From Budapest to Split – the best of Croatia

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has a population of over 1.7 million. It became a unique city in 1873 when Buda and Old Buda on the right bank of the Danube were united with Pest on the left (east) bank. It was the second center of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which disintegrated in 1918. This one of the most beautiful cities in Europe has many sights to offer. Lunch break (individual) Transfer: Budapest – Osijek 3 h, 166 mi. Osijek is located in the east of Croatia. It lies in the plain on the right bank of the river Drava. Osijek is the greenest city in Croatia. The most important monument of the city is the fortress, the baroque historical core of the city from the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Accommodation in the hotel, dinner, overnight

“Kopčki Rit Nature Park” is located 10 minutes away by car from Osijek. The nature park is located in a triangle between the Danube and the Drava. Depending on the water level, the waters of these two rivers constantly shape and change the appearance of the Rit, creating a beautiful mosaic of lakes, canals, ponds and riparian forests, reeds and wet meadows. All of Rit is widely known as a habitat for many wetland birds, deer populations and in particular the bald eagle which is a symbol of the park. Then a short walk, boat trip and visit to the Tikveš hunting lodge. Continue to the ethno village of Karanac to the restaurant “Baranjska kuća”. In the “Ulica zaboravljenog vremena” ( open air museum with ethnic collection of Slavonian handcrafts) there will be a tasting of local brandies and liqueurs. For lunch we visit a special location “Pointers Goldberg” where traditional delicacies await us. Return to Osijek and visit the “Tvrđa (Fortress)” in the afternoon, a baroque city-fortress from the 18th century. Return to the hotel, dinner, overnight.

Vukovar, “where the Danube kisses the sky”. A city with a turbulent history from prehistory to the Homeland War. Let’s get to know the most important parts of this city with a little walk. This is followed by a visit to the Museum of Vučedol Cultures. The Vučedol culture is one of the most important Bronze Age cultures in Croatia, around 5000 years old. About 2,000 to 3,000 people lived in Vučedol and it was one of the most important centers of that time. People of this culture in Vučedol practiced cattle breeding, probably the oldest cattle breeding in the world. The world’s oldest Indo-European calendar was found there and it is the first place in the world where copper was cast in bronze. Vukovar – Ilok 40 min, 22 mi Ilok, the easternmost town in Croatia. Let’s briefly get acquainted with the turbulent history of the city, the centuries-old crossroads of many civilizations. The Danube was the border of European civilizations, East and West. Take a guided tour through one of the oldest wine cellars in Europe, followed by wine tasting and lunch. In the immediate vicinity is the Principovac viewpoint, where we can have afternoon coffee with a fantastic panorama. Return to Osijek, dinner, overnight stay.

Breakfast, Osijek – Varaždin 3 h 50 min, 211 mi. Arrival at Varaždin, hotel accommodation. Free time for lunch (Individual). In the afternoon sightseeing in the city of Varaždin. The city of Varaždin is located in the northwestern part of Croatia on the right bank of the Drava River. Varaždin reveals itself to the guest as a rare urban pearl. To this day, Varaždin has retained some important features of Croatian “Vienna” as a city of baroque, music and flowers. The biggest attraction of Varaždin is the fortress called “Stari grad” – Old Town. As the operetta “Countess Mariza” by Emmerich Kálmán ​says”: “Come to Varaždin” Dinner, overnight stay.

Breakfast, Varaždin – Krapina, 1 h 10 min, 31 mi. Krapina or more precisely Krapina Neanderthal Museum is one of the most modern museum projects in Croatia and in this part of Europe. An interesting story about the life and culture of the Neanderthals in Krapina, a variety of multimedia and other content, and most importantly, special architecture awaits you. The new museum is connected to the site of prehistoric man, Krapina on Hušnjakovo Hill, by well-groomed hiking trails. Free time for lunch. Transfer, Krapina – Zagreb 1h, 37 mi. Accommodation in the hotel, free time, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast tour of the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb Following is a tour of the City of Zagreb. The Croatian capital Zagreb. Today’s Zagreb arose from two mediaeval settlements that developed over the centuries on two neighbouring hills, the diocese founded by Kaptol and Gradec, a free royal town. Both settlements were surrounded by solid walls and towers, the remains of which have survived to this day. Let’s take a walk and get to know these two parts of the city and let’s visit the Zagreb Cathedral. Free time, dinner, overnight.

Transfer, Zagreb – Sisak 1h, 37 mi. Sightseeing of the city of Sisak. Sisak is one of the largest industrial towns in Croatian history thanks to its oil refinery, iron industry, river port, mill and bakery. Sisak is one of the oldest settlements in central Croatia. The second sightseeing point is the Museum of the City of Sisak. The third sightseeing point is the “Stari grad (Old Town)”, a 16th-century fortress under which the Battle of Sisak took place on June 22, 1593. The fortress is a zero-category monument. Our lunch is waiting in the restaurant next to the fortress, a short break. Transfer: Sisak – Biograd na Moru 4 h, 186 mi. Hotel accommodation, free time, dinner, overnight.

Biograd na Moru: the town is situated on a small peninsula and mainland. The economy is based on agriculture, fishing and tourism. Thanks to its location on the most indented part of the Croatian Adriatic coast, this area offers excellent opportunities for nautical tourism and yachting like only a few parts of the Mediterranean. Besides its cultural and historical heritage, Biograd is also known for its beautiful beaches and picturesque bays. After breakfast there is a brief tour of the town and a visit to the local history museum. Biograd na Moru was the last old Croatian royal town. Free time and special agreement with the hotel (instead of dinner – lunch) After lunch we drive to Zadar, which is only half an hour’s drive away. Zadar: In May 1964, the famous director Alfred Hitchcock uttered a sentence that is still remembered today. “Zadar has the most beautiful sunsets in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, in Florida, applauded at every evening” Today we have “two” suns in Zadar, let’s discover them… The urbanized area of Zadar is two thousand years old, all eras have left visible traces on the old peninsula, let’s discover them. The defence system (walls) of the city of Zadar and the Land Gate are protected by UNESCO. They are part of a group of six defensive walls built by the Republic of Venice between the 15th and 17th centuries along the Adriatic coast. In the center of the old town of Zadar we will visit the Archaeological Museum of Zadar and the Church of St Donatus. After the museum visit sights of Zadar from Roman times to today to us: Forum, Church of St Donatus, Cathedral of St Stošija and Bell Tower, Kalelarga, Sea Organ, Salutation to the Sun, Five Wells Square… Late return to the hotel, overnight.

Breakfast, Biograd na Moru – Šibenik 50 min, 31 mi The city of Šibenik is located in central Dalmatia, where the Krka River flows into the Adriatic Sea. Šibenik was mentioned in 1066 (under its most important name) in a charter of Croatian king Petar Kresimir IV. For this reason the city is also “Krešimirov grad” (Kresimir City). Šibenik is the only city in Croatia with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Cathedral of St. James and the Feast of St. Nicholas. Cathedral of Saint James – an important combination of Gothic & Renaissance styles. It is the only church in Europe built in stone, without any other material whatsoever. It is also fascinating for the series of 71 realistic sculptural portraits surrounding the apse. Sightseeing of the old town and the fortress of St. Ana. Free time for lunch (individual). Transfer, Šibenik – Split 1 h 20 min, 55 mi. Hotel accommodation, dinner, overnight.

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest Dalmatian city. The history of Split has lasted for 17 centuries since Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build a palace on this peninsula where he would spend the last years of his life in peace. The palace slowly developed into a city that today attracts with its rich tradition, great history and beauty of natural and cultural heritage. Diocletian’s Palace and the entire historical core of Split have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, not only because of the exceptional preservation of the palace itself, but also because the palace and its city continue to live to the fullest. Historical layers from ancient Rome through the Middle Ages to the present day. Strolling through the ancient city you can travel through time, top examples of ancient architecture such as the peristyle, mediaeval Romanesque churches and Gothic palaces, Renaissance portals of noble houses, baroque facades to modern architecture… It’s no wonder that the people of Split like to describe their city with the words “Nima Splita do Splita” (“There is no Split like Split”). Morning sightseeing of Split – Diocletian’s Palace accompanied by an expert guide: Cathedral, Crypt, Baptistery, Treasury, Bell Tower… Free afternoon, dinner, overnight.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is the reason why the famous English poet Lord Byron gave this city the nickname “Pearl of the Adriatic”. The old town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 and since then it has attracted more than a million visitors every year. The historic city centre is actually a fortress thanks to the 2 km long city walls, which served as protection against invaders in the past. The main street in the old town is called Stradun and it is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists. At the end of Stradun you can see the beautiful Gothic-Renaissance Sponza Palace and the Rector’s Palace, featured in the world-famous TV series Game of Thrones.

Dubrovnik ( Dubrovnik and Transfer to airport, Flight (back to the USA)