The National Parks of Croatia

Upon arrival in Zagreb, transfer from the airport to the city centre. The sightseeing tour of the capital of Croatia featuring Upper Town and Down Town. The Upper Town is Zagreb’s historical centre which comprises Church of St. Mark with the famed multi-coloured roof, the Parliament building (Sabor), the Stone Gate, Cathedral. Down Town is business and cultural centre of Zagreb with its main square of ban Josip Jelacic, the Croatian National Theatre and University.

After the city tour, head towards the Plitvice Lakes. Overnight at the hotel in Plitvice.

Morning sightseeing of the National Park Plitvice, the most known Croatian National Park which entered in the UNESCO Register of World Natural Heritage in 1979. Sixteen little lakes interconnected with waterfalls created by deposition of travertine, a special kind of limestone, constitute the main attraction of this unique park. The park includes the spring of the Korana River in the area surrounded by dense forests of beech, fir and spruce, partly in the form of primeval virgin forest. Apart from the lakes and forests, the Park is ornamented with several caves, springs, flower meadows, and is inhabited by brown bear, among other animal species.

After the tour, continue towards Opatija. Overnight at the hotel in Opatija.

After breakfast departure towards Pula, the oldest town on the Eastern Adriatic coast. Sightseeing of Pula which includes visit of beautiful Roman amphitheatre - the Arena. Drive to Fažana where embarking on boat to National Park Brijuni. This group of two larger and twelve smaller islets with the total area of only 7 km2 is known for its preserved Mediterranean vegetation, which is partly landscape and partly a safari park. The archipelago is noted for its valuable cultural heritage from the Roman and Byzantine times. Due to its extraordinary beauty, the Brijuni Islands have been, for over a hundred years now, a favourite tourist destination of world statesmen and aristocracy. On the way back to Opatija, visit antique town of Poreč and its complex of sacral buildings erected during the time of Bishop Euphrasies (6th-century AD). One of the reasons why this complex is registered on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage is also the apse of Basilica which with its ornately decorations with figural mosaics is one of the most remarkable examples of mosaic art in Europe.

Overnight in Opatija.

Breakfast and early departure towards Zadar. Arrival round noon. Sightseeing tour of Zadar which includes the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, considered to be the most impressive basilica in Dalmatia, church of saint Donat, the ruins of roman Forum.

Overnight in Zadar.

Full day boat excursion to Kornati islands with welcome drinks and great lunch on board. National Park Kornati is the most indented island group in the Mediterranean. It includes 140 uninhabited islands, islets and reefs with the area of only 70 km2.

After excursion, return to Zadar, free time, overnight in hotel.

Departure for Šibenik and short sightseeing tour of Šibenik, the oldest Croatian and Slavic city on the Adriatic with a famous Cathedral of St. James. Continue to the National Park of Krka River. In limestone it forms a narrow and deep canyon (up to 200 m), flowing over travertine barriers and creating waterfalls. Skradinski Buk (37,5 m) is the most beautiful of all. Continue for Trogir whose historical centre was placed on the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List in 1997.

After the short city tour, proceed to Split. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, a city tour of Split. This “capital“ of Dalmatia is most famous for Diocletian’s Palace which is the most important and best preserved Roman building in Croatia, built between AD 295 and 305. The sightseeing tour of the city includes Diocletian’s Palace (also registered on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage) with Peristyle, Cellers, the Temple of Jupiter and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. Proceed south along Makarska Riviera and Neretva Valley towards Dubrovnik.

Overnight at the hotel.

Full day in Dubrovnik with city tour in the morning. The walls of Dubrovnik girdle a perfectly preserved complex of public and private, sacral and secular buildings representing all periods of the city’s history, beginning with its founding in the 7th century. Particular mention should be made of the city’s main street, Stradun, the Rector’s Palace, the church of St. Vlaho, the Cathedral, three large monasteries, and the City Hall. The Republic of Dubrovnik was the centre of a separate political and territorial entity, and was proud of its culture, achievements in commerce and especially of its freedom, preserved down so many tempestuous centuries.

Afternoon free and overnight at hotel.

Full day boat excursion to National Park of Mljet. Situated on the western part of the island Mljet, the Park is characterized by two deep bays which are called lakes due to their very narrow passages to the open sea (the Great Lake and the Small Lake), and lush and diversified Mediterranean vegetation. Lunch on board included. Upon return from boat excursion, free time for enjoying Dubrovnik by your own.

Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik.

Breakfast and free time till transfer to Dubrovnik airport.