Taste of Croatia tour 2024

This morning we will take you to experience Zagreb and its surroundings. We’ll reveal you the secrets of the medieval parts of Upper town (St. Mark’s church, Stone gate, Lotrščak tower) and show you beautiful parks and squares of Lower town (Lenuci’s horseshoe, theater building, etc.). In the afternoon you will discover Zagorje region, a picturesque rural area where, in the medieval times, respectable gentlemen and nobles built their manors and castles in search of beauty and comfort. We will visit the fairy tale castle – Veliki Tabor, the most beautiful castle in whole of Croatia. We are also going to have lunch with specialties of the local cuisine in one of Zagorje taverns. We return to Zagreb in the early evening. Overnight in Zagreb – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: Zagorski štrukli, turkey roast with mlinci, Frankovka wine

Today we are leaving Zagreb and driving southwest towards the Adriatic coast and the third-biggest Croatian city, Rijeka. Soon after passing Rijeka and Učka tunel we enter Istrian peninsula, making our first stop in Hum, officially the smallest town in the world with a total of 27 inhabitants. After Hum, we drive half an hour more, and we find ourselves in Motovun, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Istria settled at the hilltop best known for truffles and summer film festival. We strech our legs on an easy walk in the old town of Motovun and on city walls, which are offering stunning views on northern Istria. Its about time now to taste some great Istrian wines in one of the local wineries (Deklić or Arman).

Located in the north-western Istria these winars have a favorable location for growing grapevine, a unique climate, quality grape varieties, and long family traditions of wine-making. All together created perfect conditions for producing high-quality wines (Malvazija, Teran, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, etc.). With great wine comes the great food as well. Our lunch is resreved in the unique tavern in Mekiši. Local delicacies come from farm grown products by the family of owners and are the real treat to one’s palate. After lunch, we drive to Rovinj, a beautiful coastal town built during the reign of Venitan republic. Today, Rovinj is one of the most prosperous Croatian towns as well as the most popular Croatian tourist destinations due to beautiful architecture, great cuisine and one of the most beautiful sunset points on the Adriatic Sea. Overnight in Rovinj – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: homemade pasta with truffles, ombolo carpaccio, Malvazija and Teran wine

This morning we are taking you to the southernmost point of Istria, and it’s the biggest city, Pula. Two millenniums ago known as one of the first Roman settlements in Croatia, today’s Pula is a home of the best preserved amphitheater in Europe dating from 1st century AD and the temple of Augustus. We’ll take an interesting walk in this wonderful city, which grew into the most importan Austro-Hungarian seaport in the 19th century and was allegedly founded by Greek refugees during the time of Jason and the Argonauts. After Pula, we meet with our hosts for a Croatian cooking class. Together we Stroll Pula’s green market or visit the local farmers to purchase the ingredients. Afterward we enjoy the homely atmosphere of the cooking studio, where we brunch, sip wine, prepare all the dishes from scratch and enjoy the fruits of our labor in the shade of olive trees. In the afternoon, on the way back to Rovinj we’ll stop in Poreč, also one of the most visited towns in Istria today, known after Euphrasian basilica from early Christian times. Overnight in Rovinj – 4-star Hotel.

Cooking class with some of the famous local dishes and great Istrian wines

After breakfast, we are heading towards the eastern coast of Istria enjoying the scenic drive overlooking islands Cres and Krk before arriving to Opatija. Centuries ago known after the Italian name Abbatia (an abbey) Opatija bacame one of the most popular holiday spots for Habsburg aristocracy in 19th century, due to its great climate. It’s 17 km lungomare walk invites visitors from around the world to spend their vaccation in this open air museum of late baroque and secession style architecture buildings. After Opatija sightseeing walk, we invite you for the best chocolate cake in Croatia before continuing our tour. Our journey today takes you to the most famous natural wonder of Croatia and this part of Europe – Plitvice Lakes national park. On the way we’ll stop in Rastoke miller village, a unique example of traditional 17th century village architecture which once had more than 50 water mills built on breathtaking waterfalls. Just 25 min further south, we are entering Plitvice lakes national park, and we’ll start a comfortable hike along the sixteen beautiful and crystal-clear lakes with numerous cascades and waterfalls. After 4 hours easy walk, we check in to our accommodation before well deserved dinnel in a local Lika restaurant. Overnight in Plitvice – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: Ice cream and chocolate cake in Opatija, veal peka on Plitvice lakes

After breakfast, we are continuing our journey further south along the picturesque Dalmatian coastline. Our first stop will be in Zadar, a city built from Roman Iadera and a city of exceptional history and rich cultural heritage. Once we arrive in Zadar we will take a walk along its ancient streets and Roman Forum to its most famous modern monuments: Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun. Leaving Zadar we pay a visit to local wine producer Škaulj family, the first ecological winery in Croatia. The greatest recognition to their work and wines they produce was the honor of welcoming the Swedish royal couple, King Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia. After tasting their wines(Maraština, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Cabarnet sauvignon, Greanage, Plavina i Crljenak(Zinfandel) with remarkable views of Ravni Kotari plane it is time to take a bite. And what is better to taste than a pride of local gastronomy but baby goat peka made in the oldest inn in Dalmatia. After lunch, we continue to Šibenik, the oldest autochthonous Croatian town, where we’ll visit the unique monument of European sacral architecture – St. Jacob’s Cathedral, which has been listed as UNESCO’s World Cultural Monument. Afterward, we continue towards Trogir, an old Croatian town first inhabited by Greeks and Romans and famous for its Romanesque and gothic old core with St. Lawrence Cathedral. In the evening, we are arriving to Split where we are going to spend the next two nights. Overnight in Split – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: Baby goat peka, Škaulj wines (Syrah, Cabarnet sauvignon, Crljenak( Zinfandel)

Today, your guide will take you for a walking tour through the “most beautiful city in the world”, how Split if often called by its citizens. You’ll visit the Diocletian Palace in the heart of Split, built as a residential palace in the 3rd century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian and a priceless monument included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Enjoy the heart of Split – the famous Split waterfront or Riva where you will feel the friendly and cozy atmosphere of this vibrant city. Overnight in Split – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: Octopus goulash, Cuttle fish with broad beans, mussle buzara

After visiting Split, we continue our tour, heading south to Dubrovnik. We are driving through Neretva valley also called “Dalmatian belly”, known after fertile and rich farm land.

What kind of day this would be without stopping in one of the best wineries in the region, Rizman to admire their wines and the view from their terrace! We will stop to visit Ston on the beginning of the Pelješac peninsula, a town known for the 3.5 miles long fortification complex dating from the 14th century, times when Dubrovnik and Venice had been rivaling naval forces on the Mediterranean. Mali Ston and Ston area are known for great and fresh seafood, especially oysters which are grown in the Mali Ston bay. You will have the opportunity to try these local delicacies in a local tavern. We will arrive to Dubrovnik and check into to our accommodation in the late afternoon. Overnight in Dubrovnik – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: Cuttle fish risotto, fresh oysters, Rizman wines (Tribidrag, Plavac mali, Pošip)

This whole day is reserved for exploring and enjoying in our Pearl of Adriatic – the old town, Dubrovnik. The great George Bernard Shaw wrote: „Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik” and he was as many others overjoyed by the beauty and rich history of this old town under the UNESCO protection. Its glorious walls, with their fortresses and bastions, offer a unique walk with a view of the magical Elafiti islands. From the Onofrio fountain to the City bell tower, along its main street, Stradun and in many other small cobblestone streets, every step in this town will be an experience par excellence. After our walking tour, we are taking you for a lunch in one of Dubrovnik’s taverns where we would eat and meet with friends in our spare time. Code fish in bianco, grilled sardines, monk fish brodet and more will tickle the palate and bring you back to days when life was more simple but tastier. In the afternoon, we invite you to collect more impressions of Dubrovnik. In the afternoon, we invite you to collect more impressions of Dubrovnik and enjoy this beautiful city. Overnight in Dubrovnik – 4-star Hotel.

Must try: Code fish in bianco, grilled sardines, monk fish brodet

Today is the last day of our tour. After taking you to mountain Srđ for the most beautiful view on the Mediterranean, we will visit the ancient town of Cavtat, dating from Roman times, known after its pebbly beaches and artsy galleries. In the afternoon, your guide will drive you to Dubrovnik Airport, where you are expecting your flight back home. We wish you a safe journey, and we hope that you will always gladly remember Croatia and have great memories of these days spent with us. Goodbye!