Taste of Croatia

Day 01 ZAGREB arrival Saturday 2008

Arrival and check in at the 5* Hotel in Zagreb. Three course dinner with a glass of wine in the hotels restaurant.

Day 02 ZAGREB - PLESIVICA WINE ROUTE – ZAGREB Sunday 2008

Breakfast followed by a guided walking tour of Zagreb, capital of Croatia. The tour will commence exploring the architecture and monuments of the Lower Town and continue through the narrow streets of Upper Town, visiting the Cathedral, Dolac open air market, Stone Gate, St. Mark’s church with its famous roof, Parliament and Government buildings and Lotrscak Tower. We will fi nish with a coff ee/tea in one of the pictureque cafes. Around noon we depart for Plesivica, situated on a wine route in the hills near Zagreb, for lunch in a local restaurant followed by a scenic drive and wine tasting at Tomac winery. Return to Zagreb for dinner at a local restaurant featuring typical Croatian cuisine. Overnight at the 5* Hotel in Zagreb.

Day 03 ZAGREB - OPATIJA – ISTRIA Monday 2008

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Opatija. The city, owes its’ name to the Benedictine Abbey which was built in the 15th century, on the sea shore. A pearl of Austro-Hungarian Riviera at the end of 19th century, it gained recognition as a tourist destination by the Austrian and European high society, i.e. emperors, famous artists and celebrities such as Wilhelm II, Franz Joseph, Empress Sissy, Gustav Mahler, Isidora Duncan, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov and many others. Drive through the Istrian peninsula to the area of Buje, the centre of Istrias wine region, where we will have lunch and sample a few local wines. Following lunch, a leisurely drive to our hotel in the village of Brtonigla. Dinner and overnight in the lovely rustic 4* hotel.

Day 04 ISTRIA (BRTONIGLA - GROZNJAN – MOTOVUN - BRTONIGLA)Tuesday 2008

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a drive and a wine tasting at Ravalico, F.lli & Figli wine cellar (cabernet sauvignon, malvasia, pinot griggio, chardonnay, Muscat). Next we depart for the stunning hilltop town of Groznjan to explore a romantic, mystical and simply beautiful area. Lunch at a local gourmet restaurant followed by a short drive to Motovun, a town between dream and reality, located on the very peak of a hill which off ers a magnifi cent view of the valley, the Mirna river and the surrounding hills. Groznjan and Motovun regions are famous for truffl es, as well as the best white wines of Croatia. Return to Brtonigla for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the 4* hotel.

Day 05 ISTRIA (BRTONIGLA-VISNJAN-PORECROVINJ- PEROJ) Wednesday 2008

After breakfast at the hotel we will depart to Kurncici and visit the local wine producer Matosevic to sample his exceptional products. After the tasting we drive to Porec for a walking tour and a visit to the ancient Euphrasius basilica. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant and the afternoon will be spent in Rovinj, the Jewel of Istria, where we will take a short walking tour and dinner before arrival in Peroj for the overnight at 4* hotel.

Day 06 ISTRIA (PEROJ - VODNJAN - PULA - PEROJ) Thursday 2008

Following breakfast at the hotel we depart for Vodnjan and a wine tasting at Giacometti- Moscarda wine cellar followed by a visit to St. Blais’ neo-baroque basilica and a typical lunch in agro-restaurant “Sia”. In the afternoon we will take a walking tour of Pula and visit the roman Amphitheatre. Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to Peroj for the overnight at 4* hotel.

Day 07 ISTRIA (PEROJ) – ZAGREB Friday 2008

Breakfast. Return to Zagreb early afternoon. Farewell dinner at a typical Zagreb restaurant. Overnight at the 5* hotel in Zagreb.

Day 08 ZAGREB – departure Saturday 2008

Breakfast and check out.