The Balkans

Itinerary

• Days 1-2: Zagreb (Croatia)

  After arrival and a night at a centrally located hotel, start your exploration of Croatia with a full day tour of the capital, Zagreb, and surrounding areas. Zagreb’s commercial area dates to the 19^th century, but its Old Town centers around the medieval cities of Gradec, now a hilly residential section dotted with lovely 19^th century homes, and Kaptol, once the ecclesiastic town with a neo-Gothic cathedral and new pedestrian area.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Iconic St. Mark’s Church in the upper town, famous for its 1880 tile roof
  • Interactive tour of the Croatian Parliament, or Sabor, where Croatia’s secession from the Austro-Hungarian Empire was declared in 1918
  • Open-air museum in Kumrovec, where Josip Broz Tito was born
  • The compact Renaissance Veliki Tabor Castle, set on a hill with a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside
• Days 3-4: Rovinj, Istrian Peninsula

  Set off for the town of Rovinj on the narrow, picturesque Istrian Peninsula near the Italian border. Rovinj is distinct for its coastline of pastel buildings rising up to a hill with a Venetian bell tower. Like much of Croatia’s Adriatic coast, the city was part of the Republic of Venice during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and much of its architectural character was shaped by this. You’ll also explore the Istrian villages of Motovun, Livade, and Porec.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • An overnight at the historic 16^th century Casa Garzotto in the heart of Rovinj’s Old Town
  • The medieval hill town of Motovun, where most of the population speaks Italian
  • Truffle tasting in the small town of Livade, around which the beautiful hills and valleys produce the wonderful Istrian white truffle as well as traditional black truffles
  • The UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, the best-preserved and most complete early Christian cathedral in the entire region
• Days 5-6: Plitvice, Zadar, Sibenik

  Depart the Istrian Peninsula for Zadar, with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes en route. The mountainous karst landscape of Plitvice Lakes National Park is the country’s biggest attraction outside of the Adriatic Coast, and the park encompasses a series of waterfalls connecting 16 beautiful lakes. A port city of 70,000 on the Dalmatian coast, Zadar has been inhabited since Neolithic times and is the site of a 3rd century Roman forum and 9th century pre-Romanesque stone church. Spend a night in Zadar and continue on to the lovely town of Sibenik, which dates back to the 9^th century.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wander the wooden footbridges, take a boat ride, and hop on a mini-train at UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park
  • Tour the port city of Zadar with its 3^rd century Roman forum, 9^th century St. Donato’s church, and concealed seaside organ pipes played by random sea waves.
  • Tour the lovely seaside town of Sibenik with its UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James and 17^th century Barone Fortress.
  • Stroll through the Medieval Mediterranean Garden designed to accurately represent the medieval monastery gardens of Dalmatia
  • Learn about local cheese and olive-oil traditions in Pakovo Selo and try some for yourself
  • Enjoy a sumptuous dinner at Michelin-starred Pelegrini Restaurant in Sibenik with views overlooking UNESCO-listed St. James Cathedral
• Days 7-9: Split, Trogir, Hvar

  Continue on to Split to explore Croatia’s second largest city. Located on the Dalmatian Coast, Split has everything from palm-lined promenades and rocky beaches to ancient Roman ruins. The UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace makes of the majority of the Old Town and has evolved into a fascinating combination of old and new. Spend the next day touring the beautifully-preserved town of Trogir, founded by Greek colonists in the 3^rd century BC, as well as the ruins of ancient Salona, once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Then, catch a ferry to the Island of Hvar to spend a night in the medieval town of Hvar.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore Split’s Old Town – the remnants of the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace
  • Tour the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Trogir, filled with Gothic and Romanesque churches, palaces, and buildings including the Cathedral of St. Lawrence
  • Explore the ruins of Salona, once a 1^st century BC Greek marketplace that become the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia
  • Dine at the Grain of Salt Restaurant in Split, one of the best restaurants in all of Croatia
  • Catch a ferry to Hvar to explore the island laying claim to the most sunny days in Croatia
  • Indulge in a food and wine pairing dinner at a local restaurant on Hvar
• Days 10-13: Ston, Dubrovnik, Korcula

  Catch the ferry back to the mainland and make your way to Dubrovnik with stops in Pljesac to visit the Edivo Vina Winery, the first (and only) underwater winery in Croatia, and in Ston to take a boat excursion out to the oyster beds for an oyster-tasting experience fresh from the sea. In Dubrovnik, explore the pedestrian Old Town and walk the town’s ramparts to get a feel for this medieval city. The next day, enjoy a day trip to the town of Korcula located on Korcula Island with its 14^th and 15^th century churches. Korcula also lays claim to being the birthplace of the legendary explorer Marco Polo and is renowned for its white wines. The trip concludes with a transfer to the airport in Dubrovnik in time for your departure flight.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Tour the Edivo Vina Winery and, if you choose, dive to the watery wine cellar where the amphorae and wine are aging in saltwater
  • Take a boat out to the oyster beds from Ston for a private oyster-tasting excursion accompanied by snacks and local wine
  • Enjoy a leisurely walk on the wide city walls that have protected Dubrovnik since the 13^th century
  • Visit the Museum of Dubrovnik in Rector’s Palace
  • Check out the beautiful 17^th century Assumption Cathedral, built in the Roman baroque style of the remains of several former churches
  • Tour the Franciscan Monastery and its church
  • Board a cable car up to Srd Hill for the finest views of the city and the blue Adriatic sea, and enjoy a picnic of local Croatian food and wine
  • (Optional) Head out from Dubrovnik on a half-day kayaking excursion to explore the hidden caves and secret beaches of nearby Lokrum Island
  • Farewell dinner at Michelin-starred 360 Restaurant in Dubrovnik