ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Dubrovnik
Welcome to Dubrovnik, the enchanting walled city that has found its way on everyone’s travel bucket list. Your private driver will pick you up from Cilipi International Airport and take you to your luxury hotel in the city. Enjoy your afternoon and evening exploring the vibrant food-scene and nightlife of Dubrovnik. Ask your Leisure Travel Consultant for recommendations of their favorite restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
DAY 2
Dubrovnik
In the morning, your licensed English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel lobby to begin your guided city tour of Dubrovnik to immerse yourself in the city’s immense cultural heritage and rich history. Explore Stradun, the beating heart of the Old City, Rector’s Palace, St Blasius Church, and majestic Sponza Palace with its blend of Gothic and Renaissance details. After the tour, choose to extend your day of exploration with a visit to the city walls or a cooking class with local specialties including the famous Peka, dishes cooked in ash under the dome.
DAY 3
Day at Leisure or full-day trip to Cavtat/ Konavle or Montenegro
You can choose to spend the day at leisure or continue exploring the beautiful Adriatic coast either with a trip to Cavtat and Dubrovnik mainland or a full-day trip to Montenegro. Should you decide to add the full-day trips, your driver and private guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and stay with you for the duration of your selected tours.
DAY 4
Dubrovnik – Split with a stopover in Ston and Stella Croatica Ethno Village
After breakfast, you will meet your private driver and depart towards Ston, famous for its city walls and oyster farms. After sightseeing of Ston and oyster tasting, you will continue your journey to Split stopping again at the Ethno Agro Park Stella Croatica in the scenic town of Klis with its guardian fortress, home to ancient olives, fig, and pomegranate trees that stand tall surrounded by fragrant and healing herbs. After reaching your hotel, you can enjoy the remainder of your day relaxing by the pool or take a stroll through the vibrant city promenade, the famous Riva, lined with bustling cafes and restaurants. Ask your travel consultant for recommendations of their favorite things to do and see while in Split.
DAY 5
Split – Trogir
Split is a city that grew out of a Roman emperor's palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been inhabited for 17 centuries. Split tells a tale of the way people lived in the past and of different cultures, styles, and influences that have been carved into its narrow streets, Roman temples, and Christian churches. Outside the palace, the story of Split continues as it spreads from its center, the palace, to beautiful vistas on the hill of Marjan, the waterfront, and its beaches. Your walking tour with a licensed guide starts at the waterfront promenade (locals call it Riva), through the Diocletian’s cellars, Peristyle (Emperor’s square), Vestibul, Southern portico, Cathedral of St. Dominus, the Golden Gate, Northern Palace wall, Piazza, National Theatre, Marmont street, the very lively fish market, Republic square and finally back to the promenade where you will join your driver and head towards another UNESCO protected city- Trogir. This small island town, just 1 hour away from Split was founded by the ancient Greek settlers in the 3rd century BC. For centuries, Trogir was a place where numerous artists left their mark, so it packs a lot of art and history. Admire the Romanesque and Renaissance architecture and visit landmarks like the Cathedral of St. Lawrence renowned for its stunning Romanesque door, carved by 13th-century sculptor Radovan, the Loggia, Clock Tower, and Rector's Palace, then continue toward the waterfront, admiring 11th-century St. Barbara’s Church and St. Dominic’s Convent. Finally, find out more about the battlements of the Venetian-built Kamerlengo Fortress and pause at Marmont’s Gloriette, a Napoleonic-era monument, as you wander to nearby St. Mark’s Tower.
DAY 6
Split
Day at leisure. Explore the city at your own pace, immerse yourself in the Mediterranean lifestyle on the Riva or opt for a boat trip to one of the islands (Hvar, Brac, Solta).
DAY 7
Split Sibenik, Zadar
After breakfast, you will meet your driver-guide and start your scenic journey towards Zadar. On your way, after about 1 hour's drive, you will stop in Sibenik, a picturesque city nestled between the deep blue Adriatic Sea, Krka National Park, and verdant hills guarded by medieval fortresses. The sleepy city provides you with one of the most authentic Dalmatian experiences and it is renowned for its Cathedral of St. James, a UNESCO World Heritage site started in the 15th century by the Venetians and completed by the great Dalmatian master-builder, Juraj Dalmatinac. The most impressive detail of the exterior however is a string of 71 life-sized meticulously sculpted heads of fishermen, peasants, soldiers, old men, teenagers, and ordinary citizens, representing an ode to the city and its inhabitants. After a tour of the old town, you can opt for lunch at a local farm or immediately continue your trip to your hotel in Zadar. Afternoon at leisure. Relax by the pool, test the impressive SPA services in your hotel or ask your travel specialist for recommendations.
DAY 8
Zadar
Enjoy your morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you will meet your driver who will take you to the Old Town where you will be joined by your English-speaking guide for a walking tour of this beautiful Croatian city surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Visit its ancient Forum, the church of St. Donat – one of the city’s main symbols, St. Anastasia, grandiose monuments and palaces, and learn about the city’s rich and rather turbulent history. Continue to the Land Gate and city walls, the Square of Five Wells, People's Square, and then relax on the marble stairs and take a moment to listen to the world-renowned and unique Sea Organ. As the sun sets, you will be able to enjoy the vibrant colors of another Zadar landmark, Greeting to the Sun. Should you decide to stop for dinner before returning to your hotel, your guide will be more than happy to provide recommendations.
DAY 9
Zadar – Rovinj with a stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park
After breakfast and hotel check-out, you will meet your driver-guide and head towards Rovinj with the most beautiful rest stop you will ever experience – Plitvice National Park. Located roughly 1/3 of the way to Rovinj, this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of 16 lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars, and rare bird species. Set your own pace, stroll down to Veliki Slap (the largest waterfall in the park), and if you wish to have lunch in the area, the driver will be more than happy to recommend the best and most scenic restaurants before continuing to your hotel in Rovinj.
DAY 10
Rovinj
Spend a relaxing day in Rovinj, at your own pace, or enjoy an optional tour of the city. Ask your travel consultant for recommendations of their favorite spots in the city.
DAY 11
Rovinj, Pula, Motovun
Experience the unique landscapes and landmarks of Istria during this full-day tour. After meeting your driver at the hotel, you will head to Pula, the largest town of the Istrian peninsula with a history spanning over 3 000 years. Accompanied by a private guide, wander through its renowned monuments built in the Roman Empire such as the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi or the Golden gate, the Twin gates, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Augustus, and surely the most popular one of all, the Arena, bearing the title of the best-preserved amphitheater in the world. After the seaside city of Pula, it is time to discover Istrian rolling hills, and the best way to experience this romantic landscape is by visiting Motovun. This captivating walled town is perched on a 277m hill in the lush Mirna River valley and its lost-in-time views over the verdant valley, are reminiscent of a fairy tale illustration. Motovun is renowned for its food, wine, truffles, and vibrant art scene. You will have plenty of time to explore the town, shop for souvenirs, and optionally sit down for a relaxing lunch. Your guide will be happy to recommend the best establishment to suit your tastes.
DAY 12
Rovinj, Zagreb
After breakfast and hotel check-out, your driver will be ready to take you to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. You can either spend the day at leisure or we can add a late afternoon city tour with plenty of free time for your exploration afterward. Given that Zagreb is renowned for its excellent variety of restaurants, ask your travel specialist for their favorite Zagreb eateries.
DAY 13
Zagreb, Trakošćan castle, Varaždin
After you have spent the last few days exploring Coastal Croatia, now it is time to discover the equally beautiful continental part of the country, especially its verdant hills and castles. After breakfast, you will meet your driver-guide and head to the postcard-worthy Trakošćan Castle, a real medieval treasure. Built in the 13th century as a part of a defense system, the castle is surrounded by manicured gardens and an artificial lake. Your next destination will be the nearby city of Varazdin, Croatia's Baroque gem. During the tour, you will explore its preserved palaces, Baroque, Rococo, Classicist, and Secessionist houses and villas, as well as one of the oldest City Halls in Europe. Before returning to Zagreb, you will stop for lunch at a restaurant with breathtaking views of Varazdin and its surrounding hills.
DAY 14
Departure Day
Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to transfer you from the hotel to the Zagreb International Airport for your flight back home.
