ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Dubrovnik
Welcome to Dubrovnik, the enchanting walled city that has found its way on everyone’s travel bucket list. Your private driver will pick you up from Cilipi International Airport and take you to your luxury hotel in the city. Enjoy your afternoon and evening exploring the vibrant food-scene and nightlife of Dubrovnik. Ask your Leisure Travel Consultant for recommendations of their favorite restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
DAY 2
Dubrovnik half day city tour
In the morning, your licensed English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel lobby to begin your guided city tour of Dubrovnik to immerse yourself in the city’s immense cultural heritage and rich history. Explore Stradun, the beating heart of the Old City, Rector’s Palace, St Blasius Church, and majestic Sponza Palace with its blend of Gothic and Renaissance details. After the tour, choose to extend your day of exploration with a cooking class in the Dubrovnik hinterland.
DAY 3
Oyster tasting Ston
In the times of the Dubrovnik Republic, Ston was the second most important town after Dubrovnik itself. Its wealth was derived from salt production, and the traditional production remains intact to this day. Although this charming medieval town is renowned for the spectacular city walls that are considered to be the second-longest in the world, this region is also known as the Oysters capital of Croatia thanks to the distinctive blend of nutrients in the local waters. After a walk along the famous wall, you will head towards the oyster farm and join your hosts for a scenic boat ride among the oyster beds to find out how oysters are cultivated. You will have a unique opportunity to pick your oysters and taste them on the spot. After learning about the meticulous oyster farming process, you will return to shore and indulge in the oysters you picked along with local mussels, Croatian wine, and homemade rakija (a traditional fruit brandy) in a peaceful garden overlooking the sea. At the end of the visit, your driver will take you back to your hotel.
DAY 4
Dubrovnik – Hvar
After breakfast, you will meet your private driver who will transfer you to the Dubrovnik port to catch a hydrofoil to Hvar. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting to transfer you to your luxury hotel. Spend the remainder of your day relaxing in the hotel or exploring the vibrant town squares and cafes.
DAY 5
Hvar Wine Tour
In the 4th century BC, the Ancient Greeks brought the first grapevine to this sunny island and planted it in the fertile plain of the ancient town Pharos. People on Hvar cultivated their vineyards with great skill and are blessed with a unique terroir giving Hvar wines very characteristic notes and depth. Your tour will be led by an experienced guide, who will lead you from winery to winery while explaining more of the island’s rich heritage. You can also consider this adventure as a wine timeline because you will be able to explore two completely different wineries and production styles; Tomić- a modern winery in Jelsa with a very colorful and flamboyant owner who is considered a living legend in Croatia, and a very traditional winery Pinjada in Vrboska. Traditional wine tasting is always done in a relaxed atmosphere with an in-depth representation of the entire winemaking process, from the cultivation of grapes to wine production and proper storing procedures in cellars. All your tastings are accompanied by meze-style snacks, giving you the chance to pair excellent wines with the best local products such as aged cheese, wind-dried prosciutto, and of course, fantastic olive oil.
DAY 6
Hvar
Day at leisure or optional boat island hopping experience to Vis and the Blue Cave.
DAY 7
Hvar - Split
After breakfast and check-out, you will head to Hvar port to catch a hydrofoil to Split. Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting at the port to take you to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 8
Private UNESCO City Tour of Ancient Split
Split is a city that grew out of a Roman emperor's palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been inhabited for 17 centuries. Split tells a tale of the way people lived in the past and of different cultures, styles, and influences that have been carved into its narrow streets, Roman temples, and Christian churches. Outside the palace, the story of Split continues as it spreads from its center, the palace, to beautiful vistas on the hill of Marjan, the waterfront, and its beaches. Your walking tour with a licensed guide starts at the waterfront promenade (locals call it Riva), through the Diocletian’s cellars, Peristyle (Emperor’s square), Vestibul, Southern portico, Cathedral of St. Dominus, the Golden Gate, Northern Palace wall, Piazza, National Theatre, Marmont street, the very lively fish market, Republic square and finally back to the promenade where you will be able to recharge your batteries if you wish, and enjoy the stunning view of islands Brac, Solta and the Ciovo peninsula as you sip your coffee and watch the world go by.
DAY 9
Carriage Ride and Wine Tasting Through Kastela
This immersive and authentic tour will let you explore the history and gastronomy of Kastela, a place where nobility sought refuge from the Ottoman invasion in the 15th and 16th and built their sturdy mansions, castles, and palaces, 17 in total, many of which remain today. Kastela is also the background to the renowned tragic love story of Miljenko and Dobrila or Croatian Romeo and Juliet, and the location where you will find Mastrinka, one of the oldest olive trees in this part of Europe, which has been bearing fruit for more than 1500 years. Finally, Kastela is the homeland of Zinfandel, since the genetic roots of this famous grape variety have been scientifically traced back to the slopes of Kozjak hill above this coastal city. Your private driver will take you to Kastela where a carriage pulled by two purebred horses will be waiting to take you deep into the vineyards and olive groves. Along the ride, and as you pass some of the castles, including Vitturi Castle, the once home of the tragic lover Dobrila, your coachman will share some of the most fascinating stories that have captivated the locals for centuries. With stops at three local wineries, you will have the opportunity to taste the finest wines of the region, one of them being the famous Kaštelanski Crljenak, the direct descendant of Zinfandel. You will explore the wine cellars and olive storage facilities where you will be able to taste the finest olive oil in the region.
DAY 10
Split - Rovinj
After breakfast, your driver will meet you at the hotel and start your journey towards one of the most picturesque cities in Istria – Rovinj. You can choose to stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park or one of the many historic cities along the way. After check-in, you will have the afternoon at leisure. Relax by the pool, soak up the late afternoon rays or enjoy a SPA treatment.
DAY 11
Truffle Hunting with Show Cooking Class
This excursion gives you the unique possibility to get to know the Istrian peninsula in all its various forms. After meeting your English-speaking driver at the lobby of your hotel, you will start your Istrian adventure with a real truffle hunt below the charming town of Motovun, an attractive medieval stone-walled town perched on a picturesque hill with the fruitful river Mirna valley underneath it. A professional English-speaking guide will share tips and tricks on how to find these precious items praised by foodies all over the world. After your hunt, you will be able to taste various truffle products and local olive oil, paired with renowned local wines and a cooking demonstration after which you will enjoy a light lunch freshly prepared before your eyes. Your next stop will be Motovun, where you will wander through cobble streets, charming cafes, and art galleries of this beautiful hilltop town.
DAY 12
Rovinj - Zagreb
After breakfast, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Zagreb. Day at leisure or optional tour of Zagreb.
DAY 13
Departure day
Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to transfer you from the hotel to the Zagreb International Airport for your flight back home.
