Signature Croatia

Arrival in Zagreb and private transfer to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, with an English-speaking local guide. See the fortified Upper Town, the city’s historic center, St. Mark’s Church with its multicolored roof, the Cathedral of Zagreb, Croatian National Theatre, and the University of Zagreb. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant. (D) 

After breakfast, journey to Rastoke, a small, picturesque village often called “small Plitvice”. Visit old water mills and traditional wooden houses, and don’t forget your camera for the lovely flora and fauna! Then continue to Plitvice Lakes, where you will marvel at the 16 crystal-blue lakes cascading into 92 spectacular waterfalls. Walk on the wooden promenades, where you will get magnificent views of the water and where every turn leads to more breathtaking scenery and yet another waterfall. Surrounded by dense forests, the Plitvice Lakes are a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty. National Park was even made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.Enjoy some free time for lunch, then continue to Opatija, one of the holiday hotspots for the nobles of the Habsburg Empire. Overlooking the Gulf of Kvarner, its beauty still attracts many international visitors. Return to hotel. (B)

After breakfast, travel to the peninsula of Istria. A feast for the eyes, its streams flow into the sea through deep valleys and gullies. The splendid view includes white-topped mountains, lush wheat fields, sprawling plateaus, emerald valleys, family-run vineyards, hillside olive groves, and the Adriatic Sea. Your first stop in beautiful Istria will be Pula, where you will enjoy a private sightseeing tour with an English-speaking local guide. Pula is the largest city in Istria and boasts a well-preserved Roman amphitheater, one of the most famous landmarks in Croatia. You will also see many other monuments that hearken back to Pula’s Roman origins, such as the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi, Hercules’ Gate, the Twin Gates, and the Temple of Augustus. Take some free time for lunch and further exploration of the city before continuing to Rovinj, on the west coast of Istria. One of the most romantic places in the Mediterranean, the Old Town is perched on an elevated peninsula surrounded by Venetian terracotta-roofed houses and crowned by the Church of St. Euphemia. Stroll the town’s old cobbled alleys as you explore colorful galleries, local craft shops, and the open-air market during your private sightseeing tour with an English-speaking local guide. Make sure to try some of the creamy gelatos before you leave! Return to the hotel. (B) 

After breakfast, embark on a truffle-hunting adventure with your private driver. Meet the Karlic family to learn about truffles and traditional truffle hunting. They will then serve you three typical Istrian brandies: honey, mistletoe, and cherry, followed by truffle delicacies such as Istrian cheese with truffles, sausages with truffles, canapes with truffles, truffle honey, truffle oil, and scrambled eggs with fresh truffles. You will also taste homemade wines, all the while enjoying a stunning view of the town of Motovun and Lake Butoniga. Afterwards, specially trained dogs will accompany you into the forest as you hunt for your own truffles! Continue to Motovun, a walled town supposedly built by giants, where you will have a private sightseeing tour with an English-speaking local guide. Motovun is an ancient Istrian acropolis that imbibes a fairytale, perched on top of a 227m high hill. It boasts the longest stairway in Istria, numerous vineyards, and unparallelled views of the verdant valley. Your next stop is beautiful Grožnjan, known as the city of artists. Most of its inhabitants are artists, and you will find numerous galleries and art studios with handmade jewelry and other items, plus the beautiful views of the sea and the valley that are emblematic of stunning Istria. After Grožnjan, you will indulge in some of the finest Istrian wine at the Kabola winery. The Kobola Wine Estate offers beautiful views of the Alps and Dolomites on one side and lush greenery and panoramic sea views on the other. Learn about wine philosophy before tasting wine, cheese, bread, olives, olive oil, and grappa. Return to hotel. (B)

After breakfast, travel to Zadar, an ancient Mediterranean port city, and check in to the hotel. The city is yours to explore, but we recommend an afternoon private sightseeing tour with an English-speaking local guide. The old town is a treasure trove of archaeological gems and monuments to the ancient, medieval, and Renaissance periods. Make sure to catch the sound and light spectacles of its two most unique attractions, the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation! (B)

After breakfast, head to beautiful Šibenik for a private sightseeing tour with an English-speaking local guide. This unspoiled, tranquil oasis has the distinction of being the oldest Croatian city on the Adriatic. Built into a hillside, it is a typical medieval city with winding streets and twisting stairways that all lead to the Fortress of St. Michael, one of four fortresses and its crown jewel. You will also see the Cathedral of St. James, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique construction. Free time for lunch; we suggest the famous restaurant Pelegrini. Continue to Trogir for a sightseeing tour with an English-speaking local guide. Trogir is a picturesque town and UNESCO World Heritage Site where every stone is a monument. With jutting belfries, shambling streets, and antique central squares, Trogir’s street plan dates back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It is often considered the best-preserved example of a Romanesque-Gothic town in Central Europe. Afternoon arrival in Split, with the evening at leisure. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. The city is yours to explore, but we suggest to have a morning private sightseeing tour of Split with an English-speaking local guide. The story of Split is 17 centuries old, dating back to when the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build his Palace right on the peninsula to retire. The palace now forms the core of modern-day Split, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its history spanning ancient Rome and the Middle Ages are still visible and alive in the structure of the city. A stroll will transport you back in time as you explore ancient, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture superbly merged with the modern. Enjoy lunch on your own. We recommend a private guided tour of the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery. Mestrovic was a Croatian prodigy and his ability to coax beauty and emotive drama from stone made him a sensation around the world. You’ll have the opportunity to see his talent up close as you walk through the gallery and admire 86 bronze, marble, and wood sculptures. Afterward, you may also want to experience a wine tasting in Split. Return to hotel. (B)

After breakfast, private transfer to Split Airport. (B)