Compare Cultural Croatia: Dubrovnik, Dalmatia & Zagreb by Audley Travel vs Country Roads of Croatia - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 12 days | 15 days |
Price From | $ 9,340 | $ 4,595 |
Price Per Day | $ 778 | $ 306 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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N/A |
Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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N/A |
Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description |
From medieval walled cities and forested national parks to sleepy islands and secluded coves, Croatia offers a wide range of places to visit, each influenced by its past Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic and Viennese rulers. |
Discover Croatia’s rich heritage and stunning Dalmatian coastline—with fascinating itineraries curated by Local Experts. Charting a course through the cities of Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, the journey pauses for sea-to-table oysters in Ston, a quaint coastal village. Croatia’s culinary delicacies are also the order of the day at Celebration Dinner in Dubrovnik paired with wine and grappa. Explore Plitvice National Park, one of Europe’s great natural wonders. On this Insight Choice, learn about local Tara Community folklore, or journey through the forest paths, alongside 16 interconnecting lakes. |
Day 1 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
You’ll be welcomed at Dubrovnik airport by your private driver who will escort you to your hotel and assist you with check in. The afternoon is free to settle in and explore as you wish, perhaps take the opportunity to discover the surrounding area on foot, venture to the nearest beach or take a stroll around the old town to soak up its vibrant atmosphere and admire the historic architecture.
Day 2 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Your private guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a walking tour of Dubrovnik’s old town introducing the history of the city, its various rulers and its architecture as you wander the narrow streets. You’ll explore the defensive walls for an overview of the city, visit a Franciscan monastery and the Lovrijenac Fortress before finally taking a cable car to the top of Mount Srđ for panoramic views over the town, coast and islands.
Day 3 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Heading south from Dubrovnik with your private guide , you’ll explore the Konavle Valley, the cultural hub of southern Dalmatia which is about 30 minutes’ drive away. You’ll visit the former home of Croatian artist Vlaho Bukovac in Cavtat, stop at a silk embroidery workshop in Gruda and explore the Konavle County Museum before visiting a local home to sample a traditional peka dish, cooked in a domed, cast-iron pot on an open fire, before returning to Dubrovnik.
Day 4 Split
Dubrovnik , Split
Leaving Dubrovnik by private transfer, you’ll make the scenic two-and-a-half hour journey through the mountains into Bosnia and Herzegovina for a tour of the historic town of Mostar. You’ll see its renowned bridge that spans the Neretva River and walk its winding streets, before heading on another 40 minutes to the medieval town of Počitelj. From here, it’s a two-hour drive to Split where you’ll check into your hotel.
Day 5 Split
Split
Today, you’ll make your way into Croatia’s highlands taking a half-hour drive to Klis Fortress, which repelled Ottoman attacks for several centuries. Next, you’ll continue to Sinj where you’ll learn about the importance of the Alka Festival, an annual equestrian competition that commemorates a Croatian-Venetian victory over the Ottomans in 1715, via a state-of-the-art museum experience. Finally, you’ll stop outside the town of Omiš for a cooking presentation of soparnik, a flatbread dish that pre-dates Italian pizza.
Day 6 Split
Split
Your local guide will teach you about the history of Split as you explore the historic district, most of which is set within the bounds of the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace. Originally built for the Roman emperor as a retirement home, it is still in use, its ancient buildings buzzing with life. In the afternoon, you can wander the city independently, relax at your hotel or perhaps explore Marjan Hill from where you’ll get panoramic views of the city and coast.
Day 7 Šibenik
Split , Šibenik
From Split, your driver-guide will take you to nearby Salona to see one of the most significant archeological sites in the country: the ruins of an ancient city dating to the 2nd century BC. From here, you’ll drive on for half an hour to the medieval walled city of Trogir to see the imposing Kamerlengo Fortress, before finishing your day with a tour of historic Šibenik, an hour’s drive away. After your tour, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.
Day 8 Šibenik
Šibenik
Just a half hour from Šibenik is Krka National Park, a lush combination of dense forests, scenic trails and tumbling waterfalls. Your private guide will take you along the trails to scenic lookouts where you can get sweeping views of the falls before you join a boat ride to visit the island of Visovac which is home to a working Franciscan monastery. From Krka, you’ll visit Vizzulin winery for a country-style lunch and wine tasting.
Day 9 Plitvice Lakes
Šibenik , Plitvice Lakes
Continuing north with your driver for about an hour, you’ll stop in the coastal town of Zadar for a walking tour of the historic sights and a chance to see the Sea Organ, an art installation which uses the rhythm of the waves to produce evocative sounds. From here, you’ll drive through lush mountain scenery for roughly an hour and a half to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site waterfalls and trails before checking into your hotel.
Day 10 Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes , Zagreb
Leaving the forested hills, you’ll make the two-hour drive to the northern border and the cosmopolitan capital city of Zagreb. Your private guide will lead you on a walking tour through the old town to see the Venetian and Austro-Hungarian architecture of the city. From here, you’ll make your way to the nearby Mirogoj Cemetery, a grand resting place for Croatia’s most eminent citizens, before checking into your hotel.
Day 11 Zagreb
Zagreb
On your final day, your driver will take you on a two-hour journey to Slovenia for a visit to the diminutive capital, Ljubljana, and nearby Lake Bled. After taking a walking tour of the city, you’ll drive on for about 50 minutes to explore Bled Castle, and then take a traditional pletna boat ride to the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of Mary on Bled Island, with the scenic Julian Alps in the background. You’ll then return for your last night in Croatia.
Day 12 Return home
Zagreb
After checking out, your private driver will escort you to Zagreb airport for your international flight home.
Day 1 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
You’ll be welcomed at Dubrovnik airport by your private driver who will escort you to your hotel and assist you with check in. The afternoon is free to settle in and explore as you wish, perhaps take the opportunity to discover the surrounding area on foot, venture to the nearest beach or take a stroll around the old town to soak up its vibrant atmosphere and admire the historic architecture.
Day 2 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Your private guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a walking tour of Dubrovnik’s old town introducing the history of the city, its various rulers and its architecture as you wander the narrow streets. You’ll explore the defensive walls for an overview of the city, visit a Franciscan monastery and the Lovrijenac Fortress before finally taking a cable car to the top of Mount Srđ for panoramic views over the town, coast and islands.
Day 3 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Heading south from Dubrovnik with your private guide , you’ll explore the Konavle Valley, the cultural hub of southern Dalmatia which is about 30 minutes’ drive away. You’ll visit the former home of Croatian artist Vlaho Bukovac in Cavtat, stop at a silk embroidery workshop in Gruda and explore the Konavle County Museum before visiting a local home to sample a traditional peka dish, cooked in a domed, cast-iron pot on an open fire, before returning to Dubrovnik.
Day 4 Split
Dubrovnik , Split
Leaving Dubrovnik by private transfer, you’ll make the scenic two-and-a-half hour journey through the mountains into Bosnia and Herzegovina for a tour of the historic town of Mostar. You’ll see its renowned bridge that spans the Neretva River and walk its winding streets, before heading on another 40 minutes to the medieval town of Počitelj. From here, it’s a two-hour drive to Split where you’ll check into your hotel.
Day 5 Split
Split
Today, you’ll make your way into Croatia’s highlands taking a half-hour drive to Klis Fortress, which repelled Ottoman attacks for several centuries. Next, you’ll continue to Sinj where you’ll learn about the importance of the Alka Festival, an annual equestrian competition that commemorates a Croatian-Venetian victory over the Ottomans in 1715, via a state-of-the-art museum experience. Finally, you’ll stop outside the town of Omiš for a cooking presentation of soparnik, a flatbread dish that pre-dates Italian pizza.
Day 6 Split
Split
Your local guide will teach you about the history of Split as you explore the historic district, most of which is set within the bounds of the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace. Originally built for the Roman emperor as a retirement home, it is still in use, its ancient buildings buzzing with life. In the afternoon, you can wander the city independently, relax at your hotel or perhaps explore Marjan Hill from where you’ll get panoramic views of the city and coast.
Day 7 Šibenik
Split , Šibenik
From Split, your driver-guide will take you to nearby Salona to see one of the most significant archeological sites in the country: the ruins of an ancient city dating to the 2nd century BC. From here, you’ll drive on for half an hour to the medieval walled city of Trogir to see the imposing Kamerlengo Fortress, before finishing your day with a tour of historic Šibenik, an hour’s drive away. After your tour, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.
Day 8 Šibenik
Šibenik
Just a half hour from Šibenik is Krka National Park, a lush combination of dense forests, scenic trails and tumbling waterfalls. Your private guide will take you along the trails to scenic lookouts where you can get sweeping views of the falls before you join a boat ride to visit the island of Visovac which is home to a working Franciscan monastery. From Krka, you’ll visit Vizzulin winery for a country-style lunch and wine tasting.
Day 9 Plitvice Lakes
Šibenik , Plitvice Lakes
Continuing north with your driver for about an hour, you’ll stop in the coastal town of Zadar for a walking tour of the historic sights and a chance to see the Sea Organ, an art installation which uses the rhythm of the waves to produce evocative sounds. From here, you’ll drive through lush mountain scenery for roughly an hour and a half to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site waterfalls and trails before checking into your hotel.
Day 10 Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes , Zagreb
Leaving the forested hills, you’ll make the two-hour drive to the northern border and the cosmopolitan capital city of Zagreb. Your private guide will lead you on a walking tour through the old town to see the Venetian and Austro-Hungarian architecture of the city. From here, you’ll make your way to the nearby Mirogoj Cemetery, a grand resting place for Croatia’s most eminent citizens, before checking into your hotel.
Day 11 Zagreb
Zagreb
On your final day, your driver will take you on a two-hour journey to Slovenia for a visit to the diminutive capital, Ljubljana, and nearby Lake Bled. After taking a walking tour of the city, you’ll drive on for about 50 minutes to explore Bled Castle, and then take a traditional pletna boat ride to the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of Mary on Bled Island, with the scenic Julian Alps in the background. You’ll then return for your last night in Croatia.
Day 12 Return home
Zagreb
After checking out, your private driver will escort you to Zagreb airport for your international flight home.
Day 1: Welcome to Zagreb
Transfers to your hotel depart from Zagreb airport at 11:30 and 14:00. Relax and settle in or perhaps head for the romantic chestnut-lined Stross Promenade for your first views over the city. At 17:30, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner, with the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant evening with wine.
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Zagreb’s Twin Towns Relaxed Start
Join your Local Expert to explore the two-tiered capital of Croatia. Drive through the squares of the Lower Town, Donji Grad, designed to give a sense of grandeur. See the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square and continue to Ban Josip Jelacic Square en route to the cathedral. Board the city's funicular to the medieval Upper Town, Gornji Grad. It's a network of little streets, stretching between the Kaptol and Gradec hills. View the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower. The afternoon is at leisure. Relax and enjoy your hotel's amenities or perhaps take an Optional Experience to the Zagorje region to learn about the local traditions and visit the house of Marshall Tito?
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel.
Breakfast
Day 3: Postojna Caves and on to Belle-Epoque Opatija
Venture into Slovenia to visit the world-famous Postojna Caves. Step aboard the cave train and descend into a subterranean world of stunning stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtains. Marvel at the five-metre tall Brilliant, the cave's most beautiful stalagmite. Return to Croatia, where your hotel is in the Belle Époque seaside resort town of Opatija, nestled at the foot of Mount Učka. Take time to stroll by the luxurious villas along the tree-lined seafront promenade.
Amadria Park Hotel Agava, Opatija.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Discover the Jewels of Istria
Cross the heart-shaped peninsula to explore the Jewels of Istria with your Local Expert. Visit the well-preserved first-century arena at Pula, scene of brutal gladiatorial battles in Roman times. Continue to the charming old town of Rovinj, rising directly from the sea. Wander through the cobbled streets lined with tempting shops, pastel-coloured bars and sidewalk cafes.
Amadria Park Hotel Agava, Opatija.
Breakfast
Day 5: Pristine Plitvice National Park
Enjoy the scenery of the Adriatic coast in the morning - journey past sparkling deep blue seas, studded with rocky islands, before heading inland to visit one of Europe’s great natural wonders. Explore Plitvice with Insight Choice. Choose between two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences: Join a Local Expert to explore Plitvice National Park and learn how the site actively carries out research to monitor the natural habitat of species. Alternatively meet the industrious women of the Tara Community Centre, who produce handicrafts, enabling employment and engagement in the community.
Hotel Lyra, Ličko Petrovo Selo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: The Dalmatian Coast to Split
The green forests of Plitvice Lakes National Park give way to pebble-dashed shores lapped by turquoise waters. Walk through the Roman Ruins and market to see the sea organ of Zadar. Witness the dramatic change in landscape, as you travel through Mediterranean olive groves on your way to Trogir, a city founded by the Greeks in 3rd century B.C. Admire the cathedral and Renaissance Čipiko Palace before continuing to the historic port of Split. In the evening, don't miss the opportunity of dinner in a traditional konoba.
Hotel President Solin, Split.
Breakfast
Day 7: Island Hopping to Hvar Relaxed Start
The Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here, and today it forms the heart of the Old Town of Split. With your Local Expert, explore the 1,700 year-old palace cellars and learn the story of the infamous emperor. Continue through the labyrinthine streets and arcaded squares to see St. Duje's- originally Diocletian's Mausoleum, and the Temple of Jupiter, which today is a baptistery, as well as the Golden Gate. Your island-hopping adventure begins here. Cross the azure waters of the Adriatic to spend two nights on Hvar, famed for being the sunniest island in the country and boasting an interior dotted with lofty mountain peaks and aromatic fields of lavender.
Amfora, Hvar Grand Beach Resort.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Exploring the Island of Hvar Relaxed Start
Enjoy a full day at leisure, as you explore the hidden coves, secluded beaches, old monasteries and villages of Hvar. Perhaps stroll around seaside Stari Grad, known for being one of Europe’s oldest towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Maybe visit the local museum with its impressive collection of archeological finds dating back to Greek antiquity or enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant? You could even see the glitz and glamour of Hvar Town with its yacht-lined marinas, famous for being the trendy playground of the rich and famous.
Amfora, Hvar Grand Beach Resort.
Breakfast
Day 9: On the Trail of Marco Polo to Korčula
Cruise back to the mainland and continue your journey to the island of Korčula, known for its grace, history and rich culture. The perfect place for relaxing, the island is filled with quiet coves and small beaches that dot the south coastline. This evening, delight in seasonal fare during a Croatian dinner.
Hotel Liburna, Korcula.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 10: Captivating Korčula Relaxed Start
In the morning, join a knowledgeable Local Expert for a walking tour of the Old Town. Marvel at spectacular views of the mainland as you stroll towards the main square of Korčula where the Cathedral of St. Mark dominates the ancient skyline. Hear about local legends and history from your Local Expert, stopping by the Town Museum, the Bishop’s Palace with its treasury collection and the Town Hall. Visit the ruins of the house where according to local legend Marco Polo was born. The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the narrow streets, beautiful churches and magnificent palaces of this charming medieval town.
Hotel Liburna, Korcula.
Breakfast
Day 11: Dubrovnik, Pearl of the Adriatic
Journey to the beautiful southern slopes of the Pelješac Peninsula. Weather permitting, cruise the tranquil waters of the bay of Mali Ston and admire the surrounding untouched natural beauty, as you enjoy a glass of traditional Croatian brandy. Stop at a shellfish farm and meet Tomislav, a local oyster farmer, to learn about the cultivation and harvest of oysters. Enjoy a delicious Sea-to-Table tasting of the fresh shellfish, accompanied with a glass of wine. Continue to the walled town of Dubrovnik, 'paradise on Earth' according to George Bernard Shaw. Join a walking exploration of the city, guided by a Local Expert. Get a glimpse into local life, as you explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions of the Old Town. Walk past Onofrio's Fountain, see the Old Jewish Quarter and the synagogue, and marvel at the grandeur of the cathedral and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. With the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps enjoy the luxuries of the five-star Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, your home for the next three nights.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace.
Breakfast, Morning Tea
Day 12: Optional Montenegro Experience Relaxed Start
Spend the day at your leisure or enjoy an optional visit to Montenegro, travelling along the coast to the pretty port town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A photographer's dream, capture one of the most beautiful parts of the bay and learn about some of the compelling history of this area. Return to Dubrovnik and enjoy an evening at your leisure. Perhaps start at a trendy wine bar, followed by dinner at a romantic sidewalk cafe?
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace.
Breakfast
Day 13: Dubrovnik at Leisure Relaxed Start
Make the most of a day at leisure in the Pearl of the Adriatic. Relax by the pool, shop in the markets or perhaps take the opportunity to visit Cavtat, one of the most enchanting seaside resorts in Croatia. This evening, should weather permit, you're invited to embark on a dazzling cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik. Start your Celebration Dinner with the national favourite drink, a glass of grappa. Savour authentic flavours of local specialities washed down with locally produced wine.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 14: Depart Dubrovnik
Your travels draw to a close after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Dubrovnik airport at 05:00, 09:00 and 11:30.
Breakfast