CROATIAN RHAPSODY 9 DAYS
9 Days: Zagreb – Opatija – Rovinj – Pula – Plitvice Lakes – Zadar – Split -Trogir – Ston – Dubrovnik
Tour overview:
This 9-day land tour offers the best that Croatia has to offer. You will start in the capital, Zagreb with a walking tour. Visits will include Plitvice Lakes National Park with its lakes and waterfalls, the UNESCO town of Trogir with its palaces, churches, and towers and on to the walled city of Dubrovnik. Food and wine lovers will love the included Croatian tapas, ine and truffle tastings.
Day 1 - Zagreb
Individual arrival to Zagreb and transfer to the hotel (driving time 20 to 45 min). Dinner at the hotel.
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 multicolor 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. (Driving time 2:30h)
Day 3 - Istria Excursion
Today it’s time to get to know the Istrian peninsula and visit the 2000-year-old roman Colosseum located in Pula. Afterwards we will 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. (Departure at 9:00h, return around 18:00h).
Day 4 - Opatija – Plitvice Lakes
The most beautiful and the oldest national park in Croatia under UNESCO protection consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. 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. Dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight in Plitvice area. (Driving time approx. 3:00h).
Day 5 - Plitvice Lakes – Zadar – Split
After breakfast at the hotel, we 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 we continue to a local winery in the Dalmatian hinterland. We will taste the authentic Dalmatian wines and international Cuvees accompanied with delicious Croatian style Tapas. Departure towards Split for overnight. (Total driving time 4 to 5h).
Day 6 - Split & Trogir
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.
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. (Driving time 5 hours).
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.
Day 9 - Dubrovnik
After the breakfast, the land tour ends and with everlasting memories of Croatian highlights, we will transfer you to Dubrovnik Airport.