Highlights
- Walk in the lush greenery and crashing waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Soak in the Adriatic views on a luxury speedboat tour to the Vis & Pakleni islands
- Relax and refresh on your private terrace at the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik
- Learn to cook like a local on a family-run estate in the Konavle
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Zagreb, Explore | Zagreb |
| Day 2 | Discover Plitvice Lakes National Park, Transfer to Zadar | Zadar |
| Day 3 | Private Guided Walking Tour of Zadar | Zadar |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Split, Guided Food & Market Tour | Split |
| Day 5 | Catamaran to Hvar, Half-Day Excursion Around the Island, Peka Dinner | Hvar Town |
| Day 6 | Luxury Speedboat Tour of Vis Island's Blue Cave & the Pakleni Islands | Hvar Town |
| Day 7 | Catamaran to Korčula, Lumbarda Winery Tour & Tasting | Korčula Town |
| Day 8 | Catamaran to Dubrovnik, Guided Old Town Tour | Dubrovnik |
| Day 9 | Konavle Region Private Culinary Experience | Dubrovnik |
| Day 10 | Depart Dubrovnik |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Zagreb, Explore
Welcome to Croatia! Start your luxury adventure in Zagreb, a thriving metropolis known for its Austro-Hungarian architecture, historic Upper and Lower Town districts, and lively, colorful atmosphere. Your driver will collect you from the airport and transfer you to your hotel, the Esplanade Zagreb, a stunning Art Deco retreat located just steps away from museums, parks, and other local sites. Their spacious rooms blend classic decor with modern touches, with lush textiles, marble bathrooms, and options for suites with sitting areas and city views.
A gem of a European city, Zagreb is at once historic and new. It's filled with leafy green parks and Gothic/neo-renaissance buildings, yet there are also modern shopping complexes, outdoor malls, and endless dining and drinking options. There's no better way to commence your trip than with a welcome dinner and toast at one of Zagreb's fine restaurants, as the capital is home to a highly regarded food scene.
Enjoy an evening stroll through the charming city center, passing by the Zagreb Cathedral as you make your way to vibrant Tkalčićeva—a café and restaurant-lined street that comes alive at night and offers an energetic nightlife scene. Choose between a variety of pubs and bars for a local craft beer or cocktail, a perfect way to cap off the day.
Day 2: Discover Plitvice Lakes National Park, Transfer to Zadar
In the morning, meet your driver and venture south to the sunny Dalmatian Coast and the beautiful town of Zadar. Along the way, you'll stop to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, a must-visit highlight for any traveler to Croatia. This UNESCO-protected park is comprised of an exquisite collection of 16 glassy emerald green and blue travertine lakes, more than 90 cascading waterfalls that seemingly cover every corner of the park, and numerous caves. The terraced lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife.
You'll have time to walk through the park along wooded boardwalks, following your guide as they show you the most interesting places and explain the significance of its history and natural features. Have lunch, the continue to the ancient Roman city of Zadar, famed for its glorious coastline and vibrant blue waters. Check in at the 5-star Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa, a luxury resort with stylishly appointed rooms that offer private balconies, seaside views, and a distinct Mediterranean flair. Tonight, relax at the hotel and enjoy the amenities on offer, or see some of Zadar on your own.
Day 3: Private Guided Walking Tour of Zadar
After breakfast, meet your guide and discover Zadar, the often-overlooked star of Dalmatia. Set on a peninsula surrounded by the sparkling Adriatic Sea, modern Zadar is home to a tidy network of polished stone streets and public squares. Explore the walled Old Town—a treasure trove of ancient city ruins and architecture from Roman and medieval times—and discover the 9th-century Church of St. Donatus, a 16th-century Venetian city wall, and the Roman Forum dating back to the first century.
Carry on to the popular Gold and Silver Museum and its exhibit of bejeweled vessels in the shapes of various body parts, each containing a bone or other relic. Paintings, church artifacts, and other artwork are on display, too. From there, visit the modern Museum of Ancient Glass, showcasing ancient glass artifacts and glassblowing demonstrations.
After touring the city by day, come to the waterfront just before dusk to witness another of Dalmatia's most beautiful sunsets. During this time, you can marvel at Croatian artist Nikola Bašić's 72-foot Monument to the Sun art feature while you listen to the nearby Sea Organ play its unending melody, fueled by the ebb and flow of the Adriatic Sea's current. Return to the historic center to choose between a number of excellent to-die-for seafood restaurants, followed by a stroll along the Riva, a wide ribbon of stone paths bordered by a grassy park on one side and the sea on the other.
Day 4: Transfer to Split, Guided Food & Market Tour
You're off to Split today, the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest in Dalmatia. Split offers a wealth of history and culture, with charming cobblestone streets, amazing architecture, and endless views of the sea. Your private driver will collect you in the morning for the 1.5-hour drive, dropping you at the fabulous Piazza Heritage Hotel. Constructed in 1906, the property is a testament to the Viennese Art Nouveau style of that time. Rooms here offer classic decor with soothing pastel colors, antique-style furnishings, and high-end toiletries. The hotel's prime location also makes it a great base for sightseeing!
After check-in, discover more of Split with a private food tour. Snack your way through the city's historic streets while visiting markets, family-run bakeries, and old bars while on the hunt for sweet and savory local delicacies. With your expert guide at your side, visit the Green Market (Pazar Market), a lively outdoor market just east of Diocletian's Palace. This is a great place to see how the locals shop and sample prosciutto and cheese together with rakija, a typical fruit brandy of the region. Step back in time as your guide escorts you to the palace's cellars, sharing intriguing accounts of its history.
Stop to see how the savory soparnik—a type of Swiss-chard-filled pie thought to be the prototype of the Italian pizza—is made, then close the tour with an al fresco meal at an exclusive rooftop terrace. End the day by exploring on your own, visiting sites such as the Cathedral of St. Dominus, considered the oldest Catholic cathedral still in use, or hiking to the top of Marjan Hill. Referred to as the "lungs of the city," the Marjan peninsula is dotted with centuries-old churches, cypress and pine trees, and Mediterranean plants and herbs. Take a walk on nearby Bačvice Beach before choosing a local restaurant for dinner.
Day 5: Catamaran to Hvar, Half-Day Excursion Around the Island, Peka Dinner
This morning you'll board a catamaran from Split to Hvar. A Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, Hvar draws visitors for its natural setting, mild climate, and its historic town of the same name. Check in at the Maslina Resort, a luxury retreat with gorgeously appointed rooms showcasing a curated blend of Mediterranean simplicity and French artistry. All rooms offer panoramic views, with options for garden or sea facing terraces. You can also relax at the on-site spa, take a yoga class, or enjoy a swim at the pool.
Once you've had a moment to regroup, meet up with a local guide for a private excursion around the island. Tour vineyard-covered hills, olive groves, and fields of rosemary, stopping at the abandoned 16th-century village of Malo Grablje before continuing to Velo Grablje. Once home to a thriving lavender industry, Velo Grablje is slowly undergoing a revival.
Stop for an authentic lunch at a family-run konoba (tavern) for a traditionally prepared peka meal, a bell-shaped lid that is covered in coal. Next, you'll spend a little time visiting a family-owned vineyard or two, where you'll have the opportunity to try wines endemic to the island paired with regional delicacies before heading up to Vidikovac for views over the Stari Grad Plain. An agricultural landscape set up by the ancient Greeks (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), you'll meander amid small villages in the inner part of the island, stopping to visit Stari Grad, Croatia's oldest town, before returning to your hotel.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Luxury Speedboat Tour of Vis Island's Blue Cave & the Pakleni Islands
Take an exciting full-day outing to the islands of Biševo, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands. On a private luxury speedboat, you'll first cruise to the east coast of Biševo Island, a popular, though often crowded, destination, to see the mesmerizing iridescent blue waters of the Blue Cave. Upon landing on the island, you'll transfer to a cave-friendly boat before floating inside the cave to discover the natural phenomena for yourself. Then, head to Vis Island and the stunning pebble beach of Stiniva Bay. This hidden beach offers crystalline waters for swimming and snorkeling, as well as a shaded respite from the morning sun.
When you're ready, you'll hoist anchor and continue your journey around Vis to the fishing village of Komiža. An incredibly picturesque Mediterranean town, Komiža is made up of narrow winding streets and attractive stone houses. Find your way to a café amid 16th-and 17th-century Venetian-style buildings to soak in the charming scenery or visit the Kaštel, a squat centuries-old fortress that is now home to the comprehensive Fishing Museum. Be sure to check out the traditional falkuša fishing boat before choosing a restaurant for lunch.
Next, you'll return toward Hvar, stopping to sunbathe and swim in the bays and inlets of the nearby Pakleni Islands archipelago. A collection of 14 wooded and rocky islets, the Pakleni Islands are the most beautiful part of the Hvar Riviera and are a favorite retreat for locals and the rich and famous seeking to escape the summer heat. After a full day, you'll return to Hvar Town in the late afternoon for an evening of your own making.
Day 7: Catamaran to Korčula, Lumbarda Winery Tour & Tasting
The day starts early as you hop aboard a catamaran and head to Korčula, a small island located approximately two hours from Hvar. Arrive in Korčula Town and settle in at your accommodations at Tara's Lodge, a luxury boutique hotel located right on the beachfront and just steps from the beach. You'll have the option of swimming in the sea or relaxing at the pool, all while enjoying tastefully decorated rooms with sea or garden views, luxe linens, and walk-in showers.
After check-in, you might like to get out and visit the 14th-century Land Gate on top of an elegant staircase or check out St. Mark's Cathedral to admire its strange sculptures of beasts and people. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bishop's Treasury next door for a small but impressive art collection, including works from Carpaccio, Bassano, and Tiepolo. From there, you may wish to visit the unremarkable house thought to be the birthplace of Marco Polo.
Later, head out with your guide for an exclusive wine-country tour. The wines of Korčula's Lumbarda region are legendary, and you'll have a chance to sample them alongside a delicious meal. Meet your guide and take a scenic drive along the Adriatic and the Pelješac peninsula, passing historic sites, vineyards, and quaint villages. Visit a family-run winery and learn about grk, a white grape variety that is grown in this region and produces some of Croatia's best wines. Try different wines, and enjoy a traditionally prepared dinner, then return to Korčula in time for sunset.
Day 8: Catamaran to Dubrovnik, Guided Old Town Tour
The final leg of your travels takes you to the city of Dubrovnik. After hotel checkout, take a private transfer to the port to board your catamaran. Upon arrival, your driver will collect you and take you to your accommodations at the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, a gorgeous 5-star retreat. Carved into the cliffs above Miramare Bay, you'll enjoy incredible views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms with a clean, contemporary style, and an on-site spa and restaurant.
Dubrovnik is one of the most ancient fortress cities in Europe, with a long and storied history that is showcased by its historic Old Town, an ancient district full of well-preserved buildings and surrounded by massive stone walls. This afternoon, see more of this fabled city on a private walking tour. Meet your guide and make your way to the Old Town, entering through the 16th-century Pile Gate and walking the narrow, winding streets.
Uncover centuries of the city's rich history as you listen to stories of local life and legends and of the importance Dubrovnik once held in the era of the Republic. Highlights include Onofrio's Fountain, the 15th-century Rector's Palace, Luza Square, the Church of St. Blaise, and the café-lined Brsalje Street. Finish at Lovrijenac Fortress and Dubrovnik's defensive walls, which rise up to 75 feet high (22 m) in some spots and offer excellent views of the coast. Spend the rest of the day sightseeing on your own, visiting sites such as Minčeta Tower and the gardens of Trsteno, where HBO's "Game of Thrones" series was filmed, and stopping for a seafood dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 9: Konavle Region Private Culinary Experience
Today is reserved for a unique tour of Konavle, a famous wine region that stretches from Cavtat to the south-easterly tip of Croatia at the Montenegrin border. Its small population lives in some 32 villages scattered across the fertile land, where you'll have the opportunity to visit a local family estate and participate in a cooking class.
Meet your guide and drive to a family-run farmhouse, where you'll meet your hosts and take a deep dive into Croatian gastronomy and cultural traditions. Start with a biking tour of the grounds, stopping to pick fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden, then heading back to the kitchen to prepare a delicious four-course dinner, making for a true farm-to-table experience. Sit down with your new friends to enjoy your meal, accompanied by a sampling of local wines. Return to Dubrovnik and rest up for tomorrow's departure.
Day 10: Depart Dubrovnik
Your exploration of Croatia ends today, as you take your private transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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