Highlights
- Soak in endless views of Miramare Bay at Dubrovnik's lavish Hotel Bellevue
- Sample delicate and delicious oysters straight from the waters of Ston Bay
- Learn the ins and outs of Croatian cuisine with a private cooking class in Split
- Hunt down tasty Istrian truffles with the help of a professional truffle hunter
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Dubrovnik, Guided Tour of Old Town, Michelin Dinner | Dubrovnik |
| Day 2 | Discover Cavtat, Family Farm Visit & Meal, Sunset Hike to Mount Srđ | Dubrovnik |
| Day 3 | Oyster Tasting & Farming Experience in Ston Bay, Transfer to Split | Split |
| Day 4 | Authentic Croatian Cooking Class, Free Evening in Split | Split |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Rovinj via Plitvice Lakes National Park, Truffle Hunting in Istria | Rovinj |
| Day 6 | Istrian Cooking Class, Guided City Tour of Rovinj | Rovinj |
| Day 7 | Depart Rovinj |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Dubrovnik, Guided Tour of Old Town, Michelin Dinner
Dobro došli! Welcome to Croatia! Your flight lands in Dubrovnik, an ancient fortress city on the Dalmatian Coast, with a well-preserved Old Town surrounded by massive stone walls. Meet your private driver on arrival and be transported to the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, a luxurious 5-star retreat carved into the cliffs above Miramare Bay. Enjoy panoramic views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, clean, contemporary-styled rooms, and an on-site spa and restaurant.
After check-in, see more of this fabled city on a privately guided two-hour walking tour. Navigate the narrow streets of the Old Town with your guide as they highlight the history of various landmarks. Walk along Stradun, the main street that was once a canal, and see Onofrio's Fountain, built in the 1400s as part of the water system. Visit the quarantine buildings, where travelers stayed in isolation until cleared of potential illnesses, and end at the clock tower, a 100-foot (30 m) landmark that dates back to the 15th century. Then, toast your first day with drinks on the terrace at Buza Bar, built into the ancient city walls.
Enjoy a feast for the senses tonight with a visit to Zuzori, an intimate Old Town gem where culinary passion takes center stage. This Michelin-starred hotspot features fresh Adriatic seafood, inventive pasta, and mouthwatering vegetarian creations. Helmed by chef Pasko Kapetanić, who learned his craft under the guidance of award-winning chef Jeffrey Vela, you'll be treated to a fine dining experience that goes far beyond the norm in a cozy and quiet atmosphere. Try signature dishes such as bluefin tuna or Iberico tapilla, all accompanied by delicious local wines.
Day 2: Discover Cavtat, Family Farm Visit & Meal, Sunset Hike to Mount Srđ
Today's adventure takes you to Cavtat, a small medieval town nestled on the southernmost tip of Croatia. Meet your private guide in the hotel lobby this morning for the 30-minute drive, and then, when you arrive, set out on a walking tour with a local guide. Learn about the town's history as you stroll the quaint streets and beautiful waterfront promenade that spans the peninsula, then finish with a visit to the house of the famed Croatian painter Vlaho Bukovac, where you'll see some of the paintings and murals he created over the years.
After departing Cavtat, travel through the Konavle region to the village of Čilipi, where you'll meet a local family and tour their farm. Learn about their agricultural practices and the foods they grow, then join in preparing a traditional Croatian peka meal, a dish of meats and vegetables cooked under an iron dome covered in hot coals. Enjoy fresh homegrown vegetables and homemade cheese, wine, and olive oil, all while learning about Croatian culture directly from the locals.
Return to Dubrovnik in time to escape the bustling city with a privately guided hike up Mount Srđ, a low mountain just beyond the city walls. With a height of more than 1,300 feet (412 m), the summit offers views of all of Dubrovnik and is also the site of Fort Imperial, built during the Napoleonic Wars. Follow your guide up the mountain to a secret spot with your pre-packed picnic. Here, you'll partake of a table spread with gourmet specialties set against a backdrop of the Adriatic Sea at sunset. Finish with a cable car ride down the mountain and return to your hotel for the evening.
Day 3: Oyster Tasting & Farming Experience in Ston Bay, Transfer to Split
Your next destination is Split, the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest in the region of Dalmatia. Split offers a wealth of history and culture, with charming cobblestone streets, Roman and Venetian architecture, and endless sea views. After checking out of your Dubrovnik hotel this morning, depart with your private driver on a three-hour transfer, making a stop at the historic town of Ston, famed for its oyster farms, salt beds, and 14th-century fortified walls.
Take some time to walk around town, then head out on a boat in Ston Bay to savor oysters fresh from the crystal-clear waters, along with a glass of wine, and learn firsthand from the skipper how oysters are grown and harvested. Enjoy an up-close look at the farming process in the bay, which is an unusual mix of freshwater and seawater—an essential component to growing the perfect oyster. As a result, Ston oysters are considered some of the best in the world. Afterward, return to shore in time for lunch at a local seafood restaurant before continuing to Split.
Arrive at the Hotel Ambasador, a luxury accommodation in central Split near the famed Riva promenade. Rooms here offer understated decor, with options for private balconies that overlook the sea, and amenities include a rooftop terrace, fine dining restaurant, and on-site spa. For the rest of your day, you're free to relax at the hotel or step out and see some of the city's sights. You can stroll along the Riva, explore the works of the renowned sculptor Meštrović at the Ivan Meštrović Gallery art museum, or hike to the top of Marjan Hill for incredible sunset views.
Day 4: Authentic Croatian Cooking Class, Free Evening in Split
There's no better way to experience the food-obsessed culture of Croatia than by preparing local foods, and today, you'll have the opportunity to do so with a private 4.5-hour cooking class. You'll start at Split's lively markets, meeting with a professional chef and assisting them in sourcing ingredients. Then, head to their studio to take a deep dive into Dalmatian cuisine. Prepare dishes like soparnik, a savory pie with onions, or buzara, a delicious seafood stew, as your chef shares insights into the importance of these foods in Croatian culture. End by enjoying the fruits of your labor with wine and lively conversation.
This evening, see more of Split on your own. Visit the Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to wander the ancient alleyways once the corridors of the Roman emperor's palace. Today, it's a vivid, bustling space lined with galleries, shops, cafés, and bars, all of which are wonderful to explore in the evening. For more views of the city, climb the 200 stairs of the bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius to see the sprawling streets of Split and out to sea. Finish with dinner at a local restaurant, then return to your hotel to rest for tomorrow.
Day 5: Transfer to Rovinj via Plitvice Lakes National Park, Truffle Hunting in Istria
Today, you're off to Rovinj, a lovely port city on the Istrian peninsula's west coast. Check out of your Split hotel in the morning and meet your private driver before traveling three hours along scenic roadways and stopping at Plitvice Lakes National Park. This pristine reserve encompasses 74,000 acres (30,000 ha), with 16 terraced lakes and over 90 cascading waterfalls flowing into a limestone canyon. You can have lunch at a nearby restaurant before enjoying a hike along one of the multiple wooden walkways throughout the park.
Take in the lush greenery as you walk past emerald green and blue travertine lakes and through beech and pine forests, keeping an eye out for the abundance of fish, birds, and other wildlife. Then, continue to Rovinj, where you'll check in at the 5-star Hotel Monte Mulini. This adults-only oasis sits on the shores of Mulini Beach, offering rooms with modern decor, private balconies, and spacious walk-in showers. Amenities include multiple outdoor pools, an on-site wellness center, and upscale restaurants with bay views.
Later, experience one of Istria's most popular pastimes—truffle hunting! The hills of Istria are blanketed with damp and dark woods, providing the perfect environment for the elusive truffle. Hunt for wild truffles on a privately guided tour with a professional truffle hunter with over four decades of experience in the Mediterranean forests. Meet the dogs trained to hunt this delicacy, tromping through the woods with them as they search out their fungal prey. Then, return to the house for a lesson in preparing a truffle-themed meal while enjoying local wine, cheese, and truffle-flavored honey with your hosts.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Istrian Cooking Class, Guided City Tour of Rovinj
Make the most of your last day in Croatia with a private Istrian cooking class. The Istria region perfectly blends rural and urban, combining busy coastal cities with quiet inland villages. The regional cuisine reflects this duality, with fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea and artisan cheeses, mushrooms, and fruits harvested from the forests. Meet your chef to learn the art of traditional Istrian pasta and master the making of žgvacet or brodet (beef or fish stews). Try your hand at fish paté, which rivals the best foie gras, and taste Croatian olive oils, cheeses, and local wine varieties while enjoying lunch.
This afternoon, see why Rovinj has been deemed one of the most romantic places in the Mediterranean with a privately guided walking tour. Step back in time as you stroll the cobblestone streets that wind through the Old Town, getting lost in the architecture and alleyways as your guide shares insights into local history and legends. Make your way to the hilltop cathedral of St. Euphemia, a Baroque church built in the 1700s that overlooks the city, stop at the local farmer's markets, and visit peaceful Punta Corrente Park before ending your day with a walk along the seaside promenade.
Day 7: Depart Rovinj
Your luxurious week in Croatia ends today. Meet your private driver at your hotel for a three-hour transfer from Rovinj to Zagreb Airport. Safe travels home or to your next destination!
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