An unforgettable 2-week journey throughout almost all of Croatia, combine green and blue Croatia!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VENICE OR ZAGREB – OPATIJA
Upon arrival at the Venice airport, transfer to the hotel in Opatija with various stops en route. Overnight stay in a hotel in Opatija. Opatija was once a spa town, offering rest and recreation to its many visitors. With the sun-drenched pleasures of a European resort town, its grand villas, subtropical botanical gardens, old-style grand hotels, wide boulevards, and busy marinas, it has attracted Europeans since the 1840s with an almost religious fervor. They were drawn mostly by its crystal-clear sea and the Mediterranean blue of an endless sky. Overnight stay in Opatija at the Hotel Admiral.
DAY 2: OPATIJA – ISTRIA – OPATIJA
Breakfast in the hotel, followed by a full-day excursion to the Istrian Peninsula. As soon as we exit the tunnel through Učka Mountain, you will recognize why the Istrian Peninsula is commonly called “Little Tuscany”. Numerous hills covered with vineyards and olive trees, topped with picturesque small towns dominate the entire panorama. The first stop is in the medieval hilltop town of Motovun, rising over the Mirna River valley. Following a scenic route to the seaside that passes by the town of Grožnjan, we will reach Poreč and visit one of its most famous religious monuments. Lunch at a restaurant in Motovun.
The final stop before returning to Opatija will be a walking tour of Rovinj. Return to the hotel and an overnight stay at Hotel Admiral in Opatija
DAY 3: OPATIJA - ZAGREB
After breakfast, depart for Zagreb at 10:00. Welcome to Zagreb, the capital city of the Republic of Croatia. Zagreb is an old Central European city. For centuries, it has been a focal point of culture and science, now adding commerce and industry to the list. It lies at the intersection of important transport routes between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe. Zagreb offers its visitors the baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town, picturesque open-air markets, diverse shopping facilities, an abundant selection of crafts, and premium local cuisine. Zagreb is a city of green parks and paths, with many places to visit in its beautiful surroundings.
DAY 4: ZAGREB – VARAŽDIN – ZAGREB
After breakfast, at 10:00, we meet with the guide at the reception of Hotel Palace and depart for a full-day excursion of Varaždin. Transfer to Varaždin. Sightseeing of Varaždin. What distinguishes Varaždin from other Croatian cities is the extraordinarily rich monumental and artistic heritage that is contained within its beautifully preserved historical center. Within the relatively small area of the Old Town, palaces, important public buildings, Baroque, Rococo, Classicist, and Secessionist houses and villas and one of the oldest City Halls in Europe have been preserved. Visit Trakoščan Castle and Kumrovec Ethno Village. Around 2:00 p.m. lunch at the local Grešna Gorica restaurant. Return to Zagreb for an overnight stay in the hotel in Zagreb.
DAY 5: ZAGREB – PLITVICE
After breakfast, at 10:00, we head towards the Plitvice Lakes National Park. This beautiful natural lake complex was registered on UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage List in 1979 and consists of a series of 16 turquoise-colored lakes linked with 92 waterfalls and cascades surrounded by densely wooded mountains and lush vegetation. Overnight stay inside the park at Hotel Jezero.
DAY 6: PLITVICE
In the morning, after breakfast, a tour through the lakes. Meeting point at the reception of Hotel Jezero with the guide at 10:00 a.m. Surrounded by tall wooded mountains, sixteen beautiful lakes of crystal blue-green water lay one beneath another. Connected by a series of foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls, the lakes are fed by many rivers and streams. Plitvice Lakes was declared a National Park in 1949, and since 1979 they have been on UNESCO’s list of World Natural Heritage sites. Overnight stay in Hotel Jezero at Plitvice Lakes.
DAY 7: PLITVICE – ZADAR
In the morning, at 10:00 a.m., after breakfast, we depart for Zadar. Arrival at the hotel and after a break we meet with the guide at the reception of Hotel Kolovare at 3:00 p.m. The tour of Zadar includes the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, considered to be the most impressive basilica in Dalmatia, the church of Saint Donatus, and the ruins of the Roman Forum. Overnight stay in Hotel Kolovare, Zadar.
DAY 8: ZADAR – KORNATI NATIONAL PARK – ZADAR
Breakfast and transfer to Zadar pier and embark on a boat for a full-day excursion of the Kornati National Park. At 9:00 a.m. meet with the guide at the reception of Hotel Kolovare for an excursion to the Kornati. In the central part of the Croatian Adriatic Sea, there is an amazing group of islands called the Kornati archipelago. The exceptional beauty of the archipelago moved authorities in 1980 to proclaim a large part of the area a national park. There are 147 islands, islets, and reefs within the area of Kornati National Park (36 km in length and 6 km wide), making it the most rugged group of islands in the Mediterranean. Overnight stay in Zadar.
DAY 9: ZADAR – ŠIBENIK – SPLIT
In the morning, after breakfast, we depart for Split at 9:00 with a stop in Šibenik. In Šibenik, we meet with a local guide at 11:00 a.m. at the bus station and begin a tour of Šibenik. Šibenik is the oldest Croatian and Slavic city on the Adriatic and includes the famous St. James Cathedral. After a tour of the city, lunch is at 1:00 p.m. at the Nostalgija restaurant. After that, the trip continues to Split. Overnight stay in Split at Hotel Cornaro.
DAY 10: SPLIT – TROGIR – SPLIT
Your guide will meet you at 9:00 a.m. after breakfast at the hotel. Split is the largest and most important town in Dalmatia. A walking tour of the historical center and remains of Diocletian’s Palace (on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites since 1979), built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages, making use of materials from the ancient mausoleum. Romanesque churches, medieval fortifications, 15th-century Gothic palaces, and other palaces in a Renaissance and Baroque style make up the rest of the protected area. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to Trogir, a city museum. Those who appreciate cultural and historical monuments, art, architecture and beautiful alleys are given the opportunity to learn about its copious and complex heritage – from Romanesque yards to its modern interiors. The unique historical center, Radovan’s portal, has been arousing excitement among visitors and travelers for centuries. Free time for lunch in Trogir. Overnight stay at the hotel in Split in Hotel Cornaro.
DAY 11: SPLIT – HVAR – SPLIT
After breakfast, we meet with the guide at 9:00 a.m. and depart for the ferry for Hvar. Departure from the Split port for a ferry boat transfer at 11:00 a.m. to the town of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. A short walking tour of the Stari Grad Plain (on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites since 2009), a cultural landscape that has remained practically intact since it was first colonized by Ionian Greeks from Pharos in the 4th century BC. The original agricultural activity on this fertile plain, mainly focusing on grapes and olives, has been maintained since Greek times to the present. The landscape features ancient stone walls and trims & small stone shelters. Transfer to the town of Hvar for a brief walking tour before returning to Split for an overnight stay. Aloe lace, also under UNESCO protection, is exclusively made in Croatia by the Benedictine nuns in the town of Hvar. Thin, white threads are obtained from the core of fresh aloe leaves and woven into a net or other pattern on a cardboard background. The resulting pieces are a symbol of Hvar. Return to Split at 5:30 p.m. with a ferry. Overnight stay in Split at the Hotel Cornaro.
DAY 12: SPLIT – MEĐUGORJE – DUBROVNIK
After breakfast, depart for Dubrovnik. En route, stop by Međugorje, an internationally famous pilgrimage site. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time for your own activities. Overnight stay in Dubrovnik at Hotel Lero.
DAY 13: DUBROVNIK
A full day in Dubrovnik with a city tour in the morning. After breakfast, meet with the guide at 9:00 a.m. at the reception of Hotel Lero. The walls of Dubrovnik surround a perfectly-preserved complex of public, private, sacral, and secular buildings representing all periods of the city’s history, beginning with its founding in the 7th century. Particular mention should be made of the city’s main street, Stradun, the Rector’s Palace, the church of St. Blaise, the Cathedral, three large monasteries, and City Hall. The Republic of Dubrovnik was the center of a separate political and territorial entity, and has always been proud of its culture, its achievements in commerce, and especially of its freedom, preserved down through so many turbulent centuries. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight stay at Hotel Lero in Dubrovnik.
DAY 14: DUBROVNIK – KORČULA – DUBROVNIK
After breakfast at the hotel, meet with the transfer and guide for a full-day excursion of Korčula. The meeting point is at 9:00 a.m. at the reception of Hotel Lero. Marco Polo is the property and legacy of the whole world! Other explorers before him changed the geography of the world – Marco Polo changed its history… and Korčula is his hometown! The island of Korčula indisputably holds a privileged position among Croatian islands. Here we find more legends, tales, and monuments than anywhere else. Being famous stonemasons, shipbuilders, and seafarers, the people of Korčula left their mark all over the world, but they saved their best work for their own city. Experience the narrow streets, beautiful churches, and magnificent palaces in one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. After sightseeing, enjoy free time for lunch, or even go for a swim. On the return trip, a stop will be made in one of the well-known wine cellars of the Pelješac peninsula to sample some of the excellent local wine. Lunch in a restaurant in Korčula at around 2:00 p.m. Return in the evening to Hotel Lero in Dubrovnik. Overnight stay.
DAY 15: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for the outbound flight.