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Essence of Croatia
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Highlights:
For those confined by time but have an unlimited appreciation for fine living and spectacular scenery, this program might fit the bill. Start your luxury Croatia trip at an elegant hotel in Zagreb, built to serve the discriminating passengers of the Orient Express.
From there, head to the Adriatic coast and the seaside town of Split, a favorite of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Travel by catamaran to the scenic island of Hvar for some island rest & relaxation, and finish in the walled city of Dubrovnik known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
For those confined by time but have an unlimited appreciation for fine living and spectacular scenery, this program might fit the bill. Start your luxury Croatia trip at an elegant hotel in Zagreb, built to serve the discriminating passengers of the Orient Express.
From there, head to the Adriatic coast and the seaside town of Split, a favorite of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Travel by catamaran to the scenic island of Hvar for some island rest & relaxation, and finish in the walled city of Dubrovnik known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
SKU:
Explore: Croatia
Customizable Itinerary - 10 days (from $3,696 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Tonight you board an aircraft for Europe where you will connect to a flight to Croatia. There is good connecting service for most European gateways.
Day 2: Welcome to Croatia
Since you will likely be connecting in Europe you will arrive in Zagreb in the early afternoon. One of our drivers will meet you and deliver you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Prior to your departure we will send you a list of recommended restaurants in each of the areas you visit. Zagreb is an ancient city but its population today is young so there is an active nightlife that rivals a US college town.
Day 3: Exploring Zagreb
After breakfast one of our guides will meet you for a private tour of the city highlights. At one time the city was divided in two and separated by a river much like Buda and Pest today. The Upper town is the older part of the city dating back to the 11th Century. Here you will find St. Mark’s Church, the Croatian Parliament and the Presidential Palace although that owes more to the times under the communists. The river has long dried yup to be replaced by a street. The lower town has shops, restaurants, cafes, theatres and parks so when your guide leaves you in the early afternoon we suggest you spend your time in the “Lower” town.
Breakfast
Day 4: The Natural Beauty of Plitvice Lakes
In the morning your guide will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the Adriatic town of split. On the way you will stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park which is made up of 16 lakes connected by waterfalls. You will have some time to walk among the lakes and have some lunch before heading to Split and checking in to your historic hotel which combines aspects of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It is centrally located and close to the entrance to Diocletian’s Palace.
Breakfast
Day 5: Discovering Split
Your guide will meet you and take you on a private tour of the city which is located on the water at the foot of Marjan hill and protected by two other hills, Kozjak and Mosor. Diocletian was not the only tourist to enjoy the scenic beauty and the weather that Split offers. You will tour inside the Palace walls and also visit the Temple of Jupiter, St. Duje Church and St Frane Church. Once you are familiar with the town you have the afternoon to explore on your own.
Breakfast
Day 6: Ferry to Hvar
Enjoy a leisurely morning before your driver picks you up and takes you to the port where you board a catamaran for a scenic ride to the enchanting island of Hvar, a journey that takes about an hour. Upon arrival in Hvar you check in to your hotel which offers spectacular panoramic views of the town and the marina. A suggested evening could include cocktails at the rooftop terrace followed by dinner at the hotel’s restaurant offering premium cuts of meat and fresh fish. Finish off the evening with a walk along the promenade past the anchored yachts.
Breakfast
Day 7: A Scenic walk to Stari Grad.
You have the full day to explore the island. You can rent a car or a bike but the island is ideal for walking giving you the chance to visit scenic villages, hills covered with trees and fields colored with lavender. You should aim for Stari Grad which is the oldest town on the island and is located on the other side. Stop for lunch in Stari Grad and then visit one of the many vineyards that dot the island to try their vintages. There may still be time left in the day to get in a treatment at the hotel’s spa.
Breakfast
Day 8: The Oysters of Ston
After breakfast you will be transferred to the port to board a ferry to Drvenik where you are met and taken to the coastal village of Ston known for some of the best Oysters in the world. You board a fishing boat and visit the oyster and mussel farm located in the bay. The production process will be explained and then you continue to the private Ostrog peninsula where you enjoy a meal of oysters fresh from the sea. After your meal you drive to Dubrovnik and your seafront hotel situated just five minutes’ walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: City walls and the view from Srd Hill
The old part of Dubrovnik is located on a peninsula and surrounded by ramparts. Start your tour with a walk along the ramparts for outstanding views into the old town and out to see. An easy walk will take about two hours. After the ramparts you will be taken to the entrance of the Cable car that will take you to the summit of Srd Hill offering the best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area. While at the top we highly recommend having lunch at the Panorama restaurant combing great food with outstanding views. After lunch, descend to street level and enjoy some beach time at the hotel’s private beach.
Breakfast
Day 10: Return to USA
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your return to the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
Tonight you board an aircraft for Europe where you will connect to a flight to Croatia. There is good connecting service for most European gateways.
Day 2: Welcome to Croatia
Since you will likely be connecting in Europe you will arrive in Zagreb in the early afternoon. One of our drivers will meet you and deliver you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Prior to your departure we will send you a list of recommended restaurants in each of the areas you visit. Zagreb is an ancient city but its population today is young so there is an active nightlife that rivals a US college town.
Day 3: Exploring Zagreb
After breakfast one of our guides will meet you for a private tour of the city highlights. At one time the city was divided in two and separated by a river much like Buda and Pest today. The Upper town is the older part of the city dating back to the 11th Century. Here you will find St. Mark’s Church, the Croatian Parliament and the Presidential Palace although that owes more to the times under the communists. The river has long dried yup to be replaced by a street. The lower town has shops, restaurants, cafes, theatres and parks so when your guide leaves you in the early afternoon we suggest you spend your time in the “Lower” town.
Breakfast
Day 4: The Natural Beauty of Plitvice Lakes
In the morning your guide will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the Adriatic town of split. On the way you will stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park which is made up of 16 lakes connected by waterfalls. You will have some time to walk among the lakes and have some lunch before heading to Split and checking in to your historic hotel which combines aspects of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It is centrally located and close to the entrance to Diocletian’s Palace.
Breakfast
Day 5: Discovering Split
Your guide will meet you and take you on a private tour of the city which is located on the water at the foot of Marjan hill and protected by two other hills, Kozjak and Mosor. Diocletian was not the only tourist to enjoy the scenic beauty and the weather that Split offers. You will tour inside the Palace walls and also visit the Temple of Jupiter, St. Duje Church and St Frane Church. Once you are familiar with the town you have the afternoon to explore on your own.
Breakfast
Day 6: Ferry to Hvar
Enjoy a leisurely morning before your driver picks you up and takes you to the port where you board a catamaran for a scenic ride to the enchanting island of Hvar, a journey that takes about an hour. Upon arrival in Hvar you check in to your hotel which offers spectacular panoramic views of the town and the marina. A suggested evening could include cocktails at the rooftop terrace followed by dinner at the hotel’s restaurant offering premium cuts of meat and fresh fish. Finish off the evening with a walk along the promenade past the anchored yachts.
Breakfast
Day 7: A Scenic walk to Stari Grad.
You have the full day to explore the island. You can rent a car or a bike but the island is ideal for walking giving you the chance to visit scenic villages, hills covered with trees and fields colored with lavender. You should aim for Stari Grad which is the oldest town on the island and is located on the other side. Stop for lunch in Stari Grad and then visit one of the many vineyards that dot the island to try their vintages. There may still be time left in the day to get in a treatment at the hotel’s spa.
Breakfast
Day 8: The Oysters of Ston
After breakfast you will be transferred to the port to board a ferry to Drvenik where you are met and taken to the coastal village of Ston known for some of the best Oysters in the world. You board a fishing boat and visit the oyster and mussel farm located in the bay. The production process will be explained and then you continue to the private Ostrog peninsula where you enjoy a meal of oysters fresh from the sea. After your meal you drive to Dubrovnik and your seafront hotel situated just five minutes’ walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: City walls and the view from Srd Hill
The old part of Dubrovnik is located on a peninsula and surrounded by ramparts. Start your tour with a walk along the ramparts for outstanding views into the old town and out to see. An easy walk will take about two hours. After the ramparts you will be taken to the entrance of the Cable car that will take you to the summit of Srd Hill offering the best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area. While at the top we highly recommend having lunch at the Panorama restaurant combing great food with outstanding views. After lunch, descend to street level and enjoy some beach time at the hotel’s private beach.
Breakfast
Day 10: Return to USA
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your return to the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast