Living Croatia
Croatia already surprises by its strange shape. The arc that the country represents is explained by the history and very particular issues that make the richness and diversity of Croatia today. The country reconciles a long coastal line with one of the largest concentrations of islands in the world marked by the Mediterranean context and the continental Pannonian plains closely linked to the Austro-Hungarian plains. These two sets of landscapes are bounded by the Julian Alps in the north and the Dinaric ranges that descend to Greece. Whether on the coast or in the plains, Croatians have always been a trading people, benefiting from their position at the crossroads of multiple trade routes, often dating back to antiquity and even further in the past. Thus the city of Trogir was the site of an ancient Greek colony.
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Discovery, Road trip and autotour, Culinary stay / Wine route, Multi-destination stay.
Best months to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre.
How to get there?
You can get there by Plane, Boat, Car.
SVETA ANA TRAVEL AGENCY
From 1958€ à 2673€ / person
Travel suitable for :
Detail of the stay : Living Croatia - 15 days
Arrival at Zagreb airport - overnight in Zagreb
Steps: Zagreb
Arrival at Zagreb airport.
Collection of the vehicle of the chosen category for a 9-day rental (see "rental conditions").
Drive to Škarićevo. Duration of the trip: 45 min.
Check-in at the Vuglec Breg 3* pansion. Accommodation in a double room.
Located in the peaceful village of Škarićevo, the Vuglec Breg guesthouse offers rooms in 4 traditional northern Croatian houses. You will discover the valleys of the Zagorje wine country, the region north of Zagreb, with beautiful views. You are close to the castle of Veliki Tabor, the baths of Tuhelj and the ethnographic village Kumrovec. Some rooms have their own private whirlpool. The restaurant is classified as agritourism and serves regional specialties and wine from the owner's vineyard.
Free lunch and dinner
Croatia's capital Zagreb - overnight in Bale
Steps: Zagreb
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Zagreb. Duration of the trip: 30 min.
Free discovery of Zagreb
Zagreb was a crossroads of trade routes between the continent and the sea as well as a gateway from Central Europe to the Balkans. Its fair was famous in the Middle Ages. It was for a long time the most eastern Catholic bishopric in Europe, hence the originality of its fortified cathedral. The history of the city is marked by the opposition between the Kaptol hill, ecclesiastical seat, and the Grič hill, center of secular power, which grew with the city to become the capital of Croatia. Zagreb is a green city with many parks animated by numerous street events throughout the year. It was also an important artistic center and we recommend you to visit its museum of typical Croatian naive art.
Return and overnight stay at the pension Vuglec Breg
Free lunch and dinner
Day 3: Rovinj - overnight in Bale
Steps: Rovinj
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Rovinj. Duration of the trip: 3h15
Free discovery of Rovinj
Rovinj is a city that originally developed on a peninsula dominated by the church dedicated to its patron saint Saint Euphemia. According to legend, her tomb appeared on the beach and despite all efforts, nothing could move it. Only a shepherd's boy managed to push the tomb to the top of the peninsula. Its narrow streets are full of life with artists' and craftsmen's stalls. Its architecture is marked by the Venetian heritage mixed with Croatian charm. Its market is one of the liveliest in Istria. A city full of colors and surprises.
Check-in at the hotel Villa Valdibora 4*. Accommodation in a double room.
Villa Valdibora is a beautiful 4 star boutique hotel located in the heart of the old town of Rovinj. The hotel is located in a traditional stone building dating back to the 17th century. Its furnishings are a successful blend of old-world richness and modern comfort. It has a spa area with a sauna and a whirlpool as well as a fitness room. You will be able to fully experience the wonderful city of Rovinj.
Free lunch and dinner
Day 4: Pula and Brijuni National Park - overnight in Bale
Steps: Pula
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Pula. Duration of the journey: 30 min
Free discovery of Pula.
Pula is an ancient Roman city. Its amphitheater of the 1st century AD is one of the best preserved in the world and is still used for concerts and theatrical performances. It contains a museum presenting the Roman heritage. The city center is nearby and also illustrates this ancient past. One of the entrances is an ancient triumphal arch and the main square was the forum with the temple of Augustus, now a museum. It is also possible to visit the 17th century Austrian fort in the upper part of the city. The city of Pula has many restaurants and cafes and is very lively like any other coastal city in Istria.
Return and overnight stay at Villa Valdibora in Rovinj. Free lunch and dinner
Poreč and presentation of truffle picking with tasting at a truffle family's home in an Istrian hilltop village - overnight in Fužine
Steps: Poreč
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Poreč.
Duration of the trip: 30 min.
Free discovery of Poreč
Poreč is a picturesque coastal town with a history dating back to Roman antiquity. It also presents one of the most beautiful examples of pre-Christian architecture from the 3rd century AD with magnificent mosaics: the complex of the Basilica of Bishop Euphrasius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Road to the village Paladini.
Duration of the trip: 1h15.
Excursion to discover and taste truffles.
Meet in the charming village Paladini on the heights of the canyon of the Mirna river in the municipality of Buzet, not far from the village Motovun, in the heart of the world of Istrian truffles. Black and white truffles are among its most famous products. In fact, the largest white truffle in the world was found in the Motovun forest. The producer Karlić welcomes you to his estate with beautiful views of the area. A licensed truffle picker, who speaks English, will give you a presentation, after which you will walk through the forest with a dog trained to find truffles, as a demonstration.
Drive to Fužine. 1h30
Check-in at the hotel Bitoraj 4*. Accommodation in double room.
Free lunch and dinner
The Gorski Kotar massif and wild bear watching in the wild - overnight in Fužine
Breakfast at the hotel.
Discovery of the Bajer lake or the surroundings of Fužine
Fužine is a typical village of the Gorski Kotar mountain range, which is located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Bajer. Tourism has been developing here since the 19th century thanks to its particular microclimate, where sea and mountain conditions meet, ideal for sportsmen's training. Most of the Croatian champions come here regularly to stay.
Road to the village Tršće. Duration of the trip: 1 hour
Wild bear watching excursion
Meeting point in the village Tršće, at the pension of Mirjana Jurkovic. Jeep ride through the wild forest of about 30 minutes. The provider is a nature lover and wild bears he wants to protect. He gives them treats, without feeding them, and has accustomed them to frequent his grounds. He talks with them. He has built observatories with a chimney to divert odors and offer observers total protection without disturbing the animals (mirrored windows...). He is equipped with microphones, cameras... A professional equipment.
Return to the hotel Bitoraj in Fužine. Free lunch and dinner
Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO) - overnight in Jezerce
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Plitvice Lakes.
Duration of the trip: 2h30
(Entrance to the national park not included. We will give you the indications to book by internet in the route file).
Free visit of the national park with the upper travertine waterfalls, the electric boat on the large central lake Kozjak and the lower canyon with the large waterfall and the tire train.
Distance: 8 km. Actual walking time: 3 hours - Hiking time with breaks: 5 hours - Level of difficulty: 2/5
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in the Lika region, the mountains of Croatia. This natural phenomenon classified by UNESCO is composed of 16 lakes with crystal clear waters that flow into each other through magnificent waterfalls. A paradise of nature.
Road to Jezerce. Duration of the trip: 15 min.
Installation in the Ethnohouse 3* / 4* pension. Accommodation in double room.
Etnohouse Plitvice is a complex of traditional houses of 3 and 4 star category, built entirely with local materials, especially river travertine, which is now protected. It is one of the only structures in the national park that has a swimming pool, as it was built before the protection of the park. T
Free lunch and dinner
Zadar (UNESCO) - overnight in Šibenik
Steps: Zadar
Breakfast at the pension.
Road to Zadar. Duration of the trip: 2h30
Free discovery of Zadar
Zadar has an ancient heritage dating back to antiquity and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main square is a Roman forum with the complex built by St. Donatus in the 9th century with a church modeled after that of Aachen illustrating the close political ties with Charlemagne. The Benedictine nuns of Zadar have preserved an important collection of gold and silverware called Gold and Silver. Zadar is a dynamic city that has created modern monuments such as its organ built into the quay on which the sea and the winds "play" a mystical organic melody.
Road to Brodarica. Duration of the trip: 1h15
Check-in at the Zlatna Ribica 3* Pansion. Accommodation in a double room.
The family pension Zlatna Ribica consists of three houses of 3 star category. The pension has a restaurant that is well known in the region and is located directly on the sea in front of the island of Krapanj, known for its sponge fishing. A regular boat service leaves near the pension for Krapanj if you wish to discover this small island by yourself.
Free lunch and dinner
Šibenik (UNESCO) and Trogir (UNESCO) - overnight at Kaštel Lukšić
Breakfast at the pension
Free discovery of Šibenik
Šibenik is a picturesque Dalmatian village founded by the Croats unlike other Dalmatian cities of ancient origin. A royal city with many fortresses, it is famous for its St. James Cathedral, an unparalleled feat of architecture that has earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue for a 15 min. drive to the Rak winegrowers' house in the small village Dubrava in the hinterland of Šibenik.
Family atmosphere and authentic.
The principle is that veal and lamb with potatoes flavored with herbs are arranged on a dish placed on a bed of coals. The cooking time is about 3 hours.
A unique dish..
Road to Trogir. Duration of the trip: 1 hour
Free discovery of Trogir.
Trogir is located on a small island very close to the continent to which it is connected by a bridge. Another bridge allows you to get from Trogir to the neighboring island of Čiovo!
Road to Split. Duration of the trip: 30 min.
Return of the vehicle to the old town of Split.
Check-in at the hotel Slavija 3*. Accommodation in a double room.
The hotel is a 3 star hotel.
Lunch and dinner on your own.
Split (UNESCO) - overnight at Kaštel Lukšić
Breakfast at the hotel
Free discovery of Split.
Split is an original monument in that it is alive. The original Roman palace has been continuously transformed throughout history, each era leaving its mark to give this magma of architectural styles in constant turmoil, today the center of the second largest city in Croatia and the second port of the country. Its cathedral is the oldest in the world and a beautiful illustration of the spirit of Split because it was the mausoleum of the greatest persecutor of Christians, the emperor Diocletian. The paradoxical state of preservation of the Emperor Diocletian's palace has earned it its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will discover an extraordinary monument!
Return and overnight stay at the Slavija hotel in Split.
Lunch and dinner on your own.
Marco Polo's native island: Korčula - overnight stay in Dominče
Steps: Korčula
Breakfast at the hotel
Boarding on the motor catamaran in the harbor near the hotel.
9:15-12:05. Transfer by catamaran from Split to Korčula (ticket included).
Reception and transfer with luggage to the hotel Korsal.
You can leave the luggage at the hotel reception before check-in.
Check-in at the hotel Korsal 4*. Accommodation in a double room
Located in a pedestrian area, right on the beach, the hotel is only a 5-10 minute walk from the old town of Korčula where the catamarans dock. It is a charming 4-star boutique hotel in an old stone shipowners' house. An authentic and original setting combining tradition and modern design. The cuisine of the hotel's restaurant is one of the hotel's flagships.
Free visit of Korčula.
Korčula conveys the spirit of the Dalmatian islands marked by the Venetian presence and the influences of the Dubrovnik Republic. Its history is especially marked by the brotherhoods that are still active today. An important seaport in the Middle Ages, it gave birth to the great merchant and traveler Marco Polo.
Return and overnight stay at the Korsal Hotel
Free lunch and dinner
Day 12: Mljet Island National Park, in the footsteps of Ulysses - overnight in Dominče
Steps: Mljet
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Korčula. Driving time: 10 min.
You can walk to Korčula along the seaside promenade from Dominče beach to Korčula. Walking time: 15-20 min.
Transfer by motor catamaran from Korčula to Pomena (Mljet). Duration of the trip: 30 min.
Ticket included.
Free discovery of the national park of the island of Mljet including a visit to the island of St. Mary with its ancient monastery from the 11th century. Actual walking time: 3 hours - Hiking time with breaks: 5 hours - Difficulty: easy 2/10
(entrance fees not included, to be paid on the spot)
Mljet is the island of the Odyssey where Ulysses is said to have stopped ... in the arms of the nymph Calypso, during 7 beautiful years. Pine and oak forests cover its territory, a third of which is part of the national park. Its main originality is two lakes connected to each other and themselves connected by a narrow passage to the sea. On the larger of the lakes there is still an island, so an island within an island!
Transfer by motor catamaran line from Pomena to Korčula. Ticket included.
Return and overnight stay at the Korsal hotel in Korčula.
Free lunch and dinner.
Dubrovnik (UNESCO) - overnight in Dubrovnik
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer by car from the hotel to the catamaran dock.
10:10-12:05. Transfer by fast line motor catamaran from Korčula to Dubrovnik.
(ticket included).
Transfer by private car from Dubrovnik port to the hotel. Duration of the trip: 10 min.
Check-in at the hotel Uvala 4*. Accommodation in double room with sea view.
The hotel has 51 rooms of modern design, 12 of which have a view of the park, 33 of which have a view of the sea and 6 of which are deluxe. It has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a wellness center with fitness room, aromatherapy, massage, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, sauna, solarium and various cosmetic treatments. The hotel is located 10 minutes from the old town of Dubrovnik, by the sea, in the part of Dubrovnik called Uvala Lapad (Lapad Bay), where you can find a multitude of restaurants and cafes along a beautiful promenade with a breathtaking sunset.
You can discover Dubrovnik in the afternoon.
Lunch and dinner are on your own.
The pearl of the Adriatic: Dubrovnik (UNESCO) - overnight in Dubrovnik
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive by bus to Dubrovnik. Duration of the trip: 15 minutes.
Free discovery of Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik was a Mediterranean city-state which knew how to preserve its freedom and avoid conflicts thanks to a skillful diplomacy. the "Pearl of the Adriatic", classified by UNESCO, is the Mecca of tourism in Croatia and will surprise you with its beauty and exceptional culture at the crossroads of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Near East.
From the old town of Dubrovnik, there are the following options:
-swimming on Banja beach, located just at the eastern edges of the old town. It is the most famous beach in Dubrovnik where many celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy, John Malković, Nick Nolte, Roger Moore, the Queen of England have bathed...
-the cable car and St. Sergius Hill with the Imperial Fort of Napoleon, now housing a museum on the war of explosion of Yugoslavia.
-take the liner boat to visit the island of Lokrum, a small jewel of nature, known for its 11th century Benedictine monastery.
-sea kayak tour along the ramparts... or other sports activities (jet ski, parasailing, diving...)
Departure from Dubrovnik airport
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer by private car from Uvala hotel in Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik airport.
Duration of the trip: 30 min.
Departure flight