Discover the best of Croatia
Introduction
Enjoy a fully immersive experience and discover the real culture and traditional flavors of this beautiful country. This 9 day tour will allow you to enjoy the pearls that Croatia has to offer – wonders of nature, stunning landscapes, unique wine and gourmet experience, local traditions…
Not only will you be able to admire cities like Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb and their never-ending treasures, but you will also be able to explore some other beautiful destinations. They boast incomparable heritage, typical local products and vineyards that are a very important part of Croatian wine-making history.
Our magnificent country full of diversities will astonish you with its natural beauties, rich history, hospitality and local cuisine. Be an actor of The Best of Croatia and you will find out why everyone just adore this tour and of course, our country.
Overview
- Day 1 – ARRIVAL TO ZAGREB & TRANSFER TO HOTEL – ZAGREB CITY TOUR
- Day 2 – ZAGREB – TRAKOSCAN CASTLE – BAROQUE CITY VARAŽDIN – ZAGREB
- Day 3 – ZAGREB – MILLERS VILLAGE RASTOKE – PLITVICE LAKES – ZADAR
- Day 4 – ZADAR CITY TOUR
- Day 5 – ZADAR – ŠIBENIK – TROGIR – SPLIT
- Day 6 – SPLIT CITY TOUR
- Day 7 – SPLIT – PELJEŠAC PENINSULA & STON – DUBROVNIK
- Day 8 – DUBROVNIK CITY TOUR
- Day 9 – DUBROVNIK DEPARTURE – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Itinerary snapshot
Day by day
Day 1
ZAGREB ARRIVAL & TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL – ZAGREB CITY TOUR
On your first day of this great tour, you will meet Zagreb, capital of Croatia and its biggest city. We will wait for you at the aiport and transfer you to the hotel, located in the city center, where you will check in. After we will take you for a walk through the city center, so you can discover your first experience with this exceptional old city; Zagreb – two cities in one city ; two different faces in one face. Majestic Upper town, which is initmate, cosy and distinctly medieval in ambience and the Lower town, full of huge squares, wide boulevards and Secession architecture. You will see central square of Josip Jelacic, Zagreb Cathedral, the most beautiful market at the open – Dolac, Stone Gate and many other attractions. We’ll take a ride with the shortest funicular in the world (only 66 meters) to the Upper town and enjoy amazing view on Zagreb roof tops. We’ll take you through the beautiful Lenuzzi horseshue or so called Green horseshue, a complex of 7 parks and squares with fountains, in the center of the town.

In the evening, we are inviting you to be our guests at a Welcome dinner in one of Zagreb restaurants where you will taste flavours of local delicacies.
Day 2
ZAGREB C – TRAKOŠĆAN CASTLE – BAROQUE CITY VARAŽDIN - ZAGREB
After the old lifestyle experience, we are going to see the most beautiful and preserved castles in Europe – Trakošćan castle. Trakošćan is true fairy-tale castle, where you can still feel a whiff of misterious medieval times and hear legends and myths which have been told so many times, but always interesting and attractive. With tour through the castle you can relive the life of their former inhabitants. It is known for its owners the family Draskovic, who besides Zrinski, was one of the most popular Croatian noble families from the feudal era.

Beautifully situated on a hill with a garden in the midst of Park Forest, Trakošćan is amongst the highest category monuments of culture and nature. Take a tour through knights’ room, the hunting room, music salon, specimens of firearms dating from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Walk through the most beautifully formed parks in Croatia with rich vegetation and fascinating view. Moreover, a beautiful romantic gardens, built on the model of English parks, and a large lake in front of the castle is something that should not be missed.

After exploring life in medieval times, we are going to visit baroque period in an old city Varaždin. Varaždin is one of the oldest and the most beautiful Central European cities. Owing to its charm and baroque architecture, Varaždin has been historically dubbed ‘’Little Vienna’’. The city, whose rich history goes back to the 12th century, was home to the region’s wealthiest nobles, landowners, artisans and artists. Once the capital of Croatia, Varaždin is a beautiful city with a wealth of cultural and architectural treasures. The city boasts a baroque city center, with numerous museums and galleries.
The cities landmark attraction is the 16th Century Stari Grad (The Old city) castle which houses the Town Museum. Famous Varazdin’s Cemetery represents valuable monument of the park architecture and it is one of the most beautiful one in Europe. In 2010 Forbes declared Varaždin as the best place to live and work in Croatia. Among its many awards is that of the most tastefully arranged and best maintained destination in continental Croatia, the title it has received nine times. In the evening we are coming back to Zagreb
Day 3
ZAGREB – MILLERS VILLAGE RASTOKE – PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK – ZADAR
After breakfast, we are heading to the south, almost facing magnificent Adriatic coast. But before that, we will stop in a little charming millers village Rastoke, situated about 100 km from Zagreb, where the river Slunjcica over travertine rocks flows into river Korana, while through Rastoke creating many small lakes, rapids and waterfalls. Rastoke is often called the lobby of Plitvice Lakes and therefore is often called small Plitvice lakes. In Rastoke we will see the old water mills, traditional wooden houses and lovely nature.


Village Rastoke is true hidden paradise and a great overture to the majestic Plitvice Lakes. Plitvice Lakes are a world pearl of incalculable value. Its specific beauty is a sanctuary for nature lovers and an inspiration for artists, whereas the uniqueness and richness of its nature is an occupation of scientists.
This pure emerald beauty has deserved to be placed on the the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979, as the oldest Croatian National Park (proclaimed in 1949).
Today, 60 years after its establishment, Plitvice Park continues to provide inspiration for visitors becoming nowadays one of Croatia’s biggest attractions. Thousands of people from all over the world visit the Park during all year round. They come to find peace and relaxation just to experience something different as a getaway from the city. The series of 16 bigger and a few smaller lakes, gradually lined up, separated by travertine barriers for which the period of the last ten thousand years was crucial, and which were ruled by ecological relations similar to those of today – suitable for travertine depositing and for the origin of the lakes – are the basic phenomenon of the National Park.
Enjoy the timeless beauty of an impressive 78 meters High waterfall, take a walk through green oasis or take a ride with a train or an electric boat, while breathing fresh air and discovering pure intact nature…
In the evening we are coming to stunning old city Zadar, where history tells stories about it.
Overnight in Zadar, boutique 4* hotel in the Old Town
Day 4
ZADAR CITY TOUR
Zadar is a city monument, surrounded by historical ramparts, a treasury of the archaeological and monumental riches of ancient Roman and medieval times, Renaissance and many contemporary architectural achievements such as the first sea organs in the world.
It is three thousand years old, a city of old and dynamic history, often destructed, devastated, every time emerging from the ruins stronger, richer and more beautiful.
Zadar was once the largest city-fortress in the Republic of Venice and its City Walls were an important part of an elaborate defence system.The City Walls of Zadar joined UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2017 as an outstanding monument of the modern maritime fortification scheme.
Zadar has remains dating from the early Stone Age, while from the Neolithic it has remains of many human settlements. In Zadar we will see the Church of St. Donat, a city symbol from the early middle ages, Kalelarga, Cathedral of St. Anastasia and city walls from Roman times and middle ages.
Before going to sleep, we are going to take you to experience the most beautiful sunset in the world.
Overnight in Zadar, boutique 4* hotel in the Old Town

Day 5
ZADAR – ŠIBENIK – TROGIR – SPLIT
After enjoying Zadar beauties we are going more to the south, following crystal clear Adriatic sea. Discover Šibenik and its old cobble-stone streets. Šibenik is the oldest Croatian town on the Adriatic coast. It is also called Krešimir’s town, since it was the residence of King Petar Krešimir IV, the most important ruler of the ancient Croatian state. Šibenik is located in a large bay where the Krka river meets the sea. It grew from an old Croatian fort near the fortress of St. Michael, which still overlooks the town. Apart from St. Michael’s, the town is surrounded by three other fortresses: St. Nicholas’ which is under UNESCO World Heritage Site, St.John’s and Šubićevac.

Its narrow winding streets, stony houses, many staircases and the remains of the city walls give Šibenik that romantic Mediterranean atmosphere. The St. Jacob’s Cathedral is the most famous architectural master-piece in Šibenik, listed as the UNESCO World Cultural Monument. The building of the cathedral took over a hundred years. It was made according to sketches by Juraj Dalmatian, a renowned master builder from Zadar. Made of stone exclusively, its unique constructions were both bold and unusual for that time.
We are leaving this magnificent city-fortress and going to the mainland in an old rural domestic household, where we will enjoy in the local authentic home-made food.

After lunch, we will see one more old Croatian jewel – small city Trogir. Trogir is an island with one of the biggest historical heritage in the world, abound in beauty and history and it’s protected by UNESCO. St. Lawrence Cathedral with its majestic portal of Radovan, priceless collection of the Chapel of st. Ivan Trogirski and gothic church bell make the local people very proud. Most of the town walls, once used as a protection are preserved, forming, in the 13th century, the old center of Tragurium. While walking through the narrow streets of the town you can come across Kairos, God of lucky moment… According to legend, whoever manages to grab his curl will have lucky moments of eternal beauty. In case you do not find it, this bronze relief and symbol of Trogir is the most valuable part of St. Nicholas monastery collection. Nowhere in the world you can find a town that magical at night time… Stone walls become alive under the street lights, and Dalmatian songs are heard from every corner.
Day 6
SPLIT CITY TOUR
This whole days is aimed for exploring ancient city of Split, today cultural, economic and administrative center of Central Dalmatia. Because of its Mediterranean charm, vibrant and magical atmosphere, it’s often called ”The most beautiful city in the world”. Among its grandiuos buldings, streets and walls, we will visit the most important monument of Roman architecture on the eastern coast of the Adriatic – The Diocletian’s Palace. The site was first settled when, at the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here. These days the palace is known as Diocletian’s Palace and it is under UNESCO’s protection. The importance of Diocletian’s Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods built within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split. Numerous valuable cultural monuments are also to be found beyond the palace walls. Take your free afternoon for exploring this magnificent city – the pines of the Marjan forest in the western part of the peninsula, the murmur of the sea and the sound of the Dalmatian song in the stone streets of the city.
Once you get to know this town and the way of living here you are going to love it.

Day 7
SPLIT – PELJEŠAC PENINSULA & STON – DUBROVNIK
On our way till the extreme south and city of Dubrovnik, we will drive across Pelješac peninsula, where you will enjoy its green scenery and beautiful surroundings. This region is famous by the best Croatian wines and wine producing in general, as well as you will enjoy in extraordinary tastes of local cuisine, specially sea-food.
We will stop in a Ston bay, little fisherman village named Ston, well-known by its five-kilometers (3,5 miles) long walls, the longest in Europe, made as a fortification complex in 14th Century. After walking the walls, we will visit ancient salt factory (13.ct) where production still takes place under natural conditions on the same principles it has been running continuously for more than 7 centuries.
The gulf of Mali Ston has a clean and natural environment. It has been well-known for its mussel and oysters-growing farm since Roman times,and the oysters from Ston (ostrea edulis),as an acknowledged natural aphrodisiac has made this region world-famous.
You will have a chance to taste this sea-delicacies.
In the evening we are coming to Dubrovnik.
Overnight in Dubrovnik, luxury 5* or 4* hotel

Day 8
DUBROVNIK CITY TOUR
And finally, welcome to Dubrovnik – The Pearl of the Adriatic. Great George Bernard Shaw, impressed by its magic, once said – ”Those who seek paradise on Earth, should come to Dubrovnik and find it”. And he was absolutely right. Dubrovnik’s nickname is a “Pearl of the Adriatic” and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia’s tourist cap, an elite destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik used to be an independent republic, surviving mostly on trade. It managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice.

History is present in the entire city, which is both a museum and a picturesque stage where cultural heritage and contemporary life meet. All houses and monuments have a unique value. The Old City is encompassed by medieval walls, which have been preserved in their original form and opened for visitors as Dubrovnik’s major attraction.
Dubrovnik has been a prominent Game of Thrones filming location and it is a must visit for any Game of Thrones fan. After all Dubrovnik is King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms!
We will enter the old town through the Pile Gate and we will find our selves on Stradun – biggest street in Dubrovnik. Here we will find the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438, the Franciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other end of the Stradun, we will discover the locals’ favourite meeting place, the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponza Palace and the baroque church of St. Blaise. Here is also the Rector’s Palace, which is now a city museum packed with valuable and historic exhibits. Opposite the palace through a narrow street is a square, Gunduliceva Poljana, which is the site of the busy morning market. In the same square is the Jesuit Monastery from the early 18th century. From here you can see the little old town port and visit the city walls which encircle the city and which have been remarkably preserved.
Whole city is alive monument and rich treasury of history. You will surely find it magical.
Take your free afternoon and evening for more exploring Croatian pearl.
Overnight in Dubrovnik, luxury 5* or 4* hotel
Day 9
DEPARTURE FROM DUBROVNIK – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Our amazing journey throughout Croatia has come to the end. We will drive you to Dubrovnik Airport to catch your returning flight. We wish you a safe journey home, together with your memories collected in our small, but so diverse country. Till some next time, Cromotion team says good-bye…
Inclusions
Included in the price:
- Private airport transfers and transportation throughout your tour in a modern air-conditioned sedan car or mini-van
- Professional English speaking guide – driver
- 8 nights accommodation in some of best 5* and 4* hotels with breakfasts included
- Tickets for all top attractions: Trakošćan Castle, Plitvice lakes, Šibenik and Trogir Chatedral, Diocletian’s Palace, Ston Walls
- Private city tours as specified in the itinerary
- Authentic welcome dinner in Zagreb restaurant
- Local authentic home-made lunch in domestic household near Trogir
- Sea-food lunch in Ston/Pelješac peninsula
- Wine and oyster tasting in Pelješac peninsula
- Special exclusive lunch in Dubrovnik
- Water during the day
- Tourist city tax
Info about prices
Cromotion Travel Agency is all about designed and personal experiences, so we don’t have generic made tours & fixed prices . To find out more, get in touch with us for a tailor-made trip based on your interests and budget.
Please note that all our tours of Croatia are private and we may stop along the way as often as you desire, for you to visit a site, take a beautiful photo or simply engage with the people of the country.
Price is flexible and can vary according to the number of persons and the time of the year, depending on low or high tourist season.
It starts at 2.250,00 EUR/person, including the services mentioned under INCLUSIONS.
The exact rate will be quoted once the precise itinerary and extras you would like to include are decided.