Romantic Gateway in Croatia Photo archive: Adriatic Luxury Hotels
Welcome to Croatia! Arrival day Upon arrival to Rovinj check in to Hotel Monte Mulini 5*. High-end accommodation, excellent service supported by experience and expertise and best amenities, create a perfect blend with the surrounding area, turning this hotel and resort into an ideal choice for a holiday, active or Wellness & Spa holiday, weekend getaway or a business trip. All rooms and suites have balconies, with panoramic views of the picturesque cove and protected Zlatni rt park forest. In the evening hours welcome dinner will be served in one of the finest restaurants in Rovinj. Enjoy the evening in charming Rovinj at your leisure. Hotel: Monte Mulini 5*, Rovinj Meals: Breakfast, welcome dinner
Istrian legend states that benevolent giants gathered together rocks, creating the picturesque clusters of hilltop villages scattered across the Istrian peninsula. Imagine a hopelessly romantic giant, inspired by the beauty of Venice, grabbing Roman, Gothic and Renaissance bits of architecture and dropping them onto a tiny seaside islet to his liking. Squeezing them into the colorful jumble of prettiness that is Rovinj, topped with a grand Baroque church that evokes St. Mark s Cathedral in Venice. Allow romantic nostalgia to be your internal map as you wander the tangle of streets of the Old Town, being sure to look up at the details Balbi s Arch; a testament to the actual, turbulent history-the colorful mosaic of time that makes Rovinj a wanderers dream, and an artists haven. Grisi street -the artisans core-a colorful assembly of talent and tourist kitsch. All streets lead to the horizon cutting bell tower and St. Euphemia Cathedral where panoramic views will inspire you to grab some gourmet market goods and head for the green woodlands and beaches of Zlatni Vrt, or hop on an iconic Batana boat to the islands. For sunset, shamelessly indulge in the Istrian bounty of fine seafood, and the infamous ingredient-the truffle. A crisp glass of Malvasija, reflecting the pink and golden pastiche of Rovinj magical and undeniably romantic.
After breakfast, meet our local guide and chauffeur and head toward the inland of Istrian Peninsula. This tour will give you the unforgettable experience of Istrian inland, a region featuring the typical mediaeval towns, "stone crowns" of the charming hillocks. Istrian Magic Exclusive Hilltop towns followed by private truffle hunt and truffle delicacies tasting in Motovun We will start with Grožnjan - the town of the artists. Medieval urban complex has remained largely untouched until now. It is a natural base for an intense and interesting life Grožnjan lives today. From Grožnjan you can enjoy a view of about 20 surrounding villages, fields on the Bolara and Kostanjica hillsides on the left, meadows of the Bijele zemlje (White Lands) and Baredina slopes on the right, the Mirna valley below, and the coastline from Novigrad to Umag. This is one of the most beautiful and most fertile areas in Istria. Afterward, visit Motovun, a picturesque settlement perched on the very top of the hill, protected by the strong defensive wall. The town dominates above the river Mirna and Motovun Forest; this is the biggest habitat of the famous Istrian truffle a gem of Croatian gastronomy. Here you will be welcomed by local expert guide to enjoy private truffle hunt with his trained dogs in the forests around Motovun town. After approx. 1,5 hour tour, enjoy truffle delicacies tasting at yours guide family house. Return to Rovinj in the late afternoon hours. Hotel: Monte Mulini 5*, Rovinj Meals: Breakfast, truffle delicacies tasting
Following your morning checkout, you will be met by your chauffeur for your private transfer to Split. En route, your chauffeur will make a stop at a panoramic spot to enjoy the view of the Plitvice Lakes with a glass of champagne. Afterwards continue to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a refreshing, private guided tour (approx 3-4 hours). Champagne refreshment at Plitvice Lakes NP panoramic spot Wonders of Plitvice Lakes NP private guided tour According to legend, the Plitvice lakes were created after a long drought. The "Black Queen" took pity on the people and animals that cried for water. Heavy rain began to fall and continued until they formed the lakes we see today. The natural attributes of the Plitvice Lakes NP, uniqueness and sensibility of that phenomenon, deserve the full attention of our visitors. The Plitvice lakes, known as the "Falling lakes", have enjoyed the status of a national park since 1949 and since 1979 they have been under the protection of UNESCO. Following a lunch break (on your own), you will continue a journey to Split. Upon arrival to Split check in to the centrally located Hotel Judita Palace 4*. A hotel for lovers of culture is an extensive four-storey building, on the elevations of which the fundamental historical and cultural periods of medieval and modern Europe can be observed: Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. On the eastern elevation it is easy to see the features of the Romanesque and the Gothic, while the northern elevation facing onto Pjaca has Renaissance features. The access to this spacious patrician home is through the internal court, in which even today there is an old wellhead, while the staircase leads to the upper floor that is meant only for guests of the Judita Palace Hotel. From the hotel balcony, guests of the Judita Palace can enjoy the view of Pjaca, always interesting and never the same. Enjoy your evening at leisure. Hotel: Judita Palace 4*, Split Meals: Breakfast
Split, like an ancient coin, is a seductive relic - the polished bits shimmering in the Dalmatian sun. A buzzing, Mediterranean city thriving within the remains of the 1700 year old palace of the Roman emperor, Diocletian. Explore this living ruin easily dropping in and out of centuries past via the four palace gates. Narrow streets echo with chatter from a piazza and the Peristyle from which Diocletian greeted the masses. Explore the subterranean network of cellars and re emerge up to the Riva- a grand palm lined seaside promenade and do as locals do -- idyll over a coffee and watch life march by. Throw in some Egyptian sphinxes, the giant, lucky toe of Gregorius of Nin and the elegant roughness of ruins housing everyday life. Vendors hawk sports jerseys and sunglasses next to grannies gossiping over produce stands at Pazar (Green Market) and fishermen shout out the daily catch at the Peškarija (Fish Market). Escape the hustle to pine scented trails and panoramic views from Marjan Park, the museum/villa of sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, or find yourself amidst the true Split beach experience - head to Bacvice to catch the game of picigin played in the sandy bay. One must cap it off with a quintessential Dalmatian feast of fresh fish and wines that taste blissfully of the sun and sea.
Stories of Split Classic Secret Dalmatia private guided walking tour of Split Exclusive Cooking Class with Chef Tatjana in 13 th century palace in Trogir Meet your local guide in the morning hours at the lobby for private guided walking tour of Split. The palatial walled summer residence of the Emperor Diocletian, Split became a city after Salona, the Roman capital of Dalmatia just 6km north, was sacked in 7 th C. Fleeing refugees were given asylum inside the two meter thick walls of the palace and over the next 1000 years, the city of Split was such a safe haven, it never grew beyond the same walls that exist today! As a result, the remarkable ensemble of Roman, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance and other architectural remains are all still here and so are more than 3,000 people still living inside these ancient walls. After the tour, your guide will escort you to the premium wine and cheese bar Paradox where you will enjoy Dalmatian delicacies and wine tasting. Return to hotel on your own. Where better to discover the secrets of Dalmatian cuisine than with one of the most creative, charismatic and charming chefs in the region, cooking within the walls of her 13th century palace home? Meet your chauffeur in the afternoon hours and depart for your exclusive cooking class in Trogir, a UNESCO-protected islet town close to Split, to learn more about the art of food Dalmatianstyle. Your host, Tatjana, is possibly one of the most charming people you will ever meet and her cooking class is definitely a not-to-be-missed opportunity for all culinary enthusiasts. Tatjana will bring the food, the philosophy of food, and the essence of Dalmatia to life, as she takes you on a journey of discovery and indulgence of your senses. Much more than a simple cooking class, this is about learning how to live like a local in a historic town, whose impressive history has contributed to the way food is produced today. Your culinary tour starts with sourcing the ingredients. Join Tatjana at the local farmer's market, fish market and local butcher's (depending on your preference) to purchase the core ingredients of your meal at source but also witness one of the core activities of everyday living here and see Tatjana in her natural surroundings as you learn how to see, smell and touch freshness in products. The cooking class is a hands-on introduction to every stage of the Dalmatian food preparation process, ranging from making homemade pasta, cleaning fish, preparing traditional Dalmatian entrees, side dishes sauces and marinades. Preparation in the local way, with local ingredients, in the company of locals. You will feel like a true Dalmatian by the time you have finished your romantic dinner! Return to Split after dinner. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Hotel: Judita Palace 4*, Split Meals: Breakfast, romantic dinner
Check out in the morning hours, meet your private chauffeur and head south toward Dubrovnik. En route stop in Mali Ston bay where you will be welcomed by a local host who will show you how his family has been harvesting fresh oysters for generations before taking you by his boat for a fresh oyster tasting, harvesting and light sea food lunch (mussels and oysters) served on a private island in the middle of Mali Ston bay a truly one-of-a-kind & memorable experience! Perfect Journey Private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik via Mali Ston Bay Private oyster harvesting and light seafood lunch on a private island in Mali Ston Bay Stories of Dubrovnik Classic Secret Dalmatia private guided walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town After lunch continue to Dubrovnik. Upon arrival to Dubrovnik, check in to Hotel Bellevue 5*. A heaven for the senses, Hotel Bellevue will immerse you into a world of luxury and elegance. Located on a spectacular cliff top, 30 meters above Miramare Bay, Hotel Bellevue is within walking distance from the Old Town, and each of the 91 rooms and suites has splendid sea views. Gastronomic options include a fine dining restaurant, a beach restaurant and chic lounge bar all featuring excellent service and cuisine. A secluded pebble beach, a rare find among the rocky cliffs of Dubrovnik's seaside, is on the Bellevue s doorstep, and there s also an indoor pool within the spa area. The magnificent Comfort Zone Spa and Wellness Center is just one of the many comforts that will make your stay memorable. Meet your local guide in the afternoon hours and enjoy a pleasant walk through Dubrovnik Old Town. George Bernard Shaw was so enchanted by this beautiful city, about which he said "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and see Dubrovnik", as well as famously describes it as "the pearl of the Adriatic". Dubrovnik truly is a stunning city with its amazing Old Town, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. A magnificent curtain of walls surrounds marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a mélange of cafés and shops with outstanding monuments at either end. Churches, monasteries and museums ornamented with finely carved stone recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition. Return to hotel on your own after the tour and enjoy evening at leisure. Hotel: Bellevue 5*, Dubrovnik Meals: Breakfast, oyster tasting, light seafood lunch
On a hot summers day, do as the Dubrovnik nobility did and go beyond the walls to enjoy the stunning surroundings - easily accessed from your hotel. The quick hop to Lokrum Island, has a wonderful escapist feel to it the view of the towering walls soon to be upstaged by the island locals call the Emerald of Dubrovnik. Peacocks strut about mingling with rabbits as you wind your way along trails to romantic ruins of the Benedictine monastery, olive groves, and your ideal swim spot. The hum of crickets will be the soundtrack of the day. Also reached by a cruise along the coast, Cavtat has the laid back feel of a Mediterranean seaside village. Palm trees, cafes and crowd-free restaurants line the calm bay flanked by pine covered peninsulas. If remaining shore side suits you stroll up from Ploce gate past cliff hugging villas and gardens of bougainvillea, lemon and fig trees, to the pebbled beach, Sv. Jakov (St. Jacob). Another great view of Dubrovnik, as you bob in the sea. For a chic designer cocktail beach experience, Coral Bay beach (Babin Kuk), or More Cave bar/ terrace (Lapad) will float your boat. To the heights, panoramic vistas are abundant in Croatia, but the view from the ridges of Srđ takes top prize particularly rewarding if you bypass the cable car and trek up! For a locals secret, and a romantic view likely to yourself - a moderate hike to the ruins of a small chapel (St. Orsula). Top your day off perfectly at one of the Buza bars perched on the cliffs under the towering walls pretty fabulous as the sun dips down, the swallows and seagulls playing in the breeze and boats trolling by below.
Meet your private chauffeur in the morning hours for a transfer to Dubrovnik Marina where you will be met by your skipper and embark on a relaxing day on the boat. Gems of Dubrovnik Private motor boat trip to Elaphite islands The most mesmerizing sights that one can enjoy in the Dubrovnik area are not on the land necessarily, but instead, wait to be discovered aboard your own private motor boat, sailing along the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic to the Elaphite islands. This picturesque archipelago in the vicinity of Dubrovnik comprises 13 islands, islets and rocks, all closely bound to Dubrovnik and its past. In Greek, "Elaphite" means Deer, which may either mean that there was deer on the islands once, or it is because the archipelago, on the map, somewhat resembles a deer in jumping motion. The Elaphites appear as constant guardians of the sea and the coast; they have always been the home of the captains and sailors of the Dubrovnik Republic, as well as the present day Dubrovnik. For traffic free walk down the seaside and some truly remarkable samples of Preromanesque sacral architecture, Koločep, or as locals call it, Kalamota, will be the one to visit. Lopud is a seaside promenade with cafés, shops and restaurants, cozy, sandy beaches, beautiful monasteries and charming chapels, wine yards and olive groves, Cliffside walks and an altogether well preserved island lifestyle. Regular traffic in Šipan allows for more exploration, too see the exemplary piece of the Dubrovnik Summer Residence architecture or savor some excellent local fish and seafood specialties. The rugged coast of each island is a web of rocks, caves, hidden beaches and coves, so you never have really to step foot on land if you prefer not to! Soak up the gentle sun and the scents of the Mediterranean while enjoying the view of fascinating, intact nature. Don't hesitate to jump in and explore the refreshing Adriatic, quaint bays, underwater caves and grottos. Your skipper will suggest a nice tavern or restaurant for lunch on your own, so be sure to try some of the delicious fresh seafood and Mediterranean specialties readily available. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy your evening at leisure. Hotel: Bellevue 5*,Dubrovnik Meals: Breakfast
Meet your host of the day, Mario Bartulović, in the morning hours and embark on a private wine tour of Pelješac peninsula. This is a superb opportunity to learn about the country and its traditions, especially the art of winemaking, from a true local. The tour is a trio of wine-tastings at Croatia's most respected wine cellars, visits to vineyards on the slopes of this magnificent peninsula and a delicious, traditional Dalmatian lunch at your host s family winery. Grapes and landscapes Exclusive Secret Dalmatia Wine tour of Pelješac Peninsula Your first experience on Pelješac is the Grgich winery in Trstenik. Miljenko Grgich studied wine-making in Zagreb. After migrating to the US, with only $20 in his pocket, he founded the famous Grgich Hills winery in Napa Valley but not before he made a name for himself being part of Chateau Montelena success story in the 70s! At the Grgich cellars, on top of hills overlooking the charming Trstenik harbor, you will taste their famous white Pošip and their red Plavac Mali Dingač. Afterwards, visit winery Miloš and taste their famous red wine Plavac Mali. Finally, you'll visit the 500-year-old wine cellar of Bartulović family, of your host Mario. By this time, it will feel like visiting a friend's house. Here you will enjoy a wine-tasting and a superb traditional Croatian luncheon, accompanied by their great wines! Return transfer to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon and enjoy your evening at leisure. Hotel: Bellevue 5*,Dubrovnik Meals: Breakfast, wine tastings, lunch
Departure day Private transfer to Dubrovnik Airport Breakfast and check out. Meet your chauffeur for a private transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for your departure flight. Dovidjenja! Until we meet again! Meals: Breakfast
Area: 56 594 Km2 Population: 4, 2 mil Capital: Zagreb Currency: Kuna Time zone: CET Calling code: +385 UNESCO World heritage sites: 8 National Parks: 8 Religion: Roman Catholic 87% Rovinj Plitvice Lakes NP Trogir Split Ston Dubrovnik Elaphiti Islands
2 nights in Rovinj, Hotel Monte Mulini 5* - double room 2 nights in Split, Hotel Judita Palace 4* - double room 3 nights in Dubrovnik, Hotel Bellevue 5* - double room Program includes 24-hour emergency service Professional English speaking chauffeurs and local guides for your transfers and tours Basic travel insurance coverage Welcome dinner in one of the finest restaurants in Rovinj Exclusive Hilltop towns followed by private truffle hunt and truffle delicacies tasting in Motovun (all transfers and local guide included) Private transfer from Rovinj to Split with en route visit to Plitvice Lakes NP Champagne refreshment at Plitvice Lakes panoramic spot Wonders of Plitvice Lakes NP private guided tour (local guide and entrance tickets included) Classic Secret Dalmatia private guided walking tour of Split with wine and delicacies tasting at premium wine bar (local guide and entrance tickets to 2 museums included) Exclusive Cooking Class with chef Tatjana in 13 th century palace in Trogir (all transfers included) Private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik with en route private oyster harvesting and light seafood lunch on a private island in Mali Ston Bay Classic Secret Dalmatia private guided walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town (local guide and entrance tickets to 2 museums included) Private motor boat trip to Elaphite Archipelago (all transfers, skipper, fuel and refreshments on board included) Exclusive Secret Dalmatia wine tour of Pelješac Peninsula (all transfers, local guide, wine tastings and traditional lunch included) Private transfer from Hotel Bellevue 5* to Dubrovnik Airport Program does not include Meals and drinks not included in the program cost (other than those listed) International flights Insurance Gratuities Personal expenses Optional tours