Croatia Discovery Tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Zagreb

• Arrival on Zagreb airport and transfer to the hotel in Zagreb. After check into hotel we are going on a walking tour with a local guide of Zagreb, capital of Croatia. We visit the Zagreb Cathedral, whose twin spires soar over the city. The sacristy still contains a cycle of frescoes that date from the second half of the 13th century. The side altar features a triptych by Albrecht Dürer. Our walk through the old town takes us to colorful St. Mark’s Church, with its unique tiled roof constructed in 1880. The tiles on the left side depict the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia, while the emblem of Zagreb is on the right side. Dinner and overnight in Zagreb.
• Included:
  • Meals: dinner
  • Accommodation: hotel 3* or 4*, Zagreb
  • Visit: Zagreb
  • Entrance fees: not included
  • Transportation: private luxury coach, total driving time 30 minutes

Day 2 – Zagreb via Pula to Poreč

• After breakfast depart towards Istria. First we will stop in Pula, where we are going to "walk through time", from ancient times through Roman arches and the Arena, one of the most preserved amphitheatres, through ancient renaissance and finally to modern day. After lunch break drive to Poreč where we will spend our second night.The whole old city of Porec is monument of culture. The old city has preserved the structure of old Roman castrum. The main streets, Decumanus and Cardo Maximus, are still preserved in their original forms. Decumanus connected the square Marafor in the western part of old city with city gates at its eastern end. Roman Forum with temples to Roman gods was located on the Marafor square. There is still today a Romanic house and a few beautiful Venetian gothic palaces. The Istrian Assembly Hall, originally a 13th century gothic Franciscan church, was remade in baroque style in the 18th century. Porec was surrounded with fortification walls from 12th to 19th century. Three defense towers still exist at the entrance of the old city. The most important cultural monument of Porec is the complex of Euphrasian Basilica dating from the 5th century. The original church was extended in the 6th century under Byzantine Empire and bishop Euphrasius. The interior of the basilica is ornamented with unique mosaics. From 1997 Eufrasius basilica is protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Dinner and overnight in Poreč.
• Included:
  • Meals: breakfast, dinner
  • Accommodation: hotel 3* or 4*, Poreč
  • Visit: Pula and Poreč
  • Entrance fees: amphiteater Arena in Pula and Euphrasius basilica in Poreč
  • Transportation: private luxury coach, total driving time 4 hours

Day 3 – Poreč to NP Plitvice lakes

• After breakfast drive to the Plitvice Lakes. Walking tour of upper and lower lakes, there are sixteen lakes cascade from one to another in a series of waterfalls. Surrounded by dense woods, the region is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight in Plitvice.
• Included:
  • Meals: breakfast, dinner
  • Accommodation: hotel 3* or 4*, Plitvice
  • Visit: Plitvice lakes
  • Entrance fees: Plitvice lakes national park
  • Transportation: private luxury coach, total driving time 3,5 hours

Day 4- Plitvice via Zadar to Trogir

• After breakfast drive to Zadar. Upon arrival we will tour ancient Zadar. Built on Roman urban principles, the old town is a treasure trove of archaeological treasures and monuments to the ancient, medieval and Renaissance periods. In afternoon drive to Trogir for dinner and overnight.
• Included:
  • Meals: breakfast, dinner
  • Accommodation: hotel 3* or 4*, Trogir or Kaštela
  • Visit: Zadar and Trogir
  • Entrance fees: Cathedral ST Lawrence in Trogir
  • Transportation: Private luxury coach, total driving time 3,5 hours

Day 5- Split to Dubrovnik

• In morning hour you are met by our local guide for a walking tour of Split. In 295 AD the Roman emperor Diocletian started to build his palace here in the land of his birth and construction lasted 10 years. Diocletian spared no expense, importing marble from Italy and Greece, and columns and sphinxes from Egypt. A military fortress, imperial residence and fortified town, the palace measures 215m from east to west (including the square corner towers) and 181m wide at the southernmost point. The walls at their highest measure 26m and the entire structure covers 31,000 sq metres. Each wall has a gate named after metals: the northern gate is the Golden Gate; the southern gate is the Bronze Gate; the eastern gate is the Silver Gate; and the western gate is the Iron Gate. Today the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most imposing Roman ruins in existence. Within the ancient walls of Diocletian’s Palace rises the majestic cathedral surrounded by a tangle of marble streets containing shops and some of the most outstanding classical architecture in the world. However, far from being a museum, the 220 buildings within the palace boundaries are home to about 3,000 people. The transformation of the palace into the town began in the 7th Century when the inhabitants of nearby Salona took refuge in the palace during the invasions of the Avars and Slavs. We visit the impressive cellars of the palace to get an idea of the original structure, the Peristyle, Baptistery of St. John and Cathedral of St. Dominus. The harbor side promenade lined with cafés makes for a lovely stroll and the high coastal mountains set against the blue Adriatic provide striking vistas in all directions. In afternoon hour drive to Dubrovnik for overnight.
• Included:
  • Meals: breakfast, dinner
  • Accommodation: hotel 3* or 4*, Dubrovnik
  • Visit: Split
  • Entrance fees: Diocletian Palace and Cathedral of St.Dominus
  • Transportation: Private luxury coach, total driving time 3,5 hours

Day 6- Dubrovnik and free time

• Breakfast, city tour of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, which is on UNESCO's list of cultural heritage, surrounded by ramparts and fortresses, is a treasure of architectural and cultural masterpieces, well preserved over the centuries. Besides visits of the Franciscan Monastery with one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe as well as the Rector's Palace many other sights of interest will make the group feel like they have been set back in time. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik. After guided visit of old town you are free to enjoy Dubrovnik’s old city and its Adriatic beaches at your leisure for the rest of the day and evening. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
• Included:
  • Meals: breakfast, dinner
  • Accommodation: hotel 3* or 4*, Dubrovnik
  • Visit: Dubrovnik
  • Entrance fees: not included
  • Transportation: Private luxury coach for local transfers

 Day 7- Departure from Dubrovnik

• Breakfast, transfer to the Dubrovnik airport.
• Included:
  • Meals: breakfast,
  • Accommodation: not included
  • Visit: not included
  • Transportation: Private luxury coach, total driving time 25 minutes