The National Parks of Croatia

Day 1: ZAGREB - PLITVICE

Upon arrival in Zagreb, transfer from the airport to the city center. A sightseeing tour of the capital of Croatia featuring the Upper Town and Lower Town. The Upper Town is Zagreb’s historical center which includes the Church of St. Mark with its famed multicolored tiled roof, the Sabor (Parliament building), the Stone Gate, and the Cathedral. The Lower Town is the business and cultural heart of Zagreb with its main square of Ban Josip Jelacic, the Croatian National Theatre, and the University. After the city tour, we head towards Plitvice Lakes. Overnight stay at the hotel in Plitvice.

Day 2: PLITVICE - OPATIJA

Morning sightseeing of Plitvice Lakes National Park, the most famous Croatian National Park which was inscribed in UNESCO's list of World Natural Heritage sites in 1979. Sixteen little lakes interconnected with waterfalls formed by deposits of travertine, a special kind of limestone, are the main attraction of this unique park. The park includes the spring of the Korana River in an area surrounded by dense forests of beech, fir, and spruce, partly in the form of a primeval virgin forest. Apart from the lakes and forests, the park also includes several caves, springs, flower meadows, and is inhabited by the brown bear, among other animal species. After the tour, we continue towards Opatija. Overnight stay at the hotel in Opatija.

Day 3: OPATIJA - PULA - BRIJUNI – POREČ - OPATIJA

After breakfast, we head to Pula, the oldest town on the Eastern coast of the Adriatic. Sightseeing of Pula and its stunning Roman amphitheater – the Arena. Drive to Fažana, where we embark on a boat for Brijuni National Park. This group of two larger and twelve smaller islets with a total area of only 7 km2 is known for its preserved Mediterranean vegetation, soothing landscapes, and its safari park. The archipelago is noted for its valuable cultural heritage from Roman and Byzantine times. Due to its extraordinary beauty, the Brijuni Islands have, for over a hundred years now, been a favorite travel destination for international statesmen and aristocracy. On the way back to Opatija, we will visit the ancient town of Poreč and its complex of sacral buildings erected during the time of Bishop Euphrasius (6th century AD). One of the reasons this complex is on UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage sites is the Basilica’s ornate mosaics, one of the most remarkable examples of mosaic art in Europe. Overnight stay in Opatija.

Day 4: OPATIJA - ZADAR

Breakfast and an early departure to Zadar. Arrival around noon. A sightseeing tour of Zadar, which includes the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, and is considered to be the most impressive basilica in Dalmatia, the church of St. Donatus, and the ruins of the Roman Forum. Overnight stay in Zadar.

Day 5: ZADAR - KORNATI NATIONAL PARK - ZADAR

A full-day boat excursion to the Kornati islands. Kornati National Park is the most rugged island group in the Mediterranean. It includes 140 uninhabited islands, islets, and reefs over an area of just 70 km2. After the excursion, return to Zadar, overnight stay.

Day 6: ZADAR - ŠIBENIK - KRKA - TROGIR - SPLIT

Departure for Šibenik and a short sightseeing tour of Šibenik, the oldest Croatian and Slavic city on the Adriatic with its famous Cathedral of St. James. Continue to the Krka National Park. The river forms a narrow and deep canyon (up to 200 m) in limestone, flowing over travertine barriers and creating waterfalls. Skradinski Buk (37.5 m) is the most beautiful of all. We continue to Trogir, whose historical center was placed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List in 1997. After a short city tour, we proceed to Split. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: SPLIT - MAKARSKA RIVIERA - DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, a city tour of Split. This “capital“ of Dalmatia is most famous for Diocletian’s Palace, which is the most important and best-preserved Roman building in Croatia, built between 295 and 305 AD. The sightseeing tour of the city includes Diocletian’s Palace (on UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage Sites) with Peristil, the Cellars, the Temple of Jupiter, and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. We proceed south along the Makarska Riviera and Neretva Valley towards Dubrovnik. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8: DUBROVNIK

A full day in Dubrovnik with a city tour in the morning. The walls of Dubrovnik encompass a perfectly-preserved complex of public and private, sacral and secular buildings representing all periods of the city’s history, beginning with its founding in the 7th century. Special attention should be given to 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 was proud of its culture, its achievements in commerce, and especially of its freedom, preserved through so many tempestuous centuries. Free time in the afternoon and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9: MLJET

A full-day boat excursion to Mljet National Park. Situated on the western part of the island of Mljet, the park is characterized by two deep bays, which are called lakes due to their very narrow passages to the open sea (the Great Lake and the Small Lake), and lush and diverse Mediterranean vegetation. Overnight stay at the hotel in Dubrovnik.

Day 10: DUBROVNIK - DUBROVNIK AIRPORT

Breakfast and free time until the transfer to Dubrovnik airport.