Highlights of Croatia Private Tour

Your Highlights of Croatia getaway begins upon your arrival into Zagreb, Croatia’s capital and largest city. Your private driver will meet you at the airport for transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day to enjoy at your leisure. A walk is a great way to beat jet lag while getting a preview of the city. We suggest taking a ride on the cable car to the Upper Town in the medieval district for a stroll through the winding streets and alleyways.

A guided sightseeing tour will bring you to Zagreb’s highlights for an intriguing look at its history and culture. The cobbled streets are lined with an eclectic mix of classical Viennese secessionist architecture and Austro-Hungarian heritage. You’ll get a close look at the colorful roof of St. Mark’s Church, Zagreb Cathedral with its twin spires, the House of Parliament, Dolac Market, the Croatian National Theater and more. You’ll also enjoy a break to sample Croatia’s traditional specialty, strukili at “La Struk.”

After checking out of your hotel in Zagreb, you’ll take private transfer to Rovinj on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula. Check into your accommodation in this romantic city and then enjoy the rest of the day to yourself. A stroll through the streets will immediately reveal the strong Venetian influence as Croatia’s most Italian town. We suggest a walk along the lovely promenade or climbing to St. Euphemia Church, the highest point in the city, for a panoramic view.

This morning your expert guide will meet pick you up for a tour of lush Tuscany-like region of Istria. For wine enthusiasts and foodies there are few better destinations. Discover the world’s smallest town, Hum, tasting the delicious local jams and brandies, and in Buzet, sample truffle delicacies that come direct from the truffle hunter and producer. Stunning hilltop Motovun brings the opportunity for tasting more truffle products and you’ll visit Groznjan too, another magnificent hilltop village known for its art and music.

Moving on from Rovinj, you’ll be met by your driver who will bring you to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a tour of its breathtaking lakes and waterfalls. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to 16 interconnected lakes in crystal-clear shades of emerald and turquoise along with around 100 waterfalls. You’ll take a relaxing boat ride across Kozjak Lake and then walk the scenic pathways surrounded by surreal fantasy-like scenes before being delivered to your Plitvice hotel for the evening.

Private transfer will bring you to the ancient city of Split today, but first you’ll stop for a tour of the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir. Like an open-air museum, marvel at the magnificent Renaissance and Venetian buildings and monuments while your guide fills you in on their history, and enjoy views of Kamerlengo, the 15^th-century Venetian castle/fortress, from the seaside promenade. After checking into your Split accommodation, we recommend unwinding at one of the many wine bars, cafes or restaurants along the Riva promenade.

Meet your local gourmet guide for a culinary and history tour of some of Split’s hottest gastronomic spots, sampling delicious eats whilst you explore the narrow streets of Roman emperor Diocletian’s 4^th-century palace. It begins at the Green Market where you’ll taste whilst learning about the local foods. Afterwards, head to a traditional konoba famous for local specialties like handmade pastas and fresh seafood. At a small shop, try soparnik, a peasant pie, concluding at a pastry shop for traditional pastries and gelato.

Enjoy a relaxed morning and then hop on a catamaran to transfer to cosmopolitan Hvar, one of the longest and sunniest Dalmatian islands, known for attracting international jetsetters, including celebrities, with world-class restaurants and lively nightlife. There’s also plenty of history to explore and spectacular views to enjoy, like the one from the 16^th-century fortress. After your arrival, relax on one of the beaches or head to the historic center to do some sightseeing, and then check out the outstanding dining scene.

The Pakleni Islands lie just off Hvar’s southwest coast, ideal for a half-day sailing trip. You’ll be introduced to these gorgeous emerald jewels while being able to capture a postcard-perfect photo as it fades away and you begin cruising around the archipelago. Enjoy the scenery, sip wine and soak up the sun as your captain searches for the perfect secluded cove so that you’ll be able to leap into the turquoise water for a swim before making your way back to Hvar for the night.

Discover more of beautiful Hvar today by taking an island tour to explore its most picturesque villages and countryside with vineyards and fields of lavender. Visit Stari Gard, the oldest town in Croatia having been settled in the 4^th-century BC and the small town of Vrbovska, often referred to as “Little Venice,” with a narrow, winding canal and stone bridges. Meet winemakers at a family-run winery to sample some of the tasty island wines before returning to Hvar Town.

Bid farewell to Hvar as you’ll transfer to the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” the final destination on this memorable itinerary. Along the way you’ll stop to visit an oyster farm in medieval Ston to sample the fishing village’s most famous delicacy, with its delicious flavor said to be due to the high salt and mineral content in the bay of Mali Ston. You’ll have a full day of touring tomorrow so upon your arrival to Dubrovnik, simply unwind and enjoy the view.

Start your day off by discovering Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town starting from Pile Gate. Your knowledgeable guide will regale you with fascinating facts and historical anecdotes from the city’s history as you stroll the marble paved streets. See Onofrio’s Fountain which has provided drinking water since 1438; the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of Europe’s oldest still active pharmacies, founded in 1317, and the magnificent gothic/Renaissance Rector’s Palace. This evening, you’ll get to know the locals at a dinner hosted in a family home.

As they say, all good things must come to an end, with your grand adventure through the highlights of Croatia concluding today. You’ll be met by private transfer for the journey to Dubrovnik’s airport to catch your flight home, or if you’d like to extend your trip by visiting Montenegro, Slovenia or anywhere else, contact our travel experts who will be happy to help.