Colours of the Adriatic

Day 1: Arrive in Venice

Welcome to Venice, Italy’s city of water. You will be met at the airport by your friendly Tours of Croatia guide and taken directly to your hotel to check in.

Day 2: Venice

This morning we will discover Venice, the magical city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’. Marvel at St Mark’s Square, the iconic basilica, the campanile and the Doge’s Palace before exploring the labyrinth of canals and bridges, including the famous Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure – you might like to take a romantic gondola ride or step into one of Venice’s legendary cafes.

Day 3: Venice – Piran – Rovinj

Depart Venice and drive to Piran, an attractive seaport on the Slovenian coast. Cross over the Croatian border to Rovinj, one of the northern Adriatic’s most charming towns. Check into your hotel before joining your guide for a walking tour of the quaint cobblestone streets. The afternoon is yours to browse Rovinj’s tiny art galleries or enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the sea.

Day 4: Rovinj – Istria – Opatija

Today we explore Istria, a tranquil region whose picturesque vineyards and medieval hilltop towns remind many visitors of Tuscany or Provence. Istria’s cuisine makes it a match for these renowned food destinations, and you’ll get plenty of chances to try the local truffles, prosciutto, cheese and wine. Hear some of the old Istrian legends before visiting three of the area’s best hilltop towns: Motovun, Grožnjan (home to many artists) and Hum. In Hum we will learn about the ancient Glagolitic language and sample some Biska, a local brandy flavoured with mistletoe.
Continue to Opatija and check into your hotel. You might like to take a stroll along the city’s famous promenade, which is lined with parks, gardens and splendid old villas.

Day 5: Opatija – Plitvice Lakes – Zadar

We leave Opatija this morning and drive inland to experience the awe-inspiring Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to sixteen crystal-clear lakes linked by waterfalls and surrounded by lush green foliage.
After marvelling at these incredible natural wonders, we will return to the coast and continue to the old town of Zadar. Check into your hotel and join us to watch the sunset next to the Sea Organ – an amazing architectural sculpture that uses the motion of the waves to play music.

Day 6: Zadar – Nin – Pag Island – Zadar

Discover the region around Zadar on an in-depth day trip. Our first stop is Nin, one of Croatia’s first towns and home to the earliest Croatian bishops. We proceed to Pag, a large, rocky island known for its lace, wine, lamb and cheeses. Visit a local producer to taste some of the island’s uniquely flavoured cheese before returning to Zadar for the night.

Day 7: Zadar – Skradin – Trogir – Split

Depart Zadar after breakfast and continue south along the Dalmatian Coast. Stop at Skradin – a delightful town on the Krka River – before arriving in Trogir, one of Croatia’s oldest towns. Spend some time exploring the Romanesque-Gothic city centre and the famous Cathedral of St Lawrence before proceeding to Split. Check in and spend the evening at your leisure – we strongly recommend taking a stroll along the vibrant waterfront.

Day 8: Split

Split’s residents often refer to it as ‘the most beautiful city in the world’, and today’s guided tour will make it hard for you to disagree. The highlight is the World Heritage-listed Diocletian’s Palace, a massive Roman palace in the heart of Split that dates back more than 1700 years. After the city tour you are free to spend the rest of the day soaking up Split’s myriad charms at your leisure.

Day 9: Split – Hvar Island

Catch a morning ferry to Hvar, one of Croatia’s most popular islands. Admire the Renaissance-era architecture of Hvar Town before spending the afternoon relaxing on this island of vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields. Take a dip in the inviting Adriatic waters, climb up to Hvar Fortress for spectacular views of the Pakleni Islands or enjoy a seafood meal in one of the many great restaurants.

Day 10: Hvar Island – Ston – Dubrovnik

The day starts with a scenic drive across Hvar, stopping at a local winery to try Plavac Mali, one of Croatia’s best wines. We return to the mainland and head south to Ston, a small village on the Pelješac Peninsula known for its large 14th-century city walls. Enjoy some of Ston’s excellent seafood at a local tavern before driving on to Dubrovnik. Check into your hotel and spend the evening getting to know the city at your own pace.

Day 11: Dubrovnik – Montenegro – Dubrovnik

Today’s day trip will take us to the neighbouring nation of Montenegro. Soak up the scenery of fjord-like Boka Bay and pay a visit to Kotor, a city whose medieval architecture and cultural monuments have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Drive back to Dubrovnik this afternoon.

Day 12: Dubrovnik

We’ve saved the best for last. Dubrovnik, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ is a truly stunning city, whose medieval architecture and grand city walls earned it a starring role in the television series ‘Game of Thrones’. We’ll take a walk along those impressive walls, admiring the views of the Elafati Islands and the many fortresses and bastions along the way. We then head into the maze-like streets of the city centre and visit the Onofrio Fountain and the bell tower. After working up an appetite, we’ll stop off for lunch at one of Dubrovnik’s atmospheric taverns.
The afternoon is yours to spend relaxing or delving deeper into this remarkable city.

Day 13: Depart from Dubrovnik

Your journey of the Adriatic coastline comes to an end today. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers and new friends before we drive you to the Dubrovnik airport to catch your departure flight.