Croatia & Montenegro

After breakfast we start our day with a sightseeing walking tour to the Upper Town-historic centre of the city which takes in the Stone Gate and Church of St Mark. A stroll along Tkalčićeva Street is a must, with its small boutique and traditional shops, cafés and restaurants. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with suggestions to visit at own cost some of Zagreb’s unusual museums such as the Museum of Broken Relationships, Museum of Hangovers and Museum of Chocolate.

Overnight Zagreb: Maistra City Vibes Hotel International (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast we depart on an excursion to the Hrvatsko Zagorje region. The excursion leads to Kumrovec, the birthplace of the late Yugoslav President Tito. The old quarter of Kumrovec is an open-air museum with beautifully restored thatched cottages and wooden farm buildings that offer an authentic look at rural life in the 19th-century. We then visit Veliki Tabor, a 12th-century fortress surrounded by Zagorje’s remarkable rural landscapes that whisper of the romantic and dramatic past of Hrvatsko Zagorje. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Grešna Gorica before moving on to the city of Krapina, as we travel back in time to 32 000 B.C. when the Krapina area was home to Neanderthal man. We’ll visit the Krapina Neanderthal Museum - featuring an exhibit that takes each visitor from the beginning of cosmic evolution and through to the present day. We then return to our hotel with dinner at own cost.

Overnight Zagreb: Maistra City Vibes Hotel International (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today we depart Zagreb for Opatija, a fashionable holiday resort that has welcomed many famous personalities, including central European aristocracy, Puccini, Chekhov and James Joyce. Today we are free to explore at our own leisure. Take a dip in the picturesque bays or enjoy the streets of Opatija and neighbouring Volosko, a pretty fishing village just a short walk along the 12-kilometre promenade with mountain views across the Adriatic. After our day of discovery in Opatija we enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight Opatija: Hotel Paris (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we travel towards Pula, the oldest town on the Eastern Adriatic Coast. Our sightseeing tour of Pula includes a visit to the beautiful Roman amphitheatre – The Arena. Then drive to Fažana and embark on a boat cruise to National Park Brijuni. Our sightseeing tour includes a ride on a tourist train, a visit to the remains of the Roman villa dating from the 1st century B.C. in the Bay of Verige, and then the Safari Park which breeds zebras, Somali sheep, dromedaries, llamas and elephants. The tour also includes a visit to the archaeological museum, located in the Citadel building from the XVI century. We also visit the Church of St. Germain with its permanent exhibition of copies of frescoes and Glagolitic writings from Istria. Late afternoon we return to our hotel in Opatija to rest up before dinner.

Overnight Opatija: Hotel Paris (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Following breakfast and checkout we travel to one of the treasures of the Balkan Peninsula - the UNESCO-protected Plitvice Lakes National Park. With our local guide we wind our way along boardwalks that criss-cross a series of 16 lakes linked by beautiful waterfalls, all surrounded by peaceful woodland that’s home to numerous birds and mammals. This evening we gather for dinner at the hotel.

Overnight Plitvice Lakes NP: Etno Gardens (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today after leaving the Plitvice Lakes NP we journey through dramatic mountain ranges, to the central Dalmatian town of Zadar, situated on a sheltered peninsula with a picturesque harbour. The city is decorated with Romanesque and Byzantine buildings which bear testimony to Zadar’s colourful past. Following check in we gather for dinner.

Overnight Zadar: Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera (5-star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast we journey south to Šibenik, a town built by Croatian Kings. Enjoy a guided tour through the characteristic maze of winding streets and enter the Cathedral of St James. Built in the 15th century the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an elaborate mix of styles, including a dome inspired by Brunelleschi’s in Florence. We continue to Split arriving late afternoon for check in and dinner.

Overnight Split: Marriott AC Hotel (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we discover Split’s historic heart, located within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, on a guided tour. As its name suggests, the Roman Emperor Diocletian who was born in Solin, built the Palace in the 3rd century AD, a combination of an Imperial Villa and Roman stronghold that forms one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments. Through the centuries and under various rulers, including the Byzantines, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians, a city blossomed within the grounds of this World Heritage Site. This afternoon we visit Stella Croatica for a “multisensory experience of Dalmatia’s heritage.” Take a tour of the factory where the sweets are handmade, walk through the scenic botanical collection, explore the rich Mediterranean garden, visit the Olive Museum and traditional family estate. Awaken all our senses by tasting different varieties of homemade delicacies and award-winning olive oils in an authentic atmosphere of the concept store. Later in the afternoon we return to our hotel to freshen up before dinner.

Overnight Split: Marriott AC Hotel (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast and checkout we travel down to Dubrovnik via the medieval Ston, encapsulated by impressive defensive walls. We then continue onto Dubrovnik for check in before settling in for dinner.

Overnight Dubrovnik: Grand Hotel Park (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

This morning we discover Old Town Dubrovnik on a guided walking tour with visits to the Franciscan Church and Monastery. Bordered by late-Romanesque arcades, the monastery’s inner courtyard and garden provide a quiet reprieve from Dubrovnik’s bustling Old Town. See the small Religious Museum and also the Franciscan Monastery Pharmacy Museum, founded in 1317 it is the third-oldest operating pharmacy in the world. We also pay a visit to the 15th-century Rector’s Palace and Cathedral, followed by free time to explore the pedestrianised Old Town, an aspect of the city that has earned Dubrovnik UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Overnight Dubrovnik: Grand Hotel Park (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we set off early for our border crossing and excursion to Perast and Kotor in Montenegro. At Perast we take a boat ride across the beautiful Bay of Kotor to Lady of the Rocks Island. The island has become a beloved symbol of faith and folklore in this Balkan Nation with its rich history, captivating legends, and stunning natural beauty. Next stop is Kotor a walled medieval city of unending charms with labyrinth of old alleyways surrounded by some of the world’s most incredible scenery. This evening back in Dubrovnik we all join for dinner before a good night’s rest.

Overnight Dubrovnik: Grand Hotel Park (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast and a late morning check out, we transfer to the Dubrovnik Čilipi Airport, for check in and flight back across to Zagreb for our overnight stay and farewell dinner.

Flight Details: Dubrovnik - Zagreb (to be confirmed)

Overnight Zagreb: Maistra City Vibes Hotel International (4 star)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast and a late morning check out, we transfer to the Franjo Tuđman International Airport Zagreb for check in and flight back to Australia.

Flight Details: Zagreb - Australia (to be confirmed)

Meals: Breakfast

We arrive back into Australia early morning with some life long memories after our wonderful 2 week tour of Croatia and Montenegro with Trade Travel.