Exclusive Private Trip – Best of Italy and Croatia

Day 1 (Saturday): Recharge the batteries
Venice

Private transfer from Venice Airport to Venice.
Check in the hotel and time to get some rest after a long travel day.
Overnight: Venice

Day 2 (Sunday): Special guided – explore Venice
Venice

Explore Venice from different point of view with our special guide. Besides all major attractions, such as St. Mark’s Square, Dodge’s Palace, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and Bridge of Sighs, our guides’ speciality are Venice museums and private galleries. By walking or driving with vaporetos or romantic gondolas we will pass numerous palaces, old houses and canals, museums and galleries.

Rest of the day free time for your own exploring. See tip of the day below for our suggestions.
NOTE: You can extend one day more in Venice if you want to explore Murano and Burano – 2 famous artisan islands of the Venetian Lagoon on a half-day motorboat trip from central Venice. Soak up fantastic views of the city’s waterside highlights as you cruise to Murano, known for its centuries-old glassmaking industry. Continue on to the pretty island of Burano, home to brightly hued buildings and traditional lacemaking workshops.

Overnight: Venice

Tip of the day – optionally:

• FAMOUS VENICE MASK WORKSHOP: While in Venice take a chance of special experience by being a part of authentic and famous Venice mask creation. While being in workshop many secrets will be revealed to you how such mask is made.
• GONDOLA RIDE THROUGH VENICE CANALS: Enjoy an enchanting 30-minute gondola ride and appreciate the beauty, charm, and colors of this unique city. You’ll see Venice as the local noblest and wealthiest families did for centuries, feeling privileged in this evocative atmosphere.
• SWEET VENETIAN TOUR (up to 3hrs): This tour, conceived for sweets and coffee lovers, will get you to know the traditional Venetian bakeries and the coffee roasting still operating in the city. Experiment the famous pastry shops, try the delicious tiramisu’, drink an exquisite cappuccino in a historical coffee roasting factory in a total of 4 stops.
• THE PERFUME LAB (up to 2hrs): In this fascinating lab you’ll learn how to compose you own fragrance. Under the guidance of an expert you will be initiated in the art of perfume, shown the basic notions of the compositions and create your own perfume. At the end of the class you will keep a packaging with eight different fragrances, instruments, small bottles and recipes.
• GONDOLA ROWING LESSON: learn the Venetian style of rowing: standing up, facing forward, native to Venice and made iconic by the gondoliers. Row like a Venetian. Get off the beaten path and onto the Venetian waterways in our beautiful bateline and try it yourself!

Day 3 (Monday): Scenic train ride to Florence
Venice – Florence

Direct train transfer from Venice to Florence (2h5min driving). Privat transfer to the hotel in Florence. Check-in at the hotel.

Guided tour of Florence: You will start your visit of the city from Michelangelo Square, a panoramic terrace with the best view of Florence. From up there the driver will show you the main sites of the city.

Drive down to the centre with the Cathedral, the Baptistery, Signoria Square, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce
Church and the Pitti Palace.

Visit Museum Uffizi: The Gallery entirely occupies the first and second floors of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 and designed by Giorgio Vasari. It is famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period). The collections of paintings from the 14th-century and Renaissance period include some absolute masterpieces: Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo and Caravaggio, in addition to many precious works by European painters (mainly German, Dutch and Flemish).

Overnight: Florence

Tip of the day:

• COOKING CLASS OF PIZZA AND ICE CREAM MAKING: Learn how to make traditional Italian pizza and gelato on this 3-hour cooking class in Florence. Led by a chef, sample a variety of flavors before getting to work on your own creations. Afterward, bring home your new found skills in the kitchen to impress your friends.

Day 4 (Tuesday): From nature to gourmet actvities
Florence

Day at leisure.

OPTION 1 – Enjoy relaxed day travelling a bit south to a lovely town of Siena: Your guide will show you main attractions during a nice 2 hour city guiding. Afterwards some free time to enjoy a nice cafe and return to Florence.

OPTION 2 – San Gimignano: tiny medieval town that has remained intact through the centuries. Sitting upon a hilltop, it is famous for its numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures. Enjoy more free time to discover this fascinating city on your own. Do you really want to fell medieval times? If you dare, visit one of the torture museums and chambers in San Gimignano.

OPTION 3 – On the route make a stop at village Vinci, birthplace of famous artist Leonardo da Vinci. Take a walk through this amazing old village and enter the museum which offers an insight to his many famous works which will leave your speachless.

OPTION 4 – Chianti Half-Day Wine Tour from Florence: Experience the true flavor of the Tuscan countryside on this 6-hour, Chianti wine tour from Florence. Led by a professional tour escort, the tour includes visits to two wineries, each set in scenic villages in the Chianti Fiorentino and Chianti Senese regions. Sample the most revered Tuscan wines, learn the characteristics of each blend and hear the winemakers’ secrets. Later, stop for a look at the fortress of Castellina before your return to Florence.

OPTION 5 – Private half-day tour to Pisa: See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa from Florence. Admire
Cathedral Square, Campo Santo and the Pisa Baptistery. After some free time and return to Florence.

Overnight: Florence

Day 5 (Wednesday): Capital of Italy
Florence – Rome

Take a speed train from Florence to Rome (1h32min).

Upon arrival, private transfer to the hotel. Leave luggage at the reception desk, where our guide will meet you and take you to the city to see all the main attractions of Rome.

Colosseum underground and third tier tour + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

See the secrets of the Colosseum tour that takes you into the amphitheater’s underground chambers, which are off-limits to most of the public each day. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll skip the Colosseum’s long entrance line with priority admission, heading straight inside to see where wild animals were once held and stand where gladiators once stood. Then explore Palatine Hill and see where Rome’s wealthiest inhabitants once lived. At the end admire the ruins of the Roman Forum, including the Arch of Titus.

Rest of the day free time for your own exploring.

Overnight: Rome

Day 6 (Thursday): Rome most famous attractions – custom tailored for you
Rome

At leisure. Check tip of the day below to see what you can do on this day.

We suggest Vatican museums & Sistine Chapel: Visit one of reachest art collection in the world.
Discover the Vatican on your own with St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums tour. Navigate the vast complex of rooms, artwork and history with a audioguides, which will bring the ancient collection to life. Explore halls such as the Gallery of the Maps and Raphael’s Rooms; step inside the Sistine Chapel to admire ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo’; and hear little-known tales about sacred St Peter’s Basilica.

Overnight: Rome

Tip of the day – optionally:

• UNDERGROUND ROME TOUR: Underground Rome Tour could be about many things: Catacombs, Secrets Tunnels, Aqueducts and also subterranean churches and roman houses. Discover the many levels Saint Clement’s Church and its Underground and walk in the ancient Coelian district to discover Roman Houses under the Church of Saint John and Paul.
• GLADIATORS CLASSES: Train to be a gladiator at a school in Rome. Suitable for adults and children alike, the fun 2-hour lesson will teach you how to fight like a warrior of Ancient Rome, while learning about life in the imperial city, Roman weapons, and more.
• CRYPTS AND ROMAN CATACOMBS: Go underground to see Rome’s ancient catacombs and crypts on a 3- hour walking tour. The Underground tour, takes you through the most famous and interesting sites of Underground Rome: Crypt of the Chapuchins Church of St. Clemens visiting the 4 subterranean levels, and much more.
• ROME BY NIGHT TOUR, INCLUDING ITALIAN DINNER: See the sights of the Eternal City lit up at night on this evening tour of Rome that includes a multicourse dinner. You’ll begin at a restaurant near the Trevi Fountain for a traditional Italian meal of pasta, a meat dish, and dessert. Then take a walk around the area, part of Rome’s historical center, to enjoy the nighttime ambiance before your panoramic city tour of illuminated attractions like the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica.

Day 7 (Friday): from land to the gorgeous sea
Rome – Dubrovnik

Private transfer to Rome Airport and direct flight to Dubrovnik. Private transfer to Dubrovnik hotel, check-in.

Dubrovnik Old city tour: Enjoy real Pearl of Adriatic – the old town of Dubrovnik.

The great George Bernard Shaw wrote: „Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik” and he was as many others overjoyed by the beauty and rich history of this old town under the UNESCO protection. Its glorious walls, with their fortresses and bastions, offer a unique walk with view of the magical Elafiti islands. Guided walking tour through historical streets and sightseeing of city’s most renowned historic monuments.

Each part of Dubrovnik can surprise you with some overwhelming experience. From the Onofrio fountain to the City bell tower, along its main street, Stradun, Dubrovnik’s famous street of limestone, polished by years of footfall and in many other small and quiet cobblestone streets, every step in this town will be an experience par excellence.

Game of Thrones Dubrovnik City tour: Game of Thrones shooting sights (climb to the city wall and walk the full 1.24-mile (2-kilometer) circuit, offering breathtaking views across a sea and see where Game of thrones was shot).

Overnight: Dubrovnik

Day 8 (Saturday): Dubrovnik top sights
Dubrovnik

Great day trips options from Dubrovnik – take a look at tips of the day.

Overnight: Dubrovnik

Tips of the day – options around Dubrovnik:

• WHOLEDAY WINE& CULINARY TRIP OF DUBROVNIK REGION: Niko Karaman’s winery, Divanovic
  Flour Mill and Konavoski dvori – three things which you will remember forever.
• DUBROVNIK SEA KAYAKING TO THE ISLAND OF LOVE (HALF DAY TRIP): Discover secret bays in turquoise clear water & visit Island of Love & hidden cave beach.
• OYSTER FARM & WINE TASTING DAY from DUBROVNIK: Transfer to Pelješac peninsula, known for the fortification complex dating from the 14th century and quite unique in its length of 3,5 miles. The Ston area is also known for great seafood especially oysters – Enjoy a private boat tour to the oyster banks of Mali Ston followed by oyster tasting – a deliciously special experience. Continue for wine tasting in one of most renowned Croatian wine regions.
• DAY TRIP TO MONTENEGRO: From Dubrovnik, visit Montenegro, a diminutive southeast European country that boasts big things: the UNESCO-World Heritage-listed Bay of Kotor, the walled seaside town of Budva, and the eye-pleasing city of Kotor, situated within Europe’s southernmost fjord. Have some free time to explore Kotor and Budva on your own and then enjoy a ferry ride across the Bay of Kotor on your way back to Dubrovnik.
• DAY TRIP TO BOSNIA WITH MOSTAR AND KRAVICE WATERFALLS (LONG DAY AND EARLY START!): In this day-tour, the focal point is Mostar. This city had important roles in this region’s historical battles between eastern and western cultures. You will visit the city of Pocitelj – a strategic point for the Ottoman Empire, and also have a chance to cool off and swim in untouched nature of beautiful Kravice waterfalls – known as one of Europe’s last jungles.

Day 9 (Sunday): discover special island in Adriatic sea
Dubrovnik – Hvar

Catamaran/ ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar Island.

On your own: Hvar is best known for its medieval buildings which are the legacy of four centuries of Venetian rule. The town is the site of the oldest municipal theatre in Europe which opened in 1612. Perched high on a hill overlooking the town, the gleaming white limestone walls of the medieval Spanjol Fortress afford breath-taking views for those that climb to their summit. (optional) You will also visit the Cathedral and the Arsenal followed by time at leisure to lunch and enjoy Hvar Town’s stone-paved harbour front, the Venetian piazza and yacht harbour with views across the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

Overnight: Hvar

Day 10 (Monday): Visiting filming location of Mama Mia 2
Hvar Island – Vis Island – Hvar Island

Day trip from Hvar to Vis island: Of all the Croatian islands, Vis is the most mysterious – even to locals. The furthest of the main Central Dalmatian islands from the coast, Vis serving as a military base for the Yugoslav army, cut off from foreign visitors for 40 years. The isolation preserved the island from development and drove much of the population to move elsewhere in search of work. Vis’ lack of development has become its drawcard as a tourist destination. International and local travellers alike now flock to Vis, seeking authenticity, nature, gourmet delights and peace and quiet.

Stop by first cave – Green Cave and jump into the water and swim directly to the cave. Pay attention while swimming back out of the cave – you can observe fantastic almost fluorescently intensive blue color of the water while splashing the water. Continue to Blue Cave – stop at the cashier where you need to buy a ticket for a cave. When waiting for small boat which will take you to the Blue Cave, take some picture in the vicinity of boarding.

Continue to Komiža town, authentic place preserved as a real Mediterranean town from the past. After free time return back to Hvar.
Important: because boat tour will be private, your tour can be adapted to your wishes any time through this tour, so you can add or change after you meet with your guide-boat driver which will suggest you other options, as well.

Overnight: Hvar

Tip of the day – optionally (instead of Vis Island):

• UNDERWATER WINE TASTING: at Plenkovic Bilo Idro (“White Sail”) restaurant and its undersea wine studio. Wine is produced under the water and enjoy special atmosphere of this unique ambience.
• BRAC ISLAND WITH GOLDEN HORN: Day trip to one of top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world on Brac island, called “Golden horn”.
• SCUBA DIVING IN HVAR: There are more than 15 beautiful diving spots within only 5-60 minutes boat drive from Hvar Town. Most of them are around divine archipelago of Pakleni (Paklinski) Islands, real Adriatic Paradise.
• CYCLING ON HVAR ISLAND: Hvar is a natural paradise. What is better way than to experience its magic close up through a challenging bike ride through its fields and picturesque inland villages, where time has stood still, and whose secrets are there to be discovered. Cycle through the inland villages of Dol, Svirce and Vrisnik, before hitting the coast through Jelsa and Vrboska, much of it the route of the 500 year-old UNESCO Easter Procession.
• HVAR BUGGY SAFARI: Quad Biking trip will give you hours of ride time and will take in more of the estate’s spectacular scenery including beautiful olive groves, pine forests, along the amazing rocky cost to the picturesque villages and beautiful fortress. You will be also visiting forest Adventure park in Jelsa where you can play many fun games like paintball, human table football, archery, beach volleyball, giant boxing and more games if you like.

Day 11 (Tuesday): Priceless monument included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage
Hvar – Split

Catamaran/ ferry from Hvar to Split. Check in at the hotel.

Guided tour of Split: Visit the Diocletian Palace in the heart of Split, built as a residential palace seventeen hundred years ago by the Roman Emperor Diocletian and also a priceless monument included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

After the city tour you will have the time to spend at leisure. Enjoy the heart of Split – the famous Split waterfront or Riva where you will feel the friendly and cozy atmosphere of this vibrant city.

Overnight: Split

Meals: Breakfast

Tip of the day – optionally for the afternoon:

• ETNO LAND DALMATI: A journey into the heart of Dalmatian culture … an experience you will never forget! See Dalmatian stone houses, traditional tools and utensils, learn how households were run, experience traditional Dalmatia and so much more. ETNOLAND Dalmati offers visitors indigenous Dalmatian food and drinks, and delicacies such as those prepared under “peka” in the traditional way, “Drniški pršut” smoked ham, traditional red and white wine.
• THE SPLIT AQUARIUM: One of favorite kid’s activities will be to discover the beautiful Adriatic Sea underwater world. Opened in May 2014 this aquarium is the largest aquarium in region, has the area of 800 sq.m. and has 22 aquariums. Aquarium in Split offers to meet interesting animals of the Adriatic Sea sharks, stingrays, huge eels, moray eels, lobsters and many others. The address of the Split aquarium is Obala pomoraca, 21211 Vranjic, Split. Working time of Split aquarium: 10:00-22:00.

Day 12 (Wednesday): Walk in the Renaissance city
Split – Trogir – Plitvice Lakes

Private transfer to Trogir.

Sightseeing in Trogir is a pure joy. It’s a small town and Trogir’s sights are conveniently clustered together, making it an easy walk and easy to understand why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Start your walking tour from the Renaissance city, above the gate is a statue of the town’s protector, the Blessed Ivan Orsini. Nearby is the town museum which gives a good overview of Trogir’s history. Continue to the town centre with magnificent cathedral of St. Lovro, built from the 13th to the 15th centuries and considered one of the Adriatic’s most architecturally and artistically important monuments. Continue sightseeing to numerous other monuments, like The elegantbell tower, Chapel of Blessed John Orsini, a Renaissance masterpiece, numerous churches and Kamerlengo fortress. Plenty to explore and enjoy this historical Dalmatian town.

Afterwards, private transfer to NP Plitvice Lakes, check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, time to visit the Village of Saborsko.
Overnight: Plitvice Lakes

Tip of the day – more options for this day:

• ADVENTURE DAY WITH WINE TASTING: Split – Rafting adventure on Cetina River near Omiš – best rafting adventure in Croatia – Imotski Lakes – Wine tasting in Grabovac winery in vicinity of fascinating Imotski Lakes.
• SEA KAYAKING & DISCOVER SECRET BAYS: Watching the 1700 year old palace of Roman emperor Diocletian from a sea level will provide you a remarkable experience of the Adriatic port of Split. Your tour along the coast will include the area of the Kastelet with the gallery of the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic and Villa Dalmatia that once belonged to late Yugoslav communist leader Tito. Paddling along the coast is to show you the touch of the nature and the Mediterranean architecture dominated with the Diocletian’s palace that is under protection of UNESCO.
• RAFTING ON CETINA RIVER: In the morning you are transfered from Split to Omiš, where you start your rafting adventure. The three to four-hour long rafting trip takes you down a 12 kilometer long part of the Cetina course, passing an unforgettable scenery of impressive cliffs, playful waterfalls and numerous rapids and ends at the excursion site of Radmanove Mlinice (the family Radman Mills). Transfer back to Split.
• ATV QUAD TOUR & DALMATIAN VILLAGES: Your ATV Quad adventure begins as you pass through a lot of villages of Dalmatian hinterland, ride continues on wild roads that are perfect for ATV Quad bikes and offer maximum enjoyment. Continue to ride along the river Cetina to the place where our ATV safari began. After this amazing tour, you will be served with a homemade meal prepared with local groceries.
• WINE TASTING AT BIBICH WINERY: in the cellars of the Bibic Winery, a signature event for lovers of fine wine and food in Croatia. The vineyards are located in the rolling hills above historic Skradin and Krka National Park in the bucolic village of Plastovo. Among the most celebrated in the country, most of Bibic’s limited production is sold only in very select shops and served in the finest restaurants- the rest is exported to US and Europe.

Day 13 (Thursday): The oldest and the biggest national park of Croatia (UNESCO protection)
Plitvice Lakes – Zagreb

On your own: Sightseeing of Plitvice Lakes, the oldest and the biggest national park in Croatia, under the UNESCO protection since the 1979: You will stroll along beautiful and crystal clear lakes with numerous cascades and waterfalls.

Private transfer to Zagreb, check-in at the hotel.

Free time to explore Zagreb on your own: Visit the main square Trg bana Josipa Jelacica that lies at the city’s heart and divides the old town from the new. Take the funicular railway built in 1889 to connect the Upper and Lower towns. The Upper Town of Zagreb is a unique place for many reasons: the colorful rooftop of St. Marks Church, Lotršcak Tower, Stone Gate and gas street lamps that have to be lit by hand. Visit Kaptol, the ecclesiastical district that is largely dominated by the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Have a deserved treat in the oldest pastry shop of Zagreb – Vincek, or having coffee on the one of terraces in bustling Tkalciceva Street.

Overnight: Zagreb

Tip of the day – options on this day:

• WINE TASTING IN TOMAC WINERY: where winemaking methods dates back 5,000 years. When considering the effort, hardships, joy and life on the Tomac family farm, we come to the conclusion that it is only with a lot of love for the vineyards and cellars that such excellent results can be achieved.
• LARGEST ZIPLINE IN EUROPE: Have you ever dreamed of Flying? Some says that when they dream of flying they feel they are on top of things in their life and have a special sense of power and control…We can make you feel as if you were flying. Imagine being 80 meters above the ground and flying 120 km/h for 2 km with magnificent scenery of Lika below you.
• ZAGREB FOOD TOUR: Four-hour walk through the streets of Zagreb, with our experienced food expert, will take you on a journey of flavors and aromas through the continental and coastal cuisine of Croatia. You will immerse into the fresh scents at the Zagreb oldest market place Dolac, taste of soft and hard cheeses, traditional regional salamis, prosciutto and wine, eat typical savory appetizer štrukli and many other treats.

Day 14 ( Friday): Returning back home
Zagreb

Private transfer from hotel to Zagreb Airport for your flight back home.

Overnight: Zagreb

Price (per person)

Price per person in 4*/5* hotels with breakfast, private tours and private guides – from 4,220.00 EUR

* Exchange rate on 6 February 2020
** Please note: According to our policy, we can only provide package rates, and cannot give information about price breakdown.

Payments, conditions, insurance:

• Terms and conditions are part of this program and are available on this link.
• We usually take 30% deposit of final amount if not agreed differently. 30 days prior to your arrival we charge the rest of the amount.
• At the moment no hotels have been booked yet!
• Payments: Wire transfer or by credit cards (Mastercard, Visa).

Notes:

• Above mentioned are expected prices.
• Variations are possible, complying to client’s expectations.
• No reservations have been made for any venue/location/service until client’s confirmation.
• According to the present law the rates include VAT.