Croatia , the Jewel of the Adriatic

Croatia is a beautiful gem tucked in the aquamarine waters of the Adriatic  sea. Places to visit include Zagreb , Plitvice lakes ,Zadar , Split and Dubrovnik. For the Game of Thrones enthusiasts Dubrovnik is a must see  as this popular TV series was shot here at 19 different locations

Best time to visit : May , June, September , October

Visa : A Croatia Visa or double/Multiple entry Schengen visa

A nine day itinerary will enable you to see the best of Croatia without tiring yourself out

Daywise Itinerary : 9 Nts/10 Days

Day 1 : Zagreb 

Zagreb is a big Croatian tourist center, not only in terms of transit from West and Central Europe to the Adriatic Sea but also as a tourist destination. The city with a tradition of almost one thousand years celebrated in 1994 its 900th birthday. Zagreb is not only rich in cultural and historical monuments, museums and galleries, it also has a variety of modern shops, and offers good quality of diversified restaurants as well as sports and recreation facilities. Ban Jelacic square, Gothic Cathedral on Kaptol , the Archbishop's Palace , St Mark's Church with the coloured roof tiles , the Opera House and the Old Town, famous Dolac market its just some of many interesting points.

Day 2   Zagreb 

After Breakfast take a  whole day excursion to Trakoscan castle, Varazdin. Varaždin is the city of baroque, young people, music, flowers and bicycles.Also called Little Vienna it has a  rich natural legacy interwoven in beautiful parks. Return to Zagreb, Overnight at Zagreb.

Day 3:  Zagreb - National Park Plitvice lakes 

After Breakfast.  Transfer to Pltivice lakes National park , a UNESCO world heritage site.

The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species.  The National Park covers a total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometres. Overnight at Plitvice Lake.

Day 4   National Park Plitvica lakes - Zadar

After Breakfast take a transfer to Zadar  an ancient Mediterranean port city. The old town, surrounded by walls and towers on a peninsula, with a new, urban part is connected by a bridge, a symbol of the city.  Built on Roman urban principles, where there are several major longitudinal streets traversed by a greater number of latitudinal streets, give the city a rectangular shape. The old town is a treasure trove of archaeological treasures and monuments to the ancient, medieval and Renaissance periods. This is visible by a number of sacral and architectural monuments – the church of St. Donat [St. Donatus] where every summer the sounds of Zadar's musical evenings echo, the Roman Forum near the main square, Kalelarga - the longest and widest street.  

Day 5 :  Zadar - Sibenik - Split 

After Breakfast. visit Sibenik , a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It’s known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The whole cathedral is made of stone, without the use of other materials, and it contains more than 70 portraits on its apses.Onward to Split

Day 6 : Split 

After Breakfast. Enjoy the sights of Split and Trogir.  

The city tour in Split starts with sightseeing of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian which is the heart and of Split, built in 295.y. BC, but still a living monument. In that magnificent palace you will see 4 gates, the most famous is Golden gate and in front of it you will see the statue of Grgur Ninski made by Ivan Meštrović, square Peristil where the emperor’s speeches took place, the mausoleum of the Roman emperor which was transformed in Catholic church, today called the Cathedral of St. Domnius with famous bell tower, streets Cardo and Decumanus... After visiting the palace, immediately outside you will see many charming „piazzas“. At the end of the city tour we will take you to the Riva, a coastal walk with palm trees where you can relax in the sun and enjoy a beautiful view of the port and close-by islands. Enter Diocletiant’s Palace.

Day 7 : Split – Dubrovnik 

After Breakfast take a transfer to Dubrovnik. 

Dubrovnik is rich in cultural and historical monuments and is included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Dubrovnik Summer Festival is held annually here, and the city is also the venue for scientific, scholarly and literary conferences and world tourist congresses. The most recognizable feature which difines the History of Dubrovnik and gives it its characteristic are its intact city walls which run uninterrupted for 1940 meters encircling the city. This complex structure, one of the most beautiful and strongest fort systems in the Europe is the main attraction to the city's visitors. Here you will visit, among other things, famous Stradun street, Onophrio’s fontaine, Franciscan Monastery 

Day 8  Dubrovnik

 Post Breakfast enjoy a whole day excursion by boat to Elaphiti islands

The islands get their name from the Greek word elafos, meaning deer; in ancient times the islands were apparently home to a large deer population. The islands are particularly famous as the most skilful mariners came from here. Given their strategic importance due to their location out to sea in front of Dubrovnik, you can perhaps imagine why. Overnight at Dubrovnik.

Day 9  Dubrovnik 

Post Breakfast. visit Korcula island – birth  place of Marco Polo  the famous sailor. Rich in vineyards, olive groves and small villages, and harbouring a glorious old town, the island of Korčula is the sixth-largest Adriatic island, stretching nearly 47km in length. Dense pine forests led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina (Black Corfu). Quiet coves and small sandy beaches dot the steep southern coast while the northern shore is flatter and more pebbly .After a full day sightseeing ,return to Dubrovnik for an Overnight stay

 

Day 10 : As  all good things must come to an end as does your tour. Fly back home  with a treasure trove of  happy memories