Itinerary
- Day 1
Zagreb
Your Croatian adventure kicks off in Zagreb. After you settle into your hotel, the evening is open for wandering around at your own pace. The Stross Promenade is a nice spot for a first look at the city with its chestnut trees and views out over Zagreb. Later you'll meet your Travel Director and the group for dinner to get acquainted.
- Meals
- Dinner (Join your Travel Director for dinner with the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant evening with wine)
Included Activities
- Dinner with Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Stross Promenade - Day 2
Zagreb
A local guide shows you around two-tiered Zagreb, hitting the Art Pavilion, Academy of Sciences and Arts, and Zrinjevac Park. Then you'll take the funicular up to St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower before walking back down through the Stone Gate to return to the square. The afternoon is yours to rest at the hotel or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of lower and upper town with Local Expert
- Funicular ride to St. Mark's Church and Lotrščak Tower
- View of Art Pavilion
- View of Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Visit to Zrinjevac Park
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Kumrovec, the birthplace of Tito
Landmarks/POIs Art Pavilion Academy of Sciences and Arts Zrinjevac Park St. Mark's Church Lotrščak Tower Stone Gate - Day 3
Zagreb to Opatija
Today takes you into Slovenia to see the Postojna Caves. You'll board a cave train and head down into a subterranean world filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtains. The Brilliant, a five-metre tall stalagmite, is the cave's highlight. After that you return to Croatia and check into your hotel in Opatija.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Postojna Caves mini-train ride
- Walking tour through illuminated stalactites and stalagmites
Landmarks/POIs Postojna Caves The Brilliant - Day 4
Opatija to Rovinj
A local expert takes you across the heart-shaped Istrian peninsula to visit its jewels. First stop is Pula's well-preserved first-century Roman Arena. From there you continue to Rovinj, an old town that rises right from the sea where you'll wander cobbled streets lined with shops, pastel-coloured bars and sidewalk cafes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Pula Arena (first-century Roman arena)
- Exploration of Rovinj old town
Landmarks/POIs Pula Arena Rovinj Old Town - Day 5
Rovinj to Plitvice Lakes
The morning has coastal scenery with sparkling deep blue seas and rocky islands. Later you head inland to Plitvice, one of Europe's great natural wonders. You can choose your experience here: join a local expert to explore the national park and learn about habitat research, or meet women from the Tara Community Centre who make handicrafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Choice of MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: Local Expert-guided tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park exploring research and habitat protection OR visit to Tara Community Centre to meet women producing handicrafts
Landmarks/POIs Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 6
Plitvice Lakes to Solin
Leaving Plitvice's green forests behind, you reach pebble-dashed shores with turquoise waters. You'll walk through Roman ruins and a market to see Zadar's sea organ. Then it's through Mediterranean olive groves to Trogir, a city founded by Greeks in the 3rd century BC where you can see the cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace. After visiting historic Solin, dinner comes at a traditional konoba.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a traditional konoba)
Included Activities
- Visit to Roman Ruins in Zadar
- Visit to Zadar market
- View of sea organ in Zadar
- Orientation of Trogir cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace with Travel Director
- Exploration of Solin
- Dinner in traditional konoba
Landmarks/POIs Roman Ruins, Zadar Sea Organ, Zadar Trogir Cathedral Cipiko Palace - Day 7
Solin to Hvar
Today focuses on Split's Diocletian's Palace, a 1,700-year-old structure that forms the heart of the Old Town. You'll walk through palace cellars with a local expert learning about the emperor, then navigate through labyrinthine streets and arcaded squares to see St. Duje's and the Golden Gate. By afternoon, a ferry takes you across azure Adriatic waters to Hvar, known for being Croatia's sunniest island with mountain peaks and lavender fields.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Diocletian's Palace cellars and labyrinthine streets with Local Expert
- Visit to St. Duje's Church
- Visit to Golden Gate
- Two-hour ferry crossing to Hvar
Landmarks/POIs Diocletian's Palace St. Duje's Church Golden Gate - Day 8
Hvar
Hvar is yours to explore however you like. There are hidden coves, secluded beaches, old monasteries and charming villages to find. Stari Grad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's oldest towns with a local museum featuring archeological finds from Greek antiquity, or you can grab fresh seafood at a restaurant. Hvar Town itself has yacht-lined marinas and a reputation as a playground for the wealthy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to local museum in Stari Grad
- Fresh seafood dining at local restaurant
- Visit to Hvar Town yacht-lined marinas
- Optional Experience: uncover Stari Grad and Vrboska with visit to local wine cellar for tasting complemented by local specialities
Landmarks/POIs Stari Grad Hvar Town Vrboska - Day 9
Hvar to Korcula
You cruise back to the mainland and continue to Korcula island, known for grace, history and rich culture. Quiet coves and small beaches dot the south coastline, perfect for relaxing. After arriving, you'll settle into your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing back to mainland
- Travel to island of Korcula
Landmarks/POIs Korcula Island - Day 10
Korcula
A knowledgeable local guide leads a walking tour of Korcula's Old Town with spectacular mainland views. You'll reach the main square where the Cathedral of St. Mark dominates the ancient skyline. The guide shares local legends and history while you visit the Town Museum, Bishop's Palace with its treasury, and Town Hall. You'll also see the ruins of Marco Polo's supposed birthplace. The rest of the day lets you wander narrow streets, visit beautiful churches and see magnificent palaces.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town with Local Expert
- Visit to Cathedral of St. Mark
- Visit to Town Museum
- Visit to Bishop's Palace and treasury collection
- Visit to Town Hall
- Visit to ruins of Marco Polo's birthhouse
Landmarks/POIs Korcula Old Town Cathedral of St. Mark Town Museum Bishop's Palace Marco Polo's Birthhouse Ruins - Day 11
Korcula to Dubrovnik
You head to the beautiful southern slopes of the Pelješac Peninsula. Weather permitting, you'll cruise the tranquil bay of Mali Ston and take in untouched natural beauty with a glass of traditional Croatian brandy. At a shellfish farm you meet a local oyster farmer and learn about cultivation and harvest, then enjoy a sea-to-table tasting of fresh shellfish with wine. Later you reach Dubrovnik and explore the Old Town's stone-paved streets within 16th-century bastions, seeing Onofrio's Fountain, Saint Blaise's Church, the cathedral and Franciscan Monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sea-to-Table tasting of fresh shellfish accompanied by a glass of wine), Dinner (Toast the culmination of your journey with a typical Dalmatian dinner)
Included Activities
- Cruise in bay of Mali Ston (weather permitting)
- Traditional Croatian brandy tasting
- Visit to shellfish farm with local oyster farmer
- Sea-to-Table tasting of fresh shellfish with wine
- Walking exploration of Dubrovnik Old Town with Local Expert
- View of Onofrio's Fountain
- View of Saint Blaise's Church
- View of Dubrovnik Cathedral
- View of Franciscan Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Mali Ston Bay Onofrio's Fountain Saint Blaise's Church Dubrovnik Cathedral Franciscan Monastery - Day 12
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is yours for the day. You can relax at leisure, or take an optional trip to Montenegro. If you go, travel along the coast to Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and photographer's dream with beautiful bay views and compelling history. Either way, you return to Dubrovnik for an evening at your leisure, maybe starting at a trendy wine bar before dinner at a romantic sidewalk cafe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Kotor, Montenegro - UNESCO World Heritage Site with guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Kotor - Day 13
Dubrovnik
Another leisure day in Dubrovnik gives you options. Relax by the pool, shop the markets, or visit Cavtat, one of Croatia's most charming seaside resorts. This evening, weather permitting, you're invited on a cruise around Dubrovnik's bay for authentic local specialities and dinner with your fellow travellers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Relaxing cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik towards celebration dinner with authentic local specialities)
Included Activities
- Cruise around Dubrovnik Bay (weather permitting) with celebration dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Cavtat, enchanting seaside resort
Landmarks/POIs Cavtat - Day 14
Dubrovnik Departure
Your Croatian adventure ends after breakfast. You'll depart for the airport or arrange your onward travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
