Taste and Feel Croatia

Our adventure begins in the famous city of Dubrovnik. You'll be picked up at the Dubrovnik airport and taken to the Rixos Premium Hotel. It is perfectly located and has amazing sea views. 

After a brief refresh, we'll explore ancient Dubrovnik. Since the 13th century, Dubrovnik has been one of Europe's most important republics. The impressive Old Town, surrounded by ancient walls, was the city's crowning glory. Our local guide will take you to discover incredible Renaissance palaces and lead you on a stroll along the city walls.  

Today, we'll enjoy a delicious seafood lunch after our walk. The menu includes delicacies like black risotto and fisherman's stews combined with a delectable choice of wines.  

Enjoy some free time after lunch. The hotel has a lovely spa with a sea view - a great way to fight off jet lag. 

We'll head to a small hill above Dubrovnik's old town after sunset, and tuck into a local meal served with Croatian wine as we say cheers to our first day in Croatia!

Today, we'll get to know the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea and its hidden islands. After breakfast, we’ll take a short and enjoyable boat ride to explore Šipan, Koločep, and Lopud, little-known to tourists. We'll meet the local islanders and immerse ourselves in their way of life. 

The highlight of the day is lunch. We'll indulge in the freshest seafood prepared by a local chef. Grilled with olive oil and sea salt, it's the simplest and most authentic way to taste the flavors of Dalmatia. Chilled local wine will complement the meal, making us feel like true Dalmatians! 

We return to the city by boat after exploring the islands and soaking up the sun. 

Take the evening to relax and unwind at the hotel. Dinner is on your own. 

Our first stop after breakfast today is the historic city of Ston, where we'll take an exclusive tour of the ancient saltworks. Here, we'll discover the fascinating history of the second longest wall in the world, built to protect the "white gold" - sea salt in production. 

Next, it's time for our first gastronomic adventure of the day. We'll head to a private oyster farm located in Maloston Bay. Here, we'll try the world-renowned, protected endemic oyster species found only in this area. We'll also enjoy an exclusive cooking class with local fishermen tasting the freshest oysters possible! 

Pelješac is Croatia's most famous wine region, and we're about to taste its award-winning wines. A sommelier will take us on a vineyard tour and guide us through the world of Croatian wines. Our gastronomic adventure culminates in the middle of the vineyard, where we'll taste the best of these regional wines. 

After a day filled with history, culture, and gastronomic adventures, we head to our next destination, Split. This city is known for its lively atmosphere and stunning architecture. After checking in at the Heritage 19 Hotel Split, we'll freshen up and head out for a welcome dinner at one of the best restaurants in Split, with modernly presented local cuisine. The view is spectacular as we raise our glasses to another perfect day in Croatia!

Today, we explore the historic city of Split. 

We'll start with a delicious breakfast. Then, our adventure will begin with a guided tour of Diocletian's town. This is where the great Roman Emperor, Diocletian, chose to retire. We'll learn the secrets of the ancient palace, including the world's oldest cathedral, Diocletian's cellars, and the ancient thermal baths. After our history lesson, we'll stroll the charming streets of Split and absorb the spirit of the Mediterranean. 

At lunch outside the city, we'll sample the famous Croatian lamb bursting with flavors, tantalizing the taste buds.

After lunch, the Klis fortress beckons. Here, we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Dalmatian coast and all its islands, a great place to learn a little Croatian history.

Tonight, enjoy time and dinner on your own. 

After a delicious breakfast, we'll take a local ferry to one of Croatia's most famous islands – Hvar. We'll wander the winding streets of the ancient town of Pharos, founded by the Greeks. We'll explore the world's oldest public theater and a Greek shipyard still in operation, enjoying the smell of the Mediterranean. The tour will culminate in a visit to the small fortress of Fortica. The breathtaking views will leave you speechless.

Next, we're off to an abandoned village to visit a small household run by a local, the only remaining village resident. This is the perfect opportunity to taste homemade extra virgin olive oil and other local delicacies. An entertaining host will lead us through a cooking class, where we'll learn the secrets of island cuisine while we sip local wine.

Enjoy free time exploring Hvar before we return to Split by ferry. We'll have dinner in Split.

After breakfast, we'll venture over to City of Skradin, a charming fishing village where the Krka River meets the sea. We'll explore this magical place by boat. 

Krka National Park boasts a beautiful blend of the Mediterranean climate and lush vegetation. Hundreds of small waterfalls surround us as we make our way to the main attraction - Skradinski Buk, the area's largest and most famous waterfall. We’ll walk a trail through untouched nature, enjoying the view.

It's time for some authentic, homemade food. We'll visit a small household in a remote location, where we'll try handcrafted prosciutto, pancetta, aged cheeses, and local wine while enjoying the peaceful sound of the tinkling waterfalls around us.

For the rest of the day, we'll explore the region's heritage. The watermill complex at the Roški Slap waterfall is one of Dalmatia's most interesting ethnographic monuments.

After a full day, we'll ride back to Split for free time at the hotel before dinner at a nearby restaurant. 

After breakfast in Split, we'll check out, then take a three-hour pleasant drive to the Istrian peninsula. The first destination is Hum, the world's smallest city. The charming little place on a hilltop is an ideal starting point to explore Istria. During a pleasant walk, we will stop for a local liqueur tasting. Something fantastic is coming! Istria is the second-largest truffle region in Europe. We'll meet a local family that has been hunting truffles with their little helpers trained dogs, for generations. They'll take us into the forest to hunt for that precious mushroom. This is the best season for truffle hunting. After a pleasant afternoon hunting for truffles, we'll cook them like the locals do. The spectacular cooking class led by a local family includes making homemade pasta or gnocchi and combining it with fresh truffles. Together we'll make a homemade 3-course lunch and pair it with local wines.

Our next stop is a small boutique winery known to all gourmets from this area. The friendly host will reveal the secret to making the local Malvasia, a famous white wine. We'll try all his products to conclude this gourmet story.

The last stop is the magical Motovun, gracing a hilltop since the ancient Middle Ages. We will take a leisurely walk, hear local myths and legends, and head to our accommodation nearby – Villa Menenghetti, part of the famous Relais & Châteaux group. The chef will welcome us with a light local dinner to end another amazing day!

We start our new day in Istria in the beautiful gardens of Villa Menenghetti with a farm-to-table breakfast. Our first stop is a highlight of the trip 3-star Michelin restaurant ''Hiša Franko''. On this trip, you've grown accustomed to the flavors of the sea. It's the taste of Croatia. 

Slovenia is mountainous, and the flavors here are stronger than in Croatia. We won't tell you much except that it's very tasty. One of the world's best chefs, and the only woman with 3 Michelin stars– Ana Roš will prepare our food. A ten-course lunch experience awaits us!

It's time to return to Croatia – Let's go to Rovinj! The charming fishing village frequently appears on postcards because of its colorful houses and special shape. We'll explore the narrow streets of this beautiful coastal city. You'll also have free time to explore on your own.

What follows is perhaps the trip's crowning glory. At sunset, a local fisherman will take us around Rovinj Old Town in a traditional sailboat. A sunset sail with a glass of wine crowns the day!

Ride back to Villa Menenghetti (30min)

It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Istria, and today we'll visit neighboring Slovenia. After breakfast, we'll check out and leave for the city of Bled (1.5h ride). Before Bled, we'll stop at one more spot in Croatia- Pula.

Type Croatia into Google and one of the first images that pop up is the famous amphitheater in Pula! Let's tour with a local guide who will reveal all the secrets of the world's sixth-largest amphitheater. A pleasant walk from the Amphitheater around the coastal town of Pula leads us to the other remains of the ancient Roman city.

Bled and Lake Bled are Slovenia's most famous tourist destinations, and for good reason. The small glacial lake is located between the massive Alps. We'll circle the lake. Then, take a small wooden boat and explore it. There is an island with a monastery on the lake. That is our next destination. Now, we start our gastro story. Great specialties are associated with Bled, but the Bled Cream Cake is special. There is nothing better than trying it with a coffee on the shore of the lake.

Enjoy free time at Bled Lake before we drive to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. Our guide will show us this beautiful town's highlights. Yesterday, we had a gastronomic experience in Hiša Franko. Today, we'll try traditional Slovenian food at a family-owned Bistro. They make traditional food based on what's available at fresh markets each day.

Free time in Ljubljana and ride to Zagreb.

Our stay in Zagreb is something special. The hotel was built as a rest station for Orient Express travelers. It still has the old-school charm.

We'll enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Esplanade Hotel. It's among Europe's best.

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye and head for the airport. We'll organize airport transfers based on your flight details,

Your holiday is over but the memories will last a lifetime.