Itinerary
Day 1: ZAGREB
Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Once you’ve settled down, we are taking you on a tour of the city centre where you will see the most famous sights of Zagreb. You can choose between two possible routes for your visit of the city. The first is dedicated mostly to the city’s historical landmarks and the sightseeing starts at the Main Square, from where we move on to the Zagreb Cathedral and continue through Tkalčićeva Street and the “Bloody Bridge” (Krvavi Most) to the Stone Gate and St Mark’s Church. We end our tour visiting the Lotrščak Tower and taking a pleasant ride on the Zagreb Funicular. The alternative route is a panoramic one, as we will take you for a ride on the Zagreb horseshoe: we will visit the Zrinjevac Square, the King Tomislav Square, the Botanical garden and the Croatian National Theater. Later on, we will make a short visit to Maksimir, Zagreb’s oldest public park and the Mirogoj cemetery. After the walk, it’s time for you to relax over a nice welcome dinner with specialties of the local cuisine. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 2: ZAGREB — CROATIAN ZAGORJE
After breakfast we are taking you on a beautiful day trip where you will explore the most famous Croatian castles,Trakošćan and Veliki Tabor. The region is very popular for its wine so you will have chance to try some very good wine and taste the local specialites. In the afternoon we will come back in Zagreb and you will have the rest of the day free to enjoy the capital and to have dinner. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 3: ZAGREB — PLITVICE LAKES — ZADAR
After breakfast we will take a pleasant drive from Zagreb and visit the most beautiful and famous national park in Croatia — Plitvice Lakes NP, containing a series of 16 lakes, caves and waterfalls. We’ll enjoy the breath-taking view of the waters flowing over the natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. The forests in the park are home to some wild animals such as bears, wolves and many rare bird species. We will take a 4 hour walking tour of the park and continue towards Zadar in the afternoon. After checking in to your accommodation, we’ll have a pleasant tour of the city. Zadar is an extraordinary city — not too crowded, it isn’t overrun with tourists and its two unique attractions, the sound-and-light spectacle of the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, need to be seen and heard to be believed. The mix of beautiful Roman architecture, Habsburg elegance, a wonderful seafront and some unsightly ordinary office blocks is what gives Zadar so much character. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 4: ZADAR — TROGIR — SPLIT
After breakfast we will take a very scenic drive on the Dalmatian coast where are first stop will be Trogir where your guide will take you on a walk through its narrow streets and rich history. We will visit St. Lawrence Cathedral, Radovan’s portal (the most significant medieval portal on this part of Europe), Palace of Cipico, Tower of Kamerlengo and many more. We are heading to Split, free time for dinner. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 5: SPLIT
After breakfast, your local guide will introduce you to the ancient yet thriving city of Split. The heart of Split is the city’s majestic Cathedral that rises from within the 1700 year old walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant and best preserved structures of the late ancient architecture. Our walking tour takes us to the Peristyle in centre of the palace, the Roman temples, the famous Golden Gate and the big statue of Grgur Ninski. The rest of the day is free so you can relax on the beach. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 6: SPLIT — HVAR
After breakfast we will go by boat to visit one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, Hvar. After we dock, it’s time for our local professional guide to take you on a walking tour of this memorable town. On the tour you will discover the essence of Mediterranean hospitality and learn about the heritage and history of the entire island. Afterwords there’s time to explore more on your own — the craft and custom jewelry shopping here is excellent. Known worldwide for its exciting night life, by day, the clubs, restaurants and cafes are just as enjoyable — so have a drink, maybe some delicious grilled fresh fish, or just sit and watch life go by like Tom Cruise, Pince Harry and hundreds of other celebrities who come here do every year! Or, go for a swim, or take a hike up the winding path that takes you all the up to the Fortica fortress. Inside there’s a fine collection of old vases and other ancient and Middle-Ages excavations and outside is a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire town of Hvar and our next destination — the Pakleni Islands. It’s just a few minutes sail to Pakleni but it’s a world away. Here you will have a plenty of free time to explore and swim in tranquil bays framed by untouched nature. After enjoying a day on these sun-kissed Croatian islands, it will be a lovely cruise back to Split.
Day 7: SPLIT — MOSTAR
After breakfast we are heading to Bosnia and Hercegovina where we will visit the famous city Mostar. The city of contrasts, where “the east and west meet”, as you will observe visiting the traditional Kujundžiluk (old bazaar) and a contemporary city centre. Mostar is famous for its magnificent stone bridge Stari Most (Old Bridge), built in 1566. over the Neretva River. The city is divided by not only the Neretva River that flows through it but also by religion and culture from one bank to the other, as Muslims and Christians live on opposite banks of the river. After a traditional bosnian dinner, overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 8: MOSTAR — DUBROVNIK
After breakfast we are heading back to Croatia in Dubrovnik, also known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” is a standout attraction and a perfectly preserved baroque city-state. Your guide will take you on a sightseeing tour, which covers all the major sights of Dubrovnik’s Old Walled City, will introduce you to its rich history, culture and fascinating stories: Onofrio’s Fountain, Prijeko Street, St. Saviour’s church (Crkva sv. Spasa), fortresses of St. Luke and St. John, church of St Blaise (Dubrovnik’s patron saint), the Cathedral, the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace and Orlando’s Column. Later we are going to admire the amazing panoramic view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands from the mount Srđ, a 405-meter ascent above sea level. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 9: DUBROVNIK — STON — PELJEŠAC
From Dubrovnik we are taking you on the Croatia’s second longest peninsula — Pelješac — famous for its red wine Dingač and Postup, delicious oysters and mussels growing in the brackish waters of Mali Ston bay. The town of Ston itself is renowned for its city walls and its salt ponds, all that less than an hour drive from the city of Dubrovnik. Ston is a gothic medieval city, which served as a military fort during the Ragusan Republic, surrounded by 6 kilometres long defensive walls, second in length only to the Great Chinese wall. We will also be passing through the Dingač Hills – most famous Croatian wine brand where grapes grow on 60 degree inclined slopes. We will seize the opportunity to taste the local wines such as Dingač, Plavac, Postup and Posip and delicious homemade traditional liqueurs. The gastronomic tour will be followed by prosciutto, cheese, oysters and olive oil tasting to complete the experience of the local fragrances and flavours! Drive back to Dubrovnik and overnight stay at a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 10: DUBROVNIK — KOTOR — BUDVA
Our Croatian journey ends after breakfast and we are going to Montenegro. First we will explore Kotor Bay, one of the world’s 25 most beautiful bays and protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, is undeniably most impressive when approached from the sea. Due to its unusual look, the bay is often called Europe’s southernmost fjord, but in fact it’s a submerged river canyon. At the head of the bay lies the old city of Kotor, one of the most exquisitely preserved medieval centres in the Mediterranean. We will continue our trip to Budva. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 11: BUDVA
A full day on the coastal area around Budva, called the Budvanska rivijera, is the centre of Montenegro’s tourism, and is well known for its sandy beaches, diverse nightlife, and beautiful examples of Mediterranean architecture. Overnight in a 3*/4*hotel.
Day 12: BUDVA — TIRANA
Check out from the hotel we are heading to Albania. On the way to Tirana we stop at the small town of Kruja. Built on a mountainside, you can discover the old town and explore Kruja Castle where we include entry to the Skanderbeg Museum located inside. Skanderbeg was a war hero of Albania, helping defeat the Ottomans, and this museum focuses on his bravery and importance to Albania. We then head to Tirana, the trendy capital and largest city of Albania, which has transformed from a grey, dismal ex-communist city, isolated by the regime until the 1990s, to a colourful capital buzzing with life. While the city has a long history, you can enjoy its modern outlook, with fashionable bars, and wander boulevards lined with relics of the city’s Ottoman, clubs and boutiques, Italian and communist past. Tirana’s massive main square, Sheshi Skënderbej, is bordered by the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture, the National Bank, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and Skanderbeg’s statue. A short bus ride from the centre city, the Martyr’s Cemetery offers marvellous panoramic views over the city. Overnight in a 3*/4* hotel.
Day 13: TIRANA — BERAT
After breakfast at the hotel depart for Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being more than 2400 year old, the town it is one of the most attractive towns in Albania. Established in the 3rd century B.C by an Illyrian tribe of central Albania with a protective castle, it was known as the fortified city of Antipatrea. In 1417 the town was occupied by the Ottoman who built quite a few mosques in the area below the town’s old castle. Berat is situated at the foot of Tomorri Mountain and on the shores of Osum River. Built in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes visible. It is famous for its white-washed houses with their many windows which seem to have been built on top of each other, that give it the nickname “town of a thousand windows”. It retains a unique style of architecture, with narrow and stone paved streets. In the late afternoon we are going back to the hotel in Tirana.
Day 14: TIRANA, departure
Transfer to the airport depending on the flight.