Croatian Rhapsody | 9 Days

DAY 1:                   ZAGREB

Upon arrival into Zagreb airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Zagreb. (D)

DAY 2:                   ZAGREB – OPATIJA

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb with an English-speaking guide. In the fortified, medieval Upper Town, you will see its most prominent sights such as St. Mark’s church with its multicolour tiled roof, Parliament, the government palace, and many fine old buildings. After the sightseeing we proceed to the picturesque Kvarner Bay, more precisely to Opatija, the cradle of Croatian tourism and the city which used to be the favourite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov and Isadora Duncan. Dinner and overnight in Opatija. (B, D)

DAY 3:                  OPATIJA – PULA – ROVINJ – OPATIJA

Today it is time to get to know the Istrian peninsula and visit the 2000-year-old roman Colosseum located in Pula. Afterwards, take some time to relax in Rovinj, perhaps the most beautiful city in Istria and the inspiration of many artists. Time at leisure in Rovinj and departure towards Motovun for a sample of one the Istrian tastiest treasures, the truffle. Overnight in Opatija. (B)

DAY 4:   (2024 BOOKINGS):                OPATIJA – PLITVICE

Today you will visit the most beautiful and the oldest national park in Croatia under UNESCO protection consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes. The park is located in the mountainous region of Lika and visited mostly on foot. – however, the entrance includes a boat ride across the Emerald Green Lake “Kozjak”. The visit of the park grounds takes approximately 3 hours and reveals a special turquoise magic. (Driving time approx. 3:00h). Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Plitvice area. (B, D)

DAY 4 (2025 BOOKINGS):                   OPATIJA – PLITVICE – ZADAR

This early morning departure and comfortable walking shoes will ensure you reveal the magnificent world of Croatia’s most beautiful and the oldest national park under UNESCO protection consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. The park is located in the mountainous region of Lika and is visited mostly on foot – however, the entrance includes a boat ride across the Emerald Green Lake “Kozjak”. The visit to the park grounds takes approximately 3 hours and reveals a special turquoise magic. After the visit, we will continue to Zadar for dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 5 (2024 BOOKINGS):                  PLITVICE – ZADAR – SPLIT

After breakfast at the hotel, drive 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. Of special interest are the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind in the world. From Zadar, continue to a local winery in the Dalmatian hinterland where you can taste the authentic Dalmatian wines and international Cuvees accompanied with delicious Croatian style Tapas. (Total driving time 4 to 5h.) Departure towards Split for overnight. (B)

DAY 5 (2025 BOOKINGS):                  ZADAR – SPLIT

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, it is time to explore Zadar. The historic town of Zadar is rich in cultural and historical monuments like the Roman forum dated to the 1st century AD, and the church of St. Donatus dated to the 9th century AD. Of special interest are the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind in the world. From the Old Town of Zadar, we continue to a local winery in the Dalmatian hinterland. Tasting of the authentic Dalmatian wines and international Cuvees will be accompanied by delicious Croatian-style Tapas. Departure towards Split for overnight. (B)

DAY 6:                  SPLIT – TROGIR – SPLIT

Today’s Split is the handiwork of seventeen centuries of men and women building and remodelling, adding, tearing down and touching up, so that 18th century houses intersect with ancient Roman walls and fourth century chambers now house the twentieth century apartments. At the core of this sprawling cityscape is the palace the emperor Diocletian built for his golden years at the turn of the fourth century. Today’s lunch will be the traditional Dalmatian dish prepared for us at the Tragos restaurant in Trogir. The town of Trogir, a UNESCO site, has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. With the high concentration of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as a fortresses on a small island, Trogir is sometimes referred to as the floating museum town.Overnight Split. (B, L)

DAY 7:                   SPLIT – STON – DUBROVNIK

On our way to Dubrovnik, we will stop near the town of Ston to visit a local winery and taste the famous “Plavac Mali” wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. In this winery the traditional wine making business has been passed on for generations, offering a unique story everyone wants to hear. The wine tasting includes a wine presentation on all the specifics of the wine-making process, wine tasting and a snack. Arrival to Dubrovnik, dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 8:                   DUBROVNIK

Completed in the thirteenth century; the old city Dubrovnik has remained basically unchanged since. Its medieval ramparts encircle the Old Town which can be entered through one of the two gates. Once you cross a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise (Vlaho), you will find yourself joining the walk down the broad, stone paved promenade known as Stradun. After the sightseeing, you have free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (B)

DAY 9:                   DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, transfer to Dubrovnik airport or port. End of our services. (B)

2024 Accommodation:

Zagreb: Hotel Dubrovnik, Hotel Academia or similar

Opatija: Hotel Admiral, Hotel Imperial or similar

Plitvice: Hotel 16 Lakes or similar

Split: Hotel Cornaro or similar

Dubrovnik: Hotel Lero or similar

2025 Accommodation:

Zagreb: Hotel Dubrovnik or similar

Opatija: Hotel Admiral, Hotel Imperial or similar

Zadar: Hotel Kolovare or similar

Split: Hotel Art or similar

Dubrovnik: Hotel Lero or similar

INCLUSIONS:

–        All transfers as per itinerary (arrival transfer from Zagreb airport to the tour hotel and departure transfer from the tour hotel to Dubrovnik airport)

–        Professional tour manager

–        Welcome drink on arrival

–        Porterage

–        8 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in 4* hotels & city taxes

–        4 dinners in hotel restaurants

–        4 high quality gourmet experiences in wineries and local restaurants as per itinerary (Truffles tasting / Hinterland winery / restaurant Tragos / Pelješac winery)

–        Sightseeing of Zagreb, Opatija, Rovinj, Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, Trogir, Split, Dubrovnik

–        Entrance fees: Diocletian Palace Split, Franciscan monastery in Dubrovnik, Pula Amphitheatre, Plitvice lakes

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.