Magnificent Croatia

Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, you’ll be met and transferred to the Hotel, just a short walk from the famed Old Town. After welcome drinks overlooking the Adriatic, we’ll have a welcome dinner.

With a local guide for the morning, we’ll explore the labyrinthine streets of Dubrovnik’s walled old town. After lunch we’ll walk the city walls at leisure.

Private boat cruise to the Elafiti islands. There are 13 islands in this archipelago northwest of Dubrovnik but only three are inhabited ; Kolocep, Lopud & Sipan that were the islands chosen by the Dubrovnik Republic aristocracy for their summer residences. After cruising and exploring the island, we’ll have a long and lazy lunch overlooking the water at Villa Ruža Restaurant at Koločep.

Today we’ll embark on an optional trip across the border to Montenegro! The drive around Kotor Bay is spectacular, as is the medieval town of Kotor. We’ll stop in tiny little Perast for lunch, and to visit Our-Lady-of-the-Rocks, an island which was artificially created in the 15th century around a rock where an image of the Madonna was found.

Today we’ll leave the city and drive towards peninsula Peljesac. The Dubrovnik Republic built the town of Ston in the 14th century in the form of a two-fold fortification system (Large and Small Ston), aiming to protect the salt plants, one of its major economic resources. A 12 kilometre long wall (the world’s second longest wall after the Wall of China) connects two fortified cities.

The Ston Bay is the cradle of farming of mussels and oysters and the Peljesac peninsula is the most famous wine growing area. After visiting the Ston walls, we’ll stop at Mali Ston for an oyster tasting followed by a boat ride to the oyster beds.

We’ll enjoy a wine tasting at one of the region’s most renowned wineries, before continuing to Korcula island.

We’ll spend today at leisure in lovely Korcula exploring the birth place of Marco Polo. Perhaps enjoy a short kayaking excursion, marvel at the 15th century cathedral, or lie by the pool overlooking the water!

After breakfast, we’ll take a private boat from Korčula to Hvar island. Hvar Town is a hot spot for wealthy yachties and therefore swanky hotels and restaurants. After checking into our hotel right at the marina (for excellent people-watching opportunities), we’ll embark on an afternoon excursion via the scenic “old road” to see some of Hvar’s famous lavender fields and enjoy lunch in the countryside. Spend this afternoon at leisure.

Mid-morning, we’ll embark on a cruise to the Pakleni Islands, a group of tiny islands lying just off the coast of Hvar, that look like a string of pearls in the Adriatic. We’ll have a chance to swim before a seafood lunch at the famous Menghello restaurant.

After breakfast, we’ll take the ferry to Split, where our guide will meet us and take us on a walking tour through this fascinating old town and the remains of Diocletian’s Palace. After some time to enjoy the city on your own, we’ll make the short drive to tiny medieval Trogir.

Mid-morning, we’ll head to the fascinating island of Pag. Pag is now connected to the mainland by a bridge, but it’s produce and culture is very distinct from the rest of the country. Cheese and wine are famed here, as is the intricate Pag lace. Our hotel for the following two nights is a boutique stone farmhouse, set amongst vineyards and olive groves. Dinner shall be a culinary feast of local produce.

Spend today at leisure, enjoying the serene surroundings at our hotel, or alternatively, walk down to the nearby beach for a swim.

Mid-morning, we’ll stop first at a famous Pag cheese factory for a cheese tasting, before making the short drive to Zadar, a cosmopolitan city with an historic old town. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Zadar. This evening after dinner, why not visit the incredible Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, two wacky creations designed by local architects to enhance the city.

A local guide will take us on a walking tour of Zadar this morning. Alfred Hitchcock once stated that Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world! Late this afternoon, we’ll set sail on a private yacht armed with local produce and wine, for a sunset cruise.

Today we’ll see the landscape change completely as we leave the coast and drive to the Plitvice National Park, – one of the greatest natural wonders and phenomena in the world. Connected to each other by a series of foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls, the lakes are fed by many rivers and streams. We’ll embark on a 2 – 3 hour walk through the park, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch.

Heading back towards the coast this morning, we’ll first stop in Senj, at the foot of the Velebit mountains. The 16th century fortress is the symbol of the town, and as well as being an excellent museum, it’s position on top of a hill provides excellent views of the region. We’ll continue on up the coast to Opatija, a seaside resort town with the longest tradition of tourism in Croatia. Opatija was the most fashionable holiday destination for the Viennese elite during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This afternoon we’ll visit the small tourism museum housed in a grandiose 19th century villa. Perhaps also take a stroll along the Lungomare, the seaside promenade lined with majestic villas.

This morning, with a local guide, we’ll first stop at Hum, the smallest town in the world, with a population of 24. We’ll the continue on to Beram to visit their tiny church and enjoy a delicious lunch. We’ll then proceed to Rovinj, a charming Istrian town.

With a local guide, we’ll embark on a day of exploring the Istria region. Our first stop is the charming hilltop village of Groznjan, which has developed into an artistic hotspot. We’ll then settle in to an exquisite truffle lunch at Zigante estate.

This morning we’ll visit the family-run Chiavalon olive grove for a small group tour and olive oil tasting. You’ll never look at olive oil the same way again! Spend the rest of the day at leisure in gorgeous Rovinj.

This morning we sadly say goodbye to Croatia as we drive north, through Slovenia, to Venice. We’ll drive as far as we can before we jump aboard private water-taxis and cruise up the Grand Canal to our hotel!
This evening, our local guide will take us on a walking tour through some of Venice’s backstreets, showing us interesting places off the tourist trail. Afterwards, we’ll have a Venetian feast to mark the end of our tour.

Our tour ends after breakfast with a speedboat shuttle to the airport for your onward flight. Should you wish to spend more time in Venice, additional accommodation and sightseeing can be arranged.