Croatian Charms – Small Group Tour

Individual or group arrival in Zagreb, transfer to the hotel (driving time 20 to 45 min). Welcome drink and group get-together.

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb with an English-speaking guide. In the fortified, medieval Upper Town, you will visit St. Mark’s church, with its multicolor tiled roof, Parliament, the government palace, and many fine old buildings. After the sightseeing, we proceed to Opatija (driving time 2:30h), situated on the picturesque Kvarner Bay, which used to be the favorite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov, and Isadora Duncan. Dinner and overnight in Opatija.

Today it's time to get to know the Istrian peninsula and visit the 2000-year-old roman Colosseum located in Pula. Afterward, 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 of the Istrian tastiest treasures, the truffle. Overnight in Opatija. (departure at 9:00am, return around 6:00pm).

The most beautiful and oldest national park in Croatia under UNESCO protection – consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. Enjoy a 3-4 hours walking tour strolling the wooden paths and nature trails surrounded by lush greenery and turquoise waters. The visit to the park grounds takes approx. 3 hours. Dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight in the Plitvice area. (Driving time approx.. 3:00h)

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive down from the mountain region of Lika 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, 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 Zadar, we continue to a local winery in the Dalmatian hinterland. We will taste the authentic Dalmatian wines and international Cuveesaccompanied with delicious Croatian-style Tapas. Departure towards Split for an overnight in Split. (total driving time 4 to 5h).

Today’s Split is the handiwork of seventeen centuries of men and women building and remodeling, adding, tearing down, and touching up, so that18th 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 restaurantin 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 fortresses on a small island, Trogir is sometimes referred to as the floating museum town.

On our way to Dubrovnik, we will stop near the town of Ston, where we visit a local winery and taste the famous “Plavac Mali” wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. In this winery the traditional winemaking 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 snack. Arrival in Dubrovnik, dinner and overnight. (driving time 5 hours).

Completed in the thirteen century, the old city Dubrovnik has remained unchanged since. Its medieval ramparts encircle the city which pedestrians can enter through one of two gates - either way, they cross a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise (Vlaho), to find themselves joining the evening promenade down the broad, stone-paved avenue known as Stradun. After the sightseeing free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

After Breakfast, check out and say goodbye to your new friends. Transfer to Dubrovnik airport or to an optional added cruise or additional land tour. (booked separately).