9D/8N - 2020 Croatian Rhapsody Tour

day 01 Zagreb
Independent arrival in Zagreb, transfer to the hotel. Welcome drink and group get together. Acquaint yourself with your tour manager and others over a plate of Štrukli, a local specialty in the Zagreb area. D
day 02 Zagreb-Opatija
Today, enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb with an English speaking guide. In the fortified, medieval Upper Town, you will visit St. Mark’s church, with its multicolour tiled roof, Parliament, the government palace, and many fine old buildings. After the sightseeing we proceed to Opatija, situated on the picturesque Kvarner Bay, which used to be the favourite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov and Isadora Duncan. Dinner and overnight in Opatija. BD
day 03 Opatija-Istria Excursion
Today it's time to get to know the Istrian Penisula and visit the 2000 year old roman Colosseum located in Pula. Afterwards we will relax in Rovinj, perhaps the most beautiful city in Istria and the inspiration of many artists. Time at leisure in Rovinj and departure towards Livade for a sample of one the Istrian tastiest treasures, the truffle. Dinner and overnight in Opatija. BL
day 04 Opatija- Plitvice Lakes
The most beautiful and the oldest national park in Croatia under UNESCO protection consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. The park is located in Lika mountain region and visited mostly on foot, however the entrance includes a boat ride across the Emerald Green Lake “Kozjak” and a train ride back to the main entrance. The visit of the park grounds takes approx. 3 hours. Dinner at the Plitvice lakes in the famous “Lička kuća” restaurant and overnight in Plitvice area. BD
day 05 Plitvice Lakes-Zadar-Split
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive down from the mountain region of Lika via the coast towards the city of Zadar. The historic town of Zadar is rich in cultural and historical monuments. Here you can see The Roman forum dated to the 1st century AD, the church of St. Donatus dated to the 9th century AD. Of special interest are the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind in the world. From Zadar we continue to the Bibich Winery for a gourmet experience that is more than a simple wine tasting. The winery burnt to the ground during the war is now producing rewarded wines and exporting 80% of their production to USA & Scandinavia. We will taste the Dalmatian Debit white wine and Cuvee of Shiraz & Merlot, accompanied with delicious Croatian style Tapas. Departure towards Split for overnight. (total driving time 4 to 5h). BL
day 06 Split-Trogir-Split
Today’s Split is the handiwork of seventeen centuries of men and women building and remodeling, adding, tearing down and touching up, so that 18th century houses intersect with ancient Roman walls and fourth century chambers house twentieth century apartments. At the core of this sprawling cityscape is the palace the Emperor Diocletian built for his golden years at the turn of the fourth century. Today's lunch will be the traditional Dalmatian dish – Pašticada which we will taste at the Tragos restaurant in Trogir. The town of Trogir, a UNESCO site, has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. Trogir has a high concentration of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as a fortress on a small island. Sometimes referred to as the floating museum town. BL
day 07 Split-Ston-Dubrovnik
On our way to Dubrovnik we will stop in the town of Ston, where we visit the "MILOŠ" winery and taste the famous “Plavac Mali” wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. In this winery the traditional wine making business has been passed on for generations, offering a unique story everyone wants to hear. The wine tasting includes a wine presentation on all the specifics of the wine-making process, a visit to the old part of the cellar, wine tasting and a short movie about Plavac mali, Peljesac peninsula and the Milos wines. Arrival in Dubrovnik and overnight. BLD
day 08 Dubrovnik
Completed in the thirteen century, the old city Dubrovnik has remained basically unchanged since. Its medieval ramparts encircle the city which pedestrians can enter through one of two gates, either way, they cross a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise (Vlaho), to find themselves joining the evening promenade down the broad, stone-paved avenue known as Stradun. After the sightseeing free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Dubrovnik. B
day 09 Dubrovnik
After breakfast end of the roundtrip. Individual transfers to the airport are included, or a choice of optional excursions, cruises and hotel stay. B

Inclusions: 8 nights’ accommodation in 3 or 4 star hotels, welcome drink, 8 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 4 quality gastronomic experience in wineries and local restaurants, local guides, entrances, transfers, tour guide, porterage and city taxes.
Sightseeing: Pula Colosseum, Diocletian Palace Split, Sibenik Cathedral, Franciscan Monastery Dubrovnik, Plitvice Lakes.
Hotels: Zagreb-Dubrovnik hotel, Opatija-Remisens Kvarner, Plitvic-Degenija, Split-Hotel Cornarro, Dubrovnik-Valamar Lacroma Resort (or similar)