12 Days Women Only Croatia Luxury Food Tour

B,D Castles and wine are today´s theme as we start our day at the castle of Varazdin.    Next is the best-preserved castle in the country, Trakoscan.   Your day begins  with Fairy-Tale like castles and appropriately finishes with wine.  After touring castles we are off to visit some wine cellars.  Vuglec Breg winery.   What awaits here is a wine tour, light traditional dinner typical of the region wine tasting, and sleeping in mountain air. ( 150miles 3 hours on the road)(Notes:   this is an easy day.  We see Varazdin castle in morning, we see Trakoscan Castle.   We arrive at Vuglec breg winery…the link is above.   We have a wine cellar tour with a wine tasting, and then dinner.   We are at the hotel staying here )

·       two castles

·       wine tasting in wine cellar at vineyard

·       dinner and sleep at the vineyard in their hotel

B We will start our day of tranquility with a beautiful tour of the picturesque lake Bled.  A hired boat will take you to the church for a tour of the island.  Next is the city of Dragon´s or the tiny capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana.  We will spend a small guided tour, and then some time on your own.   You will have time to visit local shops and grab dinner somewhere in the center of town.  ( 140 miles 2.5 hours on the road)

(Notes:   On this day we will go out to Lake Bled.   From there we go to Ljubljana.   There is a city tour after check in.   Then free time to wonder / Shop / Eat, as per requested.  I or local guide can do the city tour and then give free time.  Boutique hotel not yet chosen.  First one was on complimentary hold, but too much time passed.

·       Lake Bled.  Paddle boat to Island

·       Ljubljana walking tour.  Dragon City.

B, D Our first stop will be Postojna Jama.   This is a truly amazing adventure.  Europe´s largest cave system.   We go into the caves by train, and spend 90 minutes in the cave system on a guided cave tour.  Dress up, the cave is 50 degrees.   After this experience we head into Trieste for a little taste of Italy and the Friuli – Venezia Giulia region.  Guided tour of Trieste.  Trieste has been in the same place for hundreds of years, yet it has been part of at least 4 different countries.   After the short tour you are free for some time to spend wondering and grabbing a good Italian lunch.

Svetvincenat in Croatian Istria is our next stop, where we will spend the next three nights using Svetvincenat as a hub, it is conveniently located in the center of Istria.  Upon arrival to Svetvincenat we will have a little wine tasting followed by dinner at Morosini-Grimaldi Castle.( 80 miles 2 hours on the road )

( This is a long day.   Start with Postojna Jama ( caves ) the link is above.   Next is Trieste with a guided tour and some free time.   Night program is to go on to Croatia ( 45 min ) Wine tasting and dinner in Castle.  Link above . The Hotel is in the link above on Svetvincenat, but we are spread in two hotels.

·       3 countries

·       Caves

·       Trieste Guided tour

·       Presentation of Istrian Wines and wine tasting and dinner in Castle

·       Next three nights are in Svetvincenat

B, L Start the day with a visit to a secret church in Beram.   We are going to see a very special fresco in the church called Dancing with Death.  The fresco is special because it was made in a special style during the plague.  Your next adventure of the day is truffle hunting.  Get familiar with the Karlic Family and the story of the woman who started this business.  This unique experience is followed with a traditional Istrian cuisine lunch using truffles.    Motovun is next and is a unique walled city located at the very top of a hill.   Return to Svetvincenat for some down time.   Take the night easy and dinner on your own. ( Local Travel )

·       Famous Paintings and Fresco in hidden church

·       Truffle hunting activity

·       Can participate in cooking at the truffle farm

·       Motovun tour

B, L, D Your day starts in Rovinj, a city with a Venetian Soul but a Croatian Heart.  Wonder through a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys and picture perfect harbours in this beautiful walled city where the old town is 100% surrounded by water and walls.   Next, board our private boat for the rest of the afternoon. You will be taken  to some private islands for swimming and a little seaside adventure.   Lunch is provided on board. The adventure ends at dinner time.    The boat will bring us to the base of the Lim Canal where dinner awaits.  Croatian Seafood dinner featuring local Mussels, oysters, and Lobster.  ( 30 miles and approx. 4 hours on board the boat tour )

·       Walking tour of Rovinj

·       Private boat tour

·       Islands / swimming

·       Popular Croatian seafood dinner

B Dalmatia boasts over 1,000 islands and a glittering Adriatic coast where crystal-clear waters meet golden beaches and dramatic cliffs — perfect for sailing, swimming, or simply soaking up the sun.  From Split’s Diocletian’s Palace to Zadar’s Roman ruins, and Sibeniks fortesses and endless staircases. Dalmatia’s cities are living museums where history, culture, and daily life blend seamlessly.  Enjoy fresh seafood, local olive oil, and full-bodied wines on seaside terraces as the scent of rosemary and sea salt fills the air — Dalmatia is a true feast for the senses.  Today we will experience what Trogir has to offer.  Walking tour, followed by free time to explore.  ( travel by air ) Hotel in Trogir staying in both XII Century Heritage Hotel and also Bifora Heritage Hotel

·       Guided city tour on arrival then free.

B Split half way down the middle of the Adriatic coast is Croatia´s second largest city and the gateway to most of the Islands.  We will explore Diocletians Palace, which the city Split was built into.  Highlights include the palace itself, The Riva or promenade, a great place to sit and have a cocktail and soak up some sun.   Time for lunch then it is off to our Island Getaway.

B, L Boat Charter After Breakfast that will take us around the island seeing the Blue Cave, the Green Cave.  Swimming.   Tito´s WWII hide out.

Come back around 1700.  Time to stroll and have dinner on your own.

·       Blue Cave and Grotto

Green Cave ( swim in the cave )

B, D We will visit Sibenik , one of Croatia´s hidden gems.   We will start at St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site  made entirely of stone – an architectural masterpiece.  We will then wander up narrow stone alleys to St. Michael´s Fortress for panoramic views.  Back at our tranquil oasis of Maskovica Han we will enjoy a glass of wine in the courtyard before dinner.   ( local Travel )

(Notes:   leave the island and head by bus up to Sibenik.  Sibenik is the alternative to Dubrovnik.   Many people prefer it.  From there we will head to Maskovica Han where we stay our last two nights )

B, D Start the day with a visit to National Park Krka.

After noon in Zadar.  Guided tour.  Free time.   Dinner together at 1800.   Back to Hotel

Dalmatia´s second largest city is home to the famous Sea Organ.   City tour of Zadar followed by free time.    Visit to a beautiful coastal vineyard for a tasting and tour.   Chill time in Zadar relaxing and Fjaka ( the art of doing nothing ).

Departures will be from Split airport.

Arrivals: August 27 into Zagreb

Departures: Sept 9 from Split