BEST OF CROATIA TOUR
SIGNATURE TOUR
From magical Zagorje region and its castles, though truffle and wine rich Istria and along the Croatian coastline down south to the Jewel of Adriatic-Dubrovnik, enjoy the best of what Croatia has to offer. History, culture, food, and wine await to be discovered in this 14-day, relaxed pace, immersion in Croatia.
Price Includes:
all transfers with English speaking drivers in Mercedes vehicles
all guides and tickets to sights as stated in itinerary
all meals and wine tastings as stated in the itinerary (5 dinners and 7 lunches)
truffle hunting
4 winery visits (one gourmet pairing)
cooking class in Split
accommodation in 5* hotels with breakfast (14 nights)
VAT
Not included: plane tickets, tips
Price Includes:
all transfers with English speaking drivers in Mercedes vehicles
all guides and tickets to sights as stated in itinerary
all meals and wine tastings as stated in the itinerary (5 dinners and 7 lunches)
truffle hunting
4 winery visits (one gourmet pairing)
cooking class in Split
accommodation in 5* hotels with breakfast (14 nights)
VAT
Not included: plane tickets, tips
From magical Zagorje region and its castles, though truffle and wine rich Istria and along the Croatian coastline down south to the Jewel of Adriatic-Dubrovnik, enjoy the best of what Croatia has to offer. History, culture, food, and wine await to be discovered in this 14-day, relaxed pace, immersion in Croatia.
Tour schedule
Day 1 - Arrival Zagreb
Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Free afternoon and evening to rest after long journey from USA.
Hotel 5*
Day 1 - Arrival Zagreb
Day 2 - Zagreb - Trakošćan Castle - Vuglec Breg Winery wine tasting
After breakfast departure to one of the most beautiful locations in Croatia-Trakošćan Castle site. It is a 13th century hilltop castle and has been renovated in the neo-Gothic style in 1850s. Explore the museum inside and imagine how splendid it must have been to live in the castle. Enjoy a walk in the park with a lake below the castle. After tour of the castle your next stop will be one of the best wineries in Croatia-Vuglec Breg. Located in the middle of Zagorje region it produces sparkling wines with traditional champagne method, which have won numerous awards including Decanter, as well as other traditional wine sorts of continental Croatia such as Chardonnay, Riesling, and other indigenous varieties. Wine tasting, after the tour of the winery, will offer great introduction in the world of Croatian wines and will provide background in history of wine producing tradition as well as contrast to different varieties of coastal Croatia. For lunch traditional roasted duck and other local dishes will be served. Return to Zagreb in the evening.
Hotel 5*
Day 3 - Zagreb
After breakfast private guided tour of Zagreb will be organized. Modern city with Medieval roots, rich with history, culture and filled with museums, Zagreb is truly Central European capital becoming tourist destination of itself. After tour lunch will be organized in one of top Zagreb restaurants. Free afternoon for shopping and enjoying strolling in many of the beautiful Zagreb parks.
Hotel 5*
Day 3 - Zagreb
Day 4 - Zagreb-Rovinj
After breakfast departure to Rovinj in Istria. After settling in your hotel and some resting time private guided tour of Rovinj will be organized.
Hotel 5*
Day 5 - Istria Experience - Truffle Hunting, Motovun, Winery wine tasting
In the morning you will go and meet your private truffle hunter and his dogs, your companions in your treasure hunt in local woods. Experience firsthand what it is like to search for this amazing mushroom which enriches dishes to sublime quality. Later you will go to Motovun, overlooking the Mirna River valley, surely the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval town. This captivating hilltop town is one of the characteristic symbols of the Istrian peninsula. Motovun is surrounded by vineyards from which the finest Istrian wines, white wine Malvasia and red wine Teran, are produced. After tour of Motovun you will have your truffle-based lunch in traditional tavern. There you will have traditional lunch which incorporates world famous Istrian truffles. Following lunch, you will visit excellent local Winery where you will have tasting of Istrian wine and olive oil. Return to Pula in the early evening.
Hotel 5*
Day 5 - Istria Experience - Truffle Hunting, Motovun, Winery wine tasting
Day 6 - Rovinj - NP Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast transfer to Plitvice Lakes area and your hotel. Free afternoon and evening.
Hotel 4*
Day 7 - National Park Plitvice Lakes
In the morning, after breakfast, you will start your tour of Plitvice Lakes. Breathtakingly beautiful, Plitvice Lakes is UNESCO World Heritage site and oldest national park in Croatia. The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. Walk on wooden bridges and drive on electric boats so that you can experience firsthand this nature's wonder. Traditional lunch will be organized after your tour. Free afternoon and evening.
Hotel 4*
Day 7 - National Park Plitvice Lakes
Day 8 - NP Plitvice Lakes - Zadar
*Optional: In stead of city of Zadar it is possible to organize direct transfer to Split and add island of Hvar as a destination or one day trip from Split. Hvar island can include experiences such as wine tastings, boat trip to Blue Cave and cooking class with Master Chef.
Private guided tour of Zadar will be organized in the afternoon after settling in your hotel. One of the high points of the tour will be visit to Museum of Ancient Glass. There you will experience a demonstration of ancient method of blowing glass and manufacturing with the only master currently in Croatia. Your final stop of the tour will be world famous location of sea organs where your will enjoy this unique music created by the sea overlooking one of the best sunsets in the world, as sunsets In Zadar were once described by Alfred Hitchcock. After sunset dinner will be organized in a nearby restaurant, one of the best in Zadar.
Hotel 5*
Day 9 - Nin - Zadar
Just a short ride from Zadar tour of Nin, the oldest royal town in Croatia will be organized. It is also known as the town of salt which used to be a source of wealth throughout the city's long history. We will start the tour by visiting the salt pan where the tradition of salt making has been present since ancient times. After the visit to the Museum of salt, we'll head back to Nin city center and explore the town's impressive number of ancient monuments dating back to 9th century AD. After Nin we will head back to Zadar hinterland for wine tasting and traditional “peka” lunch. Free evening.
Hotel: 5*
Day 9 - Nin - Zadar
Day 10 - Zadar - NP Krka-Šibenik - Split
Pick up in the morning and transfer to nearby National Park Krka. You will travel with your luxury Mercedes vehicle to Skradin where you will relax at your own pace exploring the stunning Krka National Park and strolling among amazing waterfalls. After National Park you will visit a local vinery and have your own private wine tasting and stroll through the vineyard. With expert guidance of the winemaker learn about local wine varieties, some of the best in Croatia, and how Skradin area doe to its climate and terroir is ideal for wine production. Your next stop Šibenik was Croatia’s first major coastal and coronation city dating to 11th century, but also a city where the most important Croatian king Petar Krešimir 4th ruled for almost 20 years.
We'll take you through this medieval town and show you its most important sightings including the most valuable cultural monument in town, Cathedral of St. James protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There after the tour we will organize lunch in one of the best restaurants in Croatia-Pellegrini, holder of Michelin star located right next to the cathedral. Arrival in Split in early evening.
Hotel 5*
Day 11 - Trogir-Salona-Split
After breakfast your first stop of the day will be ancient Salona, just 5 min away from Split. Colonia Martia Iulia Salona was the title of the ancient Roman capital of the province of Dalmatia. The great size, the prosperity and opulence of the ancient city is attested by monumental ramparts with towers and gates, a forum with the temples, a theatre, an Amphitheatre, as well as the unique structures of Episcopal complex and of early Christian churches erected at the cemeteries where Salonitan martyrs were buried. After the barbarian invasions, Croats settled in part of the ruined and abandoned Salona.
After Salona our next stop will be Trogir, just further 20 min away. Trogir has a long and a tumultuous history. The wealth of its archaeological findings shows an uninterrupted continuity of habitation from prehistory to today; there are traces of life in this area dating from the year 2000 B.C. The ancient Greeks founded a colony called Tragurion. After arrival of Croatians it became a Croatian city and finest example of Croatian Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, none more visible that on world famous cathedral of St. Lawrence. Return to Split for lunch and finally tour of Split old town.
The first inhabitant of Split was the Roman emperor Diocletian who started to build his palace in this friendly bay around 293 AD. After his abdication he withdrew to this luxurious palace of about 30 thousand square meters. The town overgrew the walls of the palace and its authorities kept changing - from Croatian kings in 10th century AD, Hungarian and Venetian administration, to French rulers and Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Such past left its traces combined in the town everyday life. The city, however, went on remaining the center of this part of the coast till our day. Dinner in Split will be organized.
Hotel: 5*
Day 11 - Trogir-Salona-Split
Day 12 - Split Cooking Class
Located in the center of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cooking class starts by walking through Split's green and fish market. Popularly known as "pazar" green market is the informal centre of the town. Rich sights and sounds intertwine with strong characters of produce sellers, locals doing their everyday shopping for lunch and bystanders observing this Mediterranean heart of the city. Same can be said of the fish market. Local fisherman brings catch of the day and early in the morning this vibrant and colorful exchange of words - banter starts and ends when you pick your fish.
Your walk with Chef will include him teaching you his "insider" secrets on how to pick fresh seasonal ingredients and best fish of the day.
Depending on market and offer of the day you will continue to prepare 3 course meals. Along with food selection of Croatian wine will be served.
Hotel: 5*
Day 13 - Split - Dubrovnik - Gourmet food and wine paring
In the morning after the breakfast and checking out of your hotel you will continue to Dubrovnik. On route to Split, you will stop in one of the best wineries in Croatia located on the hills rising from the Adriatic Sea. After tour of the cellar and the winery you will enjoy unique gastronomic experience of combining fine food with excellent wines all produced in the vineyard located around you.
In late afternoon, you will arrive to Dubrovnik and after checking in your hotel have free evening to familiarize yourself with this amazing city.
Hotel: 5*
Day 13 - Split - Dubrovnik - Gourmet food and wine paring
Day 14 - Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, one of the most recognizable destinations in Europe and World.
In the morning after your breakfast private walking tour of Dubrovnik’s city center will be organized. Irish author George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik.” The Old Town protected by city walls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk along the ramparts reveals a different view of the Elafiti Islands and Old Town. On your tour with your local guide you will see Onofrio fountain, the city bell tower and numerous medieval buildings. After the tour free rest of the day for exploration of Old Town and afterwards your driver will transfer you back to your hotel.
Option: in the evening it is possible to organize cable cart ride to small hill over Dubrovnik where dinner can be organized overlooking entire Dubrovnik. Truly one of the most magical places to dine in entire Croatia and an experience to remember.
Hotel: 5*
Day 15 - Departure day
Depending on your flight details transfer to Dubrovnik airport for your outbound flight.
Day 15 - Departure day
Tour schedule
Day 1 - Arrival Zagreb
Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Free afternoon and evening to rest after long journey from USA.
Hotel 5*
Day 1 - Arrival Zagreb
Day 2 - Zagreb - Trakošćan Castle - Vuglec Breg Winery wine tasting
After breakfast departure to one of the most beautiful locations in Croatia-Trakošćan Castle site. It is a 13th century hilltop castle and has been renovated in the neo-Gothic style in 1850s. Explore the museum inside and imagine how splendid it must have been to live in the castle. Enjoy a walk in the park with a lake below the castle. After tour of the castle your next stop will be one of the best wineries in Croatia-Vuglec Breg. Located in the middle of Zagorje region it produces sparkling wines with traditional champagne method, which have won numerous awards including Decanter, as well as other traditional wine sorts of continental Croatia such as Chardonnay, Riesling, and other indigenous varieties. Wine tasting, after the tour of the winery, will offer great introduction in the world of Croatian wines and will provide background in history of wine producing tradition as well as contrast to different varieties of coastal Croatia. For lunch traditional roasted duck and other local dishes will be served. Return to Zagreb in the evening.
Hotel 5*
Day 3 - Zagreb
After breakfast private guided tour of Zagreb will be organized. Modern city with Medieval roots, rich with history, culture and filled with museums, Zagreb is truly Central European capital becoming tourist destination of itself. After tour lunch will be organized in one of top Zagreb restaurants. Free afternoon for shopping and enjoying strolling in many of the beautiful Zagreb parks.
Hotel 5*
Day 3 - Zagreb
Day 4 - Zagreb-Rovinj
After breakfast departure to Rovinj in Istria. After settling in your hotel and some resting time private guided tour of Rovinj will be organized.
Hotel 5*
Day 5 - Istria Experience - Truffle Hunting, Motovun, Winery wine tasting
In the morning you will go and meet your private truffle hunter and his dogs, your companions in your treasure hunt in local woods. Experience firsthand what it is like to search for this amazing mushroom which enriches dishes to sublime quality. Later you will go to Motovun, overlooking the Mirna River valley, surely the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval town. This captivating
hilltop town is one of the characteristic symbols of the Istrian peninsula. Motovun is surrounded by vineyards from which the finest Istrian wines, white wine Malvasia and red wine Teran, are produced. After tour of Motovun you will have your truffle-based lunch in traditional tavern. There you will have traditional lunch which incorporates world famous Istrian truffles. Following lunch, you will visit excellent local Winery where you will have tasting of Istrian wine and olive oil. Return to Pula in the early evening.
Hotel 5*
Day 5 - Istria Experience - Truffle Hunting, Motovun, Winery wine tasting
Day 6 - Rovinj - NP Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast transfer to Plitvice Lakes area and your hotel. Free afternoon and evening.
Hotel 4*
Day 7 - National Park Plitvice Lakes
In the morning, after breakfast, you will start your tour of Plitvice Lakes. Breathtakingly beautiful, Plitvice Lakes is UNESCO World Heritage site and oldest national park in Croatia. The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. Walk on wooden bridges and drive on electric boats so that you can experience firsthand this nature's wonder. Traditional lunch will be organized after your tour. Free afternoon and evening.
Hotel 4*
Day 7 - National Park Plitvice Lakes
Day 8 - NP Plitvice Lakes - Zadar
*Optional: In stead of city of Zadar it is possible to organize direct transfer to Split and add island of Hvar as a destination or one day trip from Split. Hvar island can include experiences such as wine tastings, boat trip to Blue Cave and cooking class with Master Chef.
Private guided tour of Zadar will be organized in the afternoon after settling in your hotel. One of the high points of the tour will be visit to Museum of Ancient Glass. There you will experience a demonstration of ancient method of blowing glass and manufacturing with the only master currently in Croatia. Your final stop of the tour will be world famous location of sea organs where your will enjoy this unique music created by the sea overlooking one of the best sunsets in the world, as sunsets In Zadar were once described by Alfred Hitchcock. After sunset dinner will be organized in a nearby restaurant, one of the best in Zadar.
Hotel 5*
Day 9 - Nin - Zadar
Just a short ride from Zadar tour of Nin, the oldest royal town in Croatia will be organized. It is also known as the town of salt which used to be a source of wealth throughout the city's long history. We will start the tour by visiting the salt pan where the tradition of salt making has been present since ancient times. After the visit to the Museum of salt, we'll head back to Nin city center and explore the town's impressive number of ancient monuments dating back to 9th century AD. After Nin we will head back to Zadar hinterland for wine tasting and traditional “peka” lunch. Free evening.
Hotel: 5*
Day 9 - Nin - Zadar
Day 10 - Zadar - NP Krka-Šibenik - Split
Pick up in the morning and transfer to nearby National Park Krka. You will travel with your luxury Mercedes vehicle to Skradin where you will relax at your own pace exploring the stunning Krka National Park and strolling among amazing waterfalls. After National Park you will visit a local vinery and have your own private wine tasting and stroll through the vineyard. With expert guidance of the winemaker learn about local wine varieties, some of the best in Croatia, and how Skradin area doe to its climate and terroir is ideal for wine production. Your next stop Šibenik was Croatia’s first major coastal and coronation city dating to 11th century, but also a city where the most important Croatian king Petar Krešimir 4th ruled for almost 20 years.
We'll take you through this medieval town and show you its most important sightings including the most valuable cultural monument in town, Cathedral of St. James protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There after the tour we will organize lunch in one of the best restaurants in Croatia-Pellegrini, holder of Michelin star located right next to the cathedral. Arrival in Split in early evening.
Hotel 5*
Day 11 - Trogir-Salona-Split
After breakfast your first stop of the day will be ancient Salona, just 5 min away from Split. Colonia Martia Iulia Salona was the title of the ancient Roman capital of the province of Dalmatia. The great size, the prosperity and opulence of the ancient city is attested by monumental ramparts with towers and gates, a forum with the temples, a theatre, an Amphitheatre, as well as the unique structures of Episcopal complex and of early Christian churches erected at the cemeteries where Salonitan martyrs were buried. After the barbarian invasions, Croats settled in part of the ruined and abandoned Salona.
After Salona our next stop will be Trogir, just further 20 min away. Trogir has a long and a tumultuous history. The wealth of its archaeological findings shows an uninterrupted continuity of habitation from prehistory to today; there are traces of life in this area dating from the year 2000 B.C. The ancient Greeks founded a colony called Tragurion. After arrival of Croatians it became a Croatian city and finest example of Croatian Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, none more visible that on world famous cathedral of St. Lawrence. Return to Split for lunch and finally tour of Split old town.
The first inhabitant of Split was the Roman emperor Diocletian who started to build his palace in this friendly bay around 293 AD. After his abdication he withdrew to this luxurious palace of about 30 thousand square meters. The town overgrew the walls of the palace and its authorities kept changing - from Croatian kings in 10th century AD, Hungarian and Venetian administration, to French rulers and Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Such past left its traces combined in the town everyday life. The city, however, went on remaining the center of this part of the coast till our day. Dinner in Split will be organized.
Hotel: 5*
Day 11 - Trogir-Salona-Split
Day 12 - Split Cooking Class
Located in the center of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cooking class starts by walking through Split's green and fish market. Popularly known as "pazar" green market is the informal centre of the town. Rich sights and sounds intertwine with strong characters of produce sellers, locals doing their everyday shopping for lunch and bystanders observing this Mediterranean heart of the city. Same can be said of the fish market. Local fisherman brings catch of the day and early in the morning this vibrant and colorful exchange of words - banter starts and ends when you pick your fish.
Your walk with Chef will include him teaching you his "insider" secrets on how to pick fresh seasonal ingredients and best fish of the day.
Depending on market and offer of the day you will continue to prepare 3 course meals. Along with food selection of Croatian wine will be served.
Hotel: 5*
Day 13 - Split - Dubrovnik - Gourmet food and wine paring
In the morning after the breakfast and checking out of your hotel you will continue to Dubrovnik. On route to Split, you will stop in one of the best wineries in Croatia located on the hills rising from the Adriatic Sea. After tour of the cellar and the winery you will enjoy unique gastronomic experience of combining fine food with excellent wines all produced in the vineyard located around you.
In late afternoon, you will arrive to Dubrovnik and after checking in your hotel have free evening to familiarize yourself with this amazing city.
Hotel: 5*
Day 13 - Split - Dubrovnik - Gourmet food and wine paring
Day 14 - Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, one of the most recognizable destinations in Europe and World.
In the morning after your breakfast private walking tour of Dubrovnik’s city center will be organized. Irish author George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik.” The Old Town protected by city walls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk along the ramparts reveals a different view of the Elafiti Islands and Old Town. On your tour with your local guide you will see Onofrio fountain, the city bell tower and numerous medieval buildings. After the tour free rest of the day for exploration of Old Town and afterwards your driver will transfer you back to your hotel.
Option: in the evening it is possible to organize cable cart ride to small hill over Dubrovnik where dinner can be organized overlooking entire Dubrovnik. Truly one of the most magical places to dine in entire Croatia and an experience to remember.
Hotel: 5*
Day 15 - Departure day
Depending on your flight details transfer to Dubrovnik airport for your outbound flight.
Day 15 - Departure day
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Our mission is to take you on a journey throughout Croatian rich culture and Mediterranean heritage accompanied with finest dishes that Dalmatia and its hinterland have to offer. Within that, we will make sure that every single detail is being taken care of so everything you have to do is just sit back and enjoy everything we have prepared for you and for your authentic
