Croatian Wines & Olive oils Discovering Itinerary

Ready to-use itinerary

OVERVIEW

  • 12 days private tour
  • Regions: Istria, Kvarner, Dalmatia
  • Discover must-see places in Istria and Kvarner like Rovinj, Pula, Opatija, and in Dalmatia, like Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar  and many more
  • Wine is a link that connects people enriching them to a new experience. Taste every day various wine varieties – from Istria to south Dalmatia and discover local dishes
  • Designed for true hedonists who enjoy every bite
  • Arrival airport: Venice - Departure airport: Dubrovnik

 

Day 1    VENICE AIRPORT-ROVINJ

Arrival at Zagreb airport. Transfer to your hotel in Rovinj. Use a free time to discover Rovinj  - take a walking tour to discover this beautiful romantic town 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 2    SOUTH ISTRIA: WINE & OLIVE OIL TASTING DAY

In the morning, starting the private guided wine & olive oil tasting Istria tour to discover south Istria and to taste excellent south Istrian wines. Driving through beautiful landscapes of southern Istria and arrive at our first stop – one of the most famous wine hotel, restaurant and winery in Istria where wine is produced from 1865. Our host will prepare for you unique wine and olive oil tasting experience where you will taste one of the best red wines in Croatia as well as the best olive oil in the world - the world champion, an unique olive oil, a triumph of scents and tastes. Our next stop is a wine producer with love, energy and courage in producing fine and elegant wines of a specific character and with a special Mediterranean touch. Taste the flavor of their teran, malvasia. Enjoy the magic of wine in the southernmost Wine station in Istria as well as in exceptional environment. Our next stop is 3000 years old town of Pula 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. Your private guide will show you all the beauties of Pula and tell you interesting stories of its history. Our last stop is very famous olive oil producer from south Istria. Here you can try one of the best olive oils in the world and the most awarded olive oil in Croatia. Overnight at the hotel in Rovinj.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3    NORTH ISTRIA: WINE & OLIVE OIL TASTING DAY

In the morning, starting the private guided wine & olive oil tasting Istria tour to discover north Istria and to taste excellent north Istrian wines. Driving through beautiful landscapes of Istria inland and arrive at our first stop – in Gračišće at wine producer who is only one producing French style burgundy type wines in the Istrian peninsula using the highest quality Istrian grapes. While testing excellent wines and listening to an interesting story of our host you can enjoy amazing view from the hill in old town Gračišće. We continue our trip to central Istria to visit Motovun - picturesque hilltop town with medieval walls situated on a hill above the Mirna River where we will enjoy breathtaking view on famous Motovun forest - habitat of the white truffles. After sightseeing, you will meet local expert in truffles hunting from who you can hear all about this precious subterranean fungus. Here you will have a chance to try excellent olive oil from Istria inland with truffles flavor but as well as  different combination with truffles, together with a glass of local wine. Driving further to our next stop in Momjan where you can see how very famous wine and olive oil producer with centuries old tradition is producing wine. The winery is located at the north-west of the Istrian peninsula, 270 m above the sea level on St. Mauro hill, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, within a delightful landscape where the view extends from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. Meet our host and taste his great wines and learn how the soil at the north-west of the Istrian peninsula is giving the wines their special characteristics. After the tour, traveling to Kvarner region where you can feel an unique mixture of sea air and mountain climate. Accommodation in the hotel in Opatija. You can take a relaxed walk and let Opatija charm you with its public gardens, the illuminated 12-km-long coastal promenade known as the "Lungomare", beaches and fountains and beautiful villas. Enjoy excellent dinner and try famous Kvarner scampi (shrimps), best in the world. Overnight at the hotel in Opatija.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4    OPATIJA – ISLAND OF KRK – NOVI VINODOLSKI - ISLAND OF PAG

In the morning, we continue our wine tasting tour on the island of Krk. Driving along the cost and passing by a mile long Krk bridge we will reach the Island of Krk - the largest island in Croatia where you can see beautiful landscapes of Krk Island.  Our first stop is town of Vrbnik, hilltop old town situated at on almost 50 meter high cliff. There you will try Kvarner’s original variety Zlahtina and meet a wine producer of Vrbnička žlahtina - a quality dry white wine, straw yellow color, a mild bouquet and pleasant characteristic. Enjoy in taste of local prosciutto, sheep cheese and Zlahtina wine and take a relax walk through old town before moving forward to the medieval town of Krk, rich in cultural heritage where you can take a photo from Krk’s city walls and have our lunch - traditional Krk domestic cuisine, like lamb from Krk or homemade pasta called Šurlice. After lunch, we will continue our trip to the hinterland of old town of Novi Vinodolski to the only remaining vineyard of once very rich Vinodol wine region. You will taste not only high quality local wines but as well as superior sparkling wine, gold medalist at the largest wine fair in Croatia. Enjoy peace and amazing view on the picturesque Vinodol’s hills and listen an incredible story of our host.  Before dinner, arriving on island Pag, an island known for Pag Lace - intangible UNESCO heritage of Croatia , Pag sheep cheese, lamb, wine and olive oil. Overnight at the hotel in Novalja.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5    ISLAND PAG-ZADAR

In the morning, departure from hotel to explore island Pag and taste great wine and olive oils since the tradition of making wine and olive oil has been existing for centuries on this island. First stop is Lun, the northernmost place on the island of Pag, a natural reserve of olives - The Olive Gardens, since there are growing about 80 000 centuries-old olive grove, the only one of its kind in the Adriatic Sea region with great botanical value where some trees can be up to 2000 years old. There you can visit an oil refinery, learn about production process and taste local olive oil. Our next stop is famous winery where you will hear the story of the wine cellar and enjoy the white wine made of authentic variety Gegić and many others together with Pag cheeses, anchovies and other local delicacies. Moving forward to northern part the island of Pag where you can try excellent, world famous Pag sheep cheese and learn about process of cheese-making from pastures to its ripening. Last stop on the island is the Old town of Pag, used to be a rich town, fortified by strong walls where exploiting of the salt was the main occupation. After the sightseeing, driving direction Zadar. Since island Pag is connected to a mainland with the bridge, before dinner you will reach Zadar - main city of Northern Dalmatia, a city of exceptional history and rich cultural heritage. After dinner, take a relaxed walk in city center. Don’t miss to enjoy Zadar´s exceptional sunset near world famous as Sea Organ - a unique architectural achievement, architectural wonder built recently in the underwater part of the city's waterfront. Overnight at the hotel in Zadar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6    ZADAR

This day is an opportunity to discover Zadar, an ancient three thousand years old city, full of historical and cultural monuments, and to taste some great wines and olive oils from this region. Enjoy in the splendid view while 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. Take a relaxed walk and enjoy your coffee in one of many coffee bars along Kalelarga. After the sightseeing, discover the vineyards and olive oil producers of Zadar region. In famous wine and olive oil producer enjoy the beautiful nature, atmosphere of picturesque vineyards and olive groves. Test excellent olive oils, top quality awarded red and white wines made by old indigenous varieties from Zadar region like Maraština, Pošip, Plavac, Crljenak. Our next stop is wine producer that has top quality grapes from the stone vineyards dating from 1072. Excellent taste of his wines are the results of a special microclimate, position by the sea and a full day of direct sun exposure. Explore the beautiful landscapes of Zadar’s region, learn about the tradition of wine production and test one of the best Croatian wines and olive oils. Overnight at the hotel in Zadar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 7    SPLIT

In the morning, departure to Split, another UNESCO Sites. Upon arrival, 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. After the tour we will take a short drive to nearby winery that is growing indigenous vine sorts and producing organic wine only from their own grapes. Located on the slopes of the hill Kozjak, here you can have an experience of drinking wine on the open terrace while enjoying the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea, along with Dalmatian islands and cities Split and Trogir. You can taste different types of high-quality organic red and white wines paired with traditional local gourmet meals. After the tour you can take a walk through the vineyard and soak up this beautiful nature that is surrounding them. Our next stop is wine producer located nearby Split with over 100 years of experience & family traditions, a cuvee of Zinfandel and Plavac Mali. The tour will start with the production area and barrel room and you will try an excellent wine from the bottles but as well as directly from fermentation tanks. Enjoy in olive oil produced by the winery together with delicacies to pair with wine and olive oil, like cheeses, smoked ham and homemade bread. Overnight at the hotel in Split.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8    ISLAND HVAR

In the morning, a private boat will take you on the longest Croatian island - island of Hvar, island of wine since 384 BC, to experience spectacular landscapes. You will taste local food, wine and olive oil. Although vines were already grown by the early Illyrians, it is since the arrival of the Greeks from the island of Paros and the establishment of Pharos (Stari Grad) in 384 BC, that wine has become one of the dominant industries of the island. Today, Stari Grad plain and the Historic Centre of Stari Grad are on UNESCO List of the World Heritage. At the heart of the Island of Wine you can find picturesque villages and many vineyards built as terraced steps on the surrounding hills and valleys, where seasonal streams feed the vines. Enjoy in this private wine & olive oil tasting tour where you will visit two wineries and try best selection of wines, including Hvar's indigenous variety Bogdanuša, together with homemade finger food. On this tour you will have a chance to taste the Olive Oil World Championship gold medals awarded extra virgin olive oil from Hvar Island as the blend of several olive varieties that gives this oil a special aroma. Our host owns a modern olive oil refinery and is offering an excellent olive oil tasting experience, demonstrating expertly and clearly the different olive varieties and blends. You will also discover town of Hvar, one of the most beautiful harbors in the world with a rich cultural heritage, seven-century old walls and noble houses and public buildings from Venetian era. Back to Split in late afternoon, overnight at the hotel in Split.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 9      SPLIT - NERETVA VALLEY - DUBROVNIK

In the morning, driving direction Dubrovnik with a stop above amazing Neretva Valley where you’ll have the “wow effect” of a vast plain panorama. It is a delta, a place where the river Neretva is entering the Adriatic sea. Known by many as the “mandarin valley” the Neretva basin’s is rich soil due to years of sediment and a constant supply of a fresh water. The viticulture here has been well known from Ancient times. There are over 40 varieties of vine and Bratkovina is a white autochthonous variety, different from others. Our first stop is famous local producer, winner of many quality awards for his high quality wines where you can taste his aromatic red wines, characterized by high alcohol content, fullness of taste and purple dark red color with blue reflections. After the tasting, optional: stop in nearby Narona, where you can see the remains of an ancient emporium and Roman settlement with rich history. Our next stop is another local producer of wines and olive oils with long tradition. Wines are produced exclusively from grapes from his vineyards, located in the south and southwest slopes which go all the way down to the sea and this unique terroir creates the preconditions for obtaining top quality grapes. Here you will also have an opportunity to taste excellent olive oils, produced on old fashion way, mechanically, with a cold press. Our last stop on the wine and olive oil tasting tour of the day is at local wine producer whose terroir was stripped from the sea not so long ago and it is characterized by a pronounced minerality with marine fossils, bathed in sunshine almost all year round what creates fertile humus, which is very similar to the terroir in Bordeaux or the Rhine valley. Taste their famous Chardonnay and other wines and feel the fullness of taste and excellent, unique flavor. Driving further to our final destination, “The 'Pearl of the Adriatic”- Dubrovnik, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, take a relaxed walk along old town and enjoy in dinner together with a glass of excellent Dalmatian wine. Optional:. Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik.             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 10  DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN & SURROUNDING AREA

In the morning, from your private tour guide 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. After the tour, enjoy in excellent lunch and relaxed walk on the city’s main street, Stradun. In the afternoon, we will continue our wine and olive oil tasting tour In Konavle region, just south of Dubrovnik, where you will visit local producers and taste their wines and olive oils. Konavle area is ideal for growing olives and we will visit a farm with long tradition where the olives are picked by hand and only the best fruits are cold pressed to get extra virgin olive oil. You will discover specific flavor, color and aroma of this awarded olive oil and take a tour around the family house, which parts are 1500 years old, and see exposed Konavle folk costumes and old tools as a part of Konavle traditions. While in Konavle, you must try famous Konavle wine called “Dubrovačka Malvazija” or Malvasia from Dubrovnik . This unique variety whose vines are grown exclusively in Konavle has a great  foundation from the time of the ancient Republic of Dubrovnik. Our next stop is a family farm where in the century-old cellar you will taste traditional wines and olive oil together with homemade ham and cheese but as well as homemade brandy, liqueurs, figs, arancini and almonds. On this tour, you will enjoy in of local white and red wines and olive oils tastings, but as well as untouched picturesque environment.  Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11  PELJEŠAC PENINSULA - KORČULA OLD TOWN

After breakfast, take a day trip to Pelješac, a 70 km long peninsula in southern Croatia, to taste one of the best Croatian wines and olive oils. Introduced by the Greeks and then advanced by the Romans, wine production has a long history in Peljesac and on this tour you will have an opportunity to taste excellent local wines in local vineries. First stop is in Potomje, a small village famous for great red wines. Our host here will be famous wine and olive oil producer with centuries old tradition for wine growing and wine production. In his quite unique wine cellar you will taste some of best wines in Croatia but as well as his excellent extra-virgin olive oil produced by his own olive processing oil refinery. Our next stop is another famous wine producer, one of the most well-known vintners in the world. The vinery is located on the hill above Trstenik, small village in a deep, south facing bay under the tall Pelješac hills. Many awards and prizes that he has won are the evidences of his success. Try excellent wines, categorized as top premium wines, produced from the best local grapes grown ecological, including Plavac Mali that has been recognized as the best red Croatian wine. Our last stop is a winery located in the small coastal town of Orebić and is the first local venue of its kind in Southern Croatia overlooking the beautiful Adriatic Sea and offers breathtaking views of the vineyards on the Pelješac Peninsula. In exceptional ambience, you will try award winning wines and explore the culture and winemaking traditions. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery, an explanation of production process, followed with a wine tasting of premium wines served with local delicacies. After the tour, you can take a boat ride to Korčula old town, a city on the nearby island of Koručula. You can take a walk and explore medieval walled old town narrow streets, where the architecture is mainly influenced by Venetian Renaissance. Here you can visit Marko Polo Birth House and enjoy a panoramic vista of Korčula from its loggia. On our way back to Dubrovnik  we will stop in small village to taste excellent olive oil fresh and fruity aroma, enriched with aromas of green vegetation and awarded with gold medals on the World Olive Tasting in New York. Our last stop is in Ston for short sightseen since it is a town famous by the longest fortification wall in Europe, oysters and medieval architecture. Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 12  DEPARTURE (DUBROVNIK AIRPORT)

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

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Istria and Kvarner region:

  • Wine and olive oil tastings in selected wineries
  • Explore local original varieties
  • Truffles tasting
  • Rovinj, Pula, Motovun, Opatija
  • Roman Amphitheater in Pula

 

Dalmatia region:

  • Wine and olive oil tastings in selected wineries
  • Explore local original varieties
  • Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Pag, Zadar, Ston, Korčula old town, Pelješac peninsula, Neretva Valley
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik,  Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian
  • Ston city walls
  • Marco Polo Birth House in Korčula

 

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, Krk tour, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Pelješac peninsula
  • Truffles tasting in Istria
  • Wine & olive oil tastings in Istria and Dalmatia
  • 24 hour assistance
  • VAT
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:
  • Airline tickets
  • Accommodation
  • Additional health insurance
  • Meals
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything else not mentioned in the inclusion

 

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