, Brač and Pakleni Islands)
  • Entrance Fees to Plitvice Lakes
  • City walls Dubrovnik
  • Photo safari through the Neretva Valley & lunch
  • Wine tasting & lunch at Bibich winery in Šibenik
  • Split food tour
  • Sightseeing tours included: Zagreb, Plitvice, Zadar, Šibenik, , Split, & Islands, Neretva & Dubrovnik
  • Flight tickets
  • Dinner, drinks at meal time, extra services and costs which are not in the program as well as any personal expenses.
  • Tips for guide and driver (non-compulsory)

Itinerary

Aerial view of the Cathedral in Zagreb at sunrise. Croatia
Aerial view of the Cathedral in Zagreb at sunrise. Croatia

Arrival to Zagreb Airport. Transfer to hotel in Zagreb. After checking in to hotel (from 15:00), Meet your guide and head out on a guided walking tour of the historic heart of the city for 2 hours. This involves walking from Ban Jelačić, the main square, to Zagreb’s Upper Town and passing through local markets before reaching St. Mark’s Square. Alternatively, you can visit one of the many museums and art galleries, like the Homeland War Museum, the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, or the ever-popular Museum of Broken Hearts. Or stroll through the city centre, enjoying 17th-century neo-baroque architecture found at Zagreb’s Art Pavilion and Croatian National Theater.  Lunch for all tour     members can be prearranged in one of the local restaurants, or each tour member will have the lunch on his own. Your hotel is centrally located so all tour members can reach the main square, museums, or restaurants easily on foot. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Plitvice Lakes National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Aerial view, colorful spring panorama of lit by sun green forest and long wooden bridge with tourists over blue lake with blue-green water.

Following breakfast, meet our tour guide at hotel lobby. Check out and transfer to national park Plitvice Lake, located approximately 2,5h drive from Zagreb. Visit of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder with 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. Enjoy a sightseeing 3-hour tour with your tour guide of Plitvice. Starting point is at the north entrance of the park (Entrance 1). Sightseeing is circular, and includes a walk through the limestone canyon of the “Lower Lakes”, an electric-boat ride across the largest of the Plitvice lakes – Lake “Kozjak” (please take some worm clothes cause the boat has only roof and it can get bit cold, it takes cca 15 min), a panoramic train ride, and a walk along the top of the canyon’s east side all the way back to starting point at “Entrance 1”. You will also see the impressive “Great Waterfall”  the highiest waterfall in Croatia and the “Sastavci” waterfalls, the beautiful dark blue lakes of “Novakovića Brod”, “Kaluđerovac”, “Gavanovac” and “Milanovac”, as well as the vastness of Lake Kozjak.Listen to the power of the rushing waterfalls in the Plitvice Lakes during your visit and enjoy the breathtaking view. You will also find out some very interesting stories about this unique gem. Lunch for all tour     members can be prearranged in one of the local restaurants, or each tour member will have the lunch on his own.

Afterwards 2,5h bus transfer from Plitvice to Zadar. Arrival at hotel, check in Your hotel is centrally located so all tour members can reach the main square, and restaurants easily on foot. Afternoon walking tour of Zadar city with experienced local guide. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Following breakfast, meet our tour guide at hotel lobby. Afterwards 3,5 hours transfer toward Split, stopping in Šibenik for 1 hour guided tour. On this tour you will get a chance to learn about St. James Cathedral, our most popular attraction and beautiful monument from Renaissance pe­riod. Cathedral has been on UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. On the way to split we will stop in most famous winery in Šibenik to have a lunch and to taste best wines. Come mid-afternoon, travel further south to Split, settling into your hotel before taking the rest of the afternoon to wander its historic center on your own. Your hotel is centrally located so all tour members can reach the main square, and restaurants easily on foot. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (B, T)

Trogir’s Cathedral of Saint Lawrence

After breakfast your driver and guide will take you a short distance outside of Split to Trogir – a treasury of cultural and historical monuments dating as far back as the 4th Century BC. Set on a small island just off the mainland, Trogir was first settled by the ancient Greeks, before falling under the Romans and later the Byzantines. Destroyed by the Saracens and abandoned in the 12th Century, thanks to its strategic location the town was soon revived and became an artistic and cultural center under the Austro-Hungarians and later the Venetians. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Old Town Trogir is surrounded by a fortress wall with two gates and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Your guide will show you the Gradska loza (the Old City Hall) from the 15th Century, the city walls, and the Kamerlengo Castle, which was once the residence of the Venetian governor. On the sea-side of the island, you may see   the Sea Gate, which was built in the 16th Century, and the nearby old fish market, located in an open loggia, surrounded by a colonnade. After sightings we are moving forward for lunch in local restaurant. After lunch we are going on wine tasting tour in Enjoy some time at your leisure to browse the small shops and cafes in Trogir, before heading to Split. Rest of the day is leisure to explore Split on your own. Overnight in the hotel in Split. (B,L, T)

After breakfast, your driver will take you to Split center where you’ll meet your captain and start an island-hopping group tour by boat. Spend time admiring the naturally green-tinted water of the natural phenomenon before heading to Stiniva Beach.  Enjoy free time to swim in Stiniva’s crystal-clear waters or admire the huge cliffs of the bay. Head to the mesmerizing Blue Cave on Bisevo Island. Let your breath be taken away as you admire the blue lighting effect of the cave created by the reflection of the sun on the sandy seafloor. Next, head to Budikovac Island for snorkeling or sunbathing at the Blue Lagoon. Finally, visit the most popular Pakleni Islands, Palmizana. Break for lunch at one of the beach’s many restaurants, relax at a beach bar or enjoy one last swim before the journey back to Split. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Aerial view on a traditional boats on Neretva River, a unique photo safari tour.
Aerial view on a traditional boats on Neretva River, a unique photo safari tour.

Today, we are starting with Photo safari through the Neretva Valley, one and a half hour ride with the car from Split. The Photo safari is a unique tourist experience in which guests are driven by indigenous Neretva vessels (small wooden boats from which are some even 100 years old) for a leisurely cruise through the surrounding wetlands (with local snacks). Enjoy the spirit of Bacina lakes in authentic cargo boats called “lađa”. Travel across 6 out of 7 lakes and enjoy the Teuta experience. The ride starts with degustation of homemade schnapps called travarica and seasonal fruits. The tour starts and ends at our beach bar. The estimated time of this tour is 1 hour.  End up at a beautiful local restaurant overlooking the water for local dishes. Late afternoon arrival Dubrovnik and the remainder of your evening is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Dubrovnik History Tour
Dubrovnik History Tour

Following breakfast, meet our driver at hotel lobby. Check out and transfer to main gate of Dubrovnik central area (old part of the town – Pile gate).  Start 2h walking tour with our local English-speaking guide. You will meet your local English-speaking guide at Dubrovnik main gate to the old town to Dubrovnik – a UNESCO site. Dubrovnik is well known as the pearl of the Adriatic a walk, famous for its 2km long impressive city walls with fortresses, which have been filming locations to an HBO worldwide highly popular serial „Game of Thrones “.Your hotel is centrally located so all tour members can reach the main square, and restaurants easily on foot. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Check out from hotel and meet your guide at hotel depending on when you depart. Drive to the airport from Dubrovnik takes around 45 minutes with normal traffic.

Book This Tour

Book This Tour

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Tour Locations

Kornati National Park

Nacionalni park Kornati is an archipelago of 89 gorgeous islands, islets, and reefs in the northern part of Dalmatia, near Dugi Otok, Murter, Zadar, and Šibenik.

Ston

Visiting Ston on the Peljesac Peninsula, near Dubrovnik, in Croatia – an area famous for its town walls, the saltworks and oysters!

Opatija

Often called the Nice of Croatia, Vienna by the Sea, the Pearl of the Adriatic or the Old Lady, Opatija already bears countless affectionate nicknames.

Rovinj

Rovinj is a stunning little city in Croatia filling every inch of a peninsula bordered on three sides by the Adriatic Sea.

Omiš

This small Dalmatian town at the mouth of the Cetina river, some 25 km south of Split, offers a unique blend of the river, the sea and mountains.  

Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi is recognizable by the abundance of mimosa trees and its numerous flights of stairs. It’s often called ‘The City of the sun’.

Tour Locations

Trogir

Trogir boasts rich history with its roots going back to the 3rd century BC. It is one of the most well-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex in Central Europe. 

The Neretva Valley

Neretva Valley spreads over a large area some 90 minutes’ drive north of Dubrovnik or Split. The Neretva Valley is a real paradise for many visitors.

Zadar

Zadar is a city monument, surrounded by historical ramparts, a treasury of the archaeological and monumental riches of ancient and medieval times.

Hvar Island

The town of Hvar is a unique blend of luxurious Mediterranean nature, rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage, and a contemporary world known tourist destination.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia’s most recognisable UNESCO-listed national park, Plitvice Lakes are comprised of 16 cascading lakes and travertine waterfalls.

Dubrovnik

“The Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia.The extraordinary fortified city of Dubrovnik is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Split

Croatia’s second-largest city, Split is a vibrant destination with the opportunity to get to know authentic daily life and friendly locals and spend time on beautiful beaches.

Zagreb

The capital and biggest city in Croatia, Zagreb is the cultural and economic hub of the country. Take a stroll through Ilica, ride the funicular to the Upper Town, have a cup of coffee on the “špica”.

Trogir

Trogir boasts rich history with its roots going back to the 3rd century BC. It is one of the most well-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex in Central Europe. 

The Neretva Valley

Neretva Valley spreads over a large area some 90 minutes’ drive north of Dubrovnik or Split. The Neretva Valley is a real paradise for many visitors.

Zadar

Zadar is a city monument, surrounded by historical ramparts, a treasury of the archaeological and monumental riches of ancient and medieval times.

Hvar Island

The town of Hvar is a unique blend of luxurious Mediterranean nature, rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage, and a contemporary world known tourist destination.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia’s most recognisable UNESCO-listed national park, Plitvice Lakes are comprised of 16 cascading lakes and travertine waterfalls.

Dubrovnik

“The Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia.The extraordinary fortified city of Dubrovnik is a Unesco World Heritage site.