Food and Wine, Vibrant Cities and Beautiful National Parks

A city of grand Austro-Hungarian architecture and home to a multitude of museums and the majority of the country's residents, inland Zagreb is Croatia's cultural hub. Enjoy your time in this lively little capital strolling the cobbled streets, watching the world go by in busy cafes and darting between collections in the many museums and galleries. You'll also find that it's a year-round outdoor city thanks to the presence of Jarun Lake in the southwest where people venture to swim and sail; Mount Medvednica where Zagrebians hit the ski slopes; and the hiking destination of Samobor.

Meet your guide for a private walking tour of the city center. Founded in the Middle Ages, Zagreb began life as two separate entities, Kaptol and Gradec, which today comprise the historic Gornji Grad (Upper Town). Centred on the city's landmark cathedral, Kaptol was a religious centre, while Gradec was home to craftsmen and merchants. Outsiders collectively referred to the settlements as Zagreb (meaning 'behind the hill'), although they were not officially united as the City of Zagreb until 1850. Boom time followed with the late 19th century characterized by the arrival of the railways and the construction of Donji Grad (Lower Town). You will also visit the Museum of Broken Relationships, an innovative museum that exhibits personal objects left over from former lovers, accompanied by brief descriptions.

Head inland and visit Istria's pretty hilltop towns, each one looking out over the beautiful surrounding countryside. This is the perfect opportunity to appreciate the Istrian peninsular and you'll visit the stone settlements of Groznjan, from where you can view around 20 of the surrounding villages as well as meadows and the coastline, and Motovun which sits above the river Mirna the Motovun forest. You'll also enjoy lunch in the tiny hamlet of Škrapi.

The picturesque town of Rovinj sits on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, facing out towards Venice. While one of the Mediterranean's last true fishing ports, it's also an important city as the third most populous in Croatia. Once an island, the old town now occupies an intriguing oval-shaped peninsula that juts out from the mainland. Its past stretches back through Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, and Austrian settlers and today, you can see the remains of medieval defensive walls and one of the old town gates, the 17th century Balbi's Arch. Inside the town proper, you'll find steep cobbled streets leading to Venetian piazzas, little artist workshops, fine-dining restaurants, a Baroque palace turned heritage museum, and even a late-Renaissance clock tower.

Explore the pretty town of Rovinj which is right on your doorstep. Wind your way through its cobbled streets and admire the many architectural styles that linger as a result of its rich and varied history. Pula, as the largest town on the Istrian peninsula, offers a diversity of attractions to lovers of croatian culture and traditions. With 3000 years of history, every step through the old town uncovers a different landmark, none more impressive than the Roman amphitheatre.

En route to Rovinj, stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park for a private guided walking tour. According to legend, the Plitvice lakes were created after a long drought when the "Black Queen" took pity on the people and animals that cried for water. Heavy rain began to fall and continued until they formed the lakes we see today. Plitvice National Park is Croatia’s natural masterpiece. Even for seasoned world travellers, the overpowering beauty and grandeur of Plitvice National Park is simply astounding. With waterfalls spilling over impossible hills, sixteen different lakes, and fascinating flora and fauna, Plitvice is the most visited place in Croatia. Since 1979, the park has been under the protection of UNESCO as a rare World Heritage Site.

Intriguingly unique, Zadar is a northern coastal hub with a very particular character. Although it's definitely less busy than the tourist centres further south, it is one of Croatia's larger metropoles and a living, vibrant city. You'll be greeted with a mix of ancient Roman relics, Hapsburg elegance, and clever, cutting edge art installations.

Travel to the picturesque Skradin and the Krka Waterfalls National Park. On its green path, River Krka has seven falls, the last one being the amazing Skradinski buk. Thanks to the constant process of travertine building, the Krka River is a karst phenomenon, carving a spectacular canyon along its 70-kilometre journey from the foothills of the Dinara Mountains to the beautiful estuary under the walls of historic Sibenik. Walk the winding wooden paths through the main park area and visit the Ethno Museum and shops housed in the old mills at Skradinski buk.

Get a taste of the local food culture, trying regional wines such as plavina and babíc served by the winemaker himself. You’ll also enjoy a home cooked dinner inspired by the seasons.

Although Croatia's second largest city, Split is often viewed as a jumping off point for adventures to the islands beyond. The peninsula on which it rests might jut out invitingly into the Adriatic, but visit vibrant Split today and it won't take you long to realise that it's very much a destination in its own right.

Originally the palatial walled summer residence of the Emperor Diocletian, Split became a city in itself after the Roman Capital of Dalmatia, Salona, was sacked in the 7th century. Fleeing refugees were given asylum inside the two-meter thick walls of the palace and over the next 1000 years, the “city” of Split gained a reputation as a safe haven. Because of this, the city never grew beyond the same walls that exist today. As a result, the remarkable ensemble of Roman, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance and other architectural remains are all still visible. Today there are more than 3,000 people still living inside these ancient walls.

Transfer to Trogir for your special cooking class at 13th century palace. Your host – Tatjana Ciciliani – is one the most amazing and creative chefs in the region.

Enjoy tasting local ingredients and Adriatic delicacies with a creative cooking class. Lunch with wine follows. The actual cooking class depends on both the inspiration of the chef and the season, for the freshness of ingredients - key to the Dalmatian menu - is dependent on seasonal availability. Choose from meat, fish or vegetarian options for the preparation of 2-3 dishes, as well as a demonstration of 1-2 others, which nicely forms a fulfilling and hearty lunch for all at the end of the class, all washed down with the finest family wine. Chef Tatjana will regale you with tales of the region over your delicious lunch.

Averaging a record number of sunshine hours a year, long and narrow Hvar is Croatia's sunniest island and one of Europe's most sunlit spots. Rivalling even France's famed Saint-Tropez in terms of glamour, it's become Croatia's most popular destination and attracts luxury yachts, sun-seeking adventurers, and visitors of all kinds.

Wine production in Hvar goes back as far as the Greek colonisation, giving the island ample time to perfect the art. You’ll visit two winemakers in the town of Jelsa and learn all about how their wine is made and what makes it so special. Your tour will be with a Master of Wine, of which there are only around 300 in the world. You'll also enjoy a traditional grilled lunch and olive oil tasting.

Today, enjoy an exciting motor boat day trip to Vis and Biševo. After breakfast, you'll meet your skipper who will assist you with boarding your private motor boat for the day. We'll then set sail for a tour of Vis and Biševo Islands. These islands are famous for their inlets and caves, the most famous being Modra Špilja, "the Blue Cave", in the Balun Cove which is only accessible by boat. On a sunny day when the sea is calm, sunbeams penetrate through an underwater opening and the effect of the reflection of the sea floor illuminates the cave with an azure colour to incredible effect. Enjoy a fun day of sunbathing and swimming in the coves around Biševo and Vis, taking in the fantastic natural beauty of the numerous bays and beaches. You'll be returned to your hotel in the afternoon.

Korcula has long been known for her dense and lush pine woods and is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic sea. Lying just off the Dalmatian coast stretching parallel with the nearby mainland, the island is also one of Croatia's most populous, its woodlands and vineyards bordered by sleepy hamlets and dreamlike fishing villages. Explore the walled main town, also called Korcula, with its medieval round towers and terracotta-roofed houses, or take a dip in the crystal clear water at any of the pebble beaches scattered around.

After exploring the pretty old town of Kor?ula, enjoy a wine and olive oil tour of the island where you can sample beautiful home-made produce. You'll then head to a local tavern for lunch.

Meet your guide for the day, a renowned Croatian winemaker for a day tour to Pelješac Peninsula. This is a superb opportunity to learn about the country and its traditions, especially the art of winemaking, from a true local. The tour is a trio of wine-tastings at Croatia's most respected wine cellars, visits to vineyards on the slopes of this magnificent peninsula and a delicious, traditional Dalmatian lunch at your host’s family winery.

Your first experience on Pelješac is the Grgich winery in Trstenik. Miljenko Grgich studied wine-making in Zagreb. After migrating to the US with only $20 in his pocket, he founded the famous Grgich Hills winery in Napa Valley, but not before he made a name for himself being part of the Chateau Montelena success story in the 70s. At the Grgich cellars, on top of hills overlooking the charming Trstenik harbor, you will taste their famous white Pošip and their red Plavac Mali Dinga?. Next, you'll visit the 500-year-old wine cellar of Bartulovi? family of your host Mario. By this time, it will feel like visiting a friend's house. Here you will enjoy a wine-tasting and a superb traditional Croatian lunch accompanied by their great wines.

Glimmering on the Adriatic coast, enchanting Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most up-market destination. Lauded by George Bernard Shaw as “Paradise on Earth", the city delights with its Mediterranean-style culture and the marbled streets of its UNESCO World Heritage old town.

Meet your guide for a pleasant walk through Dubrovnik's Old Town. George Bernard Shaw was so enchanted by this beautiful city that he exclaimed "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik", as well as famously describing it as "the pearl of the Adriatic". Dubrovnik's Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, and a magnificent curtain of walls surrounds marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a mélange of cafés and shops with outstanding monuments at either end. Churches, monasteries, and museums ornamented with finely carved stone recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition.

Meet your private chauffeur and enjoy a morning coastal drive down to Kotor and the amazing Boka Bay in Montenegro. The Bay of Boka Kotorska has been proclaimed by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. With high mountains extending into the sea, the bay features a blend of prehistoric fossils, Illyric epoch, Antique, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. Like pearls, the small towns are treasures of history, art and beauty strung along the coastline, with Kotor as an old coastal and cultural centre. For centuries, it has been a crossroad of commercial itineraries under the strong influence of Venice. There are two islets around Perast: Gospa od Skrpjela (Lady of our Rocks) and St. George, two unique tourist attractions. Explore Kotor with a local guide, visit the Our Lady of the Rocks Isle and enjoy lunch (on your own account) before returning to Dubrovnik in the afternoon hours.