Croatian Highlights & Island Hopping 2024

Arrival at Zagreb Airport and shared transfer to the hotel in Zagreb for overnight.

Following breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided encounter with Croatia’s largest city. With an air of a true European capital, Zagreb charms with its Baroque facades and spiffy 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. (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, wine and olive oil. From hotspot to highlight, marvel at the impressive Roman Amphitheatre Arena 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. (B)

The first visit of the day takes you to Croatia’s most popular natural gem, Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided walk around the wooden pathways unveils an amazing world of 16 cascading lakes interlaced with over 90 stunning waterfalls, bound to mesmerise you in any season. Continuing the drive to Split, take a break in Trogir, another UNESCO 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 architectural works in Croatia, including the incredibly intricate portal of its cathedral, Town Loggia and the Cipiko Palace. Arrive to Split and overnight at a hotel in Split or Split area. (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, set out on a late morning walking tour of Split. Dalmatia’s largest coastal city 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 UNESCO protected Diocletian Palace, once the Roman Emperor’s retirement estate and today a lively city centre housing 3,000 people. Finally, enjoy a ferry or catamaran ride from Split to the neighbouring Island of Hvar, where you will spend the night at a hotel in the glitzy Hvar Town. (B)

The Island of Hvar is known for its purple lavender fields, oil production, potent red wines from the steep vineyards, and enjoying the status of Croatia’s sunniest island. Glitzy jet set scene along the starlit waterfronts of Hvar Town is so often featured in national and international summer media. Explore the island’s prime gem and its most trendy destination, Hvar Town on your own. With the oldest theatre in Europe and long tradition of organised tourism, 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. (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and some time on your own. Hvar Island 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 afternoon, bid farewell to Hvar and hop on a ferry or catamaran, which will take you to the neighbouring Island of Korčula. Arrive in the evening and enjoy an overnight stay in Korčula. (B)

The far south of Croatia holds many gems. You’ll know Korčula was at one time 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 to 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, take a ferry or catamaran to Dubrovnik, which once successfully rivalled the Venetian Republic. Arrival to Dubrovnik for an overnight stay. (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, also known as “The Pearl of the Adriatic” or the King’s Landing. Whatever you might consider to be the town’s main draw, 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. Overnight stay at your Dubrovnik hotel. (B)

A marvellous town like Dubrovnik can only be surrounded by an equally marvellous region. Tailor this day to your own liking, whether you are up for just relaxing or perhaps venturing out to explore the nearby islands. Locals would suggest the Island of Lokrum as an easy trip from the Old Town port. Promising a day of heavenly serenity, Lokrum envelops you in a thick green forests of holm oak, pine and laurel, to be shared with the island’s only permanent inhabitants, peacocks and bunnies. Just a tad bit further away, the Elaphiti Islands pack sandy beaches, remarkable heritage, fun hiking trails and good food into a day excursion. Enjoy the overnight stay in Dubrovnik. (B)

Following breakfast at the hotel, shared transfer to Dubrovnik Airport or another Dubrovnik hotel. (B)