Enjoy Croatia

South Dalmatia

Day 1

Arrival in Zagreb. Meet & Greet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel in Split.

Optional – shopping and free time.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2

Breakfast. We will start our tour with discovering the delights of the incredible and for what Split is famous for, Diocletian Palace ruins. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was originally built as a lavish home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, but became more like a city in its own right as more buildings were added to it throughout the ages. We will explore its subterranean tunnels and then head back above ground to visit Peristyle Square as you will hear tales about flamboyant Emperor Diocletian. Walk around, soaking up the square’s hustle and bustle, and admire the beautiful Cathedral of St Duje – named after the city’s patron. Visit the Temple of Jupiter and then finish your morning tour at colorful Split Market. Time for lunch in a local restaurant. After this break, depart towards Trogir, situated between Croatia’s mainland and the island of Ciovo. Once surrounded by city walls, Trogir’s historical center has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status in recognition of its architecture that dates back to Hellenistic times. On a leisurely paced walking tour, gaze in admiration at the town’s pretty Romanesque churches, complemented by Venetian Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Hear tales of Trogir’s many different rulers and see the imprint that they left around the town as you walk. Stop to look inside Trogir’s masterpiece — beautiful St Lawrence Cathedral — and hear how it was designed by the famous Romanesque architect Radovan. Admire its architecture, pose for pictures and absorb life-remembering memories.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 3

Breakfast. After visiting the biggest Dalmatian city, continue our journey towards Dubrovnik. Even though the old town of Dubrovnik isn’t big, it can keep you occupied for several days in discovering every corner of this world-known ancient town. We will enter the Old Town through Pile Gate – in front of us is Stradun. Here you will find the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438. On the right there is the Franciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other end of Stradun, you will find the locals’ favorite meeting place, the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponza Palace and the baroque Church of St. Blaise. Here also is the Rector’s Palace, built in 1441, which is now a city museum packed with valuable and historic exhibits.

Opposite the palace through a narrow street is a square, Gunduliceva Poljana, which is the site of the busy morning market. In the same square there is the Jesuit Monastery dating back to the early 18th century. From here we will head for the little old town port and visit the city walls which encircle the city and which have been remarkably preserved. They were originally constructed in the 10th century, although fortified considerably in 1453. They are 3 m thick along the sea wall and 6 m thick inland. The Old Town has fortresses at its four corners, which are the Minceta Tower, Revelin Fortress, St John’s Fortress, and Bokar Bastion. We will also visit Ploca gate, the Cathedral and, optionally, Dubrvnik cable car. Time for lunch in a local restaurant. After this break, there will be free time for shopping.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Slavonia

Day 1

Arrival in Zagreb. Meet & Greet at the airport with our representative who will be at your service throughout your trip. Transfer to the 4-star hotel in Osijek.

Optional – shopping and free time.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2

Breakfast. A day for enjoying beautiful Slavonia. We will start our day in Vukovar. This became a Croatian symbol of victory with its 87-day defense of the city which played a crucial role in the country’s history. We will visit the War Hospital in Vukovar. It is the same as the one in use during the siege of the city. After the War Hospital, we will go to the Memorial Center of Croatian War for Independence. This will help us better understand Croatian history. The last stop of the tour is the Vukovar water tower – one of the most famous symbols of Vukovar and the suffering of the city and the country in the Battle of Vukovar. Further, on our way to Ilok, we will stop to enter the Vučedol Culture museum – a place where you can see a first grade archeological finding – a Vucedol dove, made in period between 2400 and 2200 B.C. Time for lunch in a local restaurant in Ilok. After this break, we will be visiting the old Castle in Ilok. It is built on a hill above the town center, offering views on the Danube and the Pannonian Plain. While driving through Slavonia, we will notice lots of “Wine road” signs, since Slavonia is famous for wine-making. We will stop in one of old cellars for amazing wine-tasting. Fall in love with the tastes of Slavonia and enjoy the landscape that surrounds you.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 3

Breakfast. A day reserved for one of the most beautiful Croatian National parks, Kopački Rit, located northwest of the confluence of the Drava and the Danube. It comprises many backwaters and ponds along the Danube, being one of the most important, largest and most attractive preserved intact wetlands in Europe. A part of Kopački Rit has been designated as a zoological reserve. Around 260 various bird species nest here (wild geese and ducks, great white egret, white stork, black stork, white-tailed eagle, crows, coots, gulls, terns, kingfishers, European green woodpecker etc.). There are many other species using this area as a temporary shelter on migration routes from the northern, cooler regions to the southern, warmer areas and vice versa. There are also 40-odd fish species. Several various mammal species inhabit the land (red deer, roe deer, wild boar, wild cat, pine marten, stone marten, weasel, sable, otter etc.). Kopački Rit also has over 140 recorded species of plants, some of which are very rare and only found in a few places in Croatia. We will spend the whole day in beauty and perfection of nature, with a break for lunch, inside the park.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Zagreb and Zagorje

Day 1

Arrival in Zagreb. Meet & Greet at the airport. Transfer to the 4-star hotel.

A city tour of Zagreb. Unique walking photo tour throughout the capital city of Croatia which has so much to offer to visitors. It has long history, which can be seen in every corner of old town. Our walking tour will start from Ban Jelacic square – main square from which we can climb up the Observation Deck “Zagreb Eye” and enjoy the greatest panoramic view of the city. After that, we will visit must-see landmarks of Zagreb, such as the Lotrscak tower – famous for its cannon which fires every day without fail at noon, Stone Gate – used to be the entrance to the medieval upper town and it has now become a place of pilgrimage since the painting of Virgin Mary was miraculously saved from fire in 1731, St. Marc’s Church – an iconic building with its unique roof decorated with the coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and the city of Zagreb, Stross promenade, Mestrovic Atelier, Klovicevi Dvori gallery, Grič tunnel – a pedestrian tunnel under the historic neighborhood of Grič. Most known symbols of the Zagreb are Funicular Railway – the shortest passenger cable railway in the world – and of course Zagreb Cathedral – the tallest building not only in Zagreb but also in the whole of Croatia. After visiting Dolac, the most popular farmers’ market, time comes for lunch – we recommend Tkalca street. After the break, we will visit Cvjetni square – literal translation is Flower square – and also the beautiful park of Zrinjevac. Free time for shopping – Ilica street and Britanac square (for antiques). Take your chances and capture beautiful details and gems of the city.

Accommodation in a hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2

Breakfast. Departure towards Croatian Zagorje – region north of Zagreb. On our way we will stop to visit Kumrovec – a unique museum in the country that shows the authentic look of Zagorje villages, people’s way of life, as well as customs and crafts that were part of the everyday life of ordinary peasants from this region, most known as birthplace of marshal Josip Broz Tito. We continue our tour towards Veliki Tabor – a castle and museum dating back to the middle of the 15th century. After Tabor, we will visit the Neanderthal Museum in Krapina. After the lunch break in Klanjec, we will visit the Antun Augustincic statue gallery in which we can see scaled Peace Monument, with its original stands in front of United Nations. In Klanjec we will visit cellar “  ” to taste locally produced wines. Exploring Zagorje is unique chance for life – remembering photo tour. Zagorje is full of panoramic rides and untouched nature.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 3

Breakfast. Departure towards Plitvice Lakes – one of most beautiful nature park in world. It’s known for a chain of 16 terraced lakes, joined by waterfalls, that extend into a limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking trails wind around and across the water, and an electric boat links the 12 upper and 4 lower lakes. The latter are the site of Veliki Slap, a 78m-high waterfall. Every season has its own unique charm and the Plitvice Lakes with their alternating colors and every new awakening, both trapped in ice or in the shade of the trees, will leave you with a very distinct, unique and invaluable impression. The Plitvice Lakes are constant, yet always different, and they will surely surprise you with a new experience or new revelation. Enjoy in perfection of nature, and capture as many pictures as your memory card can handle.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Must-try food in this region: štrukli, turkey with mlinci, Zagreb steak, kremšnita, gibanica.

Istria

Day 1

Arrival in Zagreb. Meet & Greet at the airport. Transfer to Pula.

Optional – shopping and free time, depends on arrival time.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2

Breakfast. A city tour of beautiful ancient town Pula. We will start our photo tour with the well-preserved Roman Temple of Augustus. Dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus, it was probably built during his lifetime at some point between 2 BC and his death in 14 AD. We continue to the ancient Roman triumphal Arch of Sergii. It commemorates three brothers of the Sergii family, an approximate period of construction is 29-27 BC. Last, and for what Pula is famous, is the Pula Arena. It is the only remaining Roman amphitheater to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. After the city tour of Pula, it’s time for lunch in a local restaurant. After this short break, we will continue to Rovinj. A nice small town situated on the coast where every street is beautiful and romantic. You will fall in love with it immediately. Capture every detail, from little ancient homes to pathways and narrow alleys. After the city tour, we will depart towards Pula.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 3

Breakfast. A day reserved for central Istria. The first of our stops is Motovun – a village on the hill. It is known for the International Film Festival that has been held every year since 1999. Even though its population is less than 500 inhabitants, you will want to capture and save every little detail of the village that lost the track of time. After Motovun, we will continue to Hum. Hum is officially a town, and that makes it the smallest town in the whole world. It has a population of 21. After the lunch break in a local restaurant, there will be time for wine-tasting. Istria is well-known for beautiful and spacious vineyards, cheese, olive oil and truffles. After trying Istrian tastes, there will be time for return to Pula. You will get to your hotel with a memory card full of pictures and beautiful remembrances of the region lost in time.

North Dalmatia

Day 1

Arrival in Zagreb. Meet & Greet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel in Zadar.

Optional – shopping and free time.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2

Breakfast. A city tour of beautiful ancient Zadar. Walking along Zadar`s streets, we will see the entire spectrum of monuments. Taken into the past by retelling the stories and legends, you will feel the pulse of the town from past and today`s everyday living. During the walk we will see the Old City, stop by the Church of St. Donat that lies on the ancient Roman forum built from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD, Cathedral of St. Anastasia – the largest church in all of Dalmatia, – Sea Gate, Land Gate, City Walls and the Square of Five Wells… At the end of the tour you can take your time listening to the unique sound of the Sea organ or enjoy a view of the beautiful sunset. Time for lunch in a local restaurant. After the break, depart towards Nin – the place where the Croatian state was born and seven kings were crowned. The town of Nin was founded by the Liburnians in the 9th century BC. We will visit a little church where all seven kings were crowned. Nin is famous for its saltworks where salt is not produced by machines. It is not produced by the man either. The salt is produced by the sun, sea and wind. At the Nin Saltworks, salt has been produced with love, traditionally and in coexistence with nature for 1,500 years. In the Saltworks shops you can buy salt, delicacies, cosmetics and souvenirs.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 3

Breakfast. A day reserved for one of the most famous and beautiful national parks of Croatia. The Krka National Park is situated along the Krka River in southern Croatia. It’s known for 7 consecutive waterfalls. In the south, the Skradinski Buk waterfall is harnessed by traditional watermills. To the north, a nature trail passes another striking cascade, Roški Slap, and the Krka Monastery built on top of ancient Roman catacombs. Visovac Island is home to the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy. Enjoy in beauty and perfection of nature and capture every moment of the visit. A lunch break is provided.

Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 4

Breakfast. Departure towards Šibenik. We will start our tour with the 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James decorated with 71 sculpted faces and then move on to the Šibenik City Museum in the 14th-century Prince’s Palace that has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael’s Fortress has an open-air theater with views of the Šibenik Bay and beautiful islands.

In Šibenik, there will be time for lunch in a local restaurant. After this break, departure towards Primošten. The little town, once an island, is built on a hill and is dominated by the parish church of St. George which was built in 1485 and restored in 1760. It is close to the local graveyard from which a unique view spreads to the sea and the surroundings. Enjoy in every detail the Dalmatia scent of the sea and pines.