Essence of Croatia
8 days from $2,895

Day 1: Arrive Zagreb
Upon arrival at Zagreb airport, transfer to hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Zagreb, (D)

Day 2: Zagreb
This morning, Zagreb will charm you with its abundance of rich cultural heritage that dates back to the medieval days. We will stroll past baroque-style mansions and baronial residences, and admire the beautifully crafted facades. In the company of your local expert, we will visit the symbol of Zagreb, St. Mark’s church in the Upper Town, which houses the remarkable works of Ivan Meštrović, its most famous sculptor. Come to the Lotrščak Tower and inhale this most beautiful view of the city. The attractions here are plentiful, the culture, quite mesmerizing. There will be enough time for a delicious fresh baked pastry and a cup of excellent coffee in one of the side walk cafes in Gornji Grad. Or dine on some great home-made cheese & wine as you chat with friendly locals at Dolac, the lively open air market. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Zagreb, (B)

Day 3: Zagreb/Plitvice/Zadar
A very special experience awaits you in Gorski Kotar and Lika. Lovely green landscapes of exceptional ecological value reside in a number of nature parks, which rise a mere dozen feet above the sea. Discover Plitvice Lakes National Park – the unique oasis of rare natural beauty. It is one of Europe’s most dazzling nature reserve parks, and was truly created by nature. The park consists of 16 connecting lakes and sport unique cascades of murmuring waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes National Park was recognized and protected by UNESCO as part of the world’s natural heritage in 1979. Take a lively walk along the lakes and breathe the fresh mountain air while listening to the captivating sounds of nature. Next, a boat ride across the largest of the lakes, you will experience an unique perspective of nature: the lake is rife with crystal clear emerald water and fringed with bubbly white waterfalls! Afterwards we will continue to Zadar. Overnight in Zadar, (B)

Day 4: Zadar/Split
We will bask in divine inspiration from the beauty of the Adriatic Coast as in the 3000-year-old Zadar. A centuries-long center for the Illyrian tribe of Liburni and capital of Dalmatia for millennium, Zadar is a city of rich spiritual and material culture. And this is well shown from its many reverent walls and numerous sacral monuments. Accompanied by our professional English-speaking guide, we visit the Cathedral of St. Stošia (St. Anastasia) dating from 1285 A.D., where paintings of Carpaccio and Palma Jr. are exhibited. We will also experience the Roman Forum and pre-Romanesque church of St. Donat (dating from IX century A.D.), the massive city gate and Square of Wells, the Church of St Simon, and the permanent exhibition “Gold and Silver of Zadar.” During this leisurely time, we may continue exploring Zadar’s many historic treasures, but also remember to shop for all sorts of fine local souvenirs. Overnight in Split, (B, L)

Day 5: Split/Hvar/Split
This morning we take a short boat ride to the island of Hvar, one of the most beautiful islands on the Croatian coast This full day island experience starts with a drive through the lavender roads where we will listen to stories about the island’s most precious plant. Enjoy the amazing views and nature. Our visit includes quaint town of Stari Grad, Vrboska and Jelsa and visits to Petar Hektorovic house called Tvrdalj at Stari Grad; the Dominican Museum in Stari Grad and Fisherman museum and church in Vrboska. On this trip you’ll also enjoy visiting Pitve, one of the island’s quaint villages. Have some grappa or a glass of the local wine at one of the family owned cellars. Stroll through the narrow streets and enjoy the charm of this traditional town. Then we will visit and pass through the Ager, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the middle of Hvar Island and finish with an authentic Dalmatian lunch in the countryside. We return back to Split late afternoon for overnight. Overnight in Split, (B, L)

Day 6: Split/Korčula/Ston/Dubrovnik
We spend a part of this marvelous day visiting the Pelješac peninsula and the small medieval town of Ston. We’ll taste the fresh oysters in the local restaurant. Pelješac is the famous kingdom of Dingač, which is the most highly regarded of all Croatian wines. We continue to Korčula which is southern Dalmatian’s largest and most sophisticated island, and the birthplace of Marco Polo. Visit the the XV century Reveling Tower at the Land Gate. Among many attractions in Korčula some of the most prominent are the Gothic Renaissance Cathedral of St. Mark and Museum of Icons. Overnight in Dubrovnik, (B)

Day 7: Dubrovnik
It’s often been called a classic medieval heart stopper. For it is rife with glorious fountains, palaces and cathedrals. And rich in history and culture, dating all the way back to the VII century. Over a thousand year old history of Dubrovnik is visible in every part of this city. The limestone bricks of the walled Old City shimmer like marble in the moonlight. Fine detailing and the architecture of its quaint buildings underscore an artistic heritage that both enhances and defines a landscape of sea, sky and hills. It is a playground for those who desire the unspoiled fortune that is the Mediterranean landscape. Dubrovnik is steeped in sunshine and bathed in mild Mediterranean breezes, a lush region of coves, forested islands and idyllic beaches. It is a home to one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, which has been open since 1317. Overnight in Dubrovnik, (B, D)

Day 8: Depart Dubrovnik
Morning transfer to the airport.

YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

• Hotel accommodations as per the itinerary based on double occupancy
• 8 tour days
• Experienced English speaking driver/escort throughout the trip as per itinerary
• Comfortable air-conditioned minibus at group’s disposal as per itinerary
• Sightseeing tours of Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Hvar, Korčula town and Dubrovnik
• Professional English-speaking local guides
• Entrance fees for National Park Plitvice Lakes
• Diocletian’s Palace and Cathedral in Split
• Gold and Silver and St. Donat Church in Zadar
• 11 meals – 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners in local restaurants
• Ferry/catamaran tickets
• All taxes

HOTELS

• Zagreb, Hotel Westin, 2 nights
• Zadar, Hotel Bastion, 1 night
• Split, Hotel Atrium, 2 nights
• Dubrovnik, Hotel Rixos, 2 nights

NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare, tips, drinks, telephone charges and incidentals
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusion

Discount for 3rd person sharing a room : $300 per person
Single supplement: $690

”I’m sorry that it has taken this long for me to contact you regarding my trip to Croatia. Perhaps it is because I lack words to properly express how truly exceptional it was. It was such a personal journey for me to visit the place where my Grandparents were born and all I can say is that I wish my Mother could have been there in person, however, I did take pictures of her and her brother with me. Having a small group of people on the tour gave us the opportunity to get to know our driver and the tour director and have great discussions about the history of the country as well as knowing that we were in capable hands. I became very fond of both of them and cannot say enough good things about them each in a different way. He is a very patient and excellent driver and we felt so safe with him at the wheel and Mariana was so good natured and helpful. Together they make a great team and we enjoyed them thoroughly. I have done some traveling but this trip was clearly very special in so many ways. I just simply do not have words to describe the feeling that I came away with. I think Croatia is now in my heart. It is a small country with so many natural resources. Great beauty, culture, food, and people.

I am so glad I made this trip.

Sincerely,

Denise Swan”

“Greetings, Maya: I was pleased to see the comments of Denise Swan (with whom we traveled)posted on your website. She expresses our experience quite well, and I couldn’t agree more with her observations.

I wanted to say also that the trip was everything as advertised, and much more. My wife Rosemary and I had a wonderful vacation, but it was also an unforgettable learning experience. Our tour coordinator and driver were informative, kind, and always there when needed. I am still basking in the glow of our trip and look forward to showing photos and video to friends and family. By the way, your assistance in helping with booking our hotel in Italy (Stresa and the Lakes) was just right – the Hotel was well-located, very clean, and the staff was extremely helpful. We enjoyed six days of hiking and a nice visit (via the Centovalli train – a “must” experience) to Locarno and Ascona, Switzerland. To anyone considering the Essence of Croatia trip, we suggest you go as soon as you can – you will neither forget nor regret this trip! Sretan Bozic, Filip!”

Mike Korenich & Rosemary Slegel”