CROATIA WINE & GASTRO TOUR

Zagreb – Croatian Zagorje region – NP Plitvice Lakes - Zadar – Split – Pelješac – Dubrovnik – Kruje

– Tirana – Saranda - Berat

17 days/16 nights

Holidays are all about relaxation and time spent away from home while discovering the beauty of foreign

places. At the end, it all comes to having great unforgettable experience that you can tell stories about. This

tour is all about local experience – get on board and see what is Croatia all about.

Day 1

Arrival to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and more than a

1000 year old City, with its historic charm. Private

transfer to your hotel and check in. After a long trip hotel

amenities will help you to relax and rejuvenate for further

days to come. In the afternoon get ready for “Welcome

dinner” in traditional local restaurant where food is

prepared according to original recipes from 16 century.

The owner is very passionate about food & wine pairing

so you are in good hands to have the best food & wine

experience there is.

Overnight in Zagreb.

Meals: (D)

Activities: /

Day 2

Your day will start with magnificent cup of coffee in the

oldest coffee shop in Zagreb situated on the main square

overlooking the statue of Ban Jelacic. Croatians are very

sensitive about the coffee and coffee drinking in local

coffee shops and it is part of the culture. Morning

sightseeing with a local guide to explore the city. Visit

Museum of broken relationships, a physical and virtual

public space created with the sole purpose of treasuring

and sharing peoples heartbreak stories and symbolic

possessions. It is a museum about you, about us, about the

ways we love and lose.

In early afternoon, departure to the region Croatian

Zagorje, an area of chocolate-box enchantment:

miniature wooded hills are crowned with the castles

they seem designed for, and streams tumble through

lush vineyards. Visit local winery. During the visit

you will get a chance to participate in a traditional

harvest and learn the wine making process. Dinner

and wine tasting with traditional folklore and music

in a winery. After dinner departure back to Zagreb.

Overnight in Zagreb.

Meals: (B) + (D)

Activities:

Walking tour of Zagreb (2H) – Light activity level

Grape Harvest – Medium activity level

Day 3

After breakfast departure to National Park Plitvice Lakes.

The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen

lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in

deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars

and rare bird species. Take a walk with a local guide

through this heaven on earth. Enjoy scenery of beautiful

waterfalls and untouched nature. And don’t forget to

make a wish under the largest waterfall as it is supposedly

making your wishes come true . After visiting NP

Plitvice, we will have a traditional dinner in a local

restaurant – Licka kuca.

Continue to Zadar, city voted to be the best European destination for 2015, - a city monument, surrounded by

historical ramparts, a treasury of the archaeological and monumental riches of ancient and medieval times,

Renaissance and many contemporary architectural achievements such as the first sea organs in the world.

Overnight in Zadar.

Meals: (B) + (D)

Activities:

Walking tour of NP Plitvice Lakes (3,5H) – Light/Medium activity level

Day 4

After breakfast meeting with the local guide

and Zadar sightseeing. While walking with

your guide through the city of Zadar, the

ancient Forum, symbol of the city-church of

St. Donat, St. Anastasia, monuments and

palaces, you will learn all about the rich

history of this beautiful old town. Tour of the

Land Gate and city walls, Square of Five

Wells, People's Square and of course the Sea

Organ and Greeting to the Sun. Walk along

the waterfront with sounds of the sea organ, that are unique in the world, will make your experience complete.

According to Albert Hitchcock Zadar is the city with the most beautiful sunset in the world and you will have

a chance to be a part of it. Enjoy your dinner in one of the restaurants in old city of Zadar.

Overnight in Zadar.

Meals: (B) + (D)

Activities:

Zadar walking tour (1,5H) – light activity

Dinner in Zadar city center

Day 5

After breakfast free time at leisure.

In the afternoon (12pm) embark on a boat and sail around

NP KORNATI. This archipelago consists of 140 islands

covering an area of 114 square miles (300 square km),

with most of it declared a National Park – and with its

natural beauty, numerous coves and crystal clear blue

waters, it’s easy to see why. Enjoy in the beautiful sunset

on your way back to Zadar.

Overnight in Zadar.

Meals: (B) 1 MEAL! (Will stop in one of the restaurant in NP Kornati so you can have lunch/dinner)

Activities:

Sailing around NP Kornati (7h)

Day 6

After breakfast departure to Split, the second largest city

in Croatia and the city that has all: Roman ruins and grand

museums alongside fashionable cafes and trendy shops.

Our journey through ancient history starts with the fact

that the Roman emperor Diocletian was born in nearby

important Illyrian center and the capital of the Roman

province of Dalmatia - Salona. He ordered to build one of

today’s most preserved palaces of that time in the nearby

town Split. With a professional city guide we are

continuing our journey and sightseeing the 1700 year old

Diocletian`s palace in Split, imagining how the life of

Diocletian was like, within the walls of the palace.

During the tour we stop by to see the Cathedral of St Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural wonders on the

Adriatic coast but also the ancient cellars, Peristyle in center of the palace, Roman temples (today Christian

ones), the famous Golden Gate and the big statue of Grgur Ninski. On this walking tour you will get to know

Split and its history in an interesting way. After Split sightseeing lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch embark on a catamaran and sail to island Korcula. Rich in vineyards, olive groves and small

villages, and harboring a glorious old town, the island of Korčula is the sixth-largest Adriatic island, stretching

nearly 47km in length. Dense woods led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina (Black

Korčula). Quiet coves and small sandy beaches dot the steep southern coast while the northern shore is flatter

and more pebbly. Tradition is alive and kicking on Korčula, with age-old religious ceremonies, folk music

and dances still being performed to the delight of an ever-growing influx of tourists. Check in to the hotel.

Overnight in Korcula.

Meals: (B) + (L)

Day 7

After breakfast meeting with the local guide and morning

sightseeing of old town Korcula. The old medieval town

of Korčula is like a miniature museum, surrounded by

walls and towers. The magnificent architecture strongly

attracts each visitor, as well as its residents. The Statute

of the Town of Korčula dates back from 1214, and is one

of the oldest codes in the Slavic world, which shows the

structure of life and a highly developed awareness of the

inhabitants of that time. The highlight of the sightseeing

will be birth house of Marco Polo.

In the evening we are taking you to the famous ranch for a dinner. Food at ranch is homemade, prepared from

fresh good quality ingredients, the atmosphere is tranquil, people are friendly and kind, decor is eye soothing,

and there is an overall relaxing feeling lingering around the place.

This genuine Mediterranean ambient has even enchanted some famous guests, such as Bill Gates or Bernie

Eccelstone. After dinner return back to the hotel.

Overnight in Korcula.

Meals: (B) + (D)

Activities:

Split sightseeing

Day 8

After breakfast departure to Dubrovnik, one

of the world’s most stunning destinations,

both in terms of its cultural heritage and as

a holiday destination. The city has often

been referred to as the "Pearl of the

Adriatic" and was inducted into the

UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 as a

city of rich culture and history. The Old

Town of Dubrovnik is surrounded by 1,970

metres of city walls - over the centuries they

served to protect the city from various

threats and today are the city's greatest

attraction. On your way to Dubrovnik stop

at peninsula Pelješac, famous for the best Croatian wines. Wine tasting in one of the most famous Croatian

wineries. After wine tasting continue to Ston, a medieval little town whose history reaches back as far as the

14th century. It is a small town with the longest stone wall in Europe (5,5 km), with narrow quiet streets, noble

ancient houses and traces of ancient cultures. The bay of Mali Ston is famous all over the world for the quality

of its oysters. Clean seas offer the bay of Ston the ideal conditions for growing high quality oysters. Oyster

tasting in a local oyster farm. After oyster tasting continue to Dubrovnik.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Meals: (B) + Oystertasting + snack + winetasting

Day 9

After breakfast meeting with the local guide and Dubrovnik sightseeing. Local guide will take you to the most

wonderful and hidden streets of the city. Explore Dubrovnik City Walls (UNESCO HERITAGE SITE) and

enjoy a unique view of the Old Town of Dubrovnik including its narrow streets and small squares.

In the afternoon embark on a

boat and explore Elaphiti islands

(optional – not included in the

price). Since the ancient times,

the islands were a place of

comfort, vacation, and delight.

All this due to well preserved

nature, clean and clear sea,

sandy beaches, beautiful pine

forest, olive gardens, numerous

promenades and footpaths.

Those are the scenes that remain

forever in people's memory and landscapes that make the people come back again. Also, you will enjoy tasty

dinner on a boat.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Meals: (B) 1 MEAL!

Activities:

Dubrovnik sightseeing + Dubrovnik City Walls - Medium activity level

Day 10

After breakfast day at leisure. In the evening departure to

traditional Dalmatian restaurant so-called “konoba”

where you will be able to try “peka” - a Baked dish with

meat and vegetables made in a pot or a tray, and the pot

is put into the embers of a fireplace. After dinner

departure back to the hotel.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Meals: (B) + (D)

Day 11

After breakfast

departure to Kotor,

a city steeped in

tradition and

history, with

remarkable scenic

views. A UNESCO

World Heritage site,

the old city was

built between the

12th and 14th

centuries and is

filled with medieval

architecture and historic monuments. Extending over four kilometers, the city walls that have protected Kotor

for centuries lead up to the fortress of Saint Ivan. Meeting with the local guide and Kotor sightseeing. Continue

to Budva, small coastal city of some twenty thousand inhabitants. Sandy beach along Budva of some 20 km

is treated as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Budva’s pearl is most certainly Old Town, more than 2.500

years old, treasury of Montenegrin cultural heritage. Narrow streets covered in stone, fortifications that

surround it, museums, galleries and sacred objects – treasury that each day in year attracts large amount of

visitors. Hotel check in and free time to relax.

Overnight in Budva.

Meals: (B)

Driving: Dubrovnik – Kotor (2,5h) – Budva (40 min.)

Day 12

After breakfast departure to Kruje, Albania.

On the way to Kruje stop to see Lake

Shkodër — also called Lake Scutari, Lake

Shkodër and Lake Shkodra — lies on the

border of Albania and Montenegro, the

largest lake in the Southern Europe. It is

named after the city of Shkodër in northern

Albania. It is a karst lake. Also, we will stop

and see Rozafa castle – it is a castle near the

city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It

rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130 metres

(430 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the

Bojana and Drin rivers. Shkodër is the

capital of the Shkodër County, and is one of

Albania's oldest and most historic towns, as

well as an important cultural and economic centre.

Continue to Kruje and hotel check in and free afternoon.

Overnight in Kruje.

Meals: (B)

Driving: Budva – Kruje (4,5 h)

Day 13

After breakfast departure to the ancient

town of Kruje and visit the ethnographic

Museum. Kruje is a small, ancient and

historic town in Albania. The history of

the town is connected with the name of the

national hero of Albania, Georgi Kastrioti

Skenderbeu, who fought against the

Ottoman invasion. This picturesque town

is situated on the slopes of mount Sari

Saltiki at a height of 560 meters above sea

level, surrounded by mountain peaks. It

offers stunning views of the surroundings.

On the street of the old town of Kruje, leading to the castle, since the times of Skenderbeu, there is "Old

Bazaar". Here you can buy Albanian Souvenirs, beautiful jewellery handmade rugs and embroidery, silver

filigree and copper products, handicrafts made of alabaster, traditional clothes and antiques. After Kruje

sightseeing lunch in the restaurant.

Continue to the capital of Albania – Tirana, ascent by cable car to the mountain Dajti, where you can see all

Tirana from height (1613 m). Tirana has a great location: on one side it borders the mountain Dajti, on another

- coastal plain. Mentions of Tirana as a city date back to 1614, when the Turks, in honour of the victory over

Persia, decided to establish a city here. Tirana was proclaimed the capital only in 1920. After Tirana

sightseeing departure back to Kruje.

Overnight in Kruje.

Meals: (B) + (L)

Activities:

Kruje sightseeing + Tirana sightseeing

Day 14

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive along the panoramic view of Albanian Riviera.

Passing on the way: Durres, Kavaja, Lushnjë, Ardenice, Fier, Vlora, Orikum, Llogara, Himara, Dhermi, Porto

– Palermo, Borsh

On the way to Saranda we will stop in Fier to see the

Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ardenica

or simply Ardenica Monastery. It is an Eastern Orthodox

monastery, distant ten kilometers north of Fier, Albania.

Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos

in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the Siege

of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in

1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the

national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti.

On the way we will also see Appolonia ruins. The

ancient city of Apollonia is situated in southwestern

Albania, about 13 miles from the city of Fier. The

fascinating landscape of the archeological park, which

has been preserved in an exceptionally intact condition,

comprises a successful combination between the beauty

of monuments and nature, attractive through its long

history, in an atmosphere of relaxation and meditation.

Its foundation took place immediately after the

foundation of Epidamnus – Dyrrachium and quickly

became one of the most eminent cities of the Adriatic

basin, which was mentioned more frequently from the other 30 (thirty) cities bearing the same name during

Antiquity. The city lay in the territory of the political communion of the Taulantii and was broadly known as

Apollonia of Illyria.

Continue to Saranda, the "southern gate of Albania", located on the South-West of the country. The history of

the city of Saranda is from the distant past. It was first mentioned in written sources in the II century BC as

Onchesmus. The modern name of the city comes from the name of the monastery from the Byzantine period.

In the Greek language it was called "Agios Saranda", which means "40 Saints". Check in to a hotel and free

time to relax. The highlight of the day is dinner at Likurs castle (the castle was built in 1718 during the times

of Ali Pasha).

Overnight in Saranda.

Meals: (B) + (L) + (D)

Activities:

Appolonia sightseeing, Ardenica monestary sightseeing, dinner in Likurs castle

Driving: Kruje – Saranda (6,5 – 7h)

Day 15

After breakfast check out and departure to Butrint. Ruins

of the ancient city of Butrint is one of the most important

archaeological finds in Albania. According to the legend,

the founders of the ancient city were the Trojans who fled

from the destroyed Troy in search of a new homeland. It

was not earlier than the 8th century BC. In 1992

excavations of Greek and Roman cities were included in

the list of world heritage of UNESCO. After visiting the

Park - moving to the natural spring "Blue Eye". Crystal

clear water in the spring has blue color, hence the name.

Today the spring is in the status of a National Park and it

is under state protection. In 1 second from the spring

comes out 6 cubic meters of cool fresh water.

After inspecting the source - lunch at the restaurant on the banks of the river Bistrica. Departure to the town-

museum of Albania, Gjirokastra. Scientists still have not come to a consensus on the issue when the fortress

was built - 4 or 1 BC. In 2005, UNESCO included Gjirokastra in the list of world heritage sites. After the

Gjirokastra departure to Berat. On the way stop for dinner in the town of Tepelena. The history of the town

Tepelena is closely connected with the name of Ali Pasha of Tepelena, political and military figure of mid-

18th - early 19th centuries. As a result of long political and military efforts he managed to become the de facto

ruler of Albania and some part of Greece, despite the fact that he formally recognized the authority of the

Turkish Sultan. The story of the man attracted the attention of French writer Alexander Duma-father, who

used it in the novel "the Count of Monte Cristo".

We will have a folklore night in Berat. Experience local culture and meet local people. Great time to be part

of the culture in Albania.

Overnight in Berat.

Meals: (B) + (L) + (D)

Activities:

Butrint + Gjirokastra sightseeing

Visit National Park “Blue eye”

Day 16

After breakfast departure to the Fortress of

Berat. It is a fortress built on a 260-meter

cliff and is the world's only fortress on the

territory of which still live people. Here is

the Church of St. Mary, in which there is a

museum of a famous Albanian painter

Onufri. Continue through the old centre of

Berat. The town-museum, included to the

list of UNESCO heritage, is known as the

town of a thousand windows. Peculiar

architecture, presence of balconies and

large windows give the impression that

these houses have no doors, and the houses

are on each other. Lunch will be served in the Castle Park restaurant. Departure back to the hotel and free

afternoon.

Overnight in Berat.

Meals: (B) + (L)

Activities:

Fortress of Berat + Berat sightseeing

Day 17

Departure to Tirana airport and fly out of Albania.