Customizable Itinerary

Today, as your plane descends over Croatia, you will catch your first glimpse of the quintessentially Croatian orange and red roofs
A gem of a European city, Zagreb is at once historic and new. It’s filled with leafy green parks and gothic/neo-renaissance buildings, yet there’s also modern shopping complexes, outdoor malls, and endless dining and drinking options. Consider heading out on a guided walking tour of the historic heart of the city. 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.

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb with an English speaking guide. Just a few miles northwest of Zagreb lies Zagorje, a bucolic hilly region, dotted with Renaissance and medieval fortresses, numerous baroque castles, and family-run vineyards and farms. It’s a memorable, romantic landscape that will take you back in time to a sense of both the aristocratic past and the rural traditional way of life that still exists in Croatia today. A quick day trip from Zagreb allows you to immerse yourself in this beautiful region.

Find your way to Trakošćan Castle, a good example of one of these storybook locales, as it sits perched on a hill adjacent to a glassy lake. The castle, a historic landmark, was built in the 14th century as a defensive fortress but was later used as a home for aristocratic Croatian families. On a tour, you can not only visit the castle grounds but you’ll go inside and explore all four floors, which function as a museum with permanent exhibitions.

Afterward, visit Veliki Tabor Castle, which is located just southwest of Trakošćan. This gothic-renaissance castle dates to the 16th century and also sits on a green hill overlooking the fertile countryside. It was originally built for a noble Hungarian family and its fortifications were designed to defend against Turkish invaders. A tour of Veliki includes visits to the towers, guardhouses, and inner courtyard plus a small museum featuring exhibitions of medieval artifacts like armor, weapons, and paintings.  Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast, we proceed to Opatija (driving time 2:30h), 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. The lungomare is the 12-km seaside promenade, initially constructed in 1889, which stretches all the way to Lovran. Originally intended for use in physiotherapy (as mentioned, Opatija was a health resort), the path winds past many of Opatija’s attractions and is a lovely walking path along the sea.One of the town’s most famous symbols is the Maiden with the Seagull, a sculpture from 1956 of a girl with her hand stretched out to a seagull, looking out to sea. The main street in town has a ‘Walk of Fame’ on its pavement, modelled on Hollywood’s version! Stroll over it to see tributes to famous Croats such as tennis player Goran Ivanisevic, skiier Janica Kostelic and inventor Nikola Tesla. Overnight in hotel in Opatija.

After the breakfast, Walking tour with local guide will take you through Rovinj and let you enjoy a short break before we hit the road to a small fisherman’s village, Fažana. Explore Old Town and marvel at the centuries-old Venetian influenced architecture as you pass under archways, through alleyways, and up stone stairwells. Navigate your way to Balbi’s Arch and the 12th-century Town Clock, noting Rovinj’s skyline dominated by the baroque St. Euphemia Church. We are taking  trip to the north western Istria where we’ll visit one of the oldest and most renowned Istrian winemakers Matošević, where you will tase the best Istrian wines.  The area between Rovinj and Fažana is characterized by particularly suitable micro climatic conditions for olive growing, an area where the Romans built their villas and enjoyed the blessings of the climate, peace and tranquility. The charm of the olive oil will be presented in the Balija olive grove where, according to the Flos Olei guide one of the world’s best olive oils is produced. You’ll be introduced to the organoleptic properties of the olive oil on the tasting led by an expert olive oil taster. As the day passes by, we’ll proceed to a typical Istrian konoba with a view spanning across the sea and Brijuni islands where you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in fish specialties of our region. Return to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

After the breakfast we are heading to cascading waterfalls, clear turquoise lakes and cathedral-like forest canopies weave together to form Plitvice Lakes National Park. A must-visit for any traveler to Croatia, the UNESCO-protected park is comprised of an exquisite collection of 16 glassy emerald green and blue travertine lakes, more than 90 cascading waterfalls that seemingly cover every corner of the park, and numerous caves. The terraced lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife.

Here, you can request a private, expert local guide to lead you throughout the park along the wooden paths and bridges to show you the most impressive points of interest and explain the significance of its history and natural features. After your tour, you will have free time to continue exploring, have lunch, or you may wish to bring a bought lunch (and a bottle of wine!) with you to enjoy a picnic. Departure towards Zadar for overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, we 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. Simultaneously with the „most beautiful sunset in the world” the lighting elements installed in a circle turn on, and, following a particularly programmed scenario, they produce a marvelous, exceptionally impressive show of light in the rhythm of the waves and the sounds of the Sea organs.

This site is a blend of human ideas and skills and the energy of the sea, waves, tide and flood, a place for relaxation, contemplation, and conversation while listening to an endless concert of mystic harmonies of the “Orchestra of Nature”. Our tip: Do not miss the symphony of the Sea Organ and magical urban light installation – Greeting the Sun. 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 USA & Scandinavia. We will taste the Dalmatian Debit white wine and Cuvee of Shiraz & Merlot, accompanied with delicious Croatian style Tapas. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast, continue your journey to Šibenik, a historic city in Croatia, located in central Dalmatia where the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea. The central church in Šibenik, the Cathedral of St. James, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. After sightings we are moving forward to Dalmatian Ethno Village Amadria Park. For a must-try authentic experience, discover the rich culinary heritage of the region with a visit to Dalmatian Ethno Village. Offering a garden-to-plate experience, the village gives you a taste of the cooking traditions and agricultural methods of the region’s past, offering delicious, rustic menus while also showcasing handicrafts. This living museum is a true hands-on experience. See food being prepared and taste dishes made by real artisans. The bread, cheese, olive oil and brandy are all made by hand, the original way with the original tools.

After guided tour of Šibenik and lunch, we head to National Park Krka. Have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around several parts of this natural wonder with Skradinski buk and Roški slap waterfalls, Visovac island and monastery. Upon arrival, enjoy a walk through a network of pathways and wooden bridges. Departure towards Split for overnight.

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. Overnight in the hotel in Split.

After breakfast, your driver will take you to Split center where you’ll meet your captain and start an island-hopping tour by boat. Your first stop is at the Green Cave on the small islet of Ravnik. 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. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast, sightseeing and walking tour in the heart of Dalmatia – Split. Enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. On the way we will visit local winery for lunch and wine degustation. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy your afternoon and evening and explore the town. Return to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast, we are starting with Photo safari through the Neretva Valley, one hour and a half ride with the car. 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).

Arrive in Baćina Lakes who hides many pieces of untouched nature, biodiversity, and cuisine. board a traditional Neretvian boat and get the first impressions of its beauties in an hour long ride. Along with seeing the untouched beauties of nature, you can swim and taste local cuisine. You will have an opportunity to taste local ECO Fig’o products which are traditional family recipes. We board a traditional Neretvian boat and get the first impressions of its beauties in an one hour long ride.   After Photo safari we are going to local restaurant to have amazing lunch.

Frog and eel specialties dominate the traditional Neretva cuisine, such as the inevitable frog and eel stew, breaded frogs, eels on a spit. Or perhaps you prefer boiled coot. When it comes to Dalmatian brudet (fish stew), theNeretva variety is different. It’s spiced with hot peppers, which give a specific and delicious taste. It can be very hot, so those who don’t like spicy food should order theirs to be prepared a bit milder. The Neretva cuisine is unthinkable without frogs. The crackling of frogs from the swamp turns into a rhapsody of frogs on a plate in dishes like frog risotto, breaded frogs, frogs in prosciutto. Homemade hearth bread is usually served with those dishes. Apart from untouched nature, the Neretva boat rides, local delicacies and exploring flora and fauna of the wetland area, the Neretva valley has a lot more to offer.

Late afternoon arrival into Dubrovnik and the remainder of your evening is at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.

Following breakfast meet our tour guide at hotel lobby. Transfer to Dubrovnik old town. You will meet your local English-speaking guide at Dubrovnik main gate to the old town to Dubrovnik – a UNESCO site. This tour lasts 2 hours. During its tumultuous history, many nations and maritime forces met and battled in this area: the Byzantines, Saracens, Croats, Normans, Venetians, small princedoms and kingdoms and the Austro-Hungarian state, as well as the Roman-Germanic Empire, Osman, Habsburg and Napoleonic empires.

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 “. Return to the Old Town for the evening, perhaps staying out a little later tonight for a moonlit stroll with ice cream in hand. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast, it’s time to explore one of the 8 national parks in Croatia. National park Mljet is situated on the island of Mljet. Since the national park is on the island the only possible way to get there is by boat we recommend to buy tickets on line for catamaran boat. Once you are there, ask for tour guide and start with a private tour of national park if you like. If you love unspoiled nature, woods and crystal clear sea this is place to be.  Relax at a beach bar or enjoy one last swim before the journey back to Dubrovnik. Afternoon and evening is at leisure. Enjoy tasting local food in a local restaurant and the best days of summer in this beautiful town. Overnight in hotel.

Depending on when you depart, you may have time to visit one of Dubrovnik’s museums, city walls (do not miss this), or the Franciscan Monastery and Museum.  The drive to the airport from Dubrovnik takes around 45 minutes with normal traffic.