Croatia Private Journey no. 02 - Classic Croatia

Excursion to Hrvatsko Zagorje with local guide (duration approx. 5 hours).
Drive from Zagorje to Trakoscan castle, most visited and best preserved castle in the country. Built in the 14th century as a small fortress, the castle has been rebuilt and renovated several times until the 19th century. Proceed towards Kumrovec - the unique ethno-village of Kumrovec is a reminiscent of the ancient way of life in this whole region. Visitors can see old houses and barns displaying the old crafts and the way of life almost forgotten. Entering the village, it feels like stepping into history. Part of the village is also the birthplace of Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslavian president, one of the leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement. Although the houses are part of the museum, surrounding residents give the home village the vibrancy and a sense of the past in the present. Continue to Samobor, a small town, nowadays attracting many day-trippers keen to explore the woods above the town or sample the local delicacy "samoborska kremšnita" (custard cream cake). Return to Zagreb.

Afternoon at leisure.

Drive from Zagreb to Rastoke (duration approx. 2 hours).
Visit of Rastoke (duration approx. 1 hour) – entrance fee included. Rastoke is a watermill village situated where the blue-green water of river Slunjčica flows into the Korana river. Most of the houses were built at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Because of its
extraordinary natural beauties and historical tradition, in 1962 Rastoke village fell under the protection of the State Directorate for cultural and historical heritage. Many ancient civilizations, as well as contemporary urban environments witness that the water has always attracted people to come to its banks and settle there.

Visit of Plitvice National Park with local guide (duration approx. 2 hours).
Plitvice National Park is one of the most beautiful and best preserved national parks in the country. This is why the entire lakes and surrounding area were declared a national park in 1949 and are listed on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites because of its exceptional beauty. It is a valley situated between high forested mountains in which lie, one below another, a string of sixteen beautiful lakes of crystal blue and green waters. Fed by small streams and brooks, they spill into each other in 92 foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls. The Plitvice lakes' scenery will simply delight you regardless whether you are walking the paths and wooden bridges, taking a boat ride or just taking photographs.

Free time for lunch on own.

Journey continues from Plitvice to Zadar (duration approx. 2 hours)

Zadar sightseeing tour with local guide (duration approx. 1.5 hours).
The Zadar peninsula still preserves very old network of narrow and charming city streets, as well as a Roman forum dating back to the first century AD. The pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donat dates back to the ninth century, and it is certainly Zadar's most famous spot. The town is fortified with medieval walls, distinguished for their pretty and impressive ports – entries in the city all dating back to the sixteenth century. Even Alfred Hitchcock was impressed and supposedly said that the sunset here is more beautiful than in California. Countless buildings and monuments attest to the rich intellectual and cultural heritage of the city. At the end of the Western Quay is Zadar's newest feature, the Sea Organ. This unusual organ is powered by the wind and the sea. When the sea pushes air through the whistles, a series of melancholy chords are played, with the sound emerging through the perforated stone stairs. Next to the Sea Organ is the Sun Salutation also designed by Nikola Basic. This circle of glass collects the sun's rays by day, stores the energy, and emits it as a flickering light show after dark. Extra energy is used to power the lights along the waterfront.

Free time.

Drive from Zadar to Primosten (duration approx. 1 hour); free time for personal exploring.
Afterwards, stop in one of the wine cellars for wine tasting. Production of wine and olive oil in Primosten pulls the tradition from the 19th century. It is widely known wine variety "Babic" that originates from this region and which is considered one of the best in Croatia. Walking through vineyards, olive-groves and stone – paved streets of inhabited villages of Primošten Burnji and Južni, where everyday life is unthinkable without donkeys and mules, one can best experience all the attractions of rural Dalmatian hinterland, where lifestyle remained unchanged throughout centuries.

Continue to Split. Split sightseeing tour with local guide (duration approx. 2 hours).
The Split private tour will take you along the Old City to visit main sights: the old town of Split is built on and around the spectacular Roman Palace erected by the Roman Emperor Diocletian (born in Salona – today’s Solin) in the 4th century. The walking tour starts with a visit to the cellars of the Palace that are still very well preserved. The cellars offer a good view at how the life in the Palace was organized. Other sites will be seen along the way.

OPTIONAL 1: Excursion to Hvar with local guide.
Embark the local ferry /catamaran to Hvar. Upon arrival, Hvar sightseeing tour (duration approx. 1.5 hours). Enjoy a tour of the culture, art and history of Hvar, one of the principal destinations on the Dalmatian Riviera. Hvar is home to fiercely proud, determined and courteous people, who are eager to show off their city. Walk around historical center of Hvar, called Groda, stop at the Benedictine nunnery museum to admire their agava pattern lacework that is protected by UNESCO. You’ll also see the city square, the arsenal, the theater and the cathedral.
Free time for lunch and personal exploring.
Embark the local ferry / catamaran to Split.

OPTIONAL 2: Excursion to Cetina Valley (at Omis).
A short drive south along the coast to the beautiful small resort of Omis, at the mouth of the Cetina river, offers you the opportunity to experience some adventure. Rafting and zip-line are both available to pre-book.

Journey from Split to Mostar (duration approx. 3.5 hours) – please make sure to have your passports ready for border crossing. Mostar sightseeing tour with local guide (duration approx. 1.5 hours). In the true sense of the word it is the city where West meets East meets North meets South. Experience sights such as the Old Bazaar, the Turkish House and one of the many old Mosques. After the guided tour of the town free time for strolling around and browsing among the many old craft shops or maybe lunch in one of the picturesque local restaurants.
Free time.

Trip continues to Dubrovnik (duration approx. 2.5 hours) with enroute stop in small village near Dubrovnik for the production presentation and tasting of local olive oil. Visit this authentic olive mill and press dating back to the 18th century. Witness for live the demonstration of olive milling and press process. Then you will be escorted to sit in the Dubelj family's terrace, taste the olive oil and enjoy local food and wine. Make sure to awake your senses to absorb the garden's aromas and scents - from mint, to peppers, figs and melissa plants.
Onwards to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik sightseeing tour with local guide (duration approx. 2 hours).
«.... those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik» (George Bernard Shaw); this tour will reveal the finest sites of the old walled City. Our guide will lead you through the narrow streets of the Old Town introducing you to the history and culture of this magnificent city. Other buildings will be viewed along the way.
The rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Suggestion:
- Make your own way to Cable Car to Srdj Mountain for a nice view
- Take a boat from the Old City Harbour to Lokrum Island to enjoy beautiful nature of this peaceful island

OPTIONAL: Tale of silk in Konavle area (duration approx. 4 hours).
Konavle has for centuries been renowned for the production of silk yarn, where it was used for the decoration of male and notably female national costumes,one of the most important aspects of tradition, beauty and cultural heritage of this region. Silk production in Konavle has succesfully resisted the challenges of the global industrialism in the 18th and 19th centuries, and has revived, nowadays, as a family tradition in several households in this area. We invite you to visit and take part in this ancient craft of producing the silk threads in the most traditional manner - from a cocoon to silk.

More free time in Dubrovnik, depending upon your flight time.
Transfer from your hotel to Dubrovnik airport.