Gastronomic Croatia Itinerary - Akorn Destination Management

Gastronomic Croatia
Duration: 8 days
Highlights: GROUP TOUR. Zagreb, Kumrovec, Samobor, Opatija, Pag, Zadar, Murter, Krka Falls, Split, Ston, Dubrovnik, Konavle, Cavtat
An 8-day tour taking in the highlights of Croatia with particular emphasis on the country's excellent gastronomy.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Zagreb
Upon arrival at Zagreb airport you will be welcomed to Croatia in the arrivals hall by your local representative, and transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with
check-in procedures.
This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Authentic dishes from the Zagreb area
are known as burghers, and are based on Austro-Hungarian cultural heritage. We will taste delicious Zagorje style strukli - pastry stuffed with fresh cottage cheese, grilled
duck with apple and red wine sauce accompanied by an excellent Istrian Merlot wine, followed by apple strudel for dessert.
Overnight: Hotel Regent Esplanade
Meal Plan: D
Day 2 - Zagreb - Kumrovec - Zagreb
Today, embark on a full day trip to the picturesque Hrvatsko zagorje region stretching northwards of Zagreb, with its rolling hills and vineyards, old wooden houses and
castles. Enjoy a visit to the gallery of the Croatian sculptor, Augustincic, and the open air ethno village of Kumrovec.
For lunch, we will taste roast pork with sautéed potatoes and excellent corn bread baked in the baker's oven accompanied by the Frankovka wine from the Moslavina region,
with poppy seed strudel for dessert.
Return to Zagreb followed by dinner at a local restaurant. This evening, we shall enjoy turkey with broad home-made noodles, and Ilocka Grasevina white wine.
Overnight: Hotel Regent Esplanade
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 3 - Zagreb - Samobor - Opatija
This morning, we shall enjoy a morning sightseeing in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, including the Upper Town, St. Mark's church and the Cathedral. We shall then leave for
Samobor, a picturesque town where we will have lunch at a famous restaurant which preserves the tradition of the ancient Croatian dishes: strukli soup, fillet Zagreb style
with a Pinot wine from Zumberak, a hilly region in the Samobor area.
After lunch, we shall continue to Opatija, an elegant destination, once the favourite resort of choice for the Habsburgs and European Royalty. This evening, we shall take
dinner at a restaurant in Lovran on a seaside terrace: a selection of fresh grilled fish with the Malvazia wine from Pazin, Istria.
Overnight: Hotel Millennium
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 4 - Opatija - Pag - Zadar
Leave for the island of Pag, famous for its lamb meat and famous Pag cheese, a result of the quality of aromatic herbs in the vicinity of the sea. Enjoy lunch at Pag, served
with the Plavac wine at a typical local restaurant.
The Pag area is also famous for its long tradition of lace-making and we shall see this delicate local craft at first hand. We shall then continue to Zadar, located in the very
centre of the Croatian Adriatic overlooking the Kornati islands.
This evening dinner will be at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel President
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 5 - Zadar - Murter - Krka Falls - Split
This morning, we shall enjoy a sightseeing tour of Zadar, including the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, St. Donatus Church and the Roman Forum from the 2nd century B.C. We
shall then leave for the island of Murter where we will enjoy an excellent fish stew, brudet, with polenta made from white maize, accompanied by a Zlahtina wine from Vrbnik.
We shall then continue to the Krka Waterfalls National Park to view the falls before continuing on to Split. We shall make one further stop en route at Trogir, a lovely medieval
town dominated by the Cathedral of St Lawrence with its famous Romanesque Portal, the Town Loggia and Renaissance palaces.
Dinner this evening will be sea food specialties at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Le Meridien Split
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 6 - Split - Ston - Dubrovnik
This morning, we shall take a sightseeing tour of Split, including a visit to Diocletian's Palace with its cellars and gates, St. Duimus church, the Peristyle and Jupiter's Temple.
There will be free time for lunch at leisure in Split before we drive along the Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik. There will be various stops en route to admire the view and take
photographs.
We shall stop en route for an early dinner at Ston, well-known for its outstanding oysters. We will taste black risotto (cuttle-fish and shell-fish), Korcula Posip wine and a
traditional local dessert, Ston macaroni cake.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 7 - Durbovnik - Konavle - Cavtat - Dubrovnik
This morning, enjoy a city tour of Dubrovnik including the Franciscan monastery with the Old Pharmacy, St. Blaise's church, the Cathedral, the Rector's Palace.
Late morning we shall leave for an excursion to the region of Konavle where we shall enjoy lunch at the Konavoski Dvori restaurant. Here we shall sample its excellent
smoked ham and cheese, veal baked under an iron bell covered with hot coals and local nut cake. From here we shall continue to Cavtat, a picturesque town with charming
cobble-stone streets, churches and a Franciscan monastery.
This evening we shall enjoy a farewell dinner at Nautika Restaurant including lobster salad, grilled stuffed squid and boiled fish served with Marastina wine.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 8 - Depart Dubrovnik
This morning transfer by private car to Dubrovnik airport and your return flight home.
Meal Plan: B