Croatian Highlights; Zagreb, Istria, Plitvice, Split to Dubrovnik 10nts (Private Tour)

Itinerary and Inclusions:

This is a one of a kind tour, that incorporates Istria as well as the Dalmatian Coast.

Fully Private Tour Package with all hotels, transfers and ferry tickets included. Minimum 2 people. You will be on your own; there is no guide and no group. Ferries, transfers and hotels are all pre-booked for you as a package, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy your time in each city. Bed and breakfast included.

Please note, this is not a cruise, this is a TOUR using hotels, ferries and vehicle transfers.

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
11 days; Zagreb 1 night, (via Rovinj, Pula) Opatija 2 nights, (via Plitvice Lakes) Split 2 nights, Hvar 2 nights, Korcula 1 night, Dubrovnik 2 nights

INCLUDED:
• Accommodation in hotels in Zagreb, Opatija, Split, Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik on bed and breakfast basis
• Shared local transfers to/from airports / ferry ports and to/from hotels
• Vehicle transfers as per itinerary (one driver for Day 2, a different driver for Day 3, and another driver for all of Day 4). If nobody else is doing the tour the same day as you, then you will be on your own with the driver.
• Please note the driver is not a guide and will be waiting for you while you visit each place. It's an independent tour, so you'll be on your own.
• Day trip of Discovery of Istrian Peninsula on Day 3 (with vehicle and driver). If nobody else is doing the tour the same day as you, then you will be on your own with the driver.
• Guided walking tour of Hvar (approx 1-2hrs). If nobody else is doing the tour the same day as you, then you will be on your own with the guide.
• Tickets to guided public Walking Tours of Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik included (approx 1-2hrs). Entrances not included.
• Entrance to the Plitvice Lakes National Park which includes road train and boat ride (private tour guide not included).
• Ferry tickets (catamaran ferries) including delivery or similar
• Note: Korcula to Dubrovnik transfer could be either a vehicle or ferry transfer

HOTEL LIST:
Hotel Astoria 4star, Zagreb or similar
Hotel Astoria 4star, Opatija or similar
Hotel Art or Globo 4star, Split or similar
Hotel Amfora 4star, Hvar or similar
Hotel Marko Polo 4star, Korčula or similar
Hotel GH Park 4star, Dubrovnik or similar

NOT INCLUDED:
• Optional tours/activities
• Tips/gratuities
• Private tour guide for Plitvice Lakes (optional extra)
• Entrances to any sites except Plitvice Lakes

ITINERARY:
Arrive any time. Transfer from the airport included. Passengers who arrive before 2pm (hotel check-in time) can leave their bags at Reception until their room is ready. Late arrivals are possible. This is a private tour, so you can arrive any day, at any time.

DAY 1 ZAGREB
Arrival to Zagreb Airport. Transfer to hotel in Zagreb. Overnight in Zagreb.

DAY 2 to Opatija (Zagreb walking tour) (B)
Following breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided introduction with Croatia’s largest city. With an air of a true European capital, Zagreb charms with its baroque facades and towers, green parks and open-air terraces, quiet courtyards and bustling streets. In the afternoon, enjoy the scenic ride to Opatija, the seaside resort town gracing the shores of Kvarner Bay, exuding a grandeur of its 19th-century vogue. Overnight in Opatija.

DAY 3 OPATIJA (Istrian Peninsula excursion) (B)
Sitting like a gateway to the Istrian peninsula, Opatija is an ideal starting point for a day of discovering Croatia’s largest peninsula. Sometimes referred to as the Croatian Tuscany, along with its heritage, Istria is famed for tasty bits like truffles, wines and olive oils. From hotspot to highlight, marvel at the impressive Roman amphitheater in Pula, the outstandingly charming Rovinj and the mystic Motovun, wrapped in its medieval cloak of walls on top of a lushly green hill. Spend the evening in the graceful Opatija.

DAY 4 to SPLIT (Plitvice Lakes & Trogir excursion) (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure to Plitvice National Park, a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site (tickets included). Self-guided tour of the 16 crystal - blue lakes cascading into 92 spectacular waterfalls. Walk on the wooden promenades with magnificent views on the waters where every turn leads to a breathtaking scenery and yet another waterfall. Surrounded by dense woods, Plitvice Lakes are a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty. After 3 hours or so at the Lakes, meet up with your driver again to head towards the coast with a short stop in yet another one of the UNESCO protected sites, the small town of Trogir, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site. A bundle of narrow atmospheric streets which twist and bend between houses, palaces and churches, the heritage of Trogir is rooted in the Greek and Roman times and showcases some of the finest renaissance architectural works in Croatia, including the incredibly intricate portal of its Cathedral, the Town Loggia and the Cipiko palace. St. Lawrence's Cathedral, located in the old city centre, and its main western portal – masterpiece of Radovan, represent the most significant work of the Romanesque-Gothic style in Croatia. Continue onto Split to your hotel. Overnight in Split.

DAY 5 SPLIT (Split walking tour) (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Set out on a late morning walking tour of Split. Dalmatia’s largest coastal town bustles and buzzes, as it grows more and more popular among travellers for its easy-going spirit, creative food and shopping scene and of course, remarkable heritage. Learn about the Diocletian’s Palace, once the Roman Emperor’s retirement estate and today a lively city center housing 2,000 people! After your tour enjoy free time in Split. Overnight in Split.

DAY 6 to HVAR (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a ferry ride from Split to the neighboring island of Hvar. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore. Spend the night in the glitzy town of Hvar. Overnight in Hvar.

DAY 7 HVAR (Walking tour) (B)
Breakfast at a hotel. The island of Hvar is known for its purple lavender fields, a backdrop for oil production, potent red wines from steep vineyards especially enjoying the island’s status as Croatia’s sunniest island, and the glitzy jet-set scene along the starlit waterfronts of the town of Hvar, so often featured in national and international summer media. In your morning walking tour, explore the island’s prime gem and its most trendy destination, the town of Hvar. Home to the oldest theatre in Europe, also the home of organized tourism in Croatia, the heritage of Hvar extends far beyond the popular party scene! Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and spend the night in a hotel in Hvar. Overnight in Hvar.

DAY 8 to KORČULA (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Hvar is known for diverse opportunities, from bustling squares of Hvar town to the serene waterfront of Jelsa, the bridges of Vrboska and vineyards of Ivan Dolac, so expect time to fly. In the late afternoon, bid farewell to Hvar and hop on the ferry to take you to the neighboring island of Korčula. Arrive in the evening and enjoy the night in Korčula. Overnight in Korčula.

DAY 9 to DUBROVNIK (B)
Breakfast at hotel. The far south of Croatia holds many gems. Explore the Korcula old town, the hometown of famous explorer Marco Polo. You’ll know Korčula was a Venetian stronghold as soon as you lay your eyes on the many lion statues which lurk at you from the town’s facades and gates, intertwined with some of the most outstanding stonework you will get see anywhere on the Adriatic coast. Stroll the narrow, curved streets, marvel at beautiful churches and magnificent palaces in one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. Early in the afternoon, ferry ride to Dubrovnik, which once successfully rivaled the Venetian Republic. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 10 DUBROVNIK (Walking tour) (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a lazy start of the day. In the late morning, embark on a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town, a.k.a. the Pearl of the Adriatic or the King’s Landing. Whatever you might consider to be the town’s main drawcard, the mighty city walls of Dubrovnik and its courteous spirit will swiftly transport you back in time to when this was an independent republic and a highly cultured Mediterranean town. After learning of its history and present, enjoy the afternoon exploring on your own. Perhaps a cable car ride. Tailor this day to your own liking, whether you are up for just relaxing or perhaps venturing out to explore the islands nearby. Locals would suggest Lokrum Island as an easy trip from the Old Town Harbor. Promising a day of heavenly serenity, Lokrum envelops you in thick green forests of holm oak, pine and laurel, to be shared with the island’s only permanent inhabitants: peacocks and bunnies. Just a bit further away, the Elaphite Archipelago packs sandy beaches, remarkable heritage, fun hiking trails and good food into a day excursion Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 11 DUBROVNIK - Departure day (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Dubrovnik Airport or other hotel included.

B-Breakfast
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• NOTE: Ferry transfer times are limited to the ferry timetables. Please note that ferry schedules are occasionally subject to change.
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