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Experience Croatia
June 8-20, 2021
Explore and experience the beauty and flavors of Croatia. Starting from the southern Dalmatian coast, take in storied coastal towns such as Dubrovnik, Split and Korcula, then wind your way through gorgeous islands, peninsulas clad in vineyards and onto traditional farmhouses & eateries tucked away in Istrian hill towns that time has seemingly forgot. Savor locally sourced, fresh and delicious food & wine pairings on a daily basis. Interact with local families conveying their traditions, history and personal stories. Relax in boutique hotels, handpicked to keep everyone more than comfortable along the way. But this tour is not only for foodies and wine aficionados but also for those who want to best experience this area’s natural beauty, picturesque vistas and gorgeous seaside towns (minus a few annoying cruise ships). Like our tour name implies, this is the way to Experience Croatia.
We have enjoyed our small groups so much that we will continue to keep numbers low and personal attention high. This tour will have a maximum of 12. Book now by emailing info@adventureswithsarah.net
NOTE: This tour will not be led by Sarah. Tour will be led by our American partner Andrew, who you know from our tours in Slovenia, Croatia and Romania.
Day One
Overnight: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Welcome to the Pearl of the Adriatic
Transfer from airport to the ancient walled city on the Adriatic – Dubrovnik. Guided walking tour of the old town, a magical city with a rich and important history. Although heavily touristed, it is much less so when the day trippers from cruise ships leave in mid afternoon. Welcome dinner near the Jesuit Monastery.
Day Two
Overnight: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik at your leisure
All day at your leisure to see Dubrovnik. There are many options to choose from. For those who enjoy Game of Thrones, we can arrange a GOT tour (Dubrovnik stands in for King’s Landing). Unforgettable walk along the city high walls or other sights include the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, Lovrijenac Fortress and Rector’s Palace. If you take the cable car up for great views of the city there is also an excellent photo gallery regarding the 1990’s war in a nearby museum. For nature over culture, escape the crowds with a trip to nearby Lokrum island with an easy ferry ride from the old town harbor.
Day Three
Overnight: Peljesac peninsula, Croatia
Introduction to Dalmatian wines
Depart Dubrovnik and head into the most gorgeous wine region in the country, the Pelješac Peninsula. Meet with local wine making family specializing in the flagship red wine of Dalmatia, Plavac Mali. Tasting of 4 different Plavac Mali (young and aged wines) along with their olive oil. Further along the peninsula we meet an organic wine maker (who is a member of Slow Food), hear what it takes to be certified organic and then enjoy a late lunch at his taverna. Relax in seaside town of Orebic at the end of the peninsula.
Day Four
Overnight: Peljesac peninsula, Croatia
Sights and Wines of Korcula Island
A little morning leisure time before a 5 minute ferry ride gets us to nearby Korcula Island, supposedly the home of one Marco Polo. Walking tour of this medieval walled town along the sea and some tastings of locally made sweets using carob, dried citrus and nuts. Delve into the island’s 2400 year history of viticulture and its flagship white wine, Pošip. Seafood dinner at agriturismo producing another indigenous white wine of the island, Grk (yes, some Croatian words have no vowels).
Day Five
Overnight: Brac Island, Croatia
Hidden local gems of Brac
Morning catamaran to the island of Brac, famous for its stonemasonry traditions, the beautiful Zlatni Rat beach and some wonderful white wines. Hang out with our local guide as you uncover all the little spots around Brac. Visit to stonemasonry village, tastings of olive oil and cheese at a historic mill and stop for some breathtaking views atop Mt. Vidova, the highest peak of all Adriatic island. Dinner of roast lamb and pašticada, a Dalmatian beef stew with gnocchi, at an agriturismo housed in a 16th century Venetian estate tucked away in a tiny village.
Day Six
Overnight: Brac Island, Croatia
Sailing the Adriatic for wine
First half of the day reserved for some sailing. Sail, swim and relax as we head across to Hvar Island. Discover some very rare grapes of Bogdanuša (meaning ‘godsend’), Marastina and Kuc at a winery in the small fishing harbor town dating back to the 15th century. After sailing back to Bol, rest of day to walk along the island’s golden beach, swim or check out the Dominican monastery. Evening tasting of Vugava white wine (a personal favorite of ours) at a quayside winery.
Day Seven
Overnight: Trogir, Croatia
In the steps of Roman Emperor Diocletian
Take the ferry to Split, Croatia’s second largest city and main hub for ferries. It also contains the palace built by Roman Emperor Diocletian in 297 AD as his retirement pad. In fact, the entire city of Split eventually sprang up around this palace. Guided tour of Diocletian’s palace and the old town with leisure time after the tour. Continue on to the smaller but more charming seaside town of Trogir.
Day Eight
Overnight: Trogir, Croatia
Sunset wine and dine with a heavenly view
Walking tour of Trogir in the morning. Full day at leisure to soak in the charms of this cute town. Optional visit to Krka national park with its cascading waterfalls and lush scenery. Dinner and wine tasting at Kairos winery overlooking the Adriatic and numerous island. Introduction to the original Zinfandel/Primitivo known as Crljenak plus a terrific rose served alongside the quintessential Balkans dish of peka, veal, lamb and potatoes slowly cooked under a metal bell (like a Dutch oven).
Day Nine
overnight: Istria, Croatia
No Reservations for this Michelin restaurant/winery
Drive up the Dalmatian coast and stop at the island of Pag, known for its ships cheese. Lunch and wine tasting at a one star Michelin restaurant, perhaps the top gastronomic experience in Croatia, made famous on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations Croatia episode. Continue on up the coast the Istrian peninsula in the northwest corner of the country. Check into our hilltop hotel. A little tasting of grappa (brandy) before delving into Istrian cuisine which is quite different than the Dalmatian kitchen.
Day Ten
overnight: Istria, Croatia
Hill towns and Truffles
Morning to browse the charming hill town of Motovun with glorious views all around. Then we head to the forests with a local and special truffle hunting dogs to sniff out our lunch. Hopefully we will find some truffles but regardless there will be a special truffle-themed lunch. Visit to another nearby hill town that is home to dozens of artists and artisans. Round out the day with some Istrian kobasice (spiced sausages) and bold Teran red wine.
Day Eleven
overnight: Istria, Croatia
Off the grid epic feast and food coma
Totally unique pairings with honey and wine – served as one spoonful together – from a great Istrian winemaker who also keeps his own bees.. Walking tour of the historic Venetian town of Rovinj, Croatia’s most beautiful seaside town. Visit to the Pula arena, the world’s largest Roman arena outside Italy. Prepare for an epic goat cheese feast at the Kumparicka farm, far off the tourist grid. They serve up home cooked stews, soups, seasonal veggies and tasty surprises, not to mention about a dozen types of soft and semi-hard goat cheeses to go with hot-out-of-the-oven bread. Consistently one of our guests’ favorite experiences on any of tours! Food coma on the bus back to our hilltop hotel.
Day Twelve
overnight: Zagreb, Croatia
Craft beers in the capital
Depart Istria and head to Croatia’s underrated capital of Zagreb, a very classic Central European city, Walking tour of both the upper and lower town with an optional visit (via the wonderful local tram system) to the Mirogoj cemetery which is more like a beautifully historic park than cemetery, We left wine country and now will sample of this big city’s more memorable craft beers along with some simple and hearty pub-grub dishes.
Tour Dates: JUNE 8th – 20th, 2021
Price: $4200 (Air not included). Single Supplement is $675. We welcome singles and can try to pair you with another single to room with, but the single supplement will be required if we can’t.
Tour price includes 12 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 12 meals, 9 wine tastings and other sights listed in itinerary, transportation by small bus. For the remainder of 2020, you can reserve a spot on this tour without deposit. A non-refundable deposit of $600 will be due in early 2021.
Tour begins at 3 pm in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Airport, Dubrovnik (DBV).
Tour ends in Zagreb, Croatia. Airport, Zagreb (ZAG). We can arrange transfers for an additional fee.
Book now by emailing info@adventureswithsarah.net
Pre and Post Tour Options
Montenegro’s alluring Bay of Kotor is just 90 minutes from Dubrovnik, so we can arrange a 2-3 day pre-tour of Montenegro.
For those looking for a taste of something a bit more Balkan and eastern, we can arrange a post-tour to Bosnia (Sarajevo and Mostar) as Zagreb and Sarajevo are connected by daily flights.
Please contact us for either option or let us know your travel desires and we can customize your own pre or post tour adventures!