Croatia Stars
Zagreb - Dubrovnik, 19 days & 18 nights
Day 01 ZAGREB arrival
Arrival at Zagreb airport. Meet & greet service in arrivals hall followed by transfer to your hotel. Free evening and overnight at hotel in Zagreb.
Day 02 ZAGREB
Morning is reserved for Lower Town guided walking tour. Zrinjevac park together with many of buildings representing the typical architecture of Central Europe from the edge of 19th and 20th century. Buildings of The Croatian Academy of Science and Arts and neighboring Art Pavilion are two finest examples. Continue by the Botanical Gardens and Marulic Square towards the Marsal Tito Square with another three important landmarks of Zagreb: The Mimara Museum, Croatian National Theatre and Zagreb University. Afternoon starts with a short funicular ride to Upper Town – totally different, enchanting Zagreb and the story returns back to 15th and 16th century. The Lotrscak Tower signalizes the high noon to Zagreb citizens with the cannon shot every day. St. Catherine's Square with baroque church, St. Mark's Square with Houses of Parliament and Government and St. Mark's Church with it's picturesque roof, The Stone Gate – another remaining of strong city walls are impressive sights for your own postcard of Zagreb. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Zagreb.
Day 03 ZAGREB – Islands of KRK, CRES and LOSINJ
Breakfast buffet at the hotel followed by departure to picturesque Kvarner bay in north of Adriatic sea. Passing the mountain ridge of Gorski Kotar county and high bridge over the channel we will reach the island of Krk, the biggest island in archipelago. A short stop on the way to ferry port will be done in village of Vrbnik, placed high on the cliff above the sea, well known after the zlahtina wine.
In just 45 minutes ferry ride we will reach another pearl in the crown – the island of Cres. Following the scenic route to island of Losinj we will visit the adorable village of Lubenice placed peculiarly at the top of a sheer rock, 378 meters above the sea level. On the spot where the islands of Losinj and Cres almost meet is a small town of Osor, which in ancient times experienced its moment of glory. Although small with a population, due to its glorious past it preserved natured beauty as well as its gastronomy, Osor is a place worth of visit. Arrival to the town of Mali Losinj. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight.
Day 04 LOSINJ
Your guide will meet you and introduce to you Mali Losinj situated in the Augusta Cove, the largest closed cove of this archipelago. With a population of nearly 7,000, it is the largest town of all islands in the Adriatic. The settlement and development of the island began in 12th century, when, escaping the onslaught of Mongols from Hungary, 12 Croatian families arrived to the island. The tour includes visit to The Garden of Fine Scent. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Mali Lošinj.
Day 05 LOSINJ – OPATIJA
Morning free at leisure. Return via Cres to ferry port and short ride to eastern banks of Istria peninsula towards Opatija. The city, owes its' name to the Benedictine Abbey which was built in the 15th century, on the sea shore. Known as the pearl of Austro-Hungarian Riviera at the end of 19th century, gained its recognition as a tourist destination by the European high society, emperors, famous artists and celebrities such as Wilhelm II, Franz Joseph, Empress Sissy, Gustav Mahler, Isidora Duncan, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov and many others. Overnight at the hotel in Opatija.
Day 06 OPATIJA – ISTRIA TOUR – OPATIJA
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a full day Istria Peninsula Tour. The first stop is in Hum – officially the smallest town in the world with 22 inhabitants. Following the Mirna river valley we will reach the village of Livade and Motovun, towns between dream and reality, located on the very peak of a hill which offering a magnificent view of the valley and surrounding hills. Groznjan and Motovun regions are famous for truffles, as well as for one of the best white wines of Croatia.
The road will lead us further to Porec for a walking tour and a visit to the ancient Euphrasius basilica - the sine qua non of religious architecture with outstanding Byzantine mosaics from the 5th century and further to Rovinj the Jewel of Istria. Return to Opatija for overnight.
Day 07 OPATIJA – PLITVICE LAKES – ZADAR
Breakfast buffet at the hotel followed by check out and departure towards Plitvice Lakes National Park – one of the greatest natural wonders and phenomena in the world. Embraced by high wooded mountains, one beneath another lie sixteen beautiful lakes of crystal blue-green water. Connected to each other by a series of foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls, the lakes are fed by many rivers and streams. Over the millennium, waters of these lakes have dissolved the limestone rock and carved out the valley in which they now lie. Plitvice Lakes were declared a National Park in 1949, and since 1979 they have been on UNESCO’s list of World Natural Heritage. Continue to Zadar. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight at hotel in Zadar.
Day 08 ZADAR – NIN – ZADAR
Walking tour of this ancient Croatian city visiting sights from its long and turbulent history such as the church of St Donat, originally built in 9th century in Byzantine style. Another landmark is cathedral of St Anastasia constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries in Romanesque style. The main city street – The Wide Street – or Kalelarga, together with modern architectural solutions of Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun are unique in the world.
Afternoon departure to small neighboring town of Nin which dates back to Liburnian time, long before ancient Greeks and Romans conquered the town. In the new history, Nin is important as the first royal town – seven Croatian kings were crowned here. Return to Zadar for overnight.
Day 09 ZADAR – PRIMOSTEN – SPLIT – Island of HVAR
Breakfast at the hotel followed by departure to Split with en-route stop in Primosten. The enchanting peninsula of Primosten is one of the most photogenic spots on the Adriatic coast. There are no particular sights or museums in Primosten but the old medieval town is museum by itself. Continue to Split for ferry to the Island of Hvar. The day ends in city of Hvar. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 HVAR
Your city tour guide will meet you in hotel lobby and the tour will begin. The city of Hvar is a unique fusion of luxurious Mediterranean nature with rich cultural and historical heritage. Hvar is an inexhaustible treasury of the scenery, atmosphere and adventure. Its name derives from the Greek name for the island and town, that stood where today Stari Grad stands - PHAROS. Hvar gained glory and power during middle ages, being an important port within the Venetian naval empire. Today, it is one of the favorite destinations in Dalmatia. Overnight at the hotel in city of Hvar.
Day 11 HVAR – SPLIT
Morning at leisure in Hvar. Short drive to the port of Stari Grad and ferry transfer to Split. Accommodation at the hotel. Walking tour of historical center and remains of Diocletian's Palace (UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979), built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages, reusing materials from the ancient mausoleum. 12th and 13th century Romanesque churches, medieval fortifications, 15th century Gothic palaces and other palaces in Renaissance and Baroque style make up the rest of the protected area. Overnight at the hotel in Split.
Day 12 SPLIT – TROGIR – SPLIT
Guided visit of Trogir, the town museum. Lovers of cultural and historical monuments, art, architecture and nice alleys give the opportunity to learn about manifold and complex heritage – from Romanesque yard to the modern interiors. The unique historical core, Radovan’s portal, along with the abundant art collections have been arousing excitement among visitors and travelers for centuries. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Split.
Day 13 SPLIT – VELA LUKA – Island of KORCULA
Morning at leisure in Split. Departure by ferry to the island of Korcula, south Adriatic. Arrival at Vela Luka, panoramic drive along the island passing picturesque villages towards the city of Korcula. Accommodation at the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight.
Day 14 KORCULA
Guided walking tour of town of Korcula. Most of Korcula was built in the 15th century when locals were renowned throughout the Adriatic for their stone-carving skills. Fortunately they left some of the best of their work on the distinctive facades of the town buildings. Admiring the architecture of the old town, the biggest attraction are the walls and towers from the 15th century. Local legend has it that Marco Polo was born in Korcula Town and his house makes an interesting visit. The center of the town is dominated by the splendid St Mark's Cathedral. The Gothic-Renaissance style is superb and the interior features the Pietà by Ivan Mestrovic, Croatia's most famous sculptor. If you have the opportunity, don't miss the famous Moreska Sword Dance, a colorful spectacle of clashing swords and choreographed traditional dance. Overnight at the hotel in town of Korcula.
Day 15 KORCULA – STON – DUBROVNIK
Breakfast buffet followed by a short ferry ride to the town of Orebic on Peljesac peninsula, panoramic drive along the peninsula towards Ston. Ston was built in the 14th century in the form of a two-fold fortification system with Large and Small Ston, aiming to protect the salt plants, one of its major economic resources. A 12 - kilometer long wall – the world’s second longest wall after the Wall of China – connects two fortified cities: the first was built in order to protect the salt plants and the second as the salt export harbor. The oldest in Europe, the Ston salt plants are still in use, and the salt producing technology has not changed for centuries. Your visit to Ston and its salt plants will be a journey through history. In Croatian gastronomy – the Ston Bay is the cradle of farming of mussels and oysters. Arrival to Dubrovnik. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight.
Day 16 DUBROVNIK
Guided half-day tour of the Old City included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 1979. This ancient city surrounded by ramparts and fortresses abounds in architectural and cultural masterpieces carefully preserved for centuries. A pleasant walk will take you to the Rector’s Palace, the Dominican Monastery housing a rich collection of medieval paintings. Following the central city street – Stradun – you will visit the Franciscan Monastery and other intriguing sites. Afternoon is free at leisure. There is no better way to spend it than visit Old City Walls to enjoy on your own a splendid view over the historical buildings, houses, palaces and churches in the net of tiny streets surrounded by walls, towers and the steep hill of Srdj and the Adriatic Sea. Overnight at hotel in Dubrovnik.
Day 17 DUBROVNIK – CAVTAT – DUBROVNIK
Half day excursion to neighboring town of Cavtat – the center of Konavle area. It is located on the peninsula of Rat, which surrounds the well protected and accessible bay together with the peninsula of Sustjepan. In its harmonious architecture, the centuries-old natural, spiritual and material affiliation to the Dubrovnik Republic can be observed. Cavtat, the antique Epidaurus, was an important Roman colony in this region, which expires after the breakthrough of the Slavs and the Avarians into this area, after the decline of the Western Roman Empire, and their inhabitants flee to the neighboring settlement Laus-Rave-Ragus, where from Dubrovnik arose. Overnight at hotel in Dubrovnik.
Day 18 DUBROVNIK
Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Dubrovnik.
Day 19 DUBROVNIK departure
Breakfast at the hotel followed by check out and transfer to Dubrovnik airport for outbound flight.
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