The signature journey · 9 days
Zagreb, Istria & Dalmatia
Nine unhurried days from the Croatian capital to the hill towns of Istria and the Dalmatian coast, hosted by our family and guided by local experts.
The experience
A country, slowly revealed.
This is the journey we would plan for our own friends: the capital, the truffle hills and wineries of Istria, Roman Pula, the stone towns of Dalmatia and two of Europe's most beautiful national parks.
Our family travels with you as your hosts, with English-speaking local guides in every destination. Hotels, restaurants and wineries are chosen personally, meals are generous, and each day leaves room for an afternoon swim, a coffee with a view or a walk of your own.
- Duration9 days · 8 nights
- Starts & endsZagreb
- RegionsZagreb · Istria · Dalmatia
- GuidesEnglish-speaking, local
- TransportPrivate transfers
- Dates & priceOn request
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Zagreb
Zagreb
Arrive in the capital and settle into your hotel in the heart of the city, just steps from the historic Upper Town. The evening is yours to stroll, rest and toast the journey ahead.
Overnight: Hotel Capital, Amadria Park · Zagreb
Day 02
The charms of the Croatian capital
Zagreb
Meet your hosts after breakfast and set off with an expert local guide through the city centre and up to the Upper Town, with its cathedral, St. Mark's Church and centuries-old lanes.
- Traditional Zagreb lunch at restaurant Ficlek
- Free afternoon to explore at your own pace
- Dinner at Sol, with a performance of traditional Croatian folk dance
Overnight: Hotel Capital, Amadria Park · Zagreb
Day 03
Into Istria, the Croatian Tuscany
Hum · Motovun · Poreč
Travel west to Istria. First stop is Hum, famed as the smallest town in the world, with its museum and a local distillery of Istrian grappas. Continue to the hilltop town of Motovun for lunch with sweeping views over the Istrian hills.
- Lunch at Tavern Fakin, Motovun
- Check-in in Poreč and free time
- Dinner at the renowned restaurant Trošt in Vrsar
Overnight: Hotel Albatros, Plava Laguna · Poreč
Day 04
Coastal Istria and its wines
Poreč · Rovinj
Discover the old town of Poreč and the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Byzantine mosaics. Then on to Roxanich winery for traditional winemaking, tastings and local charcuterie.
- Wine tasting at Roxanich winery
- Free afternoon to swim or rest
- Sunset in Rovinj and an evening at leisure
Overnight: Hotel Albatros, Plava Laguna · Poreč
Day 05
Islands, Romans and the road south
Brijuni · Pula · Šibenik
Cross to the Brijuni islands, a national park of rich history and natural beauty. In Pula, stand inside the Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. After lunch, travel south to Dalmatia.
- Brijuni National Park
- Pula Arena
- Lunch at restaurant Milan
Overnight: Amadria Park Hotel Jakov · Šibenik
Day 06
Fortresses and the Sea Organ
Šibenik · Zadar
Explore the old city and fortresses of Šibenik, then lunch in the garden of St. Lovre. In the afternoon, continue to Zadar for one of the Adriatic's great spectacles: sunset by the Sea Organ.
- Šibenik old town and fortresses
- Lunch at St. Lovre Garden restaurant
- Sunset by the Sea Organ in Zadar, evening at leisure
Overnight: Amadria Park Hotel Jakov · Šibenik
Day 07
Waterfalls, wine and a Dalmatian village
Krka National Park
A morning among the cascades and forest paths of Krka National Park, followed by lunch and wine tasting at Winery Sladić. After an afternoon rest, a hands-on evening of Dalmatian food traditions at the Ethno Village.
- Krka National Park
- Lunch & tasting at Winery Sladić
- Dinner at the Dalmatian Ethno Village
Overnight: Amadria Park Hotel Jakov · Šibenik
Day 08
The grand finale at Plitvice
Plitvice Lakes · Zagreb
Walk the wooden paths of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of terraced lakes and waterfalls. Lunch with traditional dishes, then return to Zagreb for a final evening.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Lunch at Plitvice Holiday Resort
Overnight: Hotel Capital, Amadria Park · Zagreb
Day 09
Farewell, until next time
Zagreb
Time to say goodbye. We are glad to arrange your transfer from the hotel to the airport, and can coordinate shared transfers to keep costs down. Wishing to arrive early or stay longer? Tell us, and we will share our honest recommendations.
Hotels, restaurants and timings reflect our most recent departure and may be adjusted to season and availability. We confirm every detail with you before booking.
What's included
Taken care of, from start to finish.
Included
- Eight nights in hand-picked hotels, with breakfast daily
- Fully escorted by your Ticket2Croatia hosts
- English-speaking local guides in every destination visited
- All lunches during the tour
- Dinners on days 2, 3 and 7
- Drinks with included meals (usually wine and water)
- Private transport throughout the itinerary
- 24-hour standby contact for the whole journey
Not included
- Travel to and from Zagreb
- Airport transfers (we are happy to arrange them)
- Dinners on days 4, 5, 6 and 8
- Tips and gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, drivers and guides
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and anything not listed in the itinerary
Good to know
Practical details.
Menus. For included meals, you choose in advance between meat, fish and vegetarian options.
Getting around Zagreb. We recommend Bolt or Uber for the ride from the airport to the hotel: easy to use and paid by card.
Staying connected. Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere, and Croatian SIM cards can be bought at any Tisak kiosk.
Extend your stay. Arriving early or staying on? Let us know in time and we will recommend how to spend it.
Request dates & priceIn their words
Travellers remember.
My recent journey with Ticket 2 Croatia was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we started in Šibenik to our final day in Zagreb, every detail was impeccably organized, creating an unforgettable experience.
Read the full review
Šibenik's historic charm welcomed us with open arms. The labyrinth of streets and stunning St. James Cathedral left me in awe. Our guide, Ante, had a deep knowledge of the city's history which made our exploration even more enriching. Ante was not only knowledgeable, but quite charming and funny! We traveled to several key cities on our way up from Šibenik to Zagreb and each was more unique and spectacular. Zadar offered a seamless blend of ancient and modern, Krka National Park was a natural paradise, and Hum, the smallest (and most quaint) city in the world.
Zagreb greeted us with its vibrant energy. From the bustling markets to the architectural splendor of St. Mark's Church, the city pulsated with life, making our last night in Croatia truly memorable.
Throughout my visit, Ticket 2 Croatia ensured that we experienced the best of Croatia. The travel company is owned by two generations of Croatians who are passionate about sharing the incredible beauty of their country with American travelers. Their expert guides shared captivating stories and insights throughout, enhancing our appreciation of the country's rich heritage and vibrant culture.
Ticket 2 Croatia's meticulous planning and personalized service made this trip seamless and enjoyable. I returned home with my heart full of wonderful memories and a strong desire to return. Thank you, Ticket 2 Croatia, for crafting such a magical experience!
Anita Pagliasso, CTIEVP Industry Relations · KHM Travel Group
We are grateful for the beautiful trip you put together as we enjoyed every minute of it and feel it was well designed and paced. The selection of hotels, the restaurants and guide services were all excellent.
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Dear Karla, for us, it was a new European destination to explore and we came back very impressed with lots of wonderful memories. There is so much to discover in Croatia as it is rich in history and culture from bustling Zagreb to charming little coastal towns like Poreč and Šibenik and hilltop villages like Hum and Motovun. We especially loved discovering the national parks of Krka and Plitvice Lakes where nature left us in awe.
We appreciate all the efforts you put in the details in planning the itinerary such as in the selection of hotels, the restaurants and guide services. They were all excellent. All together it was an amazing fam trip of discovery and I can't wait to share it with my clients and travel agent colleagues. Wishing success to Ticket2Croatia in the years to come.
Yolande KaminsCEO · Enchanted France and Beyond
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