Tour Croatia+ trip
The splendid Mediterranean countries Italy and Croatia will enchant visitors who love to share incredible experiences. It is much to see, taste and enjoy while visiting places with no equals. This itinerary introduces you to the jewels of two charming countries that accumulated more than two and a half thousand years of glorious past. With mesmerizing views at every turn, Italy and Croatia are spectacular. Plus, you'll get to see some spectacular destinations of Bosnia & Herzegovina too!
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If Italy and Croatia are on your bucket list, you can't miss this 14-day trip across the two unique Mediterranean countries. Visit romantic Venice, an open-air museum that seems to float on its lagoon, the splendid city of Florence, which developed the art and culture dictums of the Renaissance and Rome, with its endless and incredible antiques and glorious architecture.
A glittering Adriatic coastline, historic cities and dramatic landscapes make Croatia one of the most exciting destinations in Europe. Discover the majestic UNESCO-listed towns of Split and Trogir and the exquisite islands of Hvar, Vis and Korčula, where old traditions are kept to this day. Taste the famous vines in Pelješac and end the trip in majestic Dubrovnik, one of the world's finest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities in the world.
Venice is an island city formed from hundreds of individual islands, dubbed as one of the most romantic cities in the world
Stroll in the gardens of the Borgias and tour the imperial palaces of Emperor Hadrian in Tivoli, near Rome
Sail to the 16th century and discover the history of the magnificent Karaka Replica – the merchant ship of the Dubrovnik Republic
You will visit some of the most beautiful vineyards of the Mediterranean, the home to local winemaker family for over 500 years
You are about to experience a number of diverse destinations in two counties. Here you can learn a few basic interesting facts about them.
Italy
Italy has been, since antiquity, the centre of history, culture and art. The museums, collections and archaeological sites reveal countless tokens of the past. Many civilizations have passed across this country, evidence of which is still indistinguishably woven into the present-day landscape.
Artistic wonders can be found everywhere, and every corner of the country holds many beautiful surprises. Italy's artistic and cultural heritage is one of the most valuable in the world, and Italy has more cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country. The country boasts of breathtakingly beautiful towns, as these numbers demonstrate: 95,000 monumental churches, 40,000 forts and castles, 30,000 historical residences with 4,000 gardens, 36,000 archives and libraries, 20,000 historical cities and towns, 5,600 museums and archaeological sites, and 1,500 convents.
Venice
Venice is dubbed as one of the most romantic cities in the world, and it is easy to see why when you walk through its many narrow cobbled streets and canals. Located in the Venetian lagoon, Venice is an island city formed from hundreds of individual islands, all joined together by a network of canals and bridges. The central Grand Canal is magnificent, and the buildings that line it look stunning. Furthermore, St. Mark's Square is an absolute must-see with the opulent Cathedral, the immense bell tower and the flocks of pigeons. Remember to visit the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs and Doges Palace too.
Florence
Florence is at the top of the list of the most beautiful places in Italy and has so much to offer, from world-famous museums to glorious architecture. It's the city known for the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio and is also home to celebrated museums, historic markets and magnificent gardens.
Florence is known as the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Famous for the immense political and economic power it wielded during the rule of the Medici Dynasty, Florence offered the world a stage for great artistic masters such as Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Florence is the city of art par excellence and a symbol of a historical period in which the aesthetic sense was tailored to the human body.
Rome
Italy's capital Rome, founded in 753BC, known as the cradle of Western civilization, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where the Roman-era monuments blend harmoniously with the wonders of the Renaissance. This remarkable city accumulated more than two and a half thousand years of endless and incredible antiques, various sights, historic buildings, outstanding galleries of art, churches filled with paintings and frescoes by Italian artists, decorated public parks and beautiful fountains.
Croatia
With approximately 1,200 islands, azure waters and colourful villages rich in history, Croatia is drawing more and more travellers to its shores. Croatia is the Mediterranean's fastest-growing destination, luring travellers with its pristine national parks, adventure sports and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The mere mention of Croatia conjures up images of colourful landscapes, sparkling waters and fortified towns furnished with quaint outdoor cafés. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans, Croatia has it all, from beautifully preserved medieval cities to stunning natural wonders.
Split
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city on the Adriatic coast. The historic centre of Split, built entirely from white stone, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Facing the harbour is the Diocletian's Palace, one of the most valuable surviving buildings of the Roman era on the Adriatic coast. The Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered this to be built as a residence for his retirement 2000 years ago. Today, it is a city within a city with a labyrinth of narrow streets packed with people, bars, shops, cafes and restaurants located within the old buildings. The centre of the complex is the main square called the Peristil. In the palace, you can see the antiques, which include three 3500-year-old sphinxes brought to Split from Egypt for the Emperor.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is known as one of the world's finest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities in the world. The neatly contained Dubrovnik centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, results from meticulous reconstruction after the earthquake of 1667. But its allure also lies in the fact that it is a lived-in city, vibrant and bustling with locals whose homes line the narrow streets and sunlit squares.
Dubrovnik Old Town weaves the story of its history and its present into the sumptuous fabric of fine architecture and magnificent city walls. Starting from Pile square on the eastern side of Dubrovnik Old Town, walk through the maze of narrow streets, lively piazzas, and stunning palaces like Sponza and churches like St. Blaise.
Upon arrival at Venice airport, private transfer to Venice hotel and check-in. Time at leisure to explore the magnificent city on your own. You can take a walk crossing its characteristic calle or vias, its campi and campitelli (piazzas and little piazzas) and its magnificent bridges. Take a break at the marvellous Caffè Florian on Saint Mark's Square, the oldest cafe in Italy, which opened in 1720. Among the illustrious clientele that sat at Florian's tables throughout the centuries, Giacomo Casanova, Lord Byron, Ugo Foscolo and Gabriele D'Annunzio must be mentioned.
Overnight in Venice.
After breakfast, you can enjoy a 3-hour private walking tour of Venice with an English-speaking guide. Discover the major highlights of Venice by walking through the Square of St Mark and visiting celebrated monuments like the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful architecture of the Doge's Palace and the Renaissance Marciana Library.
You will then visit the Golden Basilica of St. Mark to admire some of its most precious treasuries: about 90,000 square feet of golden mosaics, the famous 4 bronze horses and the astonishing Golden Screen, decorated with 1,927 precious gems.
Time at leisure.
End the day with a private Venice gondola 30-minute ride after the sun goes down, one of the most magical experiences to do in Venice. In his classic blue and white outfit, a charming gondolier will host you along the canals. Chill on the typical red velvet armchairs ornate with golden tapestries. Float gently along at the relaxed pace of the gondola, and take in the sights and sounds of Venice surrounding you. You can observe local life through the windows of the buildings overlooking the smaller canals. All of this will be magical.
Overnight in Venice.
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer from the hotel to the train station in Venice for the morning departure by high-speed train to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, a private transfer from the train station to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel.
Enjoy a private half-day city tour of Florence in the afternoon with an English-speaking guide.
The beating heart of Florence is Piazza del Duomo, with its monumental complex of the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. It is surmounted by Brunelleschi's majestic dome Piazza della Signoria, one of the city's most symbolic monuments. It hosts the 13th-Century Loggia dei Lanzi, the Fountain of Neptune.
Time at leisure after the tour.
In the evening, we recommend dinner (at your own) at Ristorante Santa Elisabetta for fine dining, Alle Murate for exquisite seafood and for the best pizza in town, head to Gustarium or 3dddì Pizzeria.
Overnight in Florence.
Breakfast at the hotel. Your private English-speaking driver/guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you on the lovely, romantic trip from Florence to Siena to get the most out of Tuscany. The area of Siena and San Gimignano, as well as the entire Chianti territory, has maintained an ancestral atmosphere that calls to mind the splendors of the past.
The day trip will start with Monteriggioni, a perfectly preserved medieval castle known worldwide for its countryside of unrivalled charm, where woods alternate with vineyards and olive groves in a landscape dotted with churches, farmhouses and villas.
Next on your itinerary is Siena and its attractions. You will be enchanted by the splendid Cathedral built in a Romanesque/Gothic style and by the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall). This palace is situated in the picturesque Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio takes place every year.
Free time for lunch (on your own) and for some shopping.
Continue to the UNESCO-protected city of San Gimignano. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form "an unforgettable skyline".
Return to Florence, spend the overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Private transfer from the hotel to the train station for the morning departure by high-speed train to Rome. Private transfer from the train station to hotel in Rome. Check-in at the hotel.
Enjoy the Ancient Rome guided tour to visit some of the world-famous symbols of Imperial Rome. Visit the Colosseum, one of the most remarkable monuments, where 2,000 years of history brings you back to the Roman Empire period.
Roman Forum invites you to stroll on the main street, Via Sacra, where you will admire some famous buildings: Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Arch of Titus, Arch of Septimius Severus, Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, The Curia, Column of Phocas.
Palatine Hill is the most central of the seven hills of Rome and is considered one of the city's oldest parts. You can admire Domus Flavia, the House of Livia, the House of Augustus, the Farnese Gardens, the Hippodrome of Domitian, and Palatine Museum Hill.
The afternoon allows you to explore on your own and relax. You can admire some of the most beautiful and famous monuments: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Square, the impressive St. Peter's Basilica, Castel Sant'Angelo and Via della Conciliazione.
Enjoy dinner in the local trattoria in an authentic medieval 16th-century building in the charming Trastevere district.
Overnight in Rome.
After breakfast, transfer to Tivoli by private car to enjoy a full-day guided visit to one of the most beautiful villas near Rome.
Situated in Tivoli, near Rome, Villa D'Estea, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, is a gem of architectural and landscape splendour. Explore the villa's grounds, an enchanting site of the late Italian Renaissance.
Marvel at the luxury of Hadrian's Villa, built in the 2nd century by Emperor Hadrian, once more significant than the centre of Imperial Rome, the largest and most luxurious residence ever built in Italy featuring an impressive array of imperial palaces, temples, theatres, thermal baths, and pools.
Free time for your own lunch and leisure before returning to Rome.
Overnight in Rome.
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Private transfer from the hotel to Rome airport. Upon arrival, a private transfer from the airport in Dubrovnik to your hotel and check-in.
If you have time to spare, take a walk (on your own or we can arrange a tour leader for you) along the 2 km long Dubrovnik's city walls and enjoy the views of the fortresses, lively squares, and the hidden narrow streets below.
Come early evening, you can get stunning panoramic views over the city and the Adriatic by taking the cable car up to Srđ Mountain (on your own).
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Breakfast at the hotel will be followed by a private walking tour. Your guide will highlight all the essential sights of Dubrovnik Old Town and its rich historical heritage. From Pile square on the eastern side of Dubrovnik Old Town, walk through the maze of narrow streets, lively piazzas, and stunning palaces like Sponza and churches like St. Blaise.
Enjoy the moderate tempo of your walk as you stroll down the main thoroughfare of Stradun, all the way to the Cathedral and the Rector's Palace, where you will discover a delicate synergy between governance and faith which kept Dubrovnik afloat as the independent Republic of Ragusa for 450 years.
After the tour, sample the local cuisine (on your own). Taste traditional dishes such as pašticada with gnocchi, cheese in oil, and the traditional dessert of Dubrovnik - "rožata".
You can spend the bulk of your time (on your own) exploring the adjacent small island and nature reserve of Lokrum (a 15-minute boat drive from the city Port). Walk around the pine trees, cypress forested areas, and Monastery ruins.
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Gruž Port on board the Karaka ship. Sail to the 16th century and discover the history of the magnificent Karaka Replica – the merchant ship of the Dubrovnik Republic. Explore the white-stoned picturesque towns of the Elaphite islands, surrounded by lush green pine trees and the clear blue Adriatic sea. The first stop is Kolocep, followed by the Šipan island and Sudurad. It is where the Skocibuha family mansion from the 16th century is situated.
Your last stop is the island of Lopud, known for its long maritime tradition and being home to many famous captains and sailors. Enjoy walking along Lopud bay to the Franciscan Monastery and Gjorgic – Mayneri park from the 19th century. You can spend the rest of the time sunbathing and swimming on one of the sandy beaches. Return to Gruž Port in Dubrovnik.
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Breakfast at the hotel. Your private guide will pick you up at the hotel at 8.00 am. You will start with a coast ride to Neum (a short coffee break possible) and across the border directly to Kravice Natural Park. There is a dense forest that hides a treasure: a magnificent Kravice waterfall on the Trebižat river. The waterfall is also called the little Niagara. Cool breeze, clear pools that stream around the waterfall, calmness. Green everywhere, so that you can almost feel the Earth breathe. You will have some free time (approx. 2 hours) to explore the park or rest with a glass of wine or beer, enjoying the view.
Then continue to the fortress town of Počitelj to have a quick peek at its cultural legacy. Počitelj is a warren-like, stone-built and fortified village with its origins in the late 14th century. Over the following centuries, it expanded under Turkish occupation and is now UNESCO World Heritage listed for its enchanting combination of medieval and Ottoman architecture
Afterwards, it is time for Mostar and the private walking tour of the city. Known as one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Mostar combines influences from Christian Europe and Muslim Middle East. The city's star is the UNESCO-protected Old Bridge, built in the 16th century. The Ottoman-style Old Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, connecting the city's two sides. It serves as a symbol of reconciliation and harmony between diverse communities.
Wander the cobblestone streets of the bazaar and experience the city's multi-cultural and multi-faith vibe on almost every corner. Admire the slender minarets of the Middle Mosque and the ornate wooden balconies of the everyday houses.
You will have some time at leisure before returning to Dubrovnik.
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Check-out after breakfast. Leave Dubrovnik with your private driver. Sit back and relax as you travel, admiring the gorgeous scenery along the coast to central Dalmatia and the city of Split. En route, you'll stop at the edge of the Pelješac peninsula to spend some time in Ston.
You can climb the Walls of Ston (self-guided), the longest preserved fortification system in the world after the Great Wall of China, built in the 14th and 15th centuries by Dubrovnik and Ston citizens to protect the city of Ston, which was part of the Republic of Ragusa.
A short drive from Ston, you will visit some of the most beautiful vineyards of the Mediterranean, the home where the local winemaker family has lived and made wine in for over 500 years. The winery is specialized in producing high-quality wines from Plavac, the awarded extra virgin olive oil and herbal tea. You will visit the old and new parts of the cellar with the presentation of the production philosophy and the peculiarities of the wines.
The tour's highlight will be a drive through 15 hectares of organic vineyards by special off-road vehicles on the steep, manually farmed terraced land on the Pelješac Peninsula. Find out where and how some of the best Mediterranean wines are created.
Afterwards, enjoy guided premium wine tasting of five wines and awarded extra virgin olive with cheese snacks (cow milk cheese, sheep milk cheese, bread).
The drive from Ston to Split will continue crossing the largest-ever construction project in Croatian history, a 2,404-metre Pelješac Bridge, which opened in July 2022. The impressive, elegant bridge spanning the channel has undoubtedly become an attraction, offering a view of the Adriatic sea's glorious nature and turquoise waters.
Upon arrival in Split, check into your hotel. Time at leisure.
In the evening, take a stroll along Split's seafront Riva where the locals come too, making for great people-watching. Enjoy what Croatians refer to as fjaka, the art of doing nothing. It's the state of mind where all worries dissipate, time stops, and you can enjoy being immersed in the moment.
Overnight in Split.
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, meet your guide in the hotel and let yourself enjoy in vivacious streets of Split, soaking up its vibrant energy. Take a walk through 1700 years of lively history by visiting Diocletian's palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the heart of the old town. You will also visit old Roman cellars and Peristyle, the central square of the palace, located at the intersection of two main ancient roads. Peristyle is dominated by the great Cathedral of St. Domnius, positioned in the area once belonging to Diocletian's mausoleum.
The rest of the day at leisure. Split offers something for everyone, from outdoor adventure to fascinating museums, art galleries, wine bars and world-class restaurants. If you want to enjoy a lively crowd, mingling with the locals, head to Bacvice Beach, the only sandy stretch in the city.
If you prefer hiking, Marjan Hill is easy to reach from the centre of Split on foot. It offers jaw-dropping views over the city and the harbour, and hiking scenic trails will bring you to cave dwellings once inhabited by Christian hermits. There's also a restaurant at the summit, Vidilica, where you can enjoy a magnificent sunset and city view, drinks, and a tasty meal.
Overnight in Split.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Come aboard the Blue Cave tour and bounce from one island to the next, embracing only each destination's best. Explore the mesmerizing Blue Cave on Biševo island before roaming around the Monk Seal Cave and swimming in the award-winning Stiniva Bay.
Biševo island is the most distant island from Split on this trip. Since the Blue Cave tour starts early in the morning, you will enjoy the panorama of the islands near Split before the sun rises on the horizon. Explore one of Croatia's remarkable natural masterpieces – the Blue Cave on Biševo island, where the sun's rays reflect off the water and white seabed to cover the cave's interior with a vivid shade of blue.
Witness this bright blue phenomenon up - close before heading towards the Monk Seal Cave, named after the Mediterranean Monk seal, which is known as one of the most endangered mammals in the world.
Before you know it, you'll be soaking up the sun at Stiniva Bay on the island of Vis, a 600-meter-long pebble beach enclosed by vertical cliffs. Then you will cruise Pakleni islands, a set of 14 flawless islets which provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the peace, tranquillity and unprecedented clear blue sea.
You'll end the tour embracing the glitz and glamour of Hvar town, located on Croatia's sunniest island of the same name. You can hike to the top of the Fortica fortress, a symbol that sits high above the town or embrace the history in the centre of the city, which boasts the Arsenal, home to one of the first public theatres in Europe.
Circle through the maze of narrow streets to find art galleries, locally-made handicrafts, and colourful jewellery shops or park yourself at a cafe with a view of a Venetian palace in front of you.
Return to Split and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. At the appropriate time, you will be met by your private driver at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.
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