Venice and Croatia tour

Upon arrival at Venice airport, you are greeted by the driver, holding your group name on a signboard, and taken to your hotel. After the check-in procedure, the rest of the day is at your leisure to relax after the flight. Night in Venice. Hotel Locanda Vivaldi 4*.

After breakfast, you shall meet your guide at the reception for a walking tour of Venice, along Riva degli Schiavoni, with hotel Londra, where P.I. Tchaikovsky used to spend his Venetian time seeking inspiration; continuing to Palazzo Duccale connected with the Ponte dei sospiri with the dungeon. Ponte dei sospiri was for many prisoners, the last view of the lights of freedom before being imprisoned in the dungeon. Visit the interior of the Doge’s Palace is an absolute must, when in Venice, as for over 500 years, the treasures of the Mediterranean and conquered countries were pouring into this glittering place. After leaving the Palace, Zeccha or the Mint where the Venetian Ducats were minted shall catch your eyes, as well as the famous Piazza San Marco, with Basilica di San Marco. Your tour continues along the narrow streets of Venice towards the Ponte Rialto, the famous bridge – the oldest bridge still standing in Venice, covered with goldsmith shops and numerous original and fake garment sellers. This proud structure stands over the main water road of Venice, Canal Grande, where all the poshest palazzos had their main façade. We suggest you take over on your selves from here, as some charm is in discovering as well. Venice has over 700 churches and each one of them is a piece of art. For the afternoon, we suggest visiting Galleria dell’ Accademia, an art gallery hosting masterpieces of the famous Venetian painting school; Tintoretto, Canaletto, Tiepolo, … Overnight in Venice. Hotel The Locanda Vivaldi 4*. Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, meet your driver ready to take you to Rovinj, the most romantic place in the Mediterranean! The town of Rovinj is the right destination for all the guests seeking a sentimental atmosphere. After checking in to your Rovinj hotel, the local guide will take you for a sightseeing tour of this charming town, the capital of romance in the Adriatic. Since then it undertook the transformation from a small fishing village to the tobacco industry capital of Croatia, to the postcard city that is traveler resort, this city with stunning views in front of St. Euphemia's church as well as an artistic neighborhood has continuously been at the epicenter of best destinations in Croatia. After the tour time at leisure. Overnight in Rovinj. Hotel Monte Mulini 5*. Meals: Breakfast

This day is reserved for a full-day tour, a trip to Motovun, a beautiful small city on top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards, in the middle of truffle land. Here you would meet a truffle hunter and his trained dog for a truffle hunt demonstration. We suggest having lunch in one of the restaurants in Motovun or Groznjan. It is hard to make a mistake if you dine in any of the local restaurants, but we suggest trying out restaurant “Mondo” located just in front of the city gate, also presented in the NO Reservations episode by Anthony Bourdain. After the Motovun tour, you will head to Groznjan, a small city where time has stopped and is quite relative where you are drawn into the still and calm energy of this small place. After Groznjan, it is time for a wine tasting in Kabola winery, some 15 minutes away from Groznjan. You will return to Rovinj in the late afternoon to relax. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Rovinj. Hotel Monte Mulini 5*. Meals: Breakfast, Kabola tasting

This day is for leisure time with your family, enjoying the beaches or the pool area next to your hotel. Independent exploration of Rovinj with the knowledge gathered from the guide the previous day. Overnight in Rovinj. Monte Mulini 5*. Meals: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast your driver will be waiting for you, ready to take you to Split. On your way there you will make a stop in National Park Plitvice. Once there, we suggest having lunch at the restaurant of VILLA DEGENIJA, within the NP Plitvice. We shall be happy to make the lunch arrangements for you based on typical specialties. After optional lunch, you will walk to the entrance of the Plitvice National Park that spreads across almost 200 km2 and consists of 16 lakes on the Korana river interconnected with the waterfalls. This is also a natural habitat of numerous plants and animal species. You may also choose to simply enjoy nature and rest. After the self-tour, your driver will take you to Split, a 1700-year-old town that has grown out of the Roman emperor’s palace, to become the biggest city on the eastern Adriatic Croatian coastline. After the check-in at the hotel CORNARO 4*, you will get some time to explore the narrow streets of this ancient town. In the evening hours, we suggest dinner in one of the restaurants in the city center. After dinner, enjoy yourselves in the city center filled with small bars and cafes. Night in Split, Hotel Cornaro 4* Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, meet your guide at the lobby of THE hotel for the tour of Split and Trogir. Split is one of the living and breathing monuments both to the way people lived in the past and to different styles and influences that have been carved into its narrow streets, Roman temples, and Christian churches. Outside the palace, the story of Split continues as it spreads from its center, the Palace, to beautiful vistas on the hill of Marjan, to the old town, waterfront promenade RIVA, and its beaches. Trogir is a small island town around 30 km from Split. In the past, the town was a bitter enemy of Split, with wars being waged for the land that lies between the two famous cities. After the Trogir tour, enjoy a wine and food tasting tour in Kaštela, with one of the local families. You probably know all about the cultivar Crljenak - Zinfandel. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the “Primitivo” variety traditionally grown in Puglia (the "heel" of Italy), where it was introduced in the 18th century, as well as to the Croatian grapes “Crljenak Kaštelanski”. The grape found its way to the United States in the mid-19th century and became known by variations of the name "Zinfandel", a name of uncertain origin. WINE AND FOOD PAIRING shall take place at the vineyard, as well as the vinery BEDALOV. The lunch shall consist of the freshest ingredients found at the market that very day, and the menu shall be at the INSPIRATION OF THE CHEF. After lunch, the rest of the day is at leisure. We suggest having a drink at Vidilica, a beautiful belvedere overlooking the whole of Split and the surrounding area, and having dinner in one of the restaurants on the West coast of city harbor, with stunning views of the city of Split. Overnight in Split. Hotel Cornaro 4*. Meals: Breakfast, Bedalov wine, and food pairing

This morning after breakfast, you will catch a public catamaran from Split to Hvar. After reaching Hvar, check-in in Hotel Adriana 4*, refresh yourselves, and get ready for a tour of the city of Hvar. Our half-day tour starts with a car transfer to Hvar’s Fortica Castle, which is the best place for the most amazing view of the entire city and island archipelago. After learning more about the castle and its history we’ll begin our gentle stroll down to the city center through lush pine woods until we reach the old part of the town called Groda. At Groda we will stop at Benedictine Nun’s museum where you will see their signature works of art: Agava pattern laces, which last year became UNESCO protected. Afterward, we will discover the city square, Arsenal Theatre, cathedral and finish our tour with espresso at Cafe Piazza. After the tour evening at leisure. Overnight in Hvar. Hotel Adriana 4* Meals: Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, you can enjoy the city of Hvar. The afternoon is reserved for a wine tour. Our glorious full day wine tour begins in the ‘’heart of Hvar Island’’. We'll head south, passing through the island's 1400 meter long stone tunnel to finally reach the island's most important wine region—the lush vineyards located on the shoreside cliffs. Continuing further to Jelsa we'll visit one of the most famous Croatian winemakers, the Bastijana Wine cellar.

Winery 1: Bastijana

Our tour of the winery includes both their production and cellar storage facilities (loaded with barique barrels) and an organized wine tasting in 4 courses that will be combined with the islands finest local appetizers. Our host will be Mr. Andro Tomic, one of the most famous wine producers in Croatia. His wines have conquered and dazzled the world many times over and continue to do so. ‘’La Revue du vin de France’’, the respected wine magazine, distinguished his wines as being a benchmark for the future millennium. We invite you try his Mali Plavac, made from grapes grown on the southern hills. You’ll also enjoy his award-winning port wine, Hektor, which is almost unheard of variety.

Winery 2: Medvid - Dubokovic & 2718 hours of sun in the bottle

Our program continues as we meet the leading Croatian “garage” winemaker to taste wines that have become the most sought after in the country. The reason? You’ll taste what it's like to try ''2718 hours in the bottle”. The term “garage” winemaker is sarcastically used by big Bordeaux wine producers and vineyard landlords to denigrate young and ambitious ''wine newcomers'' without vineyards or with very small land plots. Their feeling is that basing wine production on grapes purchased from other farmers can’t possibly be as good as coming from your own vineyard. Isn’t it wonderful that we have blind taste tests to prove which wine truly deserves to be called great instead of just looking at a famous label? The ultimate truth test isn’t just winning awards, it’s the palate of wine drinkers all over the world. Here in Croatia, Dubokovic wines have become a ''must have'' in the finest restaurants, hotels, and specialized wine shops. Dubokovic - Medvid wines now have the distinction of being the most expensive regular vintage wines in the country!

After the Dubokovic wine cellar tour and wine tasting, we'll head to an olive grove for a fabulous dinner. This trip ends with an authentic island culinary picnic at the picturesque village of Vrisnik. Your host is one of the best Croatian olive oil producers, Mr. Borivoj Bojanic. His grove has an amazing view of Hvar's 2234-year-old Ager field, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the oldest preserved agriculture plain in the world.. As you savor the subtle flavors of all the local herbs and condiments used in the preparation of your meal and gaze out at Ager field, you will understand the essence of island living among unspoiled nature. In the evening hours return to your residence in Hvar for a night at leisure. Overnight in Hvar. Hotel Adriana 4*. Meals: Breakfast, Wine tour dinner

This day is reserved for independent exploration of the city of Hvar. With the knowledge of the area gained so far you choose your schedule for today. Overnight in Hvar. Hotel Adriana 4*. Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, after breakfast, you will catch a public catamaran boat from Hvar to Split. There, you would meet your driver. He will take you to Dubrovnik. On your way there, you will get to visit an oyster farm, as a part of a unique experience. Your host will be waiting for you in Hodilje, just 5 minutes away from the city of Ston by car. Once there you will embark on a boat, which will take you to the oyster and mussels farm, located in Malostonski bay. You will see how the oysters are grown in a short demonstration by your host. After the farm, he will take you to a small privately owned island that has been in his family for generations. Here you will get to taste the oysters from the farm accompanied by some local olive oil, wine, and rakija. To round the experience up the host will prepare Buzara sauce for you. This sauce for centuries is the base of the local cuisine, genuine Comfort food of Dalmatia. After enjoying oysters, your driver will take you to Dubrovnik, for an afternoon in Leisure. Overnight in Dubrovnik, Hotel Bellevue 5* Meals: Breakfast, Oyster farm tasting

After breakfast, this day is reserved for Discover Dubrovnik an ultimate tour for visitors who wish to take in all the main sights and explore the architecture and history of this famous city. Accompanied by our experienced guide, the story of Dubrovnik's golden age will unfold before your eyes. The route takes you around the Old Town via Onofrio's Fountain and up Prijeko Street to the Old Port - the key to Dubrovnik's trading and maritime success. Along the way, you will pay a visit to St. Saviour's, the grandiose Franciscan and Dominican church, and see wine-producing vines believed to be more than 100 years old. Ships from Dubrovnik were renowned throughout the Mediterranean and galleons from the Republic could be found in navies across Europe and beyond. These ships were built and loaded in the legendary Arsenal, which is another stop on the tour. Once in the Old Port, your guide will relate the stories of the famous Quarantine and the nearby fortresses of St. Luke and St. John as well as legends about the Church of St Blaise, the Cathedral, the Rector's Palace, Sponza Palace, and Orlando's Column. The tour lasts one hour and in that time you will be entertained, informed, and leave with a true understanding of Dubrovnik multi-layered past. The rest of the day is at your leisure. We suggest having a combination of relaxing on Banje beach. Light lunch in one of the restaurants such as restaurant Arsenal and then taking the cable car to Srd Hill overlooking Dubrovnik for an amazing sunset. Overnight in Dubrovnik. Hotel Bellevue 5* Meals: Breakfast

Your driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of the hotel, ready to take you to the airport, to board your flight home. Meals: Breakfast