Croatia Food & Wine Discovery
Zagreb – Opatija – Zadar – Plitvice Lakes – Šibenik – Split - Trogir – Dubrovnik


Highlights
A food and wine lovers dream, this gastronomic excursion will bring you to discover some of Croatia’s most spectacular scenic beauty and medieval cities while tasting your way through some of the region’s most delicious eats from Zagreb to Dubrovnik and beyond. Travel into the dense Motovun forest to search for truffles and enjoy a tasting of this rare treat.
Discover some of the top culinary secrets of the region in elegant Opatija as you learn how to make the local version of goulash called žgvacet, enjoy a fresh oyster tasting and plenty of other culinary experiences with traditional Dalmatian fare and ever-flowing fine local wines.



Day | Highlights | Overnight |
Culinary exploration of Zagreb. Cooking class to recreate & enjoy delicious local cuisine. | Zagreb | |
Explore rural area, visit family wineries, discover food pairings. | Zagreb | |
Cooking lesson in elegant Opatija. learning the secrets of local dishes. | Opatija | |
Truffle-hunting in the Motovun forest & sample Istrian wines. | Opatija | |
Explore the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. Enjoy local cuisine in Zadar. | Zadar | |
Visit a fine winery & explore the medieval town of Sibenik. | Split | |
Guided walking tour of the old town Split - Diocletian's Palace. | Split | |
Guided tour of Klis Fortress, an ethno-village & sample local delicacies. Visit charming Trogir. | Split | |
Oyster-tasting experience of the Peljesac Peninsula, sampling fine wines. | Dubrovnik | |
Explore the charms of Bosnia and its wine-making regions. | Dubrovnik | |
Private transfer to Dubrovnik airport. |
Itinerary
Board: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner

Zagreb (Private guided city tour – cooking class)
Get to know the Croatian capital city of Zagreb in the best possible way, on a culinary exploration of the city’s cafes, markets and restaurants. Stroll along the historic cobblestone streets and admire the city’s classicist and secessionist facades, green parks and ornate promenades. Satisfy your inner culture vulture with a trip to one of the many museums, galleries and theatres, or simply soak up the atmosphere whilst watching the world go by. Our private guided tour of Zagreb’s popular attractions is complemented by a cooking class activity, where you can learn about traditional cuisine and recreate classic Dalmatian dishes.

Zagreb (Explore rural area – wine-tasting)
Today we venture just outside of the city boundaries to explore the authentic lifestyle of the friendly village people. Visit a charming local town that is home to a small family-run vineyard, and a picturesque little restaurant that serves locally farmed, sourced and produced delicious food and wine. Visit a traditional čardak house and sample the wonderful Škrlet (white) Graševina (white), Sauvignon (white), Pinot (white), Chardonnay and Frankovka (red) wines that are made from indigenous grapes grown in the region. Learn about the history of wine making in Croatia and discover the perfect food pairings to compliment your favourite wines.

Opatija (Transfer from Zagreb to Opatija – cooking lesson)
Departing Zagreb, we head for one of the oldest cities in Croatia. Opatija is a popular vacation destination for royalty and the rich and famous. Its tourism trade dates to the mid-nineteenth century. Join the elite and take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque 12-km-long Riviera promenade, and relax in a café like a superstar. Your culinary exploration begins with a cooking lesson where you will learn the cooking traditions of the city. Discover the secrets of Istrian pasta, fish filleting and grilling, and learn how to make the famous tasty dish of žgvacet (the local version of gulasch).

Opatija (Truffle-hunting in Motovun forest – free-time in Opatija)
Today’s mouth-watering gastronomy adventure begins with a hunt into the dense Motovun forest for some illusive truffles. You will be accompanied by specially trained truffle-sniffing dogs and will learn all about the secrets and tips for hunting out and finding these precious delicacies. Learn to prepare, and taste your bounty afterwards, and take home some souvenir purchases. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to bask on Opatija’s iconic Lungomare promenade, or to mingle with the friendly locals. A visit to one of the popular restaurants gives you an opportunity to sample food with the Istria local fine wine of Malvazija.

Zadar – Stop at Plitvice Lakes (Transfer from Opatija to Zadar – Visit Plitvice Lakes – waterfalls – explore historic city of Zadar)
This morning we rise early to explore the wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Plitvice Lakes National Park. The natural beauty spot boasts 16 interlinked crystal-clear lakes and endless cascading waterfalls. Wander along the wooden pathways and explore the spectacular scenic landscape and lakes, before departing en route to Zadar. On arrival in the historic city, soak up the culture as you take a walk along the picturesque seaside promenade. Discover the city’s charm and history whilst admiring the landmark archaeological sites and monument attractions. In the evening, enjoy a delicious traditional Croatian dinner experience with accompanying breathtaking sunset views.

Zadar – Split (Transfer to Split – Biblich winery – explore town of Sibenik)
Today we head to another jewel of the Adriatic, the wonderous city of Split. Along the way we will visit the Bibich winery, which is famous for producing some of the finest wines in Croatia. You will embark on a wine tasting tour of the winery and learn about its place in the region before continuing on to Sibernik.
Founded over 1,000 years ago, Sibernik is the former seat of King Petar Krešimir and is still referred to as “Krešimir’s town”. Sitting in the shadows of the imperious Gothic-Renaissance cathedral of St James, made from the precious rocks from Korcul and the Brac Islands, the town is a living museum dotted with fortifications and towers.

Split (Private guided tour of old town & Diocletian’s Palace – free-time)
Venture onwards in Split today and sense the cultural legacy on display. Join our guided tour to the iconic origin of the city. Diocletian’s Palace is situated in the heart of the Old Town and features a maze-like complex of cavernous chambers. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you please. Explore the colourful local cafes, bars and restaurants, visit the galleries and museums, and shop for souvenirs. Hike to the top of Marjan Hill for wonderful views of the city. The Old Town’s cobbled streets direct you to the famous palm tree-lined promenade and fabulous vistas.

Split (Private guided tour to Klis Fortress, ethno-village & town of Trogir)
Klis Fortress is tucked away on a mountain above the city of Split and has served many different purposes for different cultures and peoples. It has also found recent fame as a setting for the hit TV show Game of Thrones. Learn about the traditional Dalmatian way of life on a visit to a nearby ethno-village. Sample the locally made olive oil, cheeses, meats, wines and jams, and purchase some tasty souvenirs. In the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir, explore the preserved Kamerlengo Castle and tower. Just across from Trogir lies Čiovo Island, where the best beaches in Croatia await you.

Dubrovnik (Transfer from Split to Dubrovnik – oyster-tasting – private guided tour of the old town)
Our final food and wine destination is the city of Dubrovnik. Along the way, there is time to stop for an oyster tasting experience in the Pelješac Peninsula. You also have an opportunity to sample some of the fine wines that are produced locally in the region. On arrival in Dubrovnik, join our afternoon guided walking tour of the city’s Old Town. Visit the popular landmark attractions and monuments and enjoy a glimpse of some of the iconic locations used in the hit TV show Game of Thrones. End your excursion with wine tasting at the delightful D’Vino wine bar.

Half-Day Tour in Bosnia
This morning, our expert guide will take you on an activity packed half-day tour into the neighboring country of Bosnia, on the Balkan Peninsula. Home to the craggy Dinaric Alp, medieval villages, rivers and lakes Bosnia is also famous for its up and coming wine producing regions.

Departure
After breakfast, it’s time for the tour to come to an end. Once you have checked out of your hotel, you will be escorted to the airport via private transfer.
What’s Included
- Private guided tours of Zagreb Split and Dubrovnik
- Cooking class in Istria
- 2 nights in Zagreb in a 5-star hotel
- Truffle hunting and tasting in Motovun Forest
- 2 nights in Opatija in a 4-star hotel
- Wine tasting in Bosnia
- 1 night in Zadar in a 4-star hotel
- Wine tasting in Dubrovnik and
- 3 nights in Split in a 4-star hotel
- Visit to Tvrdoš Monastery where monks have been making wine since 15th century, cable car ride up Srdj mountain in Dubrovnik
- 2 nights in Dubrovnik in a 5-star hotel
- Staying on a bed and breakfast basis in each hotel
- Day trips to Klis fortress and Trogir, Plitvice Lakes
What’s not Included
- Return airfares
- Optional gratuities
- Any drinks and meals not included in this itinerary
Let’s get started making this itinerary yours.
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