Adriatic Treasures: Croatia to Venice

Find history chronicled in medieval villages, Roman ruins and castle keeps and traditions you can taste at vineyards, markets and bakeries… Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic; Split, nestled against a turquoise sea; Zagreb, a diamond in the rough; Ljubljana, a city of ruby red wine; Istria, bucolic and blessed with garnet soil, emerald valleys and sapphire seas; and Venice, gilded with gemstone palaces, laced with canals and graced with treasures that are nothing less than exquisite… Explore them up close and in depth through cultural experiences equally dazzling.

ONLY WITH TAUCK

TAUCK’S YELLOW ROADS – Unparalleled views abound on scenic drives along the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro, with visits to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A lecture with the former Croatian Minister of Tourism
Early opening visit and private train tour of Postojna Caves
Lunch in the Knights’ Hall in Trakoscan Castle

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, admissions, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Dubrovnik Airport, to the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least three weeks prior to t he start of the tour. If you are arriving into a local train station please retain a receipt for your transfer and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. Transportation from The Hotel Metropole to Venice International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.

Rates and schedules are not guaranteed until booked and will vary based on departure date.

ITINERARY

INCLUDED

INCLUDED HOTELS

Day 01 :

Welcome to Dubrovnik

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik. A transfer is included upon your arrival from Dubrovnik Airport to the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, a historic hotel overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet a lecturer this evening who shares expert insights, past and present, about the country formerly known as Yugoslavia and the places you’ll explore on this trip, before joining him for an intimate welcome dinner at a popular restaurant, accompanied by a private performance of traditional Croatian a capella “klapa” singing.
MEALS – Dinner
LODGING – Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

Day 02 :

Old Town Dubrovnik by land & sea

Rise and shine this morning for a day of cultural delights. Ride a cable car to the top of Srd Hill for dazzling views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding landscapes. Get a closer perspective when you descend for a walking tour through Old Town and visit the Main Square. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is completely surrounded by enormous stone walls that date back to the 10th century; view them from the outside in on a boat ride along the walls. Wine tasting is on the menu this afternoon during a visit to a winery where you sample wines made from ancient grapes known as “Malvazija” with the guidance of a renowned viniculture engineer. En route back to your hotel, stop in the village of Gruda to meet an “academic artist” who serves as the keeper of local traditions. During your visit, she will present a step-by-step tutorial on silk making as you are treated to homemade juice and cake typical of this region.
MEALS – Breakfast
LODGING – Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

Day 03 :

Kotor & Montenegro

Cross the border into neighboring Montenegro and the tiny bay-front village of Perast, built by wealthy sea captains during the 17th and 18th centuries. Walk past the town’s stone houses to the pier for a sail to the man-made islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, topped by a lone church and steeped in legends. Back on shore, drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor for a walking tour and a visit to the Maritime Museum. En route back to Dubrovnik, explore the port of Montenegro.
MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner
LODGING – Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

Day 04 :

Orašac village, Mostar & Split

Depart for Split this morning, driving through Dalmatian landscapes of seaside villages and farmland to the village of Orašac, founded in 1040. A family-hosted visit to a private farm reveals the time-honored steps of producing olive oil the old-fashioned way and includes a morning snack of fresh cow cheese, home-grown vegetables, warm-from-the-oven bread and wine. Drive to Bosnia for a visit to Mostar, known for its old Turkish houses and Old Bridge, Stari Most, after which it is named. Damaged during the 1990s conflict, the Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been rebuilt, as have many of the edifices in the Old Town. A guided walking tour ends inside a Turkish house where a resident who lived through the bombings of the 1991-1995 war shares personal stories of survival. After lunch, drive to Split for a two-night stay.
MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05 :

Meštrovíc's art & Diocletian's Palace in Split

See the acclaimed collection of works by Croatia’s premier modern sculptor, Ivan Meštrovíc, at the gallery he built as his private residence. Drive to Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Roman emperor Diocletian as his retirement home between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries using local limestone and Brac marble. A walking tour of the vast palace complex includes the palace cellars. Your explorations continue on a ferry ride to Brac Island where you will enjoy a family-style lunch in Donji Humac overlooking the bay. Visit Jaksíc gallery after lunch, going behind the scenes to see the artist’s studio and myriad works of art. A late afternoon ferry brings you back to Split for time at leisure.
MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch

Day 06 :

Krka National Park & fly to Zagreb

Take a scenic drive to Krka National Park to see its spectacular waterfalls and inherent natural beauty. From there, board a boat and sail to Skradin for a visit to Roca, the House of Dalmatian Smoked Ham, a talk with a farmer and a wedding-style lunch featuring traditional culinary specialties and entertainment. Fly to Zagreb this afternoon for a two-night stay in Croatia’s capital city; enjoy dinner at your leisure at your hotel tonight.
MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
LODGING – Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

Day 07 :

Discover Zagreb & meet Croatia's former Tourism Minister

Strategically located at the crossroads where western and eastern Europe meet, Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb is a blend of old and new, informed by wars and steeped in culture. Start off your day by meeting Croatia’s former Minister of Tourism for a discussion on current affairs before setting out to explore Zagreb on foot, the best way to experience this fascinating city. Join our local guides for a walking tour that includes the neo-Gothic Cathedral, a cheese tasting at the fresh market, the main square and a funicular ride to the Upper Town, where you will have lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day and evening are yours to spend as you please, pursuing what interests you most in Zagreb.
MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch
LODGING – Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

Day 08 :

Trakošćan Castle & Ljubljana

One of the most impressive castles in Croatia, Trakošćan Castle dates back to the 13th century and reflects myriad architectural styles and restorations over its 800+-year history. Costumed knights and ladies in waiting welcome you to the castle for a tour and lunch inside the Knights’ Hall, open exclusively for Tauck guests only. Your final destination today is Ljubljana, Slovenia, where your high-rise city-center hotel overlooks the heart of the city. Take a walking tour of Slovenia’s capital before enjoying a taste of local culture during dinner at a popular local restaurant.
MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
LODGIN – InterContinental Ljubljana

Day 09 :

Ljubljana Castle and Bled Castle

Ride a funicular up to Ljubljana Castle this morning; experience the castle’s Time Machine tour and savor panoramic city views and tastings of local cookies, teran liqueur and honey. Drive next to a gingerbread making workshop in a country village to see how these beloved decorated pastries have been made for centuries, with a tasting of course! Lunch is followed by a drive to 1,000 year- old Bled Castle. Your visit includes a live printing demonstration, a talk with the cellar master about the castle’s famous wines and entrance to the upper courtyard museum to learn about the history of Bled. Return to Ljubljana to do as you wish.
MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch
LODGING – InterContinental Ljubljana

Day 10 :

Postojna Caves, truffles & fritaja

We’ve arranged an exclusive early morning visit to a subterranean world of caverns, halls and passages some two million years in the making when you explore the surprise-filled Postojna Caves from aboard a private electric train and on a guided walk. Head off for another Tauck Exclusive experience at a family-owned truffle farm. Meet the dogs who sniff out this underground delicacy, have a glass of grappa from the vineyard and sit down for a taste of the region’s famous scrambled eggs, cooked just for you by the lady of the house. Continue on from Slovenia back into Croatia to Savudrija on the Istrian Peninsula for a two-night stay.
MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 :

Pula, olive oil & a beer pairing dinner

Drive to Pula at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula for a visit to its great amphitheatre, constructed between 27 BC – 68 AD with much of it still standing today. Continue on to a family- run olive oil farm in Vodnjan, renowned for producing one of the top 15 olive oils in the world, for a tasting tour. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in the fishing village of Rovinj before returning to the hotel. Dinner tonight is a special affair at San Servolo brewery and includes a guided tour of the production process, expert insights by the beer master, and a beer pairing dinner featuring six beers and six courses, presided over by a professional beer sommelier. To top off a great evening, a guitar player will entertain with a repertoire of traditional Istrian songs.
MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 :

Explore Venice & the Doge’s Palace

Travel from Croatia to Venice, Italy, today, arriving in the “City of Canals” midday for a walking tour and a visit to the Doge’s Palace. We invite you to join us this evening for a farewell dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant in your historic hotel, just steps away from Piazza San Marco.
MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 :

Journey home from Venice

Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Metropole Hotel to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.
MEALS – Breakfast

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

A beloved Dubrovnik landmark, Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik now begins a new chapter in its storied history, unveiling the final stage of interior refurbishment. With its prestigious location just steps from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Dubrovnik, Hotel Excelsior is ready to show its revamped grandeur as one of the most lavish hotels on the Adriatic. Housed in a former 1913 royal villa and built to take full advantage of a west-facing view of the glorious Old Town, Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik enjoys the most enviable location of any hotel in the city – just a five- minute walk from the medieval fortress walls. It has been welcoming famous guests from the start, including Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor. It’s only when you go there that you fully appreciate the magnificence of the setting: the tranquil gardens in which to stroll, a private beach and three restaurants, all offering cinematic views of the Adriatic. For added luxury, there is also an indoor swimming pool, plus a glamorous spa and fitness center. Its spectacular seaside setting overlooking both the Adriatic and the ancient Old Town, combined with flawless service and an illustrious history of royal and celebrity guests, mark five-star Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik as an iconic landmark hotel.

NIGHTS 4 – 5 SPLIT, CROATIA

Hotel Park

Adorned with cypresses and palm trees in the heart of Split, the Hotel Park is in easy walking distance of the city’s main attractions including the fabulous Palace of Diocletian and Bacvice Beach, as well as numerous shops, bars, and restaurants. Built in 1921 and renovated in 2015, the five-star hotel features elegant style with a Mediterranean flavor, an upscale restaurant that serves local cuisine with a contemporary twist, outdoor dining, a bar with a terrace, a wellness center, and an outdoor pool.

NIGHTS 6 – 7 ZAGREB, CROATIA

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

The palatial Esplanade Zagreb Hotel has been at the heart of the city’s social life since it opened in 1925, a long-time favorite of royalty and celebrities. Close to all major sights in the historic quarter, the hotel blends grand art deco style with modern touches, world-class hospitality and outstanding amenities, including spacious, beautifully furnished rooms, marble bathrooms, four chic restaurants, an opulent ballroom, a lavish bar/lounge, fitness center and sauna, and outstanding views of the city from its Oleander Terrace. Esplanade Zagreb Hotel was previously named Best Hotel in Croatia in all categories by TripAdvisor.

NIGHTS 8 – 9 LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

InterContinental Ljubljana

A soaring glass façade sets the scene for a memorable stay at InterContinental Ljubljana, ideally located in the heart of Slovenia’s capital city, with the Ljubljana train station and the Old Town close by. Lavish guest rooms have stunning views and are equipped with contemporary furnishings, workdesk, armchair, HDTV, marble bathrooms with a tub and walk-in shower, minibar and more. Dine in style at the hotel’s B By Alfredo Russo, where the Michelin star chef Alfredo Russo supervises a menu featuring seasonal cuisine and local ingredients; with its culinary artistry, chic rooftop setting and atmospheric lighting, it’s the most exciting fine dining establishment in Ljubljana. Enjoy a beverage in the hotel’s chic Bloom Lounge – by day, the ideal choice for coffee or an al fresco snack; by night, a stylish Ljubljana bar for cocktails or post-dinner nightcaps. Or rejuvenate in pampering comfort at Saruna Wellness, enjoying a soothing massage or spa treatment with views of the Alps from the 18th floor.

NIGHTS 10 – 11 SAVUDRIJA, CROATIA

Kempinski Hotel Adriatic Istria

This prestigious seaside resort on the unspoiled northwestern coast of Istria is an oasis of chic contemporary design. The five-star hotel boasts floor to ceiling windows, a secluded private beach, indoor and outdoor heated pools, a full-service spa, fitness center, tennis courts, 24-hour room service, four cocktail lounges, two restaurants offering innovative, outstanding cuisine, and terraces with breathtaking views of Italy, the Austrian Alps and the Adriatic, and is easy walk from an 18- hole golf course, the Golf Club Adriatic.

NIGHT 12 VENEZIA, ITALY

Metropole Hotel

The building housing the Metropole Hotel appears on the “bird’s eye” map created by Jacopo de Barabari in 1500… now, that’s historic! Facing the Venice Lagoon, its location is just steps from Piazza san Marco. Here you’ll find ambiance defined by a profusion of scented candles, precious fabrics and antiques collections including fans, corkscrews, evening bags, crucifixes, visiting-card cases and nutcrackers. Guest room décor – and no two are alike – is reminiscent of typical Venetian furnishings, made with simplicity and good taste, complimented by rich fabrics. Enjoy an aperitif or a nightcap in the wood-paneled Oriental Bar, with large windows overlooking the Island of San Giorgio. The proud holder of two Michelin Stars, the MET Restaurant puts forth an artistic cuisine with a focus on “fusion” with a high degree of creativity… a new cuisine but one rooted in tradition.