Adriatic Treasures: Croatia to Venice

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. A transfer is included upon your arrival from Dubrovnik Airport to Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik – just steps from 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 them for an intimate welcome dinner at a popular restaurant, accompanied by a private performance of traditional Croatian a capella "klapa" singing.

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 bordered by enormous stone walls that date back to the 10th century; view them from the outside on a boat ride along the walls (weather permitting). After lunch at a local home, visit the village of Gruda to meet an "academic artist" who serves as the keeper of local traditions. During your visit, gain insight into silk making with a demonstration.  The remainder of the day is free to do as you wish. 

Enjoy a choice of activities today. Cross the border into neighboring Montenegro and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor for a walking tour of this historic city. Or, choose to stay in Croatia to explore Cavtat and visit a winery with tastings of local specialties. Have dinner at leisure in your hotel tonight. 

Depart for Split this morning, traveling through the scenic Dalmatian countryside, where seaside villages and rolling farmland give way to the rugged landscapes of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spend two nights in this historic coastal city at a luxury hotel overlooking Bačvice beach. 

See the acclaimed collection of works by Croatia's premier modern sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, at the gallery he built as his private residence. Drive to Diocletian's 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 Brač marble; the city of Split later grew up around the palace. Enjoy an olive oil tasting during lunch at a local restaurant, followed by time at leisure to experience the sights of Split as you wish. 

Enjoy a scenic drive to Krka National Park to see its spectacular waterfalls and inherent natural beauty. From there, board a private boat to Skradin for a visit and a gastronomic lunch experience at the Morlacco Bura Museum; explore the story of the powerful Bura wind, the landscape it shapes, and the traditions and local products it creates, on a guided tour. Continue to Zagreb for a two-night stay in Croatia's capital city. 

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. 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 is free to spend as you please; enjoy dinner at your leisure at your hotel tonight.

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 with a local guide, followed by a light lunch exclusively for Tauck guests in the Knights' Hall. 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.

Head up to Ljubljana Castle for panoramic city views and tastings of local cookies, pear schnapps, and mint liqueur. Next, drive to a gingerbread-making workshop in a country village to see how these beloved decorated pastries have been made for centuries. After lunch, a visit to the 1,000-year-old Bled Castle includes admission to the upper courtyard museum to learn about Bled's history and take in views of the glacial lake below. Return to Ljubljana to spend the rest of the day as you wish. 

Enjoy 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 Postojna Cave on a private electric train and tour with a dedicated guide. Switch gears for a visit to a family-owned truffle farm to learn about truffle hunting, meet the dogs that sniff out this underground delicacy, and have a light lunch, with a taste of local truffles of course. Continue on to the fishing village of Rovinj for a two-night stay. Enjoy a walking tour and see the Basilica of Saint Eufemia or relax at the hotel, and perhaps enjoy a swim at the beach. Dine at leisure in the hotel tonight. 

Arrive in Pula, at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, for a visit to its great amphitheatre, constructed between 27 BC – 68 AD, much of it still standing and used today. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in the fishing village of Rovinj. During sunset, sail aboard a Tonka boat to a local restaurant for an exclusive dinner with entertainment.

Travel to Venice, Italy, arriving in the "City of Canals" midday for a visit to the Doge's Palace; formerly the Doge's residence and the seat of Venetian government, the Palace is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Join us this evening for a farewell dinner. 

Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Splendid Venice to Venice's Marco Polo Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.