Croatia – From Parks to Palaces

Welcome to Croatia! On your arrival at the airport in Zagreb, you are met and then transferred to the Canopy By Hilton Hotel for an overnight stay. The balance of the day is at leisure and this evening have a stroll with a guide through this capital city. Note: Recommend alternative hotel - The Amadria Hotel.

This morning you will depart Zagreb with your driver and driven west to Opatija, a popular coastal town on the Adriatic. After checking in at the elegant Palace Bellevue Hotel for a 2-night stay, meet your local guide for a tour of the town. Situated on Kvarner Bay, Opatija has been a fashionable resort since the 19th Century. On your tour, you'll see some of its impressive monuments and beautiful gardens and villas. Enjoy a relaxing evening.

Today's excursion takes you to Brijuni National Park, two islands off the Istria Peninsula. Here you will ride a tourist train and visit many historic sites from Roman to Byzantium plus tour an interesting archaeological museum. Afterwards, stop at Motovun to go truffle hunting. Walking with your local hosts and their trained truffle-hunting dogs, look for this rare delicacy then enjoy tasting some truffle products. Return to Opatija to overnight at your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, you'll be driven south and inland to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Check in for an overnight stay at the Jezero Hotel. Later, set out with a guide for a walk through this beautiful park that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is home to bears, deer, wolves and rare bird species and stunning waterfalls connects many of its 16 lakes. After your tour, relax for the balance of the day at your comfortable resort hotel.

This morning you'll be driven first to Zadar where a local guide will show you this stunning Dalmatian city that dates back thousands of years. Visit its Roman ruins, its Romanesque churches as well as the modern Sea Organ, an extraordinary, experimental musical instrument that uses the waves to create music. Afterwards, continue along the coast to Sibenik, a typical medieval Mediterranean town, where you'll overnight at the Bellevue Hotel. The evening is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Following breakfast your local guide will show you the best of Sibenik's historic past, including its Gothic-Renaissance cathedral. Leaving Sibenik, head to Krka National for a tour of its stunning waterfalls, travertine cascades, islands and lakes set in a beautiful landscape with an old and authentically restored stone village. The park also has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Later, arrive in Split to spend 2 nights at the Fermai Hotel. The evening is free to enjoy this famous, seaside resort.

Meet your local guide for a walking tour through historic Split including touring the Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then a short drive takes you to Trogir, a Hellenistic city of stone with wonderful historic architecture. Next, either return to Split with the balance of the day at leisure or make an optional stop at the Stella Croatica Etno Park to sample traditionally made sweets and learn about olive oils (optional excursion on own account). Overnight is at your hotel in Split.

Departing after breakfast, you are taken on a lovely morning's drive along the coast to Dubrovnik. On arrival, check in to the Lapad Hotel for a 2-night stay. This afternoon your local guide will show you the 'Pearl of the Adriatic' as Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is called. Surrounded by medieval walls, the old city is a living monument and treasure trove of history. Enjoy an evening at leisure to see more of this stunning city on your own.

After breakfast set off on a boat trip adventure to the Elaphiti Islands. Boarding at the Gruz Harbour, sail through this group of islands, stopping at ???? islands to see ???? Before returning to Dubrovnik there'll be time for a swim. The evening is free to enjoy your final night in Croatia and overnight at your hotel.

Today, you will be transferred to the Dubrovnik Airport prior to your flight home.