Discover Croatia’s rich heritage and stunning Dalmatian coastline—with fascinating itineraries curated by Local Experts. Charting a course through the cities of Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, the journey pauses for sea-to-table oysters in Ston, a quaint coastal village. Croatia’s culinary delicacies are also the order of the day at Celebration Dinner in Dubrovnik paired with wine and grappa. Explore Plitviče Lakes National Park, one of Europe’s great natural wonders. On this Insight Choice, learn about local Tara Community folklore, or journey through the forest paths, alongside 16 interconnecting lakes.
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Travel through Croatia in a Small Group on a journey that combines historic cities, island stays and some of the Adriatic’s most distinctive landscapes. Start in Zagreb’s parks and funicular-linked Upper Town before stepping underground at Slovenia’s Postojna Cave, into the Roman arena at Pula and along the lakes and boardwalks of Plitvice. Follow the coast through Zadar and Trogir to Split’s Diocletian’s Palace, then slow the pace with stays on Hvar and Korčula, a shellfish tasting in Mali Ston and time inside Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town.
Zagreb: Walk with your Local Expert from the 19th-century parks and facades of the Lower Town towards the older streets around the main square. Along the way, you’ll see key buildings such as the Art Pavilion and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, setting out the city’s main landmarks.
Zagreb: Ride Zagreb’s funicular, in operation since 1890 and often cited as one of the world’s shortest public-transport funiculars. The 66 m (217 ft) line links Ilica Street with the Upper Town in around a minute, giving an immediate sense of the change from the commercial Lower Town to the old fortified ridge.
Postojna Cave: Explore Postojna Cave, a karst system with more than 20 kilometers of surveyed passages and one of the first caves in Europe to introduce an underground railway in the 19th century. Inside, discover the cave’s role in karst research and spot endemic species such as the proteus, or “olm”, that live in these underground waters.
Pula: Visit one of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres still standing, built in the 1st century CE under Emperor Augustus. You’ll stand inside a structure that once held around 20,000 spectators for gladiatorial games and public events, with the outer walls and tiers still clearly defined.
Split: Cruise to the sunniest island of the country, Hvar, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy beautiful views and crystal waters on this two hour ferry crossing.
Split: Sightseeing with your Local Expert continues through the old town. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to reach Narodni Trg, the center of Old Split. Continue to Trg Braće Radić, translated as the Square of the Radić brothers, but better known to the locals as Vocni Trg, or the Fruit Square.
Split: Explore above and below the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace. A Local Expert guides you through labyrinthine streets to see St. Duje's, the Golden Gate and the Cellars.
Hvar: Enjoy a panoramic orientation from the comfort of your coach as you travel from the ferry port in Stari Grad to your hotel in the heart of Hvar Town.
Hvar: Cross the central Dalmatian channels with clear views of neighboring islands and the Pelješac Peninsula.
Korčula: Follow your Local Expert through the walled Old Town, visit St. Mark’s Cathedral and cross the main square. You’ll pass the Town Museum, Bishop’s Palace and Town Hall, seeing how medieval fortifications and later Venetian details fit together on this small peninsula.
Ston: Board a private boat to cross the bay towards Mali Ston, with clear views of the Pelješac shoreline and its vineyards. Sip a glass of traditional brandy and see how small boats, farms and villages are linked by this sheltered stretch of water.
Dubrovnik: Walk the limestone Stradun with a Local Expert, stopping at Onofrio’s Fountain and St. Blaise’s Church. You’ll visit the cathedral and Franciscan Monastery and see how the compact, UNESCO-listed Old Town sits within its defensive walls beside the harbor.
Dubrovnik: Sail across the bay to see the walled city, fortresses and coastline from the water. As the light changes, you’ll have time on deck for photos and a last look back at Dubrovnik before returning to shore for dinner.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Join a Local Expert to explore Plitviče Lakes National Park and learn how ongoing studies monitor and protect its fragile lake and forest habitats. Hear about habitat restoration, low-impact visitor practices and work to safeguard local wildlife, as staff share village traditions and their own stories of living beside the park. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Join the ladies of the Tara Center, where income from tourism has funded a small community hub for the Tara Citizens’ Association, formed mainly by older women, many once refugees. Hear about local customs and personal stories of the village, and learn about the traditional handicrafts that support their income and well being. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Ston: Meet an oyster farmer and see how oysters grow on ropes suspended in the bay. You’ll learn about the Ston Bay environment, the harvesting process and taste freshly opened oysters or mussels paired with a glass of local Dalmatian wine.
Dubrovnik: Come together with your Travel Director and small group to share a final meal. It’s a chance to look back on the journey from Zagreb to the coast and islands, swap favorite moments and say goodbye over Croatian dishes.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Join a Local Expert to explore Plitviče Lakes National Park and learn how ongoing studies monitor and protect its fragile lake and forest habitats. Hear about habitat restoration, low-impact visitor practices and work to safeguard local wildlife, as staff share village traditions and their own stories of living beside the park. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Join the ladies of the Tara Center, where income from tourism has funded a small community hub for the Tara Citizens’ Association, formed mainly by older women, many once refugees. Hear about local customs and personal stories of the village, and learn about the traditional handicrafts that support their income and well being. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
