Tour description
CROATIA SMALL GROUP TOUR
Experience the Croatian lifestyle with a small group tour! Croatia forms a meeting point between the Mediterranean and central Europe,and between the Alps and the Pannonian Plan.Its relatively small territory is made up of a wide variety of landscapes.A stunningly beautiful country, it has re-emerged from the difficult years of conflict and regained its role as a popular holiday destination.
Travel to Croatia with its idyllic climate, archaeology treasures, dramatic vistas and hearty cuisine that embodies all things Croatian. On this small group tour journey, you’ll delve into one of the most fascinating and coveted countries in Europe. A wide variety of landscapes can be found in Croatia,from wild uninhabited craggy gorges to steep river valleys and a stunningly beautiful indented coastline stretching into the lower Adriatic,dotted with hundreds of islands. A plateau stretches from the Istrian peninsula towards Gorski kotar and ends in the hilly vine-growing region of Zagorje.For centuries Croatian art has combined elements from eastern and western Europe.The coast was ruled by Venice for 400 years,and between the Middle Ages and the 17th century,Croatia was in regular contac with the other side of the Adriatic. Italian artists came to the islands to work,and the Dalmatians crossed the sea and brought Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles back to their country. Croatian architecture, like its art, has also been influenced by Croatia’s position in Europe.Secular and religious buildings display a fusion of elements from nearby Italy and Germany and other forms originating in the Byzantine or Slavic works.
We have a real passion for Croatia and look forward to sharing it with you !
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13 DAYS TRIESTE, SLOVENIA & CROATIA SMALL GROUP TOUR ITINERARY SMALL GROUP TOUR ONLY FROM TRIESTE TO DUBROVNIK Day 1: WELCOME TO TRIESTE Arrive at Trieste airport and travel to the city center for a two- nights stay at the central 5 stars “GRAND HOTEL DUCHI D’AOSTA” or similar,close to the city’s architecturally treasures. At 6.30 pm meet your tour director for a welcome drink followed by dinner in a local restaurant.Overnight in TRIESTE Day 2: THE MAGIC OF TRIESTE & THE SLOVENIAN COAST Trieste used to be a major “centre of literature, music, art, and culture” when, until the end of WW I, it was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire; today, the city is a delightful and fascinating fusion of Italian and Eastern European architecture and atmosphere, and a magnificent window on the Adriatic Sea. In the morning, a guide will shed light on the history of this fascinating city visiting sights such as the old town, the Austrian Quarter, the Roman Theatre, the Lighthouse of Victory, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Cathedral and Castle, and the Mercato Coperto Market Hall.After time on your own for lunch,discover the most beautiful corners of Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, stopping off at the coastal city of PIRAN, one of the oldest and most beautiful Slovene towns with rich history and culture. Almost 500 years lasting Venetian influence has given this town an inimitable charm. Return to Trieste for the late afternoon and evening on your own.Enjoy the Italian Dolce Vita!!!Overnight in TRIESTE Day 3: DELIGHTS OF ISTRIAN PENINSULA: ROMAN PULA, ADRIATIC CHIC ROVINJ & OPATIJA Discover the richness of the Istrian Peninsula with its Italian and Croatian influeces.The Istrian Peninsula,nestling at the northen end of the Adriatic Sea,and the islands that tumble down the Kvarner gulf are some of the most sought-after holiday destinations in Europe.Standing at the southern apex of the Istrian peninsula,the ancient port city of PULA is dominated by the 1st century Roman ARENA, that stands in its centre,one of the largest surviving amphitheatres in the world.You’ll be able to go beneath the arena floor to see the actual passageways and rooms where gladiators and their foes, including wild animals, awaited their turn in combat.Our tour also takes us to the picturesque Venetian-style coastal town of ROVINJ,with its well-preserved medieval centre,quirky gallery and womantic feeling.Explore the town on your own and perhaps enjoy lunch in some of Croatia’s best restaurants.Continue on to OPATIJA, the seaside resort where Habsburg princes once vacationed for an overnight at the lovely boutique hotel “HOTEL AMBASADOR” or similar.Overnight in OPATIJA Day 4: POSTOJNA CAVE, ELEGANT LJUBLJANA & ITS CASTLE A paradise of snow-capped peaks,turquoise rivers and Venetian-style coastline,Slovenia enriches its natural treasures with harmonious architecture,rustic culture and sophisticated cuisine.Today’s journey takes you to explore POSTOJNA CAVE, the almost 13-mile-long karst cave system where an electric train takes us deeper than is possible in any other cave in the world.After an included lunch, continue to the vibrant capital of Slovenia,LJUBLJANA and one of Europe’s best kept secrets. A youthful city, Ljubljana is known for its university, green spaces, Ljubljanica River which winds through the old town.Upon arrival,meet your local expert who introduces you to this quaint town,nestled gently along the banks of the river, bringing to life the works of Slovenia’s greatest architect, Joze Plecnik, the impressive City Hall,the magnificent Cathedral of St.Nicholas,the outdoor markets, and the Ljubljana CASTLE which houses an interesting multi-media historical museum.We’ll be staying for the next two nights at the central hotel “INTERCONTINENTAL LJUBLJANA” or similar.You are free to discover more of the colorful winding streets and local shops, or maybe a walk through the Tivoli Park, take a boat ride or simply watching the world goes by. Dinner is on your own this evening.Overnight in LJUBLJANA Day 5: GLORIOUS LAKE BLED & JULIAN ALPS With its emerald-green lake,picture-postcard church on an islet,a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke as backdrops,BLED is Slovenia’s most popular resort town whose namesake lake is the stuff of fairytales. Bled’s beauty and its warm waters were well known to medieval pilgrims who came to pray at the island church;the place made it into print in 1689 when Janez Vajkard Valvasor described the lake’s thermal springs in “The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola”.BLED CASTLE is perched atop a steep cliff more than 100m above the lake-a medieval fortress with towers,ramparts,moatsand a terrace offering magnificent views.The smallish 16th century Gothic chapel contains paintings of castle donor Henry II and his wife Kunigunda on either side of the main altar.The Castle houses a museum collection that traces the lake’s history from earliest times to the development of Bled as a resort in the 19th century.End the visit with a lovely ride on the lake in PLETNA, a traditional gondola.Return to Ljubljana for an afternoon at leisure. Slovenian cuisine has Slavic, Mediterranean, and Germanic influences.Dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant.Overnight in LJUBLJANA Day 6: ZAGREB WALKING TOUR & CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE Art, culture and a vibrant cafe’ scene are the keynotes of this easy-going Central European metropolis.Close in style to Vienna and Budapest,Croatia’s laid-back capital city is very different to the Mediterranean flavoured towns of the Adriatic coast.Embark on a tour of this fascinating city that has marked the intersection of Eastern and Central Europe for more than 1000 years.Begin on the city’s central square, perpetually busy with pedestrians and passing trams.From here it is a short walk to the Neo-Gothic CATHEDRAL and then the DOLAC MARKET,one of Central Europe’s most colourful collections of fruit and veg stalls.Stroll up RADICEVA STREET to the atmospheric UPPER TOWN, a well-preserved Baroque quarter where the church of St Mark’s is a popular landmark. After an included street food experience in a cosy wine bar, we’ll visit the CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE, completed in 1895, a blend of Neo-Baroque and Rococo.The interior is richly decorated with works by Croatian and Viennese artists.Transfer to the central 5 stars “HOTEL ESPLENADE” or similar,close to the city’s architecturally treasures for your first two nigths in Croatia.The remainder of the day is at leisure for more personal discoveries, Overnight in ZAGRAB Day 7: BAROQUE VARAZDIN & TRAKOSCAN CASTLE Today’s drive takes you to visit the nearby ZAGORJE REGION,a hilly region filled with Medieval and Renaissance fortresses and numerous Baroque castles all blending into a memorable, romantic landscape.With more than 50 castles, some with most mesmeric parks, this is one of the richest regions in the whole of Croatia! Here we will visit the charming so-called “Little Vienna” of VARAZDIN,a city of baroque, young people, music, flowers and bycycles, including the 17th century SERMAGE PALACE, displaying Croatian, international old masters and modern paintings.We conclude the visit by discovering the romantic TRAKOSCAN CASTLE, where you can enjoy the surrounding nature and a picturesque lake.A rustic lunch is included today in the heart of Zagorje paired with well-known local wines.Overnight in ZAGREB Day 8: THE MAGIC OF WATERFALLS IN PLITVICE LAKES,UNESCO TROGIR & SPLIT Returning to the mainland,scenic roads wind their way over the Velebit mountain range, a dramatically dry and rocky place on its seaward side,lush and forested further east.On the far side of the Velebit’s main ridge lies the stunning UNESCO PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK, known as the “Falling lakes”, a frothing sequence of waterfalls,lakes and streams.Walkways weaver their way around the water,while trails lead into the wilder,woodland parts of the park in the surrounding hills.After time on your own for lunch,continue to the town of TROGIR, a beautiful tiny island treasure declared a UNESCO World Heritage. Trogir’s roots are Greek, not Roman like Split, and its crown jewel is the spectacular 13th Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Its daring portal, carved in 1280 is just a precursor of the wonders inside.Late afternoon,we depart for SPLIT where we spend the next two nights at the central “HOTEL CORNARO” or similar.Overnight in SPLIT Day 9: UNESCO HERITAGE OF SPLIT-THE PALACE OF DIOCLETIAN Welcome to SPLIT, one of the oldest cities in this historic region.Explore ancient Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the emperor chose as his retirement home because of the area’s spectacular beauty. Your special tour also takes you into the mysterious passages in the lower levels of the palace’s massive structure — Game of Thrones fans will recognize this site as one of the show’s filming locations! You’ll have the balance of the day free to explore Split on your own.Dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant.Overnight in SPLIT Day 10: HVAR-THE ISLAND OF SUN & WINE After breakfast today, we’ll spend the day exploring one of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated islands. We’ll start by taking a private speedboat to the lavender-covered HVAR, one of only three European islands included in the World’s Ten Most Beautiful Islands List.Upon arrival, we’ll take a guided tour of Hvar’s Old Town, then we’ll have time to explore the island: we can enjoy the many secret beaches and coves, walk up to the medieval castle overlooking the town, walk among the lavender fields and olive groves below the castle and right outside the town’s medieval gate, spend time in a café people watching or shop for unusual jewelry, lavender and olive oil for which Hvar is famous.Then we visit a local winery for a tasting and lunch.We continue our journey south today, leaving Hvar for the mainland then traveling along the scenic Dalmatian coast to popular and beloved historic walled-city of DUBROVNIK for the last three nights at the central boutique “HOTEL EXCELSIOR” or similar.Overnight in DUBROVNIK Day 11: WALKING TOUR OF DUBROVNIK’S OLD TOWN George Bernard Shaw was so enchanted by this beautiful city, about which he said “those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and see Dubrovnik”, as well as famously describes it as “the pearl of the Adriatic”.Dubrovnik is a stunning city with its amazing Old Town, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.Today we discover the city whose ancient walls have withstood both time and tide for hundreds of years. We begin with a walking tour around the city walls, whose original ramparts and bastions date to the 12th and 13th centuries (Dubrovnik itself was founded in the 7th century). Then we continue through the Old City, paying a visit to the stately Baroque Cathedral (c. 1672), the Treasury, whose gilded shelves and historic relics sit behind locked wooden doors; and the Franciscan monastery with a 14th-century pharmacy.After an included lunch in a local restaurant,the afternoon is free to explore on your own,allowing time to browse, getting to know this magical city and all it has to offer.Overnight in DUBROVNIK Day 12: EXPLORE BUCOLIC CAVTAT This morning, depart for CAVTAT,a stunning resort town and birthplace of artist Vlaho Bukovac. Known mostly for large compositions and portraits, his fascinating story is just part of what you’ll learn about during an included walking tour. You’ll have free time afterward. You can also take part in a walk to the hilltop Račić Mausoleum: imagined by famed Croatian sculptor, writer, and architect Ivan Mestrovic.Next, you’ll visit an old water-powered working mill. Learn how mills used to be community gathering spots and helped fuel the local economy for centuries.In the evening celebrate your Croatian adventure with an “Good-bye dinner” sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Overnight stay in DUBROVNIK Day 13: GOOD-BYE CROATIA Morning transfers at scheduled times to Dubrovnik airport 2024 TOUR PRICE: € 4,800 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: € 900 Currency Converter Prices are per person based on double room occupancy for 13 days/12 nights There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
