Welcome to Croatia! Upon arrival at the International Airport in Zagreb, you will be met and transferred to your accommodations. Check in and enjoy some time to unwind at your hotel. This evening, you'll have the chance to meet in the early evening and take a cable car to Mt. Srd, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with a stunning view of Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands. (This service is on a private basis.)

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is infamous around the world not only for its stunning location on the coast but as well of course for its well-preserved medieval architecture. The city's iconic Old Town, encircled by massive stone walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with historic churches, palaces, and cobblestone streets. From its status as a powerful maritime republic in the Middle Ages to serving as a filming location for King's Landing in the TV series "Game of Thrones", Dubrovnik's iconic walls are among the most well-preserved in Europe.

Dubrovnik Guided Tour

Today is dedicated entirely to experiencing Dubrovnik, often referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." With your knowledgeable guide, you'll delve into the rich history of the Old Town, exploring its narrow streets, historic landmarks, and breathtaking architecture. A highlight of the day will be walking along the ancient city walls, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the city and the shimmering Adriatic Sea. This UNESCO World Heritage site is remarkably well-preserved and stands as one of the finest examples of a Medieval European city, offering a glimpse into a bygone era.

After your guided tour, you'll have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace—perhaps visit a museum, enjoy a leisurely coffee at a local café, or simply wander through the charming streets. Reconvene in the evening for dinner, reflecting on the day’s adventures. (This service is on a private basis.)

Included: Entrance to Dubrovnik Walls

Dubrovnik to Split: Ston Tour

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Split. En route, stop at the edge of the Pelješac peninsula to visit the medieval town of Ston. Here, you'll see the Ston city walls, the longest fortified system in Europe, and learn about the region's famous oysters, mussels, and salt plant. Enjoy an oyster tasting experience in Mali Ston Bay, where you'll taste fresh oysters and learn about their cultivation. Following your visit to Ston, continue your journey to Split. (This service is on a private basis.)

Split

As Croatia's second-largest city, Split is famed for good reason. The heart of the city is Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Roman monuments. Split's historic core is intertwined with bustling markets, cafes, and shops, offering a lively atmosphere, allowing you to basque in the middle of ancient history with a cool drink while taking in your surroundings. The city boasts not only beautiful beaches, but also a scenic waterfront promenade and numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year. With its unique charm and offerings of contemporary Mediterranean life, Split leaves a lasting impression on travelers minds long after leaving.

Enjoy a relaxing free day to explore Split on your own. If you would prefer another adventure, your guide can arrange a boat trip to some of the Dalmatian islands around Split (such as Brac and Hvar), a historical walking tour of Split, a rafting adventure on the Cetina River, or zip lining in the Cetina River Canyon.

Today, We’ll make our way north today along Croatia’s stunning coastline to the island of Rab. Along the way, we’ll stop at your choice of Krka National Park or Paklenica National Park for an easy hike. Krka National Park is famous for its emerald pools and numerous waterfalls, while Paklenica is known for its striking canyon featuring towering limestone cliffs popular among rock climbers. After the national park visit, we’ll continue to Rab, an island known for its beautiful beaches and charming Rab Town. The town has a long history dating back to 360 BC and has a variety of landmarks and churches from the Middle Ages that are still standing today. (This service is on a private basis.)

Rab

Located in the Kvarner Gulf along Croatia's stunning coastline, Rab is an island known for its beautiful beaches and charming Old Town. The town has a long history dating back to 360 BC, and has a variety of landmarks and churches from the Middle Ages that are still standing today along with a stunning seaside promenade that's perfect for an evening stroll. With its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and medieval charm, Rab offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a beloved destination for visitors.

Rab: Island Hopping Boat Tour

Today, enjoy a boat trip to some of Rab's neighboring islands for swimming and snorkeling, with the exact stops depending on the weather and sea conditions. One possible highlight for history enthusiasts is a visit to Goli Otok, a stark and barren island that was once home to a notorious political prison used during the former Yugoslavia. Exploring this abandoned site offers a glimpse into a dark chapter of history, contrasting with the serene beauty of the surrounding islands and the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Sea Kayaking Rab Coastline

Today, explore Rab in an exhilarating way: Sea kayaing! Paddle along the coastline taking in stunning views and secret spots, enjoying the island’s stunning coastline, hidden coves, and crystal-clear waters. Paddling along, you'll discover secluded beaches, rocky cliffs, and lush greenery. The tour typically includes stops for swimming and snorkeling in the pristine Adriatic Sea. With the guidance of experienced instructors, this adventure is perfect for both beginners and seasoned kayakers, providing a unique perspective on Rab's natural beauty.

After a short ferry ride back to the mainland, we have a 2.5-hour drive to Croatia’s Lika region, where we’ll visit the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a gorgeous series of lakes and waterfalls in enchanting shades of blue and green. Your guide will take you on a 5-6 hour long park visit, where you’ll have the chance to walk along Plitvice’s footpaths and wooden bridges and take a short boat ride on one of the lakes.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Surrounded by dense, verdant forests, this national park contains a series of huge lakes, caves and waterfalls. The karst landscapes that form the park create natural dams and filter the natural springs, creating fascinating waterfalls of clear blue water. There are a total of sixteen interconnected lakes between Mala Kapela and Pljesevica Mountain. Nearly 20 km of wooden bridges make getting around the park easy. It takes anywhere from four to six hours to fully explore the park.

Hiking Ucka Mountain

This morning, we say goodbye to Plitvice Lakes and head inland to explore the Istrian peninsula. En route, enjoy a half-day hiking excursion in Ucka Nature Park, your guide will lead you to the summit of Vojak Peak, the highest point on the peninsula. On a clear day, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Kvarner Bay and the Velebit mountain range. The hike is about three hours and is considered easy to moderate. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading towards Rovinj, one of Istria’s most charming seaside destinations. You’ll have the evening free to explore the town and have dinner on your own. (This service is on a private basis.)

Rovinj

Located on the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia, Rovinj is a picturesque coastal town known for its vibrant Mediterranean charm. Once belonging to Italy prior to World War II, the historic old town is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and a hilltop church, St. Euphemia’s Basilica, offering stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. As a popular tourist destination, Rovinj is frequented for its scenic waterfront, excellent seafood, and charming architecture. Surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches, the natural beauty rivals the rich cultural heritage, captivating all those who visit this gem of Istria. Wander through
the town’s narrow cobblestone streets, or go on a sunset kayaking excursion and experience Rovinj from a different vantage point out on the water.

Sea Kayaking, Swimming & Snorkeling Rovinj Islands

Today, get ready to experience the town of Rovinj from a different perspective on a kayaking excursion. Take in views of the stunning Venetian architecture as you paddle through the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea. Later, take a break on Sveta Katarina (Saint Catherine) Island and enjoy time for lunch, swimming and snorkeling in the pristine waters. If you're seeking an adrenaline rush, your guide can even point you to a perfect spot for cliff jumping! (This service is on a private basis.)

In the afternoon, take an optional visit to Pula to see the Roman amphitheater built between 27 BC and AD 68, or relax in Rovinj. If you opt for the Pula trip, you’ll also have the chance to visit the Istrian olive oil museum to taste some local olive oils and learn about this agricultural and culinary tradition present in our region for over 2,000 years.

Istrian Countryside Bike Tour

After breakfast in Rovinj, you'll be transferred to Motovun, one of inland Istria’s treasures. Begin your time here as you explore the Istrian countryside by bike! E-bikes are available by request and make Istria's hilly terrain more manageable, though mountain bikes are an option as well for an extra challenge. Our route features winding country roads with views of olive groves, vineyards, hilltop towns, forests, and meadows. We’ll take a break in the town of Groznjan, where you can have lunch or coffee on your own if you’d like. Known as the town of artists, this charming village is famous for its art galleries and jazz festival. After the break, we’ll cycle part of the Parenzana, an old railroad bed featuring a series of scenic bridges and tunnels as it winds its way back down to the valley. (This service is on a private basis.)

After the cycling tour, visit Roxanich Winery, take a tour of the wine cellars, and taste some of their delicious wines. We’ll have a sunset dinner together in Motovun Old Town, with a stunning view of the Mirna River Valley.

Motovun

The hilltop town of Motovun is one of inland Istria’s finest gems. A medieval town sitting atop a hill, take in the unique picturesque views this area has to offer, whether from atop the town itself or in the Mirna River valley below. Its astonishingly preserved architecture, ancient city walls and central square make it a travelers dreamscape, and here is also famous for hosting the annual Motovun Film Festival, attracting film enthusiasts from around the world. If you're seeking charm, cultural richness and divine cuisine (truffles!), look no further than Motovun.

Today you’ll bid farewell to Croatia and will explore Slovenia’s fascinating karst landscape. We’ll start with a visit to Skocjan Caves (1-hour drive from Motovun), a large cave system that looks like something out of Lord of the Rings. Over the course of a 3-hour walk, you’ll get to see impressive pillars, stalactites and stalagmites, an underground river and waterfalls, and a huge cavern measuring nearly 500 feet from top to bottom.

After the cave visit, we’ll continue to Piran (45-minute drive). Once we arrive, you’ll have a chance to get settled into your hotel and will have free time - you can explore the town and take in its Venetian Gothic architecture or spend some time at the beach and go for a swim in the Adriatic. We’ll meet in the evening for a farewell dinner.

Piran

Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow winding streets, and vibrant maritime atmosphere, Piran is often admired for its picturesque scenery and historic buildings, including the iconic St. George's Church. Its Venetian influence is evident in its architecture and cultural heritage. Enjoy this sliver of coastline Slovenia takes so much pride in by taking a stroll down to the water or enjoying a meal on a seafront cafe!

Sadly, your journey must come to an end today. However, you will be leaving with unforgettable memories and the experience of a lifetime! After breakfast at your hotel in Piran, your guide will drop you off in Venice for your flight home.