Small Towns Tour

Ready to-use itinerary

OVERVIEW

  • 14 days private tour
  • 43 towns and places  
  • Discover small towns and hidden gems in Croatia like Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Rovinj, Opatija, Nin, Šibenik, Hvar, Korčula + town of Kotor in Montenegro
  • Enjoy local specialties, meet locals, culture and tradition
  • Arrival airport: Venice  - Departure airport: Dubrovnik

 

Day 1    VENICE AIRPORT - POREČ

Arrival at Venice airport. Transfer to your hotel in Poreč. Use a free time to discover Poreč  - take a walking tour to discover this former Roman colony - enjoy the sights of Romanesque architecture with beautiful Venetian gothic palaces and visit UNESCO World Heritage Site - Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica -a masterpieces of Byzantine sacral art in the Historic Centre of Poreč. Optional: Take a private tour guide and find out all about the old town core and its various monuments and cultural and historical attractions from your professional guide. After the tour, take a romantic dinner in local restaurant and enjoy Istrian cuisine. Overnight at the hotel in Poreč.

 

Day 2    NOVIGRAD – BUJE – MOTOVUN – BUZET – HUM – GRAČIŠĆE - ROVINJ

After the breakfast, explore Istria on private guided Istria tour. On this full-day tour, you will visit small picturesque hilltop towns like Motovun, where you'll have marvelous view on Mirna River valley and Motovun forest, famous by truffles, Buje, Buzet and Gračišće. On this tour you will visit Hum, the smallest city in the world, situated in the center of Istria with up to 20 inhabitants. Hum is a city-monument, one of the rare examples of urban development within city walls. Apart from being famous for being the smallest city in the world, recently Hum became popular for biska, a brandy spiced with mistletoe and made according to an old recipe originating from Hum. Last stop is in beautiful romantic town of Rovinj that for sure will charm you with its colorful buildings and squares, as well as the diverse culinary and entertainment offer. The narrow cobblestone streets will take you to the top of a small hill, where you will find the biggest and most significant monument in town - the church of St. Euphemia. Overnight at the hotel in Rovinj.

 

Day 3    FAŽANA – PULA – LABIN – MOŠĆENICE - LOVRAN - OPATIJA

After the breakfast, leaving Rovinj and traveling to Fažana, an old town that will charm you with its old squares and houses lined next to each other and breathtaking view on Brijuni Islands National Park. Our next stop is 3000 old town of Pula, a place where you will find the Amphitheatre - imposing Arena, the 6th largest in the world, one of the best preserved Roman Amphitheaters in the world, the most significant monument in Pula. Our last stop in Istria region is Labin Old town where  you can find a network of winding cobblestone streets on a hilltop overlooking the Kvarner coast from the fortress, Fortica. Here you can see a a lot of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings and Venetian palaces. Leaving Istria and very soon arriving on Kvarner region where our first stop is small town Mošćenice, at the 173m high hill, built and established at the foundations of the historical settlement of the Liburnians, Illyrian tribe that entire region originated the name from where you can enjoy breathtaking view of the entire Kvarner Bay and learn about its rich history since Mošćenice had its own constitution, dating back to the first half of the 17th century. Next stop is small town Lovran. The name of Lovran derives from Laurel (Laurus nobilis).  Its old name in ancient times was Lauriana, meaning "The town of laurel". Lovran is a town with a long and diverse past, preserving its historical core and medieval city plan. The old city was surrounded by defensive walls and bastions. With its paved streets, stone houses and steps Lovran has the best preserved old core on the whole Adriatic coast. Befoe dinner, arriving in Opatija, a town with longest tradition of tourism in Croatia, surrounded by luxuriant evergreen vegetation and numerous secession buildings from 19th century, where you can have excellent dinner in one of many great restaurants and walk along the illuminated 12-km-long coastal promenade known as the "Lungomare". Overnight at the hotel in Opatija.

 

Day 4    OPATIJA – KASTAV – RIJEKA - ISLAND OF KRK

After the breakfast, you will take a private guided tour of Opatija that will charm you with its public gardens, beaches and fountains and beautiful villas due to rich history as Europe's most important health resorts of the 19th century. In nearby Rijeka, you will visit picturesque Kastav. Enter the old hilltop town of Kastav through Voltica - the town’s gate, refurbished in 1731. Visit the old Kaštel from the 15th century, the Church of the Holy Trinity and Lokvina - main town square at the heart of the town. Next stop is Trsat - a historic fortress on the steep hill 138 m high, rising over the gorge of the Rječina River where you can enjoy in beautiful view on Kvarner bay and Rijeka old town. Driving forward to island of Krk, where our first stop is town of Omišalj, the oldest settlement on the island and the ancient citadel of counts Frankopans, built on a cliff about 85 meters high with a rich cultural and historical heritage and magnificent view of the Kvarner Bay and town Rijeka. Next stop is Vrbnik, unusual hilltop old town situated at on almost 50 meter high cliff on the Island of Krk where you can try different tastes of Kvarner’s original variety Zlahtina. Last stop is a medieval town of Krk, the old medieval town where you can do sightseeing tour and visit many churches, tower and Fankopan’s Castle. Overnight at the hotel in Krk.

 

Day 5    KARLOVAC – SAMOBOR - ZAGREB

After the breakfast, leaving Krk and after more than an hour of driving arriving in Karlovac, an unique town on four rivers. In the Old Town,located on a prehistoric mound above the River Kupa, where you can visit Dubovac Castle, main town square and Mile-stone, a symbol of economic development and starting point of old Josefina road towards Senj, build from 1781 during the reign of Joseph II, the same year when Karlovac was declared a free royal town. Next stop is town of Samobor, a medieval town of Baroque architecture that lies on the eastern slopes of the Samoborsko gorje hills. Don’t leave Samobor without trying a famous kremšnita (a custard slice)! In the afternoon, arriving in Zagreb, the capital. Use a free time to discover Zagreb on your own or together with your private tour guide. You can take a relax walk through a center of a city with a rich history dating from the Roman times. Visit the Cathedral with two high bell towers that have become the symbol of Zagreb and St.Mark’s Church with its picturesque roof featuring Croatian coats of arms, the Stone Gate, the entrance to the Upper Town. Take a ride with Funicular Railway, walk along streets of Lower town, feel the energy of the main square of Ban Josip Jelačić, the heart of the city and a meeting point for all Zagreb citizens. Enjoy in excellent dinner and glass of local wine. In the evening, have a drink in Tkalca Street or Cvjetni Square. Overnight at the hotel in Zagreb.

 

Day 6    VARAŽDIN – RASTOKE – PLITVICE LAKES

In the morning, driving direction Varaždin, city in Northern Croatia also called “Little Vienna” which will charm you with its quaint cafés, unique museums, a majestic medieval castle and one of Europe’s best collections of intact Baroque buildings. After the tour, here you can have a lunch in one of many good local taverns and taste rich and widely appreciated gastronomy, part of the Austro-Hungarian heritage. After lunch, departure direction Plitvice Lakes National Park with a stop in Rastoke, a watermill village situated besides blue-green water of river Slunjčica which pour off in several backwaters, leaving behind small elevations which then form watercourses and waterfalls. Arriving in Plitvice Lakes National Park before dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Plitvice Lakes National Park area.

 

Day 7    PLITVICE LAKES TOUR – NIN – ZADAR

After the breakfast you will enter into the world of green forest and crystal water - famous and one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe, largest in Croatia and UNESCO Site - Plitvice Lakes National Park, arranged in cascades. The 16 lakes that can be seen from the surface are grouped into the 12 Upper Lakes (Gornja jezera) and the 4 Lower Lakes (Donja jezera). The network of paths and bridges permits pleasant and safe walking during the visit and sightseeing is also organized by tourist train and boat rides. You will see many small streams and spill into each other in cascades and thundering waterfalls but as well as the highest waterfall - the Large Waterfall (78m). Every season has its own unique charm and the Plitvice Lakes with their alternating colors and every new awakening, both trapped in ice or in the shade of the trees, will leave you with a very distinct, unique and invaluable impression. Before arriving in Zadar, we can stop in Nin, a small town with a three thousand year old history, founded by the Ilyrian tribe of Liburnians in the 9th century BC and situated on the island. During the Roman rule, Nin was an important municipality and sea port. Nin is also known as the place where the Croatian state was born – the oldest Croatian royal town. Nearby there is a saline over 1500 years old that we can visit with its magical museum and a wine producer located in Zadar’s hinterland respecting the most stringent norms of ecological production, which is why each his bottle bears an ECO certificate. Last stop of the day is Zadar, an ancient three thousand years old city, full of historical and cultural monuments. This will be an opportunity to enjoy the splendid view and sunset, sitting and listening to “The Sea organ”, an experimental musical instrument which plays music by tubes located underneath of large marble steps near the sea where the waves create harmonic sounds. Overnight at the hotel in Zadar.

 

Day 8    SKRADIN – ŠIBENIK – PRIMOŠTEN – ROGOZNICA

In the morning, departure to Skradin, small town situated along the river Krka and one of the oldest Croatian towns that has received its name during the Roman rule – Scardona. On our way to Rogoznica, we will stop at town of Šibenik, where the Cathedral of St James is UNESCO World Heritage Site, built entirely from stone using unique construction techniques for the vaulting and the dome of the Cathedral. After lunch, driving further direction Primošten, medieval Mediteranean fishing town which old part is situated on a small island connected to the mainland by a mound. Walk along the Primosten’s narrow streets in the old town core and beautiful promenade surrounded by old town walls and enjoy in Mediterranean atmosphere. Last stop of the day is small place Rogoznica, a warm and quiet town at the end of North Dalmatia, perfect place to relax after exciting day. Take a relaxed walk to the Lake Dragon’s Eye (Dragon Lake), Rogoznica’s Lake since it is an unique geohydromorphological phenomenon located near marina situated in Rogoznica, which is one of the most beautiful marinas in all of the Mediterranean. Overnight at the hotel in Rogoznica.

 

Day 9    TROGIR – KAŠTELA - SPLIT

In the morning, departure to Trogir, its historical core got its place on UNESCO's list of world heritage sights because of its beauty and cultural value with a feeling of travelling through the time of Grecians, Romans and Venetians. On our way to Split, we can stop in Kaštela, inhabited already in the prehistoric times which is evidenced by archaeological findings in caves as well as churches from different periods and ancient villas. You will hear a legend about Miljenko and Dobrila and here you can see a 1500 years old olive tree called Mastrinka. Try local wine from the autochthonous variety of Kastela called crljenak since it is actually the same variety as the American Zinfandel! Late afternoon arriving in center of town of Split, another UNESCO Sites. Overnight at the hotel in Split. Here you will meet your local guide to take you to private guided sightseeing tour of Split where you will hear all about the Diocletian Palace, an ancient palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD. A walk through the ancient city takes you through time, along the great examples of ancient architecture like Peristyle, the middle aged Romanesque Church and Gothic Palace, Renaissance portals of the noblemen’s houses, Baroque facades and modern architecture superbly merged in the rich heritage. Enjoy excellent dinner with a glass of delicious local wine. Overnight at the hotel in Split.

 

Day 10  HVAR TOUR

This full-day adventure will start in the morning after your boat ride from Split to island of Hvar. On this private tour, you will be pleased to see the “real“ Hvar - pretty villages, azure seas, hillside vineyards, lavender and ancient olive grove fields. Your guide and driver will show you not only famous but as well as hidden places on the island and you will have enough time to explore beautiful town of Hvar, one of the most beautiful harbors in the world with a rich cultural heritage, and other places like Vrboska and Jelsa. Especially interesting will be the story of Faros - today's Stari Grad, began back in 384 BC when the ancient Greeks from the island of Paros sailed into Stari Grad Bay and founded the town. In 2016 Stari Grad celebrates important anniversary - 2400 years of foundation. Stari Grad Plain and the Historic centre of Stari Grad were inscribed on UNESCO List of the World Heritage in 2008. Stari Grad Plain is a natural reserve first colonized by Ionian Greeks in the 4th century BC. You can see the ancient stone walls, trims and small stone shelters as testimony to the ancient geometrical system of land division used by the ancient Greeks that has been remained intact over 24 centuries. On this tour you will have a chance to see all of that plus to enjoy in wine tasting and have a good traditional lunch (“peka”, meat and vegetable backed under the bell) in traditional local tavern. Late afternoon, return to Split by boat. Overnight at the hotel in Split.

 

Day 11  SPLIT – OREBIĆ - KORČULA

In the morning, leaving Split and driving direction Pelješac, a 70 km long peninsula in southern Croatia, with a short stop in two picturesque seaside towns Omiš and Makarska. Introduced by the Greeks and then advanced by the Romans, wine production has a long history in Peljesac and on this tour, while driving on Pelješac, you will have an opportunity to taste excellent local wines in local vineries. On the southern coast of Pelješac peninsula facing the island of Korčula, you will discover the historical small town of Orebić, the cradle of sea captains and sailors, whose rich tradition is kept at the Maritime Museum, situated on the bottom of the Sveti Ilija Mountain. In Orebić, you can have an excellent lunch since in selected taverns serving traditional Mediterranean dishes prepared from fresh hand-picked, low-fat organic ingredients. After lunch, you will take a boat ride to Korčula old town, a medieval walled city on the Island of Koručula, grooved with a succession of narrow streets that branch off the spine of the main street like the fish bone. You can explore the old town, where the architecture is mainly influenced by Venetian Renaissance, by visiting splendid St Mark’s Cathedral built in the Gothic-Renaissance style. Optional: visit Marko Polo Birth House and house tower (loggia) which allows a panoramic vista of Korčula, stretching from east to west. Overnight at the hotel in Korčula.

 

Day 12  STON – NEUM (BH) - DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN

On our way to Dubrovnik  we will stop in Ston, a town famous by its town wall, the longest fortification wall in Europe, oysters but as well as by its medieval architecture since once it was a military fort of the Ragusan Republic (Dubrovnik). After a tour, departure direction Dubrovnik with a short stop in the town of Neum. the only town to be situated along Bosnia and Herzegovina's 20 km (12 mi) of coastline, making it the country's only access to the Adriatic Sea and the region that cuts Croatia into two non-contiguous parts.  Upon arrival in Dubrovnik and after the accommodation in the hotel, you will meet the local guide which will take to private sightseeing of Dubrovnik, another UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1979, also called “The 'Pearl of the Adriatic”. You will hear all about famous Dubrovnik’s history and explore the Old Town’s central street Stradun, the Franciscan Monastery (with one of the oldest pharmacies in the world), the renaissance Rector’s Palace, town walls, Lovrjenac Fortress as well as many picturesque squares and churches of this amazing town. In the evening, enjoy in relaxed walk on the city’s main street, Stradun. You can choose one among many great restaurants to have excellent late lunch in Dubrovnik old town and enjoy the simple richness of the famous South Dalmatian dishes. Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik

 

 

Day 13  CAVTAT – KOTOR (MN)

Our first stop of the day is in Cavtat, a picturesque small town founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, wrapped around pretty harbor and bordered by beaches. Here you can explore Old town, walk along seaside promenade, have a cup of coffee and enjoy in Cavtat and its own charm. Moving forward and after passing the border, entering Montenegro and reaching Bay of Kotor or Boka Bay, a colorful and peaceful place where you can enjoy in its rich history, dating from 229 BC, well preserved monuments of its past and excellent domestic food. You will enjoy the sights of the old town of Kotor, a medieval town surrounded by impressive walls where you can find many cultural and historic monuments like churches, cathedrals, palaces, and museums. Its beauty is complemented with the multitude of narrow streets and beautiful, squares. The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor has been placed under UNESCO protection in 1979. due to its fortified and open cities, settlements, palaces and monastic ensembles, and their harmonious integration to the cultivated terraced landscape on the slopes of high rocky hills. In the late afternoon returning to Dubrovnik. Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik.

 

Day 14  DEPARTURE (DUBROVNIK AIRPORT)

Transfer from your hotel in city center to  Dubrovnik airport. Departure to home-journey.

 

 

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 2.850

starting from:

The price shown is approximate for a private tour based on a group of 4  people. Final price is depending on your specific query, special needs or interests and traveling date.

INCLUDED IN PRICE:
  • Private Car & Driver service for all road transportations including airport transfers
  • Boat ride to Korčula old town
  • Private local licensed English speaking tour guide for sightseeing: Istria tour, Pula, Island Krk, Opatija, Zadar, Trogir, Split, Dubrovnik, Šibenik, Zagreb
  • Entrance tickets: National Park Plitvice Lakes
  • Wine & olive oil tasting in Istria, Island Krk and Pelješac peninsula
  • 24 hour assistance
  • VAT & tourist taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:
  • Accommodation
  • Airline tickets
  • Additional health insurance
  • Meals
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything else not mentioned in the inclusion

 

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