Best of Croatia Culture & Cuisine Itinerary in 10-Days

Your first official day will be one that is filled with fun, wonder, and an abundance of fine wine. You will depart your hotel early and be driven to Croatia’s Peljesac Peninsula. The country’s second-largest peninsula, this luscious region is known for its delectable wines, which are locally grown and harvested. This curated excursion offers you an unforgettable and rare glimpse of just what goes into each bottle of Croatian wine. You will be amazed as you visit a handful of family-owned wineries and actually get to wander around the vineyards while also hearing from the estate owners themselves as to just what it takes to make each grape sing.

As you make your way between the wineries, sampling as you go, you will also stop at one of the most charming seaside villages in Croatia: Ston. Here, a requisite sampling of the local’s prized oysters, which will be sure to have been caught fresh that morning, and a visit to the old salt factory will be highlights of your day. Upon your departure of Ston, you will venture back to your Dubrovnik hotel, ready for a good night’s sleep in preparation for tomorrow’s adventures.

Perhaps, the most famous of all of Croatia’s locales is the immaculately preserved Old City, which provides the perfect destination for your second day in Dubrovnik. While you explore the ancient fortress on a private tour, you will hear the fascinating history of this unique place while sampling some of the area’s most mouthwatering delicacies.

For Game of Throne fans, having the chance to see the actual sites where some of the series’ most famous scenes were filmed will thrill you, while history buffs will enjoy the gamut of landmarks along the way. After you have marveled at the majesty of history in addition to soaking in the beauty of this pristine place, you will depart the Old City and island-hop to nearby Lokrum Island, where your previous savory samplings from the Old City will be followed up by a delicious island dining experience that will be complete with a gourmet dessert and nightcap. After dinner, you can enjoy the short sail back, feeling full and satisfied.

The Konavle Valley awaits to captivate you as you embark on a day of fun and fascination today. While you have already experienced the amazing tastes of Croatia thus far, what today brings to the table is an exciting inside peek into the local myths, tales, and historical tidbits that are behind some of Croatia’s most famous delicacies. This exhilarating and curated adventure will whisk you away to Croatia’s Konavle region, which is steeped in history in addition to being awe-inspiringly beautiful. Your private guide will then lead you on an adventure that will be filled with stories, legends, and Croatian lore, all of which are intrinsically tied to the region’s most beloved bites and libations.

A perfect mixture of true facts behind the country’s famed foods, this foodie tour weaves its way among a wealth of mystical secret spots, sacred places, and more, including a local medieval monastery and an ancient village. You will even be provided with a visit to the lovely Sokol Castle, where you will learn of Konavle’s roots before returning to your own Dubrovnik castle for the night.

This morning, you will wake up early to spend an exciting day in the outskirts of Dubrovnik as you embark on a private tour that is as charming as can be. The theme of today’s excursion is honey, and today will enlighten you on just what goes into its production from flower to table.

Your tour will begin with a visit to the charming Trsteno village, which is known for its famed Trsteno Arboretum. At the arboretum, you will stroll through the luscious gardens that are filled with more than 300 species of trees plant species. Following the arboretum, you will venture north, and after driving through some of the most picturesque Croatian countryside, you will reach the quaint village of Majkovi, where an exciting glimpse into a traditional Honey House awaits.

Here, you will learn an abundance of fascinating facts about the bees that are the heroes behind the scenes of the honey that you enjoy daily. You will also learn exactly how honey is produced in addition to being able to sample some onsite. It does not get any fresher than this, and after a sweet day of exploring and savoring another Croatian gem, you will be delivered back to your luxurious hotel in Dubrovnik.

Your final day in Dubrovnik will not disappoint because you will be whisked away on a private day tour to the enigmatic Elaphiti Islands. After setting sail on a luxury yacht, you will visit all three of the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Elaphiti Islands: Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan.

As this is a private, curated tour, you will have ample time to decide exactly how you want to waste away your sun-dappled day. The options will be endless, and you can splash in the beautiful blue waters of the Adriatic, work on your tan aboard the roomy deck, or bask in the brilliant warmth of Croatia’s sunshine on the sands. Each of the islands offers its own unique flavor and charms, and you will be instantly enamored by the luscious forests and stunning scenery that surrounds you, including remarkable cliffs, magical caves, tucked-away coves, and more.

Along the way, a feast that is fit for royalty and complete with local Dalmatian favorites in addition to a plethora of other delicacies will always be at your fingertips, assuring that you will not go hungry as you lose your heart to these endearing islands. Upon your return to Dubrovnik, your private driver will be waiting at the docks to return you to your hotel.

You will leave Dubrovnik today and make your way to Split, where after checking into your luxurious accommodation, you will explore the highlights of this stunning, seaside city on a private tour.

After strolling through Split, a unique olive oil tour awaits you. Led by an expert guide, you will first visit a local factory that produces olive oil, where you will be provided with a fascinating peek into the production area to see where all of the olive magic happens. After sampling the factory’s best batch of olive oil, you will be whisked away to a local winery that produces artisanal olive oil.

The highlight of the tour for the history buffs will be a visit to an actual olive grove, which just so happens to house the oldest olive tree in Dalmatia. A mouthwatering lunch complete with local wine, homemade bread, and several varieties of olive oils from the day’s destinations will be enjoyed en route. After an entire day of discovery, your private driver will return you to your fanciful Split accommodation.

Today, you will have to say goodbye and thank you to Split for its short and sweet welcome because you will now make your way to Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb. Upon your arrival in Zagreb, you will be immersed into the excitement of this bustling metropolis as you embark on a private walking tour of the Upper Town.

You should keep your camera ready as you wander among the charming, pastel-colored buildings and magical landmarks, including the Zagreb Cathedral, St. Mark’s Church, Dolac Market, and more. Then, after snapping copious amounts of delightful memories, you will amble through the city’s main hub of Ban Jelacic Square before riding the funicular to the iconic “Zagreb Lovelocks,” which is a small but charming collection of locks that have been placed by lovestruck couples who are seeking to solidify their adoration at one of Zagreb’s most gorgeous overlooks. As you watch the sunset over this romantic spot in the city, you will make sure to savor the beauty of Zagreb.

Speaking of savoring, as night approaches, you will indulge your taste buds in a treat as you enjoy a private cooking lesson from a local master chef. You will have a blast, learning from a pro on how to create an authentic gourmet, Croatian meal. The best part of the evening will be the end when you are finally able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. After thoroughly enjoying your made-from-scratch masterpiece, you will be returned to your hotel with the actual recipe that you used, allowing you to recreate this magical memory even when you return home.

Your final day in Zagreb will begin with the perfect pairing of wine and cheese. After being whisked away to the spectacular Croatian countryside, you will dive into a tour of discovery, getting an inside glimpse into the fascinating world of these two delicious, Croatian delicacies.

Beginning with a visit to an opulent, family-owned estate, you will witness how artisan cheese is made. A stop by to a nearby winery, where you will be let loose to wander among the gorgeous vineyards and in addition to being treated to a sampling of their wine will soon follow. The delicious culmination of this tour is a sumptuous feast of homemade bread, wine, and cheese on the estate grounds, and the ingredients are all sourced from the stops on the way to the estate.

After a relaxing day that is spent wining and dining in the countryside, you will up the ante with an exhilarating evening event that will have you joining a real-life truffle hunt. This private tour offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this rare and wonderful Croatian pastime. You will get a kick out of donning a headlamp and searching for the national treasures that are hidden beneath a starry sky. You will do all of this with the company of professionally trained canines that will help you sniff out the choicest truffles.

At the end of the evening, you will sit down to a feast of truffle-inspired treats that will be supplied by only the finest local chefs and artisan shops. Once you have had your fill, then you will be returned to your Zagreb hotel.

Undoubtedly, your final morning in Croatia will feel like it has come far too soon, and as you enjoy a lovely final brunch, you will already be planning your next Croatian adventure. En route to the airport, you will be given a goodbye gift that will be handpicked with you in mind to serve as a sweet reminder of the lovely week and a half that you spent in this sensational country.