Gastro Tour Croatia

Arrival in Rovinj. Check in and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Vodnjan where we will visit famous prosciutto production.

ISTRIAN PROSCIUTTO – prominent place among the delicacies Istrian prosciutto owes to, primarily, the strict respect of traditional rules: from pig breeding, through special pork leg processing, till its drying and unique spice combinations, which gives it a distinctive flavour. Within this programme we will visit prosciutto production 'KOD MILANA', one of the largest, most famous and most appreciated prosciutto producers – winner of many golden quality awards.

Proceed to the town Loborika we will visit family business of one of the most famous and decorated cheese producers. You will be able to taste and get familiar with the production process through the presentation and by observing a part of production process – live.

Continue to Pula. The history of Pula starts with the myth of the Argonauts and the search for the Golden Fleece. Various layers of history took part in the making of this unique town in which Roman temples defy baroque palaces, early Christian churches stand face to face to Austrian villas, and the remnants of mediaeval walls are cut through by antique town gates. And then, you will come across the Amphitheatre, revealing itself in all its beauty. This is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, the most significant monument in Pula! Arena, the place where gladiators faced lions, used to be able to entertain 25 000 spectators. This grandiose edifice allows you to get an insight of its glorious history, the one you can see, feel, and experience. It also serves as a host to greatest cultural programs.

Return to Rovinj. Overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure towards Motovun.

MOTOVUN – monument city! Best preserved medieval Istrian fortress that was built on top of a steep 277m high hill, to which the longest Istrian staircase of 1052 steps leads to. According to the legend, Motovun is one of Istrian towns built by the giants, but according to the history it was built by Ilirian or Celt tribes. Motovun forest that spreads miles away along the valley of river Mirna, is the biggest Istrian truffles habitat.

After Motovun city tour proceed to restaurant Zigante where you will experience truffles seeking program. After hopefully successful hunting enjoy in lunch full of truffles!

TRUFFLES – this unattractive underground mushroom, shaped as a potato or a ball of mud, on whose aphrodisiac abilities is often debated, is a true treasure of Istrian region. They can be found beneath soil, on depth from 10 – 30 cm, which means that in nature men can only find them with help of specially trained dogs or pigs. These animals, actually, trace and discover with their smell the exact spot where truffles are located. Two most important types of truffles are white and black truffles. In Istria we can find both kinds, best white ones can be found from September till December, and best black ones can be found from May till November. Good luck!

After breakfast departure towards Poreč. On route stoppage for a visit to one of great Istrian winemakers who will share his story of wine producing and offer you a tasting of his excellent wines.

ISTRIAN WINES – Istrian inland offers plenty of taverns and wine cellars where you can taste the selected sorts of high-quality Istrian wines. Autochthonous Istrian wines are: white wine – Malvasia and red vine – Teran and Refošk, and the most famous dessert wine is Istrian Muscat. Today in Istria we have marked six wine roads with nearly 70 wine cellars.

POREČ – a town located in harbour protected by the sea by the small island St.Nicolas, today represents one of the most significant Istria and Croatian tourist centres. It was developed and created by the Romans 2000 years ago after winning it from first citizens – Histrians. Roman heritage in Poreč is evident even today in the old town centre – the position of two main streets Decumanus and Cardo Maximus represents typical roman castrum preserved in its ancient form. The most important sight in Poreč, on the other hand, has been made by the Byzant – complex of Euphrasy’s Basilica with diocese from 5th century. UNESCO has protected and listed this valuable monument to the World Heritage List in 1997.

After Poreč city tour you will visit Agrolaguna complex for olive oil and cheese tasting.

OLIVE OIL – Olive oil production in Istria is known from the ancient times, which is confirmed by numerous founding of oil tanks – amphoras, and it is assumed that the olive tree was brought in Istria by the Greeks and Phoenicians. Istria grows two types of olives, typical only for that area: 'Buza' and Istrian 'Bjelica'. Due to specific land and climatic conditions, application of modern methods in farming and processing olives, Istrian virgin olive oil is known for its high quality today, just as it was in the ancient times when it was enjoyed by the Roman emperors, that planted their own olive groves here.

In the morning, after breakfast depart to Plitvice Lakes. On your way to Plitvice, stoppage in Gorski Kotar in one of the villages. There you will try local food - specialties such as cured deer or wild boar meat. Gorski Kotar is also known for frog legs, usually fried. It may seem a bit unusual but give it a try!

FROG LEGS - popular in some parts of Croatia, especially in the Gorski kotar region, northwest part of the country. They are considered a specialty in the Lokve municipality, served cooked, fried or in a stew, sometimes with polenta on the side.

Overnight in the hotel at Plitvice.

In the morning, after breakfast, take a tour through the National Park.

Embraced by high wooded mountains, one beneath another lie sixteen beautiful lakes of crystal blue-green water. Connected to each other by a series of foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls, the lakes are fed by many rivers and streams. Plitvice Lakes were declared a National Park in 1949, and since 1979 they have been on UNESCO’s list of World Natural Heritage.

Overnight in Zagreb.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a guided walking tour with tasting local products. The first tasting – štrukli – will be served in a local café.

ŠTRUKLI - a pastry filled with mixture of cheese with eggs, sour cream and salt, covered in clotted cream and baked in oven - traditional Croatian dish served in most households in Zagreb and its surroundings.

The second tasting – cheese and wine – in the nice wine shop and cellar beneath the Gradec Hill. Experienced staff will give you an intro into Croatian wine regions and present three most typical wines. Take a short funicular ride to Upper Town – totally different, enchanting Zagreb and the story returns back to 15th and 16th century. Step by step you will discover all major sights here: St. Catherine's Square with baroque church, St. Mark's Square with House of Parliament, House of Government and St. Mark's Church with its picturesque roof, The Stone Gate – another remaining of strong city walls and the place where you can lit the candle and say the prayer to the Virgin Mary – one of two saints -protectors of Zagreb.

Free time for your own arrangements and lunch. In the afternoon depart to Samobor. SAMOBOR is a town with ancient ruins from the Stone and Iron Age, and even today keeps the charter of King Bela IV which included the town among the medieval, and distinguished "free royal cities." During the tour you will have a chance to taste the most famous pastry in Croatia, Samoborske Kremšnite.

SAMOBORSKA KREMŠNITA - features two layers of puff pastry, filled mainly with cream, and on top of this cream, a thin layer of whipped cream. The top layer of puff pastry is sprinkled with icing sugar.

Return to Zagreb. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Varaždin and Zagorje area.

Visit Trakoščan, a beautiful castle built in the 13th century, one of the most famous in Croatia. After a guided tour through the medieval castle walls, wine matching food lunch will be held in a local restaurant close to Varaždin. Experience rustic examples of culinary arts through simple dishes such as polenta cooked slowly in the hearth for hours, fresh cottage cheese and slow roasted turkey served with ‘mlinci’, specially baked noodle.

Continue to Varaždin, the pearl of Central European Baroque architecture and the ancient Croatian capital. Discover the beautiful sites of the old town fortification and the central part of the town with numerous museums and galleries with valuable art collections.

After Varaždin tour, we will continue to village Hrašćina, region’s leading boutique wine estate. Thanks to the rich wine-growing tradition, today high-quality grapevine verities are grown and high-quality wines are produced in this area. Wine tasting, cellar and vineyard presentations will be organized at one of the most famous wine growing estates.

Return to Zagreb. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart to Osijek. On our way to Osijek stoppage in one of the most developed wine producing zones on the continental area, Kutjevo.

KUTJEVO is globally famous for its wines, and the local agricultural joint stock company Kutjevo d.d. is the largest exporter of wines in Croatia. Take a tour through cellars, have a wine tasting and enjoy wine matching lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch continue to Osijek. Overnight.

In the morning, after breakfast depart to village Karanac and take a cooking class in one of the local households.

You will learn how to prepare a local traditional dish - Fish paprikash.

FISH PAPRIKASH - One of the renowned dishes of Slavonia is fish paprikash, or also known as just fish. Good quality fish from the river, peppers and boiling in a kettle on an open fire is the secret to a good fish paprikash. But an excellent fish paprikash can also be prepared at home. Make sure you serve it with wide noodles.

After the cooking class and lunch depart back to Osijek. In the afternoon you will have sightseeing of Osijek. It is a popular tourist destination for its Baroque style, open spaces and ample recreational opportunities. The most important sights in the city include the main square, Trg Ante Starčevića, Tvrđa the 18th century Baroque citadel and the promenade along the Drava river.

Overnight in Osijek.

In the morning depart to Vukovar, the town of heroes, heavily damaged during the Croatian War for independence. Visit the archaeological site & museum Vučedol, located along the banks of the Danube and Memorial centre of the Croatian War for independence.

Continue to Ilok, the easternmost town in Croatia. Located in the Syrmia region, it lies on a hill overlooking the Danube River, which forms the border with Vojvodina. Ilok is also the centre of the rich wine-growing region. Visit famous Ilok cellars with Principovac country estate where you will have local lunch. After lunch take a tour through the cellars and taste some of the exceptional Ilok wines.

Overnight in Osijek.

After breakfast transfer back to Zagreb. Stop in Đakovo.

ĐAKOVO - The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is the town's most famous landmark and the most important sacral object, not only in Đakovo but also throughout the whole region of Slavonia. The Cathedral was built 1866-1882 under Josip Juraj Strossmayer, then the bishop of the Djakovo and Srijem Catholic diocese. The landscaped park from the 19th century near the bishop's palace is a horticultural monument under special protection as well as the nearby Small Park (Mali Park) dating from the turn of the 19th/20th century.

After the city tour continue to the State Stud Farm in Đakovo. Visit Stallion Station and Ivandvor.

Overnight in Zagreb.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Zagreb airport. Departure.