FAMOUS 45th WINE PARALLEL IN CROATIA

Airport Budapest – transfer to the hotel approx. 40 min.

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)
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 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.
At the end of the tour there will be a wine tasting.

Return to the hotel, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, Osijek – Vukovar 40 min, 22 mi

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.
Next is a visit to the Water Tower, a symbol of the 1991 war events, which offers a magnificent view of the Danube and the surrounding area.

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.

Then guided tour through one of the oldest wine cellars in Europe, wine tasting and lunch.

In the immediate vicinity is the Principovac viewpoint, where we can have afternoon coffee with a fantastic panorama view.

Return to Osijek, dinner, overnight stay.

The Stud Farm in Đakovo was established in 1506 which qualifies it to be among the oldest stud farms in Europe and proves a long tradition of horse breeding in this area. Horses of the Lipizzaner breed have been bred at the Stud Farm since the beginning of the 19th century.

Đakovo is located in the heart of the geographical region of Slavonia in eastern Croatia. Đakovo is an episcopal town that attracts attention with its monumental cathedral. Pope John XXIII, walking through Đakovo, proclaimed Đakovo Cathedral “the most beautiful church between Venice and Constantinople”.
Wine tasting in the Episcopal Cellars next to the Cathedral, free time for lunch (individually) and continuation of the journey.

Transfer: Đakovo – Stupnički Dvori 1 h, 46 mi

Stupnički Dvori – hotel, winery and restaurant built in the spirit of tradition and local architecture.
In the afternoon we have an organized tour of vineyards, cellars, wine shops and most importantly an attractive tasting of the best Croatian wines.

Hotel accommodation, dinner, overnight stay.

Stara Kapela eco-ethno village is a tourist area that faithfully shows how people used to live in this area. Relaxation from hectic everyday life, full of green and untouched nature.

Afterwards lunch and wine tasting in the old wine cellar. Gastronomic specialties and wines of this area.

Return to Stupničke dvore, free time, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, transfer Stupnički Dvori – Naturpark Lonjsko polje, Čigoč 1h 40 min, 77 mi

In 1994, the village of Čigoč was declared the first European stork village.
In summer, the stork population is larger than the human population of the village.

Lonjsko Polje Nature Park: Get to know the largest Croatian floodplain of the Danube basin and the traditional architecture of this area.

Lunch at “Tradicije Čigoč”, autochthonous ambience with traditional Croatian delicacies.

Transfer Čigoč – Delnice 2 h 390 min, 124 mi

Accommodation in the hotel, dinner, overnight.

The town of Delnice covers the central area of mountainous Croatia.
The richness and beauty of the city are most evident in the pristine nature that surrounds it and is an integral part of it.

After breakfast a short drive (10 min) to Lokvarka Cave.

We dive into the mystical world of the karst underground. Paved paths and stairs lead us to three explored cave halls for a total distance of 1200 meters. The path we can go leads to a depth of about 40 meters.

Nearby is the forest park Golubinjak. Beech, fir and spruce trees, sometimes over 35 m high, on the basis of huge limestone rocks, give this area the characteristics of a Special Protection Area of forest vegetation.
Golubinjak is ideal for enjoying and relaxing in nature, active visitors have numerous hiking trails.

Numerous establishments take care of the gastronomic offer, with an enchanting view of the lakes.

After lunch we drive to the nature house “Kotač” which is only 5 minute drive away. Here we treat ourselves with a tasting of homemade medicinal liqueurs made from various plants. There is also a permanent exhibition room mainly related to the history of Luzinska Street, a 200-year-old road connecting Rijeka and Karlovac (continent with the sea).

Return to Delnice, dinner, overnight.

Breakfast, Delnice – Nin 2 h 30 min, 160 mi

Nin is a small Dalmatian town rich in history from Roman times to the present day. A royal city from the early Middle Ages, surrounded by mediaeval 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 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, lunch break (individually) in town and onward journey to Split.

Transfer, Nin – Split 2 h, 102 mi

Accommodation in a hotel, 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 has slowly developed into a city that today attracts with its rich tradition, great history, 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”).
Split is much more than a magnificent architectural backdrop. It is a city where you can enjoy top gastronomy and wines.

So we explore the city on a walking tour of Split with wine tasting and Dalmatian delicacies.

Free afternoon, dinner, overnight stay.

Transfer Split – Dubrovnik 4 h, 147 mi

Accommodation in a hotel, free afternoon for resting and swimming, 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.

Free time for lunch (individually).

Experience the traditional spirit and original rural atmosphere on this beautiful excursion to Konavle. Tour of wineries by tourist train through rich vineyards. Enjoy some of the best wines from this part of Croatia.

Return to Dubrovnik, dinner, overnight.

Transfer to airport, Flight (back to the USA)