Croatia: Croatian Rhapsody tour 9 Days

zagreb - opatija - istria - plitvice lakes - zadar - split - Ston - Dubrovnik

itinerarY, prices & Inclusions

DAY 1 ZAGREB (D)
Individual or group arrival in Zagreb, transfer to the hotel (driving time 20 to 45 min). Welcome drink and group get together. HOTEL UBROVNIK or HOEL ACADEMIA or similar.

DAY 2 ZAGREB – OPATIJA (BD)
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb with an English speaking guide. In the fortified, medieval Upper Town, you will visit St. Mark’s church, with its multicolour tiled roof, Parliament, the government palace, and many fine old buildings. After the sightseeing, we proceed to Opatija (driving time 2:30h), situated on the picturesque Kvarner Bay, which used to be the favorite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov and Isadora Duncan. Dinner and overnight in Opatija. HOTEL ADMIRAL or HOTEL IMPERIAL or similar.

DAY 3 ISTRIA EXCURSION (BT)
Today it's time to get to know the Istrian peninsula and visit the 2000-year-old roman Colosseum located in Pula. Afterwards, we will relax in Rovinj, perhaps the most beautiful city in Istria and the inspiration of many artists. Time at leisure in Rovinj and departure towards Motovun for a sample of one the Istrian tastiest treasures, the truffle. Overnight in Opatija. (departure at 9:00h, return around 18:00h).

DAY 4 OPATIJA – PLITVICE LAKES (BD)
The most beautiful and oldest national park in Croatia under UNESCO protection – consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. Enjoy a 3-4 hours walking tour strolling the wooden paths and nature trails surrounded by lush greenery and turquoise waters. The visit to the park grounds takes approx. 3 hours. Dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight in Plitvice area. (Driving time approx.. 3:00h). HOTEL DEGENIJA or HOTEL 16 LAKES or similar.

DAY 5 PLITVICE LAKES – ZADAR – SPLIT (BT)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive down from the mountain region of Lika via the coast towards the city of Zadar. The historic town of Zadar is rich in cultural and historical monuments. Here you can see The Roman forum dated to the 1st century AD, the church of St. Donatus dated to the 9th century AD. Of special interest are the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind in the world. From Zadar, we continue to the Bibich Winery for a gourmet experience that is more than a simple wine tasting. The winery burnt to the ground during the war is now producing rewarded wines and exporting 80% of their production to USA & Scandinavia. We will taste the Dalmatian Debit white wine and Cuvee of Shiraz & Merlot, accompanied with delicious Croatian style Tapas. Departure towards Split for overnight. (total driving time 4 to 5h). HOTEL CORNARO or HOTEL FERMAI or Similar.

DAY 6 SPLIT & TROGIR Sightseeing (BL)
Today’s Split is the handiwork of seventeen centuries of men and women building and remodeling, adding, tearing down and touching up, so that 18th-century houses intersect with ancient Roman walls and 4th-century chambers house 20th-century apartments. At the core of this sprawling city scape is the palace Emperor Diocletian built for his golden years at the turn of the fourth century. Today's lunch will be the traditional Dalmatian dish – Pašticada which we will taste at the Tragos restaurant in Trogir. The town of Trogir, a UNESCO site, has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. Trogir has a high concentration of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as fortresses on a small island. Sometimes referred to as the floating museum town.

DAY 7 SPLIT – STON – DUBROVNIK (BT)
On our way to Dubrovnik we will stop near the town of Ston, where we visit a local winery and taste the famous “Plavac Mali” wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. In this winery the traditional wine making business has been passed on for generations, offering a unique story everyone wants to hear. The wine tasting includes a wine presentation on all the specifics of the wine-making process, wine tasting and snack. Arrival in Dubrovnik and overnight. (driving time 5 hours). HOTEL LERO or HOTEL LAPAD or similar.

DAY 8 DUBROVNIK (BD)
Completed in the thirteen century, the old city Dubrovnik has remained unchanged since. Its medieval ramparts encircle the city which pedestrians can enter through one of two gates - either way, they cross a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise (Vlaho), to find themselves joining the evening promenade down the broad, stone-paved avenue known as Stradun. After the sightseeing free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 9 DUBROVNIK (B)
After Breakfast end of the round trip. Individual transfers to the airport are included, or a choice of optional excursions, cruises and hotel stay.
Legend: B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner, T – tasting, CD – Captain`s dinner

Single room supplement is extra.

INCLUSIONS

• Transfers as per itinerary in modern motor-coach / van with A/C.

• Professional tour manager during the entire trip.

• Welcome drink and info meeting on arrival.

• Porterage

• 8 breakfasts in 4 star Hotels, except 3 star on Plitvice lakes & city taxes

• 4 dinners in hotel restaurants

• 4 high quality gourmet experiences in wineries and local restaurants as per itinerary (Zigante Truffels / Bibich winery / restaurant Tragos / Pelješac winery)

• Sightseeing of Zagreb, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Split, entrances: Pula Colosseum, Diocletian Palace Split, Cathedral in Šibenik, Franciscan monastery in Dubrovnik, Plitvice lakes

EXCLUSIONS
• Personal expenses, International & internal airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver.