Taste and Feel Croatia

Fly into Dubrovnik Airport, where our driver will greet you and transport you to the Rixos Premium Hotel, just a 30-minute ride away. After a brief refresh, we'll explore the ancient city of Dubrovnik, a significant Republic since the 13th century.

A local guide will lead you through the impressive Old Town, showcasing its historic Renaissance palaces and the renowned City Walls. After the guided tour, you'll have free time to wander at your own pace, discovering unique shops and local attractions. Don't miss the chance to relax with a drink on Stradun, often called "the most beautiful street in the world."

As the sun sets, we'll head to a hill overlooking Dubrovnik for local snacks and wine while enjoying breathtaking views. Finally, we'll visit a local home where your guide grew up for a "farm-to-table" dining experience, a delightful way to end our first day in Dubrovnik.

Today, we’ll explore the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea and its pristine islands. After a short boat ride, we’ll discover the beauty of the three largest islands: Šipan, Koločep, and Lopud. We’ll experience hidden gems away from mass tourism and gain insight into the local way of life, becoming part of their community for a moment.

During lunch, we’ll enjoy traditional Croatian food. Freshness is guaranteed—the catch arrives just before our meal, grilled with olive oil and sea salt by a local chef. This food is the essence of Dalmatian flavors. 

After our island exploration - swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the local cuisine - we’ll return to the city by boat, taking in stunning coastal views.

We’ll return to the hotel in the evening for drinks and a light meal, capping off another wonderful day. Relax and savor the delightful atmosphere as you recount your adventures.

We'll check out of the hotel after breakfast and head for the ancient city of Ston, known for having the second-longest wall in the world. Built by the Republic of Dubrovnik to protect the production of "white gold" - sea salt - the wall embodies the region's history. We'll tour the ancient saltworks. Salt is still produced here using traditional methods.

Following our historical exploration, we'll enjoy our first gastronomic experience of the day as we visit a private oyster farm to taste the renowned oysters from Maliston Bay. These oysters are special. They're a protected local species only found here. 

Next, we'll explore Pelješac, Croatia's famous wine region. Amidst the vineyards, our sommelier will introduce you to Croatian wines, showcasing some award-winning varieties that grace tables around the globe, the perfect conclusion to our culinary adventure.

After a day filled with history, culture, and gastronomic delights, we'll head to Split, known for its lively atmosphere and stunning architecture. Here, we'll check in at the Cornaro Hotel Split with time to relax and freshen up before we head out for dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants. Raise your glasses to another perfect day in Croatia!

We’ll uncover the secrets of ancient Split after breakfast. In the 1st century, the Roman emperor Diocletian retired to Split, constructing a magnificent palace. We’ll also explore the oldest cathedral in the world, the Diocletian’s cellars, thermal baths, and other fascinating split highlights. 

After soaking in the history, you’ll have free time to explore, strolling through charming narrow streets and discovering hidden gems at your own pace. We’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch outside the city, featuring local flavors, including lamb that is uniquely Croatian.

As the day unfolds, we’ll arrive at the Klis Fortress, a place that played a crucial role in Croatian history. From here, we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Dalmatian region and its stunning islands - ideal for memorable photos. 

We’ll cap off our day with dinner on the hotel’s rooftop, where we will savor a meal together while taking in the spectacular views of Split.

Today, we're returning to the islands, reaching Hvar via the local ferry. Hvar is one of Croatia's most famous islands, with a long and rich history. The ancient Greeks founded a colony here, naming it Pharos. We'll visit the world's oldest public theater and a functioning Greek shipyard, soaking in the Mediterranean atmosphere.

Our day continues with a visit to the small fortress of Fortica, where gorgeous views await. Then we'll drive 20 minutes to an abandoned village, once one of the largest on the island, surrounded by olive plantations. Back in the day, this village housed the leading olive oil production site. It's still one of the best places to taste homemade extra virgin oil. Our host, the village's last remaining resident, has opened a small restaurant where he'll unveil his secrets to island cuisine. There's no menu here; the food is sourced just steps from the house. A cooking class with our entertaining host, paired with local delicacies, promises to make this day unforgettable.

We'll return by ferry to Split, where a restful evening awaits.

After breakfast, we'll set off for an adventure at Krka National Park, beginning in the charming town of Skradin, where the Krka River meets the sea. A guide will take us on a scenic boat ride into the park.

You'll be captivated by the blend of Mediterranean climate and lush vegetation in the national park. Surrounded by hundreds of small waterfalls, we'll make our way to Skradinski Buk, the largest and most famous waterfall. We'll enjoy a leisurely 4 km walk along picturesque trails through untouched nature.

After our hike, we'll eat at a quaint household near the waterfalls. We'll dine on homemade cuisine, sampling prosciutto, pancetta, and aged cheeses, all prepared with love. An authentic taste of Dalmatia! To round off our day, we'll explore the rich heritage of the Roški Slap watermill complex, one of Dalmatia's intriguing ethnographic sites.

Back in Split this evening, we'll have a relaxing dinner at Articok, renowned for its twist on traditional Dalmatian dishes—a great way to unwind and reflect on the day's adventures with good company and delicious food.

Today, we'll say goodbye to Split, leaving on a scenic three-hour drive to the Istrian peninsula. Our first stop is Hum, a charming hilltop gem known as the world's smallest city. During our leisurely walk here, we'll taste some hyper-local handmade liqueurs.

Istria is the second-largest truffle region in Europe. This afternoon, we'll meet a local family who've been hunting truffles with trained dogs for generations. Here, we'll venture into the forest for an exciting truffle hunt - during the perfect season. Afterward, we'll return to use the truffles with the homemade pasta we prepare together, ending with a 3-course lunch. 

Next, we'll visit a small boutique winery known to gourmets in the area. Our friendly host will share the secrets of crafting Malvasia, a renowned local white wine, while we taste the products. 

Capping off an incredible day, we'll check out the enchanting village of Motovun. It dates back to the Middle Ages. After a leisurely stroll while being regaled with local myths, we’ll head to Villa Meneghetti, where, after checking in, the chef will greet us with a light local dinner.

We'll start our day in Istria with a farm-to-table breakfast in the beautiful gardens of Villa Meneghetti.

Our first stop will be the ancient city of Pula, home to the iconic amphitheater, often symbolizing Croatia in travel imagery. A local guide will help us understand this impressive structure, the world's sixth-largest Roman amphitheater. After our tour, we'll take a pleasant walk around the coastal town, uncovering more remnants of its ancient Roman past.

Next, we'll head to Rovinj, a charming fishing village known for its colorful houses and picturesque layout. We'll explore the enchanting narrow streets before enjoying a local lunch with sea views. We'll have free time to soak in the atmosphere and discover and shop the town at our own pace. 

We'll make the short ride back to Villa Meneghetti for an afternoon of relaxation. As part of the esteemed Relais & Châteaux group, the villa offers outstanding spa facilities*. Take time to relax and unwind after your day and enjoy Istria's tranquil surroundings. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening. 

*Spa treatments are not included

It’s time to say goodbye to Istria's stunning landscapes as we head to the vibrant capital of Zagreb. After breakfast and check-out, we’ll head out on a scenic two-hour drive to the city.

We’ll check in to the 5-star MET Boutique Hotel in the city's most central area. 

Zagreb is Croatia’s largest urban center, yet it exudes elegance and character. We’ll delve into the city’s fascinating history, tracing influences from the Middle Ages, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, both World Wars, Yugoslavia, and the emergence of modern Croatia.

For lunch, we’ll indulge in a tasting of Zagreb’s most famous dishes, showcasing the city’s culinary diversity. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the center, shop for souvenirs, and soak in the local atmosphere.

We’ll gather for a special dinner with tapas-style bites at the Sol Tapas Bar paired with delightful Croatian wines as the day draws to a close.

We'll say goodbye to those not joining the trip extension. Savor a relaxing breakfast, or head out and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. When you're ready, we'll transfer you to the airport.

If you're joining the trip extension, onward!

Prepare to discover the breathtaking beauty of Slovenia! We'll start our adventure at Lake Bled, one of Slovenia's most iconic destinations. It's about 2-hours northwest of Zagreb. This glacial lake, nestled between the majestic Alps, is renowned for its stunning scenery. We'll begin with a stroll around the lake, taking in the views before boarding a traditional wooden boat to explore the tranquil waters. 

Our journey takes us to a picturesque island with a monastery. Immerse yourself in the serenity. Back on land, it's time to indulge in a local culinary delight - the famous Bled Cream Cake. Savor this sweet treat with a coffee on the shores of the lake as you appreciate the view. 

We'll have free time to explore the area around lake Bled before we begin the short 45-minute ride to Ljubljana, Slovenia's vibrant capital. We'll explore the city's highlights, showcasing enchanting architecture and rich history. 

We'll enjoy a late lunch in Ljubljana and return to Zagreb for our final evening.

After freshening up, we'll meet in the lobby for a farewell drink at our cost. 

What a wonderful trip we've had! While our experience may be ending, the memories we've created together will last a lifetime.