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Croatia tour – 9 days
9 days/ 8 nights
The price is based on the number of people in your group.
Description
Discover the wonders of Croatia, a Mediterranean gem with an irregular shape and a spectacular 1100-mile coastline along the Adriatic Sea, adorned with 1246 islands. Your journey through Croatia commences in Zagreb, the vibrant capital, where you’ll explore its captivating surroundings.
En route to the coastal town of Opatija, you’ll visit the enchanting Plitvice Lakes National Park, a natural wonder boasting countless waterfalls. Opatija, your home for two nights, serves as the perfect hub for exploring the Istrian peninsula, a region brimming with Roman landmarks, picturesque coastal towns like Rovinj, and charming hilltop villages. Your next destination is Split, where the ancient Roman Emperor Diocletian’s colossal palace, spanning 30,000 square meters, awaits exploration. A knowledgeable local guide will lead you through these remarkably preserved ruins. Conclude your adventure with two nights in Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” a former Mediterranean maritime powerhouse. This captivating city is sure to become your new favorite coastal gem. Explore the wonders of Croatia with us.
Day 1
ZAGREB AIRPORT - ZAGREB
Upon your arrival at Zagreb Airport, your guide will be there to meet you and provide a hassle-free transfer to your centrally located Hotel Palace or a similar option, where you will be staying for the next two nights. After you’ve checked in, take some time to relax and unwind, allowing yourself to recover from your long flight. Later in the afternoon, join your guide for an informative orientation walk through the historic center of Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. This guided stroll will help you get acquainted with the city and its charms. Following the orientation walk, enjoy a delightful welcome dinner, immersing yourself in the local cuisine and atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to start your Croatian adventure. (D)
Day 2
ZAGREB - KUMROVEC - ZAGREB
This morning, your exploration of Zagreb continues. Your walking tour will lead you through Zagreb Gradac, the upper town, and the castle area, which serves as the political center of both the city and the entire country. As you wander through these historic areas, you’ll have the chance to absorb the unique atmosphere and take in the sights. After your morning tour, you’ll venture into Dolac, a lively market area where you can browse the various stalls offering a wide range of typical products. If you’re looking for recommendations for lunch, your guide will be happy to provide you with some options based on your preferences.
In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a journey to Kumrovec, the birthplace of former Yugoslav president Tito. Here, you’ll visit an ethnographical open-air museum representing the typical village life of this region, located near the Croatian-Slovenian border. This visit offers insight into the communist history of both countries. Afterward, you’ll have time for leisurely strolling through the village. As evening approaches, you’re free to choose your dinner arrangements and explore Zagreb at your own pace. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant evening atmosphere and perhaps discover some local culinary delights. (B)
Day 3
ZAGREB - PLITVICE LAKES - OPATIJA
Get ready for an active morning as you lace up your hiking shoes. We’ll head south to explore the Croatian UNESCO site, Plitvice Lakes. This natural wonder is a collection of lakes along the Korana River, and it’s truly remarkable. You’ll have the chance to visit both the Upper and Lower lakes, meandering through lush forests and picturesque parks. Be sure to have your camera ready, as there will be countless photo opportunities.
Following some free time for lunch at a typical local restaurant, our journey continues to Opatija. This fashionable resort town, once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is nestled along the Adriatic coastline. You’ll be accommodated at the waterfront Hotel Milenij 5* or a similar option for two nights. (B)
Day 4
OPATIJA - PULA - ROVINJ - GROŽNJAN - OPATIJA
Today’s itinerary is dedicated to exploring the beautiful Istrian peninsula. Your journey commences in Pula, the capital of Istria. This town has a rich history dating back to ancient Roman times, as evidenced by its well-preserved Roman remains, most notably the impressive Amphitheatre. Your visit to these ancient sites will offer you a glimpse into Pula’s storied past. Next, you’ll head west along the picturesque Istrian coastline to reach Rovinj, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” This charming town, which was once an island, bears witness to the many centuries of Istria’s association with the Venetian Republic. While in Rovinj, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its cobblestone streets, admire its coastal setting, and immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere.
On your return journey to Opatija, you’ll take a scenic route inland that leads you across rolling hills to the artistically inspiring hilltop village of Grožnjan. This enchanting village is known for its creative spirit and captivating views.
As you make your way back to Opatija, you’ll arrive in time to relish the evening ambiance of this coastal town. You might consider dining at one of the charming seaside restaurants in Opatija to conclude your day of exploration. (B)
Day 5
OPATIJA - ZADAR - SPLIT
Prepare to be captivated by the renowned coastal scenery of Croatia, celebrated worldwide for its breathtaking beauty. As you travel along the winding road that hugs the coastline, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of the small inlets and islands that dot the coastline, with the adjacent hills enhancing the dramatic and untamed natural surroundings.
Your first destination today is Zadar, a historic fortified port town with a rich heritage. Your guide will accompany you on a brief walking tour of this town, offering the opportunity to take in its highlights, including the unique and intriguing Sea Organ sculpture. After some free time for lunch, your journey will continue south along the coast, promising more incredible views and stunning natural beauty.
In the afternoon, you’ll reach the town of Primošten, a hub of Dalmatian winemaking. This charming town is nestled in the heart of the Dalmatian wine region, and it offers a delightful setting to explore. From there, you’ll continue your journey along the scenic coastal road, eventually arriving in Split.
Your accommodations for the next two nights will be at Hotel Luxe or a similar option. To complete your day of travel and exploration, you’ll be treated to dinner at a lovely local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 6
SPLIT
In modern times, Split stands as the largest city on the Dalmatian coast, serving as the administrative, cultural, and economic capital of the region. The city’s historical significance can be traced back to the ancient Roman Emperor Diocletian, who commissioned the construction of his palace here in 305 A.D. It’s no surprise that Diocletian chose this location, considering he was born in the nearby town of Solin, known as Salona in ancient times. Today, the remains of his palace make up a significant portion of the city’s historic center. Your morning in Split is reserved for an enriching exploration of the city’s many treasures, led by a knowledgeable local guide. You’ll uncover the historical and architectural wonders that make Split such a remarkable destination. After your guided tour, the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your leisure. You can choose to relax on the pristine beaches, or perhaps unwind with a glass of wine at one of the charming sidewalk cafes that line the streets. (B)
Day 7
SPLIT - MAKARSKA - STON - DUBROVNIK
Our journey continues southward today, promising a special and unique experience. Along the way to our final destination, Dubrovnik, we’ll make a stop in the historic town of Ston, situated strategically on the Pelješac peninsula. Ston is renowned for its oyster farms, and while here, you’ll have the chance to indulge in a delectable oyster lunch, savoring the local delicacies.
In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a short walk atop Ston’s historic walls. This leisurely stroll not only provides an excellent vantage point for enjoying breathtaking views but also offers a glimpse into the town’s rich history. Following our visit to Ston, we’ll head to Dubrovnik, where you’ll spend the next two nights in the comfortable accommodations of Hotel Villa Argentina or a similar option. Enjoy your stay in this beautiful coastal city known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic. (B, L)
Day 8
DUBROVNIK
This morning, you’ll be guided through a captivating walking tour of Dubrovnik, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Your exploration will encompass Stradun, the city’s main street, as well as the renowned and majestic defensive walls that encircle the Old Town. These walls offer stunning panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
The afternoon is yours to freely explore the enchanting city of Dubrovnik at your own pace. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, admire its beautiful architecture, and savor its unique atmosphere.
In the evening, your guide, who has become a friend during your journey, will accompany you to a memorable farewell dinner. It’s the perfect occasion to share your thoughts and impressions about this remarkable trip while enjoying a glass of wine. And who knows, you might even start planning your next adventure! (B, D)
Day 9
DUBROVNIK - DUBROVNIK AIRPORT
Sad but true, your unforgettable Croatian tour has come to an end. It’s time for you to bid farewell to this beautiful country and its incredible experiences. Your guide will transfer you to Dubrovnik airport. We hope you’ve enjoyed your journey and that you carry cherished memories of Croatia with you. If you ever wish to explore more, don’t hesitate to get in touch for your next adventure. Safe travels. (B)
- Transportation in luxury passenger mini-van with extra leg room
- Transfer to Zagreb hotel from Zagreb/Trieste/Ljubljana/Venice airport (other airports available for extra cost)
- Dubrovnik airport transfer out on Day 9
- 8 nights hotel accomodation based on double/twin bed occupancy in a 4 or 5 star hotels
- Full time professional English speaking driver/guide while on the tour
- Local Guides in Zagreb,Split and Dubrovnik
- Orientational guided walk of Kumrovec, Pula, Rovinj, Veliki Ston, Plitvice Lakes and Zadar
- All breakfasts, 4 dinners with drinks, 1 lunch with drinks,..
- Entrance fees to Diocletian Palace Cellars in Split, Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik, Pula Amphiteater, Dubrovnik walls, Ston Walls and Plitvice National park
- Organization, basic insurance and VAT
- Visit Zagreb central farmers market
- Visit Kumrovec, former Yugoslav president´s birthplace Tito and enter his birth house
- Hike Plitvice Lakes
- Have a coffee at the Opatija coastal promenade
- Visit Pula´s Amphitheatre
- Enjoy the view from hilltop town Grožnjan in Istria
- Listen to the Sea Organ in Zadar
- Walk the Diocletian´s Palace in Split with a local guide
- Experience the lunch on the oyster farm in Ston
- Explore Dubrovnik and its walls with a local guide
Croatia tour begins: Zagreb, Croatia
Transfer from Ljubljana, Trieste, Zagreb or Venice airport on Day 1
Other airports on request.
Croatia tour ends: Dubrovnik, croatia
Transfer to Dubrovnik airport on Day 9
Other airports on request.
testimonials
Hemingway’s trail, Soča Valley and WWI tour - July 2017
“Spectacular scenery with 5-star personalized and attentive service!” My multigenerational family, including two toddler daughters and 70 year-old mother, loved our experience with Slovenia 4 Seasons! We serendipitously found their brochure in the lobby of our hotel, the Starhotels Savoia Excelsior Palace in Trieste. Thus began the best part of our trip, which up until then had consisted of lovely but somewhat impersonal train rides through the Swiss Alps and a self-guided (i.e. lots of walking in the hot sun, waiting in line behind hordes of other tourists, overpaying for water taxis) tour of Venice. We had the time of our lives with Slovenia 4 Seasons, with our jovial tour guide Jernej regaling us with the history and culture of Slovenia and Italy as we were driven smoothly in an air-conditioned and very comfortable minivan through the pristine countryside and perfectly preserved storybook villages of Slovenia--just about half an hour from Trieste, but so orderly and clean compared to Italy--and unspoiled due to its status as a hidden gem and also the national character of cleanliness and pride in caring for their small but self-sufficient country. On the first day, we drove up the mountains to a hilltop playground where my daughters gleefully swung on monkey bars seemingly located at the top of this new world, then back downhill through rich green forests, and around picturesque stone and stucco clad villages, each with a proud little church that hosts every villager's wedding, funeral, and a book that contains hundreds of years of ancestry records. Our tots found the bumpy cobblestone streets of Groznjan, a beautifully-preserved and refreshingly uncrowded medieval Croatian village, to be as charming as they were fun and challenging for their little feet to traverse, an entertaining obstacle course on the way to a feast of sumptuous prawns and grilled fish. We ended the day in Lipica, the site of the Lipizzaner stud farm with gorgeous white horses as well as three roly-poly ponies that the girls delighted in meeting. The next day Jernej took us to the graceful capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, where we visited the colorful and spotless and bustling city center and delicious Farmer's Market. The highlight for the girls, however, was a fantastical indoor playground--Mala Ulica--with a little kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and cafe where they were served freshly squeezed orange juice, grilled cheese, and milk. It was hard to convince them to leave, but our next stop was the most spectacular yet--the dramatic Predjama Castle, built into the side of a cliff with a soaring network of caves extending overhead and through to the other side of the mountain. Jernej introduced us to his friends at the welcoming onsite restaurant, where we dined on savory venison goulash. Our experience with Slovenia 4 Seasons could not have been better or more personalized to our needs and interests--Jernej was willing to literally drive us anywhere we wanted to explore, and stop anywhere for photo ops--and allowed us to see and do so much more, in comfort and safety, than ever would have been possible on our own. We wish we could take them with us on all of our travels--having spent time with tour guides from all over the world, their service truly stands out for their attentiveness, flexibility, creativity, and warmth. We can't wait to go back and see more with Slovenia 4 Seasons!
Josephine, California, USA
Croatia tour island hopping – 11 days - September 2021
Great 2 week private tour We had a great 2 week private tour that went from Slovenia to Greece. We had specific requirements for dates and and one person had to leave the tour earlier than everyone else so Andrej tailored parts of 2 itineraries to work for us. This required a lot of back-and-forth and he was always very responsive. Add this to the fact that he had to keep up with the Covid policies of 6 countries and make sure we could get our covid tests before coming back home. He did a great job and all went smoothly. Our tour manager Blaz drove the van, filled us in on the background of all the countries in colloquial English, told entertaining stories, made sure we always had a decent bathroom when we needed one and took us to several places not on the itinerary that we would never have found ourselves. He was totally on top of every detail and we always felt totally secure, even in countries where we might have otherwise been uneasy. Our tour included about half our meals and the food was really good for all of them. In one very remote place where the plan had been to eat in the hotel for 2 nights due to lack of other options, the food had gone down hill since the last time they were there. When we mentioned that we were less than happy with the meal, Blaz managed to find us another place for the 2nd night that totally met our expectations. All our hotels were extremely well-located. We could just walk right out the door and be in the heart of the nicest part of town. They were all 4-star, as promised, though it turns out that different countries have their own rating system and there were some that would not have been 4 stars by American standards. Still, even the ones that were not quite as polished were clean and otherwise perfectly adequate. All in all, it was a fabulous trip and I would highly recommend Solvenia 4 Seasons to anyone.
Kate G., USA
Balkan tour Croatia, Serbia, Bolgaria, N. Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro – 12 days - May 2023
Hi Andrej I would like to express my appreciation for the way we were looked after on our trip. Stefan was fantastic and no praise is great enough for him. Although it was unfortunate that we were on our own, it did mean we could deviate from the original tour program in Sarajevo and Dubrovnik and see things we did not see on our first trip. I must add that the walking and climbing of steps did take its toll on our legs, we survived, but I don't think we could keep up with a younger bunch. Once again, thank you for a fantastic trip. Best wishes!
Alastair&Jen, SA
Balkan delight 6 countries – 13 days - May 2023
Trip of Lifetime - Slovenia, Croatia, Italy I highly recommend Slovenia 4 Seasons who planned and carried out a wonderful trip for two couples, traveling in Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. Andrej, the owner, was always easy to contact and extremely responsive from initial inquiry to finalizing all the details. Andrej had many good suggestions set forth in his different package tours, yet was flexible to accommodate our travel interests. It is truly a customized, personalized travel experience. And, S4S goes to many other countries as well. We traveled in a very comfortable van with our own tour guide, Blaz, during the first 10 days of our trip. Blaz was very personable, knowledgable about all the sites we visited, and always concerned for our wishes and well-being. In each city we visited, Andrej and Blaz arranged for local guides to show us the highlights so that we saw things we surely would have missed otherwise. Each local guide provided an unbelievable amount of information about the people, customs, and history of each town. The hotels along the way were all well situated, well equipped, and with friendly staff. Most of the hotels were luxurious. Our trip typically included breakfast every morning at the hotels and we had several dinners along the way with Blaz. We started in Ljubljana, Slovenia and traveled over the space of ten days all the way to Dubrovnik at the southern end of Croatia. Each day was well planned to include a walking tour and plenty of time to be on your own. After Slovenia and Croatia, we went to Trieste, Italy where we again stayed in a wonderful hotel and enjoyed the local sites. Andrej then took us over to Venice, Italy for a fabulous day trip. We then ended our trip with a few days in Munich, staying at Louis Hotel. We found the city and the hotel to be absolutely fantastic. Andrej arranged our transfers to and from airports, which were all done as professionally as the entire trip. There are too many good things to say about Andrej and Balz along with the amazing places we saw and friendly people we met along the way to put everything into one review. For any who have concerns, English was spoken by nearly everybody we encountered, you felt quite safe everywhere and at all times of the day and night, and you were treated as a welcome guest everywhere. For a trip of a lifetime, you should book with them, right away.
Jim E., Florida, USA
Central Balkan tour Croatia, BIH & Serbia – 9 days - September 2023
The best possible tour of the Balkans We have travelled a lot but the 15 day tour of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro that Andrej organised for us was exceptional. Everything from choice of hotels, driver/guide, everything seen, food and wines, local guides and total ambience of the trip was more than anybody could ever expect. We began the trip with minimal knowledge of the countries we visited but, by the end of the comprehensive input from all the guides, we are leaving with some considerable knowledge of this complicated and exciting region. Slovenia4Seasons should be the first choice of anybody intending to visit the Balkans and beyond.
David C., AUS
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Why travel with us?
Explore the world with the utmost comfort and flexibility on a private tour, offering eight compelling reasons to choose this personalized travel experience:
1. Private Travel, Unforgettable Experience: Tailored tours providing a unique blend of major attractions and off-the-beaten-path gems for an unforgettable journey.
2. All-Inclusive Experience: No optional excursions or hidden extras – everything you need is included in the tour package.
3. Best Value Private Tours: Offering the best value compared to the competition, ensuring you get the most out of your travel investment.
4. Prime Old Town Hotels: Stay in the best hotels strategically located in the heart of old towns, providing convenience and immersion in local culture.
5. Authentic Family-Run Restaurants: Dine in the finest family-run restaurants, enjoying à la carte menus with inclusive drinks such as wine, beer, soft drinks, and water with meals.
6. Exceptional Tour Guides: Knowledgeable and engaging guides enhance your travel experience with insights into local history, culture, and attractions.
7. Leisurely Pace: No need for early wake-up calls; enjoy a relaxed pace, with the average day starting at 9 am.
8. Flexible Airport Transfers: Choose your arrival airport with flexibility in mind, as we provide convenient transfers to and from nearby airports to your hotel. Travel comfortably and confidently with a private tour experience.