Plitvice lakes and other natural beauties of Croatia & sailing on the Adriatic

Home port of Dubrovnik – final port of Split (Sailing always begins on Saturday and ends on Saturday.)

Saturday: Morning disembarkation from the ship in Split. Accommodation in a hotel in Split, free day for resting, shopping and swimming, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, transfer Split – Biograd na Moru 1 h 40 min, 85 mi 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. Hotel accommodation, free day for rest and swimming, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast and off we go to the port, a ship is waiting for us for a trip along the islands of the Kornati National Park and to the Telašćica Nature Park. National Park Kornati – the stone pearls of the Mediterranean. A stone labyrinth of eighty-nine islands, islets and cliffs in the sea – these are the Kornati. The Mediterranean’s most rugged archipelago is seen from the air like a string of stone beads. The dry stone walls on the islands are silent and constantly testify to the hardship of human labour on the barren land full of stones, but surrounded by the turquoise blue, crystal clear sea. Lunch on board. We anchor off the island of Dugi otok in the bay “Mir (Peace)” and head towards the Telaščica Nature Park. The salt lake “Mir” is located in the south-western part of the Telašćica Nature Park. The lake is located in a narrow part of the mainland between Telašćica Bay and the open sea. Its length is about 900 m and its maximum width is about 300 m. The maximum depth is 6 m. The lake is salty because it is connected to the sea by underground channels. Its salinity is generally higher than that of the surrounding sea, due to the marked evaporation and closure of the lake. Free time for individual exploration and swimming. Return in the evening, dinner, overnight stay.

Free day to rest and swim. Suggestion for individual activity, for those who want to spend their time actively, we suggest the following options: I. Short ferry ride to the island of Pašman, place Tkon. Only a 5-minute walk from the ferry port, swimming on the sandy beach. II. Visit to Fun Park Biograd, distance 3.5 km, 45 min. on foot or 6 min. by car.

Breakfast, Biograd na Moru – Nin 1 h, 31 mi Nin is a small Dalmatian town rich in history from Roman times to the present days. A royal city from the early Middle Ages, surrounded by medieval city walls, will simply enchant you. However, Nin has more to offer, next to the town is the famous Nin Salt Works, which is over 2000 years old and it dates back to Roman times. We will get to know the production of sea salt and, of course, taste it. First a tour of the Saline, then the town of Nin, free time and special agreement with the hotel (instead of dinner we have lunch – package) Transfer Nin – Zadar, which is only half an hour 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 centre 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: 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 in Biograd na Moru, overnight.

Breakfast, Biograd na Moru – Plitvice Lakes National 1 h 50 min, 96 mi Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest, oldest and most visited national park in Croatia. And on top of that, it’s the only one to have made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Why? Mainly because of its rich flora and fauna and sixteen magical turquoise lakes with numerous cascades. The beauty of this national park is truly unique and that is why more than a million people from all over the world visit Plitvice. Visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park with a lunch break (individually). Transfer Plitvice Lakes National – Tuheljske Toplice 2 h 15 min, 105 mi. Hotel accommodation, possibility of swimming, dinner, overnight stay.

Breakfast, transfer Tuheljske Toplice – Zagreb 54 min, 31 mi 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 in Zagreb, return to the hotel in the afternoon. Terme Tuhelj Spa Hotel is located next to a thermal spring in the mountainous region of Hrvatsko Zagorje, 40 km from Zagreb. Numerous indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam baths are available on site. Just a few meters from the hotel is the “Restaurant Dvorac (Castle) Mihanovć”. Free time for resting and swimming, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Tuheljske Toplice – Varaždin 1 h 20 min, 55 mi 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” Free time for lunch (Individual). Transfer Varaždin – Trakošćan castle 52 min, 24 mi Trakošćan Castle, they say, is the most beautiful castle in Croatia. Built as a fortress in the 13th century, it took on its final appearance in the 19th century. It now houses a museum and it is surrounded with an artificial lake. The Weapons Collection is one of the museum’s largest collections, containing over 300 weapons made between the 15th and 20th centuries. The value of this collection is priceless, and its content follows the military history of the Drašković noble family. What is interesting is that all the exhibits are original. Return to the hotel, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, Tuheljske Toplice – fortified castle of Veliki Tabor 30 min, 12 mi. In the part of the north-western territory of Hrvatsko Zagorje, near the town of Desinić on a beautiful hill, there is the fortified castle of Veliki Tabor, which according to UNESCO belongs to the highest category of monuments. The impressive picture that the castle offers us from all sides, as well as the interior of the castle, leave a lasting impression on the visitor. Lunch at a farm, traditional dishes. Free time for resting and swimming, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Tuheljske Toplice – Budapest (Hungary) 4 h, 214 mi Hotel accommodation, free time, dinner “csárda” (traditional Hungarian restaurant). Overnight stay.

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 centre 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) Free afternoon, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, transport from the hotel – Airport Budapest approx. 40 min. Flight (back to the USA)