Beauty of Croatia and Dalmatian Coast

 

Explore the best-kept secret in the Mediterranean and discover why Croatia has become one of Europe's most popular destinations, besides countries like Italy! Visit Opatija, a renowned resort town visited by Austro-Hungarian aristocracy and nobility since the 19th century and the perfect home base for exploring Croatia's Western Coast and the Istrian Peninsula. Immerse in the captivating architecture that has been preserved for hundreds of years, such as the first-century Roman amphitheater in Pula. Uncover gems like the quintessential fishing village of Rovinj with its strong Venetian influences and the "Golden Island" of Krk. Explore Italy's Venice and Istrian Peninsula, discover the Dalmatian Coast, and take in the unspoiled beauty of Plitvice National Park. Experience the famous 4th century Diocletian's Palace in Split and experience the area's trendy restaurants. Why not extend your stay to delve into the world-renowned, best-preserved medieval walled city of Dubrovnik and the spectacular fjords of Montenegro? Join us and take the chance to explore Croatia's stunning coastline and its rich cultural heritage!

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Destination Highlights

Relaxed two destination stay • Croatia’s culture, arts, music, architecture, history, and cuisine • Austro-Hungarian Opatija • Roman History • Austro-Hungarian, and Art Nouveau architecture • Rovinj • Pula • The Roman Amphitheater • The Istrian Peninsula • Venice “City of Canals” or “City of Bridges” • St. Mark's Basilica • Island of Krk • Italian-inspired food and wine • The mild Mediterranean climate • Split • The Diocletian's Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's most inspiring Roman monuments) • Trogir • Plitvice Lakes National Park • Ancient Ottoman city of Mostar • UNESCO protected Old Bridge • Spectacular natural landscapes • UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Dubrovnik, one of the best preserved medieval walled cities in the world • Dominican Monastery • Gorgeous historical towns of Montenegro • Magnificent Bay of Kotor • Game of Thrones movie stages and more…

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Main Program - Included Features 

• AIR TRANSPORTATION - Air transportation from New York

• FIRST-CLASS HOTELS – First Class hotel accommodations for 7 nights

• MEALS - 10 included meals consisting of 7 breakfasts and 3 dinners

• THE PROGRAM - Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees city tour of Opatija and Moscenice, tour of the Island of Krk, a Plitvice National Park tour, a Split city tour, a Trogir city tour. Optional tours are available.

• QUEST VOYAGER TOUR DIRECTOR - Assistance of a professional tour director for the entire length of the tour upon arrival in Zagreb

• JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY - Our program encompasses cultural connections, in-depth learning on the local economy and social systems, and interaction with locals such as visitation to a 300-year-old working olive oil press, and homemade prosciutto, cheese, and wine in a local tavern or vinyard

• FIRST CLASS MOTORCOACHES - Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motor coach

• BAGGAGE AND TRANSFERS - Baggage handling for one piece of checked luggage outside of the airport

 

Optional Extension to Dubrovnik

• FIRST-CLASS HOTELS - First-class hotels for 4 nights

• MEALS - 4 included meals consisting of 4 breakfasts

• THE PROGRAM - Sightseeing, including local guide, and all entrance fees, are as follows: a tour of Mostar and the Turkish house, and a walking tour of Dubrovnik with entrance to the Dominican Monastery and Pharmacy

• QUEST VOYAGER TOUR DIRECTOR - Assistance of a professional Tour Director for the entire length of the tour

• FIRST CLASS MOTORCOACHES - Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach

• BAGGAGE AND TRANSFERS – Baggage handling for one piece of checked luggage outside of the airport

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Day 1 Leave the USA Set off on your overnight international trip to Zagreb, Croatia. Meals and beverages are served on board.

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Day 2 Arrive in Zagreb - Opatija Greeting to Zagreb and Croatia. This delightful Mediterranean country with its breathtaking coastline framed by pristine blue waters, picturesque villages, breathtaking national parks, and age-old fortified towns, Croatia has something to offer every traveler. Upon your arrival in Zagreb, your Quest Voyager tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Opatija to rest for an extended five-night stay. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Ucka overlooking the Kvarner Bay, Opatija has long been a popular destination for the wealthy and famous for more than 160 years, even serving as a 19th-century health resort for Austro-Hungarian royalty. Opatija is a true hidden gem! This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (D)

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Day 3 Opatija - Moscenice Tour - Opatija After breakfast, embark on a tour of Opatija and the medieval hilltop town of Moscenice. Be taken in by the captivating charm of Opatija with its rich history and culture, striking architecture, and exquisite Austro-Hungarian villas. View the Croatian walk of fame and take a stroll along the Lungomare coastal promenade. Then proceed to Moscenice, a fortified hilltop town that is part of the list of Croatian cultural heritage sites. Walk through the cobblestone streets, take in the old-world culture, and visit the 300-year-old working olive oil press as part of the Quest Voyager Cultural Discovery Series before returning to Opatija. (B, D)

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Day 4 Opatija Spend the day as you wish in Opatija. Take a water taxi to a nearby village, hike the coastal path, or simply unwind. You could also opt for an exhilarating full-day optional tour to Pula and Rovinj. The tour will first take you to Plomin for magnificent panoramic views of Kvarner Bay. You will then visit Pula, where the ruins of the Roman era, such as the Roman Amphitheater, await you. Built at the end of the first century BC, it is the sixth-largest surviving Roman arena in the world and remarkably well-preserved. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a Quest Voyager Cultural Discovery Series event at a family-run olive oil farm to gain insight into the production of organic olive oil. Proceed to Rovinj, a charming Istrian fishing village that has been heavily influenced by the Venetian state. From the sky, its location on a headland makes it seem like a storybook village floating on a cushion of bright blue sea. Take a guided walking tour to explore this jewel on the Istrian Coast, which was declared a cultural monument in 1963. Return to your hotel in Opatija. (B)

 

Day 5 Opatija Today spend the day at leisure or take an optional tour to Venice. Here the romantic "City of Canals" will reveal its charm to you! Participate in this tour to experience the one-of-a-kind atmosphere and architecture of this magical city. Be entranced by its winding canals, picturesque bridges, and stunningly beautiful palaces as you cruise via vaporetto. See the sights of St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, and Doge's Palace. After the tour, shop for handmade keepsakes, such as the renowned Murano glass or fancy Venetian masks. Afterward, you return to your motorcoach, taking in the postcard-perfect vistas, Venetian palaces, lively waterfront, and historical sights.  (B)

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Day 6 Opatija - Island of Krk - Opatija After breakfast, you will be going to the Island of Krk. As you drive south through the city of Rijeka, you will arrive at this delightful island, the largest in Croatia. Its mild Mediterranean climate, breathtaking natural beauty, and awe-inspiring historical sites have earned it the title of the Golden Island. Your tour will first take you to visit the tiny islet of Košljun, where you will take a short boat ride to explore the monastery, inhabited only by Franciscan friars. Next, visit the city of Krk. As you stroll through the old town, you will be able to appreciate its ramparts, narrow cobblestone streets, and Krk Cathedral. Later, you will go to Vrbnik, a quaint town with a long 900-year-old history, famed as the birthplace of the Glagolitic alphabet and religious center under the protection of Saint John the Baptist. As part of the Quest Voyager Discovery Series, you will have the chance to sample the delicious white wine made from Zlahtina grapes, prosciutto, and cheese in a local tavern or vineyard. (B, D)

 

Day 7 Opatija - Plitvice National Park Tour - Split After breakfast, you will be departing Opatija and heading south to the old Roman City of Split. On the way, you will be venturing inland. Ensure that your camera is ready to capture the wonders of Plitvice Lakes. This tranquil site is the first, oldest, and largest National Park in Croatia. In 1979, the Lakes were included in UNESCO's World Heritage List as a "natural wonder of rare and unique beauty." After this visit, you will continue to Split and check into your hotel. Split, the home of Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century, is the second largest city in Croatia and is a great place to experience Dalmatian life. This lively city has the perfect balance between tradition and modernism. This evening, explore the lively bars, restaurants, and shops, a place where Split has been bustling for thousands of years. (B)

 

Day 8 Split - City Tour - Trogir Tour - Split Enjoy breakfast and get ready to explore Split on a tour of the historic city center that takes you to explore the city's Roman heritage. Discover the Roman emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then wander through the remnants of Split's past, including its Renaissance and Gothic structures: the Peristyle, Cathedral, and Jupiter's Temple. Early this afternoon, head to Trogir, a harmonious stone town on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges. On a guided walking tour, visit the old town, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a treasure trove for art and architecture enthusiasts with its renaissance and Baroque buildings and Romanesque churches. The area's narrow streets and small village squares, numerous restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and galleries all give this town a splendid Mediterranean atmosphere. (B)

 

Day 9 Split to the USA or extend your stay with an optional Dubrovnik extension After breakfast, you will be transferred to Split airport for your return flight home or extend your stay in Dubrovnik. (B)

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Optional Dubrovnik Extension

Day 9 Split – Mostar/City Tour - Dubrovnik Start the day with breakfast and drive inland through the lush Dalmatian countryside, arriving in Mostar. On your guided walking tour of the city, you will visit the 16th-century stone bridge, explore the remnants of its Turkish quarter, and explore the old city center and the Turkish House. This exquisitely preserved house is one of the best examples of Ottoman architecture in Mostar. After the tour, you will have free time to wander and shop for distinctive gifts. Next, head south through the Gorge of Neretva River, arriving at the Medieval City of Dubrovnik. Here you will check into your hotel and relax. No matter how many times you have visited Dubrovnik, the sense of awe never fails to descend when you set eyes on the beauty of this city. (B)

 

Day 10 Dubrovnik/City Tour After breakfast at the hotel, experience a breathtaking walking tour of old Dubrovnik, renowned for being one of the most well-preserved medieval walled cities in the world. Highlights of the tour will include the Rector's Palace, Orlando's Column, Bell Tower Clock, Dominican Monastery, and the Franciscan Monastery, which boasts one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this enchanting place, where you can traverse the city's walls, appreciate its rich cultural background, savor the unique flavors of the Mediterranean, sample the regional cuisine and wines, and make new friends as you are welcomed into the locals' corner of the world. (B)

 

Day 11 Dubrovnik Today, you are granted a full day to investigate Dubrovnik or join an optional tour to Montenegro. This Republic showcases what was formerly believed to be one of Southern Europe's longest and deepest fjords, the Bay of Kotor. It is actually a submerged river canyon comprised of four small gulfs surrounded by mountains that meet the Adriatic Sea. Here, you will be part of a boating excursion at Our Lady of the Rocks Church before heading to Perast, situated at the foot of St. Elijah Hill. Kotor is the next stop on the thrilling journey, where you can wander through the medieval pedestrian streets, as well as its vibrant market. Return to Dubrovnik in the evening for some free time. (B)

 

Day 12 Dubrovnik to the USA Begin your transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for your flight back home with a plethora of memories of your travels to treasure and share. (B)

Key: (B) – Breakfast, (L) – Lunch, (D) – Dinner

Hotel (when listed) and Itinerary are subject to change.