Incredible Croatia

Join us for a 9-day epic adventure to Incredible Croatia, where you will find a diverse array of exotic landscapes from the Karawanken Mountains to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.  Explore a wealth of architectural styles and triumphs that have hosted and inspired Hollywood productions such as Game Of Thrones, while sampling the delicious food and a culture that has thrived in this sun-drenched and temperate region for over a millennium.  Highlights include the enchanting city of Dubrovnik, Plitvice National Park, Rijeka, Split, Trogir, Sibenik, the Makarska Riviera, Zadar, Crikvenica, and much more with almost everything you need for a fantastic sightseeing holiday included.

Day 1 / Saturday: Austria

An early morning departure by bus takes us south, into the alpine region of Austria and the border town of Villach where we will check in to our hotel in the late afternoon.  This region offers beautiful natural surroundings and a preview of the majestic Karawanken Mountains that we will be driving through tomorrow.  In the evening dinner will be served at the hotel followed by free time for you to relax or prepare for the exciting trip ahead.

Day 2 / Sunday:  Island Krk

After an early morning breakfast provided at the hotel, we continue our journey through the Karawanken Mountain Chain tunnel, continue across Slovenia and into Northern Croatia’s beautiful Riviera. Today we visit the magnificent Island of Krk, and thanks to a very elegantly curved bridge from the mainland, it is even easier to access. On the Island, one is immediately welcomed by a lively atmosphere, bustling with visitors from all over the world. The Island is famous for its diverse landscape reaching from bare mountain tops to fertile river valleys. The area is quite famous for the Zlahtina grape, used to produce Sparkling wine. We will visit the lively island-capital of Krk, which emerged from an ancient roman settlement as well as the charming city of Punat, embedded in olive groves and vineyard. After some thorough exploration and free time, we continue to check in to our hotel on the island, freshen up and enjoy dinner. 

Day 3 / Monday:  Plitvice National Park

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, we begin an exciting day visiting one of Croatia’s most beautiful natural gems, the famous Plitvice National Park.  The park is renowned for it's stunning lakes and jaw-dropping turquoise waterfalls, which will provide ample opportunity to snap the first of many envy-inducing photos. Joined by a local guide, we will explore the many exquisite waterbodies and imposing limestone deposits including a boat ride to get us just a bit closer to the falls. Following the tour, the park is yours to discover using the small hiking trails. Perhaps you may simply choose to relax and allow yourself to be captivated by the ever-changing, gentle sunlight as it entwines with the reflection of lakes mesmerizing azur waters.   After free time in this stunning park, we continue on to Sibenik located near the confluence of the Krka River and the Adriatic Sea. After check-in and dinner at the hotel, the evening is free for you to get a head start exploring this new and historically rich city.

Day 4 / Tuesday: Sibenik

Our day begins bright and early with breakfast at the hotel followed by a stroll through the picturesque old town of Sibenik. Together with our local guide you will explore a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets that radiate the rich history and beauty of the city.  The most important building in Sibenik is the Cathedral of Saint James, a UNESSCO World Heritage site and perhaps the finest example of Croatian church architecture. GOT (Game of Thrones) enthusiasts may recognize the town and the Cathedral as one of season fives filming locations for the city of Bravos and the "Iron Bank" in Westeros. The old forts towering above the town offer spectacular panoramas of the city and the beautiful bay beyond. From here you can also see the St. Anthony Channel, a natural and protected strait of water that traverses one-and-half miles to connect the city to the Bay of Sibenik, offering trails for biking, walking, swimming and to the sightseeing St. Nicholas' Fortress and St. Anthony Cave.  Following the tour of the city, and dinner at the hotel, the evening is free for taking in the nightlife and independent exploration.

Day 5 / Wednesday: Split

Following breakfast at the hotel, today’s adventure takes us to even more GOT hot spots.  Our travel takes us south, along the scenic coastline route of the charming Adriatic Magistrale, offing fantastic views and unforgettable photo opportunities along the way. We arrive at the town of Split, second largest city in Croatia and with many visitors claiming it to be the most beautiful city in the world. The Old Town is cobbled together in a labyrinthine of narrow streets that hide the imposing Diocletian's Palace and Black Sphinx in their center. GOT Fans will delight in another GOT filming site, the 4th century Diocletian Palace that was used in many episodes as the dungeons where Daenerys Targaryen kept her Dragons as well as her Throne Room.  The waterfront Promenade, possibly the best-known landmark of the city, is known for the see-and-be-seen type that showcase sunglasses and fashionable eyewear to a new level.  The latest and greatest shades are snapped up immediately, regardless of the expensive, so that new owners can maintain their fashionista status along the promenade.  From here we continue on down the coast line to Tucepi where our new hotel awaits us for check-in and dinner.

Day 6 / Thursday: Dubrovnik

After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our sightseeing along the Adriatic Sea to the spectacular and exotic city of Dubrovnik. George Bernard Shaw said  “Those who are looking for paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik” and countless others have praised the beauty of the old city.  Inside the cities mighty walls, a splendid mixture of medieval and baroque architecture is reflected in the private residences, palaces, churches, and monasteries which contrast beautifully with the modern office buildings. The world-class cultural and historical treasures set against a beautiful natural backdrop make Dubrovnik an incredibly dynamic travel destination. The wounds inflicted on the city in the early 1990s by Serbian bombardment have long since healed leaving the city once again, to shine as one of the Adriatic’s most spectacular pearls .

We meet our local guide at the Pile Gate, one of the six gates of the City wall, and begin our guided tour of Dubrovnik. We encourage you to climb the 80 feet to the top of the thick city walls, spanning over a mile to surround old town, where you will find a splendid view of the city and Adriatic Sea at your feet.  Dubrovnik is also GOT most prominent filming location in Croatia, used for many of the series most iconic locations including King's Landing and capital city of Westeros, the Red Keep, Spanish Steps, the Purple Wedding, Black Water Bay and the memorable episode featuring Cersei’s “Walk of Shame.”  Following the tour of the city, the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own before we return to our Hotel on the Markarska Riviera and enjoy another local dinner.

Day 7 / Friday: Makarska Riviera, Zadar & Crikvenica

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to say farewell to the Makarska Riviera and embark on the coastal road to Zadar, the gateway to and second largest city in Dalmatia. Zadar is like an open-air museum, with a lively Old Town situated on a promontory, guarded by the city walls.

Along the way to Zadar we make one more stop and visit the mighty Fortress of Klis and for us GOT enthusiasts better known as the city of Meereen starting with season 4, Episode 3 "Breaker of Chains." With the most stunning view onto the coastal line surrounding Split, the fortress is enclosed by vinyards and olive groves. The fortress dates back 2000 years and was used as a stronghold during the Roman Empire, played a defending role against the Mongols and later on against the Ottoman empire and became the seat for several Croatian Kings.

After arrival in Zadar, our local guide will provide a guided tour and the historical background of Zadar’s impressive sites.  Enjoy the Roman ruins, impressive churches in various architectural styles that line the charming streets creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere, steeped in centuries of rich history. At the sea side steps in Old Town, the whisper of delicate notes from the world-famous Sea Organ, powered solely by oceanic tidal energy, can be heard mingling with the sound of the surf. Before we leave this beautiful spot, there will be free time and perfect opportunity to take in the salty air and warm ambience before we begin our journey north towards the Crikvenica Riviera and dinner at the hotel.

Day 8  / Saturday: Crikvenica Riviera & Austria

After breakfast at the hotel, it is time to check out and begin the return journey.  Our route takes us north, through Slovenia, up into the Karawanken Mountains, and across the Austrian border. From here we make our way into the Salzburg area where our hotel and dinner await. 

Day 9 / Sunday: Salzburg - Ramstein

Breakfast will be provided before we depart on our final leg of the journey that takes us north, arriving in Ramstein by early evening.