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Whether in December, visiting the Christmas markets and festive events during Advent throughout the country, or exploring this beautiful country during the quieter periods in Croatia from October through April. This tour can be customized to your interests, preferences, travel dates, and preferred budget.
Zagreb
Varaždin
Trakošćan Castle
Plitvice Lakes
Zadar
Split
Klis Fortress
Salona
Trogir
Dubrovnik
Day 1 - Zagreb
Upon arrival at Zagreb airport, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to settle in before ending the day with a traditional dinner in the countryside.
What’s Included
- Zagreb airport arrival and private transfer to hotel
- Traditional Zagreb welcome dinner
- 3 nights’ accommodation in a 4* or 5* hotel, including breakfast and tourist taxes
Day 2 - Zagreb
Once overlooked by tourists making a transit for the coast, Zagreb has become a year round tourist destination. As Croatia’s political, cultural, and economic center, the metropolis thrives with energy and has been a must-see for travelers in recent years. Laced with Austro-Hungarian architecture, the city has been described as being similar to Vienna and Budapest. The city has museums, galleries, elegant boutiques, exceptional restaurants, bustling pubs, and beer halls. Zagreb is full of year-round events and celebrations, including the infamous Christmas Market, voted the best European Christmas market in Europe 3 years in a row. Explore the wonders of the old fortified Upper town, Cathedral of St. Stephen, the famous St. Mark’s church with its multicolored roof, and the bustling town market ‘Dolac’. Stroll around the gas lamp streets, visit the many museums of Zagreb, take in a theatre show, or follow the Croatian tradition by making a wish at the city’s Stone Gate. Enjoy Zagreb as a local during winter!
What’s Included
- Private guided tour of Zagreb
- Free time to experience Zagreb as a local
Day 3 - Zagreb - Varaždin - Trakošćan Castle - Zagreb
Varaždin is one of Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful cities, a baroque city known for its music and flowers. Visit the old town’s beautiful fort, which dates back to the 12th century. It has survived Croatia’s turbulent history, and today it is a part of the city museum of Varaždin. Visit the Varaždin cemetery, created by the visionary Herman Haller, an architectural jewel.
Trakošćan Castle is perhaps the most famous Croatian castle, overlooking a man-made lake with a boardwalk around the entire lake and beautiful gardens. Feel free to take in the sights by walking around the lake or taking a boat ride. Built-in the 13th century, the castle is believed to have been built as an observation fortress. The castle is a museum with a permanent collection of paintings, furniture, and other items on display.
What’s Included
- Private driver
- Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle excursion
Day 4 - Zagreb - Plitvice Lakes - Zadar
Plitvice Lakes is a UNESCO world heritage site, an amazing 29.6 hectares of forests with magnificent views. The massive National Park is interlaced with tracks and paths that lead you down to breathtaking waterfalls and turquoise lakes. All 16 lakes are joined by waterfalls and cascade from one level to another. Strolling along the wooden footbridges offers an experience of unspoiled nature and true harmony. Many describe its crystal clear waters as ‘the bluest in the world’. Plitvice Lakes is Southeast Europe’s oldest national and Croatia’s largest national park. If you are lucky, experience Plitvice blanketed with snow during winter.
What’s Included
- Private Driver
- Plitvice Lakes National Park with entrance tickets
- 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4* or 5* hotel, including breakfast and tourist taxes
Day 5 - Zadar
As we pass through tunnel Sveti Rok, winter typically turns into Dalmatian blue skies. The legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock described the city of Zadar as having “one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.” Zadar is the main city of northern Dalmatia and a hidden gem. The old town center is a labyrinth of marble, traffic-free streets based on the old Roman street plan. This coastal city is an amazing blend of Roman, Venetian, and modern architecture. Must-sees are the Roman Ruins, 16th-century fortifications and city gates, the ancient church of St. Donat, and the Sea Organ, a contemporary city attraction creating haunting yet magical sounds made by the sea. Be sure to catch Zadar’s infamous sunset.
What’s Included
- Private Driver
- Private guided tour of Zadar
- Traditional Dalmatian dinner
Day 6 - Zadar - Split
Croatia’s second-largest city and the largest on the Adriatic coast, Split, is a coastal city filled with history and atmosphere. In the 3rd century, the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to spend his last days in the sunny harbor of Asphaltos, where he built an amazing UNESCO- Heritage listed palace whose walls have stood through the centuries and are still a part of the old city. There are now 220 buildings within the palace walls, and the labyrinth of streets will guide you through a blend of ancient roman, old Christian, and modern cultural life. The palace and some of its chambers have been converted into bars, shops, and restaurants. Split is often filled with beautiful blue skies and milder coastal temperatures in winter. Enjoy the city’s outdoor cafe culture, even during winter.
What’s Included
- Private guided tour of Split
- Free time to explore Split
- 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4* or 5* hotel, including breakfast and tourist taxes
Day 7 - Split - Klis Fortress - Salona - Trogir - Split
Visit UNESCO protected town of Trogir, which will amaze you with its lively narrow streets, stone houses, and Venetian architecture. For more Roman sights, our Dalmatian highlights tour will take you to the remnants of Salona, the ancient city and capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia dating from the 1st century A.D.
Salona was an ancient city and the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Salona was founded in the 3rd century BC and was mostly destroyed in the invasions of the Avars and Slavs in the seventh century AD. Many Roman characteristics can be seen, such as walls, a forum, a theater, an amphitheater, public baths, and an aqueduct.
For an interesting medieval sight and a spectacular view, head to the picturesque village of Klis, stippled with vineyards and olive groves, home to a beautiful medieval fortress bearing the same name that was a seat to Croatian dukes and kings.
What’s Included
- Private driver
- Private Dalmatian History tour
Day 8 - Split - Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik’s proud and turbulent history goes back to the 6th century, and there are many reasons why the city is known as “the pearl of Adriatic”. The city suffered great damage during the Croatian war of Independence (1991-1995) but proudly rose and restored its greatness.
Stroll along Stradun, the favorite promenade and meeting place, the main street going mid-Old Town from Pile to Ploče Gate, and do not miss out on the walk along the awesome fortified walls of Dubrovnik. It is one of the best-preserved fortification complexes in Europe. The 1940-meter-long walls encompass five forts, sixteen towers, and bastions, so give yourself a few hours to walk its full length.
What’s Included
- Private driver
- Private guided tour of Dubrovnik
- 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4* or 5* hotel, including breakfast and tourist taxes
Day 9 - Dubrovnik - Pelješac Region Wine and Oyster Experience - Dubrovnik
Let our local fisherman take you with his boat to his oyster beds, where you will try the most delicious oysters accompanied by his homemade wine. Let your experienced guide immerse you in the history and culture of this area and learn about the oysters and wines paired with them. Visit one of the family-owned Pelješac wineries and learn about their wine production, visit their cellars, and taste their wine and liqueurs. Take a relaxed orientation tour with your guide through the gothic center of Ston and learn about its huge defensive walls and rich merchant history. Lastly, before returning to Dubrovnik, visit an organic farm in Orašac and experience village life and how olive oil was produced in the past.
What’s Included
- Private driver
- Pelješac Region Wine and Oyster Experience
- Visit an organic farm in Orašac and experience village life and how olive oil was produced in the past.
- A peek into the local salt works and learn about the largest preserved salt works in Europe
Day 10 - Dubrovnik
After breakfast, meet your driver for your final transfer to Dubrovnik airport. We look forward to welcoming you back one day soon. Sretan put!
What’s Included
- Private transfer from hotel to airport