Itinerary
- Day 1
Zagreb
You'll arrive at Zagreb Airport and pick up your rental car for the drive to your hotel. After checking in, you can walk around Croatia's capital city, which sits between Mount Medvednica and the Sava River. The Upper Town has colorful rooftops and historic streets worth wandering through, while the Lower Town offers modern squares and parks to explore.
Landmarks/POIs Mount Medvednica Sava River Gornji Grad (Upper Town) Donji Grad (Lower Town) - Day 2
Zagreb
Following breakfast at your hotel, the day is yours to explore Zagreb's combination of old and new. Head down Ilica, the longest street that divides the Upper Town from the Lower Town. You'll find St. Marks Church, Lotrscak Tower, Stone Gate, and the historic Dolac market worth checking out. If you want more depth, optional city tours and wine tastings are available.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- 2-hour guided city tour of Zagreb
- Wine tasting experience with sommelier including Croatian wines, prosciutto, cheese, and bread pairing
Landmarks/POIs St. Marks Church Lotrscak Tower Funicular Stone Gate Dolac Market Square of Ban Josip Jelačić Ilica Street Gradec Kaptol - Day 3
Zagreb to Opatija
After breakfast and checkout, you'll drive to Opatija on the Adriatic coast, known as the Pearl of the Adriatic. The town's known for its botanical gardens, parks, and villas that have drawn wealthy visitors for over a century. You can stroll the Lungomare promenade, breathe in the sea air, and relax at outdoor cafes. Optional guided tours can provide more background on this Istrian resort town.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Private tour guide for Opatija
Landmarks/POIs Lungomare Promenade - Day 4
Opatija
Start with breakfast at your hotel, then spend the day in Opatija at your own pace. The seaside resort was a favorite of Austro-Hungarian nobility, and you can walk through its streets and try local food. City tours are available if you want them, plus options to visit nearby towns like Pula, Porec, or Rovinj with a private guide if the wider Istria region interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Opatija city tour with private guide
- Pula city tour with private guide
- Porec city tour with private guide
- Rovinj city tour with private guide
- Day 5
Opatija to Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast, you'll drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with magnificent lakes and cascading waterfalls surrounded by dense woods. You can walk the paths at your own pace and take in the natural setting. A 4-hour guided tour with an English-speaking guide is available if you'd like more information about the park's flora and fauna.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- 4-hour guided tour of Plitvice Lakes with English-speaking guide
Landmarks/POIs Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 6
Plitvice to Zadar
Following breakfast, you'll drive to Zadar on a narrow peninsula in northern Dalmatia. The city blends modern life with its Venetian past and has white-stone streets and Roman walls to see. The Sea Organs and The Greeting to the Sun are unique monuments representing the connection between people and nature. You'll find good cafes and restaurants throughout the center, and optional city tours with guides are on offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Zadar city tour with private guide
Landmarks/POIs Sea Organs The Greeting to the Sun Roman Walls - Day 7
Zadar to Split
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll drive to Split and explore it on foot. The old town centers around Diocletian's Palace, a fourth-century UNESCO site with alleys worth wandering. The city has beautiful beaches and hosts festivals, exhibitions, and concerts throughout the year. An optional 2-hour city tour can help you understand more about this coastal city.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- 2-hour guided city tour of Split
Landmarks/POIs Diocletian's Palace - Day 8
Split
After breakfast, you can spend a relaxed day in Split or drive along the coast toward Omi. If you go to Omi, you'll see panoramic views of Cetina Canyon and explore a town known for medieval history and two fortresses from the 13th and 15th centuries. Omi also has sandy public beaches with restaurants and cafes, or you can simply spend the day walking around Split's center and having coffee at the main square.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Cetina Canyon with panoramic coastal views
- Explore Omiš and its medieval fortresses
Landmarks/POIs Cetina Canyon Omiš Mirabelle Fortress Fortress Starigrad (Fortica) - Day 9
Split to Dubrovnik
After breakfast and checkout, you'll drive to Dubrovnik along the coast. Stop at the Makarska Riviera if you want to swim and relax on the white sandy beaches before continuing. Once you arrive in Dubrovnik, check in and start exploring this medieval city surrounded by protective stone walls. Optional city tours of the old town are available if you'd like organized guidance.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Dubrovnik old town city tour with private guide
Landmarks/POIs Dubrovnik Old Town Makarska Riviera - Day 10
Dubrovnik
Following breakfast, you have a leisurely day to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace. Several optional experiences are available, including deeper city tours covering palaces and churches, a 3-hour Cilipi Folklor tour showing local customs and traditional hospitality, or a Game of Thrones tour visiting filming locations around the city and nearby islands.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Dubrovnik old town city tour with private guide
- 3-hour Cilipi Folklor tour with traditional welcome (grape brandy and figs), local market browsing, and Dalmatian music and dance
- Game of Thrones excursion including Fortress Lovrijenac, Kings Landing, Battle of Blackwater Bay, House of the Undying dungeon, and boat ride to Island of Lokrum
Landmarks/POIs Fortress Lovrijenac Island of Lokrum Cilipi Village - Day 11
Dubrovnik Departure
Have breakfast before returning your rental car at Dubrovnik Airport and catching your flight back home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
