Beautiful cities, castles and palaces of Croatia and the Adriatic sea

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) 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 of 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 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 hand crafts) there will be a tasting of local brandies and liqueurs. For lunch we will 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.

Breakfast, transfer Osijek – Trakoščan Castle 3h 40 min, 226 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 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. Tour of the castle, free time for lunch (individually). Transfer Trakošćan Castel – Varaždin 50 min, 24 mi Accommodation in the hotel, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, view of the baroque center of Varaždin and the Old Town Fortress. 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 – Zagreb 1h 10 min, 54 mi Accommodation in the hotel, free time, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, Zagreb – Lužnica castle 40 min, 13 mi Lužnica Castle is a baroque castle in Lužnica, a suburb of Zaprešić. It was built in the second half of the 18th century and is an example of a multi-wing open castle. Today it has the status of a monument of the first category. It belongs to the Order of Sisters of Charity of St. Vinko Paulski, and on the premises of the castle, there is a spiritual and educational center Mary’s Palace, run by nuns. Castle tour and lunch. Return to hotel in Zagreb, early dinner and evening tour of Zagreb. The Croatian capital Zagreb. Today’s Zagreb arose from two medieval settlements that developed over the centuries on two neighboring 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, overnight.

Breakfast, Zagreb – Rijeka 2 h, 102 mi Rijeka is the largest Croatian port, which has become one of the largest European ports and a powerful industrial center due to its ideal geographical location and the depth of the sea in the Kvarner Bay. Rijeka is the third-largest city in Croatia. Sightseeing of the main sights in the center of Rijeka: walk along the “Promenade”, St. Vid Cathedral, Leaning Tower, Capuchin Church, Old Gate…. Free time for lunch (individually). Transfer Rijeka – Biograd na Moru 3 h 10 min, 198 mi. Accommodation in the hotel, dinner, overnight.

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 centre of the old town of Zadar we will visit the Archaeological Museum of Zadar and the Church of St Donatus. After visiting the museum 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, overnight stay.

Breakfast, Biograd na Moru – Krka National Park 50 min, 31 mi Seven magnificent waterfalls: Bilušića buk, Brljan, Manojlovac, Rošnjak, Miljacka slap, Roški slap and Skradinski buk. These are the Krka travertine waterfalls. For many, the most beautiful turquoise blue lines of the Dalmatian karst. The beauty of the cascade and the dense, rich sound of aquatic life. First follows a boat trip from Skradin to the most famous waterfall Skradinski buk. Free time for lunch. 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 It is the only church in Europe built in stone, without any material whatsoever. It is also fascinating for the series of 71 realistic sculptural portraits surrounding the apse. Return to Biograd na Moru, free time, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, Biograd na Moru – Trogir 1 h 30 min, 68 mi Trogir, just thirty kilometres from Split, is another wonder of ancient Roman architecture. The entire city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Visit the Cathedral of St. Lovre, the main church of the city, which is one of the best architectural examples in Croatia. It is known for its Romanesque portal created by Master Radovan. Probably the most important symbol of Trogir is the Kamerlengo Tower (at the end of the town’s waterfront), built after the establishment of Venetian rule in the 15th century. Free time for lunch (individual) Transfer, Trogir – Split 30 min, 18 mi Accommodation in the hotel, free time, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast and we go on a tour. Game of Thrones from Split. Klis Fortress is one of the most complete examples of fortress architecture in Croatia. It is in a strategically important position. Due to its strategic location at the junction of Split with Zagora and Bosnia, it has been in a struggle for supremacy for centuries. Klis Fortress is one of the most famous fortresses in Croatia and was first mentioned in the 5th century, but it mainly owes its fame to the period of the Turkish Wars. 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”). Free afternoon, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, transfer, Split – Dubrovnik 3 h, 142 mi. Accommodation in a hotel, free time for lunch (individually), and a city tour. 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. Dinner, overnight.

Transfer to airport, Flight (back to the USA).