A very special itinerary travelling from Zagreb through the regions of Zagorije, Lika, Central and Southern Dalmatia to Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, including the ancient city of Split and the atmospheric islands of Brač and Korčula, discovering the diversity of this colourful country, woven as a tapestry of colours, history and culture, over the vastness of many centuries..
Price per person of this tour depends on the number of guests in your group. All accommodation is 4 star hotel and B&B boutique.
Day 1 -Arrival into Zagreb – Transfer to Hotel Dubrovnik 4* –Late Afternoon Walking Tour. Restaurants for a la carte dinner to be suggested.
Day 2 – Zagreb – A day in Zagorje Region in the countryside north of Zagreb with lunch..also visiting the beautifully restored baroque city of Varaždin, I suggest ‘Đurina Hiža’ on the slopes of Varaždinske Toplice-a 40 minute drive from Zagreb for lunch http://www.durinahiza.com.hr/
The Zagorje region is to the NE of Zagreb, Opatija is to the West on the coast. A day exploring the Zagorje countryside gives an understanding of the diversity of Croatia. The architecture is baroque compared to Venetian along the coastline. The influences have come from the Austro – Hungarian empire. Varaždin is 80 kms north of Zagreb. It is a beautiful old Baroque city, beautifully restored, and well worth a visit. The cuisine of this area is well known to ‘foodies’ who enjoy slowly prepared traditional dishes with hints of Hungarian flavours and spices.
Zagorje Countryside: https://www.visitzagorje.hr/en/stranica/picturesque-nature
Trakoscan Castle: http://www.trakoscan.hr/index-en.html
Veliki Tabor Castle
Varaždin: https://myhiddencroatia.com/my-travel-tales/my-visit-to-varazdin/
Day 3 – Transfer Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes – Ethno Selo overnight. Walk the lakes with Blanka in the afternoon..traditional a la carte Dinner in the evening.
Day 4 – Split– 9.00 am transfer to Split, afternoon escorted walking tour of the old city centre.
Day 5 – Split – Free day in Split. Meet Robyn and see a little more of this city through the eyes of a local.
The heart and soul of Split, St. Dominus Cathedral on the Peristil
Day 6 – Split- Day tour to Island Brač including Olive Oil tasting in Škrip and wine tasting at Stina in Bol. Traditional Peka lunch to be included in an olive grove, accompanied by Robyn. (My favourite Island) After an early breakfast, you will be picked up by your driver and taken on a short 50min ferry ride to the Island of Brač. Throughout the day, you will discover the astonishing nature of Brač where you will get to know its gastronomic beauty, culture and traditional way of living. Your first stop will be a unique location among the olive trees where you will learn about olive oil production, taste different varieties of olive oil and have a private cooking class in a traditional stone house built right there in the Olive grove.
At the olive oil museum in Škrip on Island Brač
The second stop will be Vidova Gora, the highest peak of Brac and the highest peak of any Croatian islands in general. From there you can enjoy a stunning view of the islands such as Hvar, Vis, Šolta and others along the Dalmatian and the world famous Golden Horn beach in the small village of Bol. This will be your last stop where you will have your private wine tasting and tour of the wine cellar at one of the best wineries in Croatia.
Day 7 –Transfer to Dubrovnik– lunch at Štimac Vineyards, well known for its excellent wines and stunning scenic views.. – Continue on to Dubrovnik.
Day 8 – Dubrovnik– 10.am Walking Tour, cable car – a la carte light lunch on Mt Srđ, free afternoon, walk the walls late afternoon and dinner in the Old Town.
Day 9 – Things to do in Dubrovnik: Take the cable car to the top of Mt Srdj high above Dubrovnik…enjoy optional morning coffee and refreshments overlooking the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Stunning 360-degree views…Visit Napoleon’s fort which has been dedicated to the recent Homeland War…here you will learn what the recent war of 1991 was really all about…Visit exhibitions, art galleries, classical and jazz concerts in the evening, or simply enjoy some ‘people watching’. Optional Lunch on Prijeko Street…at your leisure. Free time to explore on your own..18.00 Walk the walls in the cooler part of the day…best hours for photography. At sunset visit the BUŽA BAR…virtually a hole in the wall …a favourite place at this time of day…and very famous with travellers from all over the world.
Day 10 – Dubrovnik- Day excursion to Peljasac Peninsula and Korčula..wine tasting in a vineyard ( The VIOLIĆ FAMILY VINEYARD in Potomja market their Dingac as JURICA Vino,) then continue to Korčula. Escorted leisurely afternoon walking tour with Andrea, return to Dubrovnik late afternoon/early evening. Island Korcula/Korcula Town Take an escorted walk through the old town’s atmospheric centre. This is a 15th-century town rich in tradition, the birthplace of Marco Polo and the Moreška sword dance. For centuries it was ruled by Venice and you will discover the Venetian influences in architecture and cuisine.
St. Mark’s Cathedral is located on the highest point on a small peninsula encircled by 13th-century walls and towers. ..The Town Museum is great for the first encounter with Korcula. See objects from stone masonry and shipbuilding tradition, archaeological collection dating back to the 3rd cent. BC.
Old Korčula Town on the Island of Korčula
Day 11 – Dubrovnik – free morning in Dubrovnik and mid-afternoon escorted tour to Konavle Valley, Sokol Grad and Cavtat. Driving 30 minutes south of Dubrovnik to the green hills of Konavle Valley known for folk customs and great food and wines, then to the seaside small town of Cavtat which has been included in a list of ten most unique places to visit in Dalmatia. So picturesque and charming.
The indigenous grape variety particularly of central and southern Dalmatia, MALI PLAVAC, (Little Blue) on the Peljasac Peninsula, near Island Korčula and south side of island Hvar are producing red wines of extremely high quality.
Day 12 Depart Dubrovnik – transfer to Airport.