Gastronomic Tour of Croatia

Day 1

Arrival Istria

Upon arrival at the airport you’ll be escorted by car over the border to your accommodation on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula. 

The remainder of your day will be spent at leisure. 

Day 2

Pula

After breakfast you’ll enjoy a private guided tour of Pula, a city with a history dating back to the Roman Empire and one of the most impressive Roman amphitheatres in the world. 

You’ll eat well today, too. At lunch, you’ll be whisked to one of Istria’s famed olive oil producers for a five-course lunch of local delicacies and a taste of their olive oil. 

After a relaxing afternoon, it’s time for another gourmet feast of Croatian cuisine, starting with a mistletoe aperitif and ending with a traditional desert. 

Day 3

Istria – Motovun – Groznjan

Rare and highly coveted truffles grow wild in Istria, and this morning you’ll enjoy a truffle-hunting excursion in the Istrian countryside. You’ll end the trip with a truffle tasting. 

Spend the afternoon exploring the medieval hill towns of Motovun and Groznjan, before a private dinner and wine tasting at one of the region’s most famous vineyards. 

Day 4

Istria – Plitvice Lakes National Park

In the morning you’ll be met by your private guide to embark on a day of nature walks through different trails, depending on your interests and stamina.

In the evening you'll indulge in a house speciality dinner.

Day 5

Plitvice Lakes – Sibenik – Split

Today you’ll move south towards Split, stopping for a private city tour of Sibenik, where you’ll enjoy lunch in a restaurant consistently voted one of the best in Croatia. 

Check into your hotel in Split and enjoy an evening at leisure. 

Day 6

Split

Start the day with a private guided tour of Split, a city at the foot of tree-covered Marjan Hill. Split was once a holiday home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, whose palace is UNESCO-listed. You’ll explore this and Split’s other main attractions before enjoying some free time to wander at leisure. 

In the evening, you’ll visit the home of the late Croatian painter, Vasko Lipovac to enjoy dinner, art and ‘klapa’ (traditional folk singing) with his family. 

Day 7

Split – Hvar

After breakfast enjoy a private tour of the Mestrovic Gallery, dedicated to the work of the sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. 

Then hop on a speedboat for your private transfer to the island of Hvar, where you’ll check into your hotel and relax. 

Day 8

Hvar

In the morning you’ll learn about the history of Hvar from one of its most celebrated winemakers – the tour includes a wine tasting. Afterwards, continue to wander around the charming village and lavender fields. If you're feeling energetic, opt for a biking tour around Hvar.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Your Lightfoot Travel Designer can recommend activities to suit your interests, including a private helicopter tour. 

Day 9

Hvar – Korcula – Dubrovnik

Your journey south continues with a trip to the island of Korcula, the sixth largest island in Croatia, said to have been the birthplace of Marco Polo in 1254. You’ll visit the Cathedral St Marco, before a wine tasting and seven-course lunch at one of the island’s most celebrated vineyards. 

Continue to Dubrovnik, where you’ll check in and enjoy an evening at leisure. 

Day 10

Dubrovnik

Today you’ll embark on a guided tour of Dubrovnik, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. Explore the walled city, take a cable car up Srdj Hill for panoramic views, and walk around the city walls.

Day 11

Dubrovnik – Grebeni

Start your day with a trip to the Grebeni Lighthouse, a historic structure built in 1872, before strolling around Dubrovnik. 

Day 12

Departure

Today you’ll be escorted to the airport for your onward journey.