Inclusions: • Fully escorted by English speaking Tour Director as well as local expert English speaking tour guides for day trips • Local tours include Zagreb, Osijek, Đakovo, Plitvice, Opatija, Motovun, Hum, Pula, Poreč, Zadar, Krka, Šibenik, Trogir, Split & Dubrovnik • Air conditioned luxury coaches and professional drivers • 20 nights luxury accommodation • 46 Meals according to Itinerary including: - Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant in Zagreb - Croatian traditional lunch at Plitvice Lakes National Park - Motovun hilltop local lunch. Try local delicacies including truffles, Istrian prosciutto and local wines - On the Metković Boat Safari we will stop part way down the river at a local restaurant for a traditional fish lunch - Aboard the Elaphiti Islands cruise you will be treated to a lunch of fresh seafood and Swiss chard - Farewell dinner at a traditional Konoba (tavern) • Entrance fees to all national parks • Entrance fees to all sights and museums on the guided tours including the Lipizzaner stables (Đakovo), Roman Amphitheatre (Pula), Euphrasian Basilica (Poreč), Gligora Cheese Factory (including tasting – Pag), St Donatus Church & St Anastasia Cathedral (Zadar), St Lawrence’s Cathedral (Trogir), Diocletian’s Palace Basements (Split), Dominican Monastery Museum, Franciscan Monastery Museum and Rectors Palace & the Cultural Historical Museum (Dubrovnik) • Day trip to Kornati National Park via boat including a traditional meal onboard • Boat rides in the Krka National Park • Round trip ride by ferry from Split to the Island of Brač • Lada (traditional boat) safari excursion in Metković
Tour Highlights: Zagreb, Osijek, Đakovo, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Opatija, Pula, Poreč, Rovinj, Motovun, Hum, Pag Island, Zadar, Krka Waterfalls, Trogir, Split, Brač Island, Metković, Dubrovnik, Elaphiti Islands, and much more…
Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Zagreb - Meet your Tour Guide at 2pm at the hotel in Zagreb, where you will check in and join your fellow travellers at an information session. Afterwards we offer an optional walking tour of the city prior to attending the welcome dinner. The dinner will be held at a family-owned restaurant that offers a fine collection of wine and traditional meals using seasonal ingredients from the Dolac market. (D) Day 2: Zagreb - Zagreb is the capital and economic centre of Croatia. This morning you will be treated to a scenic view of the city’s historical centre. Our local guide will show you the wonders of the old fortified Upper Town, Cathedral of St. Stephen, the famous St. Mark’s church with its multi-coloured roof and the bustling town market ‘Dolac’. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to stroll around the gas lamp lit streets, do a spot of shopping or follow the Croatian tradition by make a wish at the city’s Stone Gate. (B, D) Day 3: Zagreb - Osijek - Osijek is known as the rural centre of the Slavonia region. In addition to wide open plains and forests, it is also filled with 18th Century architecture influenced by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Here you will enjoy an authentic Croatian dinner in a city full of folkloric events, hearty food and great wines. (B, D) Day 4: Osijek - Đakovo - Plitvice Đakovo is home to the world famous Lipizzaner stables which were founded in 1506. The stables are amongst the oldest stud farms in Europe. We will also make a stop at the cathedral that was described by Pope John XXIII as the most beautiful between Venice and Istanbul. We then travel on to Plitvice. (B, D) Day 5: Plitvice Lakes National Park - This UNESCO World Heritage site is an amazing 29.6 hectares of national park. We will embark on a short journey along the wooden paths down to the breathtaking waterfalls and turquoise lakes. In all, there are 16 lakes which are joined by waterfalls that cascade from one level to another. We will then board a boat on the largest lake in the park where you will take in the serenity and feel like you have escaped from the stress of everyday life. Lunch today will be at a local restaurant specialising in traditional Croatian cuisine. (B, L, D) Day 6: Plitvice Lakes National Park - Opatija - Opatija is a tourist mecca with over 160 years of tourist trade. Explore the city’s historical buildings, walk through one of the numerous parks or the “Lungo Mare” a picturesque path along the coastline or swim at one of the crystal clear beaches. (B, D) Day 7: Opatija - Hum - Motovun - Pula Today we head inland to the quaint town of Hum. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Hum is ˝the smallest city in the world˝ with only 17 inhabitants. Here you will be acquainted with the beginnings of the Croatian written language (Glagoljica). We then continue on to Motovun, an impressive hilltop village which is famous for its Venetian architecture and the Motovun film festival. Here you will savour famous Istrian delicacies like truffles, prosciutto and exquisite local wines. (B, L, D) Day 8: Pula - Poreč - Today we embark on a scenic journey to Pula and Poreč, through the Istrian region which is famous for its Mediterranean local landscape that includes hilltop vineyards, olive groves and medieval towns. In Pula we visit the well preserved ancient Roman Amphitheatre that dates back to the 1st century. In Poreč, discover the ancient Roman town famous for the Euphrasian Basilica from the 6th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Europe’s finest examples of Byzantine art. (B, D) Day 9: Poreč - Rovinj - Opatija - After breakfast we depart Porec for Rovinj. Rovinj is a historical fishing town full of romance and mystery. The city is dominated by the baroque church of St.Euphemia with its 60 metre tower that reveals a breathtaking view of the region. We also visit the Batana House Eco Museum that showcases the local boat building tradition. Go for a stroll down the “Street of Artists” or discover the narrow streets, stone houses and small squares full of locals watching the world go by. Overnight in Opatija. (B, D) Day 10: Opatija - Pag Island - Zadar - Today we will cross over to the Island of Pag, which is famous for its lace and cheese. On Pag, we will visit a local farm where you will learn the art of making sheep’s milk cheese. We overnight in the coastal town of Zadar. (B, D) Day 11: Zadar - Today we will explore Zadar, a city rich in cultural and architectural history. Visit the spectacular St. Donatus church, the ancient Roman forum and the Sea Organs, a contemporary city attraction. After dinner we will head down to the city centre, where we will attend the Zadar festivities which often include traditional singing, dancing and storytelling. Afterwards we move on to the promenade to witness the famous sunset that has been described by Alfred Hitchcock as being one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. (B, D) Day 12: Zadar - Kornati Islands - Zadar Today we take a boat ride through the spectacular Islands in the Kornati National Park. With over 130 Islands and Reefs, we will moor at the most spectacular islands to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. (B, L, D) Day 13: Zadar - Krka National Park - Trogir Today we set off on a scenic journey to the beautiful Krka National Park. Here we will visit old restored mills, traditional houses and the “Skradinski Buk” which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe. If weather permits we will swim underneath these magical waterfalls. After the swim we reboard the boat and travel down the River Krka canyon and Skradin. From Skradin we drive to an eco farm where we will enjoy a traditional Croatian lunch at a local family estate. (B, L, D) Day 14: Trogir - Šibenik - Trogir - Šibenik is the oldest Croatian town on the Adriatic coast. Otherwise known as Krešimir’s town, Šibenik was the residence of the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV, who was one of the greatest rulers of ancient Croatia. The town boasts St. Jacobs’s cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritige site. Later, we will visit another UNESCO World Heritage site, the medieval town of Trogir. Trogir is affectionately known as the city that has not changed in 2,300 years. The whole city is made of stone and there is no modern architecture. Whether you sit in the city square and people watch, visit the old fort, shop at the markets or climb to the top of the bell tower you will never want to leave this charming city. (B, D) Day 15: Trogir - Brač - Today we set sail on a ferry to the Island of Brač, where you can explore vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves. There are numerous cafes and bars where you can relax with a cocktail or two whilst enjoying the local music. Alternatively, you can swim or sunbake at Croatia’s most famous beach, Zlatni Rat, otherwise known as the “Golden Horn”. (B, D) Day 16: Brač - Hvar - Brač - Today we Island hop to Hvar, which is known as the sunniest island in the Adriatic. The boat trip is a traditional “fish picnic” with lunch included. On Hvar, you will discover the unique town Starigrad (literally translated Old City) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Starigrad’s olive groves and vineyards have been uninterrupted for 24 centuries making them the oldest in Croatia. (B, D) Day 17: Brač - Split - Today we depart on a ferry again towards Croatia’s second largest city, Split. In Split we will hear the local myths and legends about the Roman Emperor Diocletian who decided to spend his last days in the sunny harbour of Asphalatos. Here he built the amazing Diocletian palace, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over time the palace has changed to become the city centre. Within the palace walls there are 220 buildings blending contemporary and ancient Roman architecture which have been converted into bars, shops and restaurants. The rest of the afternoon is free to take a walk or have a coffee with the locals on the “Splitska Riva” (city promenade). (B, D) DAY 18: Split - Metković – Dubrovnik - Today we venture down the Neretva River Delta on our boat safari in traditional “Lada” boats. The river is lined with plantations, local farms and roadside vendors. Part way down the river we will stop at a local restaurant for a traditional lunch of fish and other delicacies. If you are lucky we may even see a pirate or two before heading onto Dubrovnik. (B, L, D) DAY 19: Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik is known as the pearl of the Adriatic and is another UNESCO World Heritage site. Today we will wander along the famous main street (Stradun) and visit the Franciscan monastery, the beautiful Renaissance Sponza Palace and many more sites in the old city. The most impressive and intriguing site are the fortified city walls, which are 2 km long and 22 meters high. The old city is surrounded with several fortresses and towers which protected the city from numerous invaders. This romantic city leaves none indifferent and always wanting to return. (B, D) DAY 20 : Dubrovnik - Elaphiti Islands - Dubrovnik - We will take a boat ride through the spectacular Elaphiti archipelago surrounding Dubrovnik. During this cruise we will visit the beautiful islands of Koločep, Šipan and Lokrum where we enjoy hidden sandy beaches and a turquoise crystalline sea. This evening we have a farewell dinner at a local Konoba (traditional tavern). (B, L, D) DAY 21: Dubrovnik - The tour ends this morning after breakfast. There will be an opportunity for last minute shopping or simply hang out with your new friends for the last time. (B)
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