One trip and millions of hearts
three countries – 10 regions – 3 climates – 10 cities – UNESCO Park – 3 mountains – several rivers – a lot of fun and much more…
Day 1: Venice
Arriving to Venice. Check in to the hosting after short refreshments heading to the city center of Venice. – Countless lanes and canals weave around the world’s most unique medieval city, floating on a lagoon.
The square with its basilica, ducal
palace and soaring bell tower, is an unforgettable sight.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/the-veneto
Did you know?
Piazza di Ducale was built of the stone from Island of Brač, Croatia.
(The same stone the White House in USA was built of)!!!
Day 2: Venice – Ljubljana – Zagreb
After breakfast heading to Ljubljana – capital of Slovenia.
Walk through this romantic small city. For those more brave possible climbing to Ljubljana castle, other can use zip-line.
Early evening heading to Croatia and its capital Zagreb.
Day 3: Zagreb „city of million hearts“
After the breakfast we will take you to „meet the city“ with the guide.
Did you know
that symbol of Zagreb is a heart? Honey cake in the shape of a heart is known as “licitar“.
Zagreb is a typical central European medieval city, very good preserved! Founded on 2 little hills – 2 little towns, often fighting – even because of a funny reason such as – who will build a bridge over a creek, a natural border between them.
Today „licitar“ making is a part of UNESCO World intangible heritage. Licitars were even a part of a flirting process. Do you want to know how?
In 19.c two cities decided to remove borders and became one unique city. Zagreb city tour – old city center:
Upper town: Gradec (one hill), trying the shortest train raid in the world, Dolac open market, Kaptol (second hill), Zagreb Cathedral.
Free time for lunch. After the lunch we will continue Zagreb advenure but this time through the Lower town and “Horse shoe“ – 19.c. city park with cultural-public use buildings among it: Music pavilion, Art pavilion – “building which travelled”, Hotel Esplanade – built for guests of famous Orient Express train, National theatre, Ivan Meštrović (Croatian Rodin) sculptures.
Did you know that the sculptures in Chicago: The Bowman and The Spearman, known as Indians were made in Zagreb by Croatian sculptor “Ivan Meštrović”?
Our tour will end in a most popular city urban square – Cvjetni trg (Flowers square).
Excellent time for a drink before the dinner. Free evening.
Did you know that Milka chocolates was named after the famous Croatian opera singer “Milka Trnina”?
Day 4: Rastoke – Plitvice – Nin – Zadar
After the breakfast heading to Plitvice lakes – Croatian National park (UNESCO heritage) and one of Europe’s largest nature reserve parks.
On our way to Plitvice we will stop in Rastoke, called the Small Lakes of Plitvice – a village full of well-preserved watermills and picturesque little waterfalls, as great overture to Plitvice lakes – water fairy tale consisted of 16 lakes and thousands of years old waterfalls.
We will continue our trip to Nin – “city of the smallest cathedral in the world” 10 000 year ago settled, situated in a lagoon linked with the mainland by 2 stone bridges from 16 c. Its historical centre is on an islet only 500 m in diameter. Nin is also called Croatian Betlehem. It is really something to visit.
After Nin we will continue to Zadar – “city of the sea organ” – unique in the world with its “hello sun” and round church make a real cultural harmony.
Did you know that „Fleur de sel“ is consider as salt caviar?
Did you know you can find it in Nin?
Day 5: Zadar – easy going or maybe some adrenalin???
After breakfast we will go for a Zadar tour. Cultured city rich with museums, Roman ruins, medieval history and contemporary achievements.
Old city inside of the walls which have had several gates hiding its secrets.
We will find out why Venice sent its army to rob and burn Zadar in 1202. We will see Forum Romanum in the city centre, St.Donatus – specific for its circular shape from 9th; St.Simun gilded silver casket with remains of the city protector and a lot of stories linked to him.
BUT the most popular is „Hello sun“ – uses solar energy to create a show that appears at night in an impressive light show and the “Organ of the sea”, the only organ which, unlike ordinary organs, uses air-driven by sea waves – provide fantastic and therapeutic feeling, especially in the evening (with your love or…).
Free time for lunch. After the lunch free time for some leisure on the beach and a coffee on many beautiful Mediterranean terraces. As a special treat: Zadar Gold and Silver exhibition in St. Mary Monastery.
Free evening.
OR other afternoon activities:
After lunch is the best time for those who are more active they can pick some of interesting excursion such as Kornati Islands excursion or Zrmanja river canyon rafting.
In the evening don’t miss Zadar sunset for which its citizens are saying that is the most beautiful sunset in the world. The same thing said “Alfred Hitchcock” : “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world…“ The only thing you can do is go and check! (with an Organ sea music background)!!!
You can also have rafting or kayaking for all levels, from beginners to high adrenaline.
Day 6: Gospić – Smiljan – Kuterevo – Zagreb
After breakfast heading to Smiljan – village and the house where Nikola Tesla was born – today a museum with some of his patents.
We will visit the museum and some a presentation. After Tesla’s place we will continue to see amazing creatures – bears in Kuterevo!!! Full of impressions we will go back to Zagreb. Dinner. Free evening.
Did you know that a bear has 42 teeth?
Day 7: Zagreb easy going with some activities
After breakfast simple easy going around the city with some shopping or maybe some activity such as:
– Hiking to Medvednica mountain where Fort of Medvedgrad is, visiting Cave where bats live with a possibility of a bat adoption
– A trip to the north of Croatia – region full of castles, to ex capital of Croatia Varaždin and to the Trakošćan Castle – beautiful and romantic castle from 13.c.
– Rafting or kayaking for all levels, from beginners to high adrenaline.
– Witches & mysterious tour in Zagreb by night!
See down more optional expeditions and activities
Day 8: Zagreb – Opatija – Venice
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Heading to Venice.
On our way we will visit Opatija. One of Croatian pearls on Adriatic coast.
Opatija was the most fashionable seaside resort since 19.c., during the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – as evidenced by many beautiful “belle époque“ villas that remain.
This was the place where members of the European aristocracy and nobility could enjoy moments of peace and quiet away from the court and daily politics.
Shortly after Opatija, full of impressions, we will say Bye Bye to Croatia till another time.
The Price for this magic visit of Croatia is starting from 599 €
(based on 20 Pax, can increase in case of less people and be less expensive in case of there is more than 20 Pax). Price can change regarding the dates too.
Price include:
– luxurious bus transportation from the beginning of the trip, Venice airport
– accommodation based on Bed & Breakfast in Venice 2 beds bungalows or equivalent
– accommodation based on Bed & Breakfast in double room 3* hotels in Croatia or equivalent
– tour leader (leading in the bus and in the hotel) in English and French during all the trip regarding the program itinerary
– tour guide in English and French in Venice, Zagreb, Plitvice lakes, Zadar
– trip assistance, maps
– Plitvice + bears shelter in Kuterevo
Optional: Excursion from Zagreb and activities (prices per person) :
1) Trakošćan castle (entrance ticket to the Castle 4€)
2) Medvednica mountain visit 4 €
3) Witches & mysterious tour in Zagreb: 10 €
4) Sava river rafting: 25€ (min 16 pax)
5) Varaždin ex capital of Croatia
6) Krapina Neanderthal museum
7) Marija Bistrica pilgrimage
8) Wine road testing all around Zagorja region (North Croatia)
9) Bar crawling: 5 welcome shots of local strong liqueur in 5 bars, visiting Zagreb by night, easy entrance to one disco around midnight and guiding all the time, starting 19h, all this for 25 €
10) rafting or kayaking for all levels, from beginners to high adrenaline in more than 4 spots.
11) Cessna flight (225 € / 3 pax for one hour flight) Varazdin – Zagreb
Note:
In Venice meals cannot be a part of bungalow accommodation price but in the hosting restaurant meals can be served with this prices:
• Continental breakfast buffet (bread, jam, butter, coffee, milk, tea, juice, cereals, yogurt, cheese and sliced cold meats (prosciutto/salami)) € 6.00
• Dinner simple – pizza or pasta, side dish and dessert (no drinks) € 8,00
• Dinner complete -first, second with side dish, dessert (no drinks) € 13.00
• Packet lunch – 2 sandwiches, fruit, cake, 1/2l. water € 6,00
Good to know – prices in Croatia: 1 € = 7.5 HRK (shorter KN or HRK = KUNA)
– caffe-latte: 1,5€
– coca-cola in a bar – 1,5€; coca-cola in a shop – 1.5 – 2 l: 1.5€
– beer in a bar – o,5 L: 1.5 – 2€; beer in a shop – 1l: 1.5€
– pizza: 4-5€
– cheeseburger + frites in McDonalds: 1.5€
– 3 course meal in a city centre restaurant: from 12€
Extra activities:
Rafting in Zagreb on the river Sava; Sljeme mountain hiking + visiting a cave;
Extra trips from Zadar: Kornati Islands national park; Zrmanja river rafting;
Recommended museums:
To visit in Zagreb:
– Museum of broken relationships (unique in the world)
– Archaeological museum
– Museum of contemporary art
– Technical museum with a real old mine and having Nikola Tesla experiences ;
– Zagreb city museum
To visit in Zadar:
„The Gold and Silver of Zadar“: Monastery of St.Mary; Museum of ancient glass (possible glass workshop)
Note: Itinerary can be changed due to any reason at any time.
If you are interested or have any question, please contact us with a post here down, a message or by mail, phone skype etc 🙂
See you soon 😉