Taste and Feel Croatia

Fly into Dubrovnik Airport, where our driver will greet you and transport you to the Rixos Premium Hotel, just a 30-minute ride away. After settling into your room, we'll gather for some light refreshments before heading out to explore the ancient city of Dubrovnik.

A local guide will lead us through the impressive Old Town, showcasing its historic Renaissance palaces and the renowned City Walls. After our tour, you'll have free time to wander at your own pace, discovering unique shops and local attractions. Don't miss the chance to relax with a drink on Stradun, often called "the most beautiful street in the world."

As the sun sets, we'll head to a hill overlooking Dubrovnik for local snacks and wine while enjoying breathtaking views. Finally, we'll visit our trip leader's local home for a farm-to-table dining experience, a delightful way to end our first day in Dubrovnik.

Today, we’ll explore the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea and its pristine islands. After a short boat ride, we’ll discover the beauty of the Elafiti Islands: Šipan, Koločep, and Lopud. We’ll experience hidden gems away from mass tourism and gain insight into the local way of life, becoming part of their community for a moment.

For lunch, we'll feast on fresh seafood —the catch arrives just before our meal, grilled by a local chef with olive oil and sea salt. This food is the essence of Dalmatian flavors. 

After our island exploration - swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the local cuisine - we’ll return to the city by boat, taking in stunning coastal views.

We’ll return to the hotel for drinks and a light meal in the evening, capping off another wonderful day. Relax and savor the delightful atmosphere as you recount our adventures.

We'll check out of the hotel after breakfast and head for the ancient city of Ston, known for having the second-longest wall in the world. 

Built by the Republic of Dubrovnik to protect the production of "white gold" - sea salt - the wall embodies the region's history. We'll tour the ancient saltworks and see how it's still being produced today via traditional methods. 

Following our historical exploration, we'll visit a private oyster farm to taste the renowned oysters from Mali Ston Bay. These oysters are a special protected local species only found here. 

Next, we'll explore Pelješac, Croatia's famous wine region. Amidst the vineyards, our sommelier will introduce us to Croatian wines, showcasing some award-winning varieties that grace tables around the globe.

After a day filled with history, culture, and gastronomic delights, we'll head to Split, known for its lively atmosphere and stunning architecture. Here, we'll check in at the Cornaro Hotel Split with time to relax and freshen up before we head out for dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants. Raise your glasses to another perfect day in Croatia!

We’ll uncover the secrets of ancient Split after breakfast. In the 1st century, the Roman emperor Diocletian retired to Split, constructing a magnificent palace where we can still roam around today. We’ll also explore the oldest cathedral in the world, the Diocletian’s cellars, thermal baths, and other fascinating highlights. 

After soaking in history, you’ll have free time to explore, stroll through charming narrow streets and discover hidden gems at your own pace. 

We’ll come back together to enjoy a relaxed lunch outside the city, featuring local flavors, including uniquely Croatian lamb.

As the day continues, we’ll head over to Klis Fortress, which played a crucial role in Croatian history. From here, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Dalmatian region and its stunning islands - ideal for memorable photos. 

We’ll cap off our day with dinner on the hotel’s rooftop, where we'll savor a meal together while taking in the spectacular views of Split.

After breakfast, we'll board a local ferry over to the iconic island of Hvar. As one of Croatia's most famous islands, it has a long and rich history, starting with the ancient Greeks founding a colony here called Pharos. We'll take a tour of the island, visiting the world's oldest public theater and a functioning Greek shipyard while we soak in the Mediterranean island vibes.

We'll drive 20 minutes to an abandoned village, once one of the largest on the island, surrounded by olive plantations. 

Back in its heyday, this village was home to the leading olive oil production site and is still one of the best places to taste homemade extra virgin olive oil. Our host, the village's last remaining resident, has opened a small restaurant where he'll reveal his secrets to island cuisine by hosting a private cooking demonstration just for us!

We'll return by ferry to Split, where a restful evening awaits. Dinner is on your own or with new friends tonight. There are plenty of excellent restaurant options near the hotel.

After breakfast, we'll set off for an adventure at Krka National Park. Once we arrive in the quaint town of Skradin, our guide will help us board a scenic boat ride deep into the heart of the park.  

The national park's Mediterranean climate and lush vegetation will captivate you. Surrounded by hundreds of small waterfalls, we'll go to Skradinski Buk, the largest and most famous waterfall. We'll enjoy a leisurely 4 km walk along picturesque trails through untouched nature.

After our hike, we'll eat at a small, locally owned spot near the waterfalls. We'll dine on homemade cuisine, sampling, pancetta, and aged cheeses, all prepared with love. 

This evening, we're back in Split for a relaxing dinner at Articok, renowned for its twist on traditional Dalmatian dishes. It's a great way to unwind and reflect on the day's adventures with good company and delicious food.

We'll bid farewell to Split after breakfast, taking off on a scenic multi hour drive to the Istrian peninsula. 

Upon our arrival, we'll meet a local family who've been hunting truffles with trained dogs for generations. We'll venture into the forest for an exciting truffle hunt during the perfect season. Afterward, we'll return to incorporate the truffles into a homemade pasta we'll prepare as a group. Fun fact: Istria is the second-largest truffle region in Europe.

After our foraging experience, we’ll head to check in at Villa Meneghetti, a stunning estate set in the rolling hills of a vineyard.

Dinner will be a gastronomic experience paired with local wines. After a busy day, sleep will come easily.

Our day starts with a farm-to-table breakfast in the beautiful gardens of Villa Meneghetti.

The morning will be relaxing! Indulge in a glorious spa treatment. Walk the gardens and vineyards. Or lounge by the pool.

Around 4 pm, we'll head to Rovinj, a charming fishing village known for its colorful houses and picturesque layout. We'll explore the enchanting narrow streets before enjoying a local lunch with sea views. We'll have free time to soak in the atmosphere and discover and shop the town at our own pace. 

Before we head to dinner, we can celebrate the end of the day with a cocktail while the sun sets over the Adriatic.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant featuring homemade pasta. You will be part of the clean plate club!

It’s time to say goodbye to Istria's stunning landscapes as we head to the vibrant capital of Zagreb. 

The first stop on our adventures today will be the ancient city of Pula, home to the iconic amphitheater, often featured in travel imagery as a symbol of Croatia. A local guide will share history about this impressive structure, the world's sixth-largest Roman amphitheater. 

After Pula, it's about a 3-hour drive to Zagreb, where we'll check in to the 5-star Art'otel Hotel in the city's most central area. 

Zagreb is Croatia’s largest urban center, yet it exudes charm and character. We’ll explore the city’s fascinating history, tracing influences from the Middle Ages, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the World Wars, Yugoslavia, and the emergence of modern Croatia.

For lunch, we'll have the chance to sample some of Zagreb’s most renowned dishes, such as roasted turkey with mlinci, traditional shepherd's stew, or štrukli, a cheesy baked pastry. Afterwards, take advantage of a bit of free time to explore the city center, shop for souvenirs, and soak in the local vibe.

As the day draws to a close, we’ll gather for a special farewell dinner at the Sol Tapas Bar, featuring tapas-style bites paired with delightful Croatian wines.

Savor a relaxing breakfast, or head out and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. When you're ready, we'll transfer you to the airport.

Until we meet again, carry this Croatian adventure and all of the lovely memories we've made as a group with you as you head home. 

If you're joining the trip extension, onward!

Prepare to discover Slovenia's breathtaking beauty! We'll start our adventure after a 2 hour transfer from Zagreb to Lake Bled, one of the country's most iconic destinations. 

This glacial lake, nestled between the majestic Alps, is renowned for its stunning scenery. We'll begin by strolling around, taking in the views before boarding a traditional wooden boat to explore the tranquil waters. 

Our journey takes us to a picturesque island with a monastery. Back on land, it's time to indulge in a local culinary delight, the famous Bled Cream Cake. Savor this sweet treat with a coffee on the shores of the lake. 

We'll have free time to explore the area around Lake Bled before we begin the short 45-minute ride to Ljubljana, Slovenia's vibrant capital. We'll then explore the city's highlights, which showcase its enchanting architecture and rich history. 

We'll enjoy a late lunch in Ljubljana and return to Zagreb for our final evening.

After freshening up, we'll meet in the lobby for a farewell drink.

What a wonderful trip we've had! While our experience may be ending, the memories we've created together will last a lifetime. 

When the time comes, we'll transfer you to Zagreb Airport for your onward travel. Until we meet again...