Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast (Upper Deck, Small Groups, 2023 2024)
Premier
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Zagreb: Join your Local Expert on an orientation city tour showcasing the charming atmosphere of the lower town then travel to the medieval upper town by funicular to see the colourful Church of St. Mark and Lotrščak Tower.
- Pula: Truly magnificent, the colossal Pula Arena was built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, around the same time as the Colosseum of Rome. As you stroll its vast interior, picture the fierce gladiator battles that once took place here in front of 20,000 spectators.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park: Visit this scenic wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes, flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you follow your Local Expert across zig-zagging timber footbridges and learn about the Park’s invaluable research work and conservation of its native species.
- Split: Join your Local Expert for a city tour of Split. Visit Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the winding streets and see the Roman-era buildings. Continue your highlight tour with stops at St. Duje's, the Temple of Jupiter and the Golden Gate.
- Kornati National Park: Sail through the maze of the 89 rocky islands in the Kornati National Park and take time to relax and recharge as you cruise past ruins of the ancient Illyrian fortress, Roman villas, and medieval settlements.
- Discover the natural wonders of Telašćica Bay, one of the most beautiful locations on the Adriatic, with an expert guide. Learn about the formation of the Salt Lake following the last Ice Age. Located inland in a karst depression, the intriguing lake is filled through underground cracks and limestone channels fed by the sea, from which it is separated by only a narrow strip of rock. And admire the iconic white cliffs. Towering 162 metres tall and gleaming out over the deep blue ocean, these are some of the steepest cliffs to rise out over the Adriatic.
- Zadar: Join your Local Expert to see the remains of the 1st century Roman Forum, admire the 9th century St Donatus Basilica, and walk through the 16th century Venetian city walls.
- Zadar: Visit the modern Sea Organ and take a moment to enjoy the symphony of sounds generated by the waves.
- Krka National Park: Admire the beauty and power of nature as you stroll shaded paths with cascades all around you. The spectacular waterfalls of Krka National Park are formed from the Krka and Čikola Rivers. Formed like a series of terraces, they spill over 17 travertine steps in a series of cascades, creating the mighty Skradinski Buk waterfall, which towers 45 meters high. Despite the power of the rushing waters, the pool below remains so tranquil it is possible to swim right up to the base of the falls.
- Šibenik: With an Local Expert, explore this charming city of sun, sea and stone. Built on rocks and constructed with rocks, Šibenik is filled with incredible historical sites, beautiful seaside hangouts, and quaint alleys and squares. Meander through the maze of streets and admire 15th century architecture, including City Hall and the Cathedral of St. James.
- Dubrovnik: Once the sun has lowered and the crowds have disappeared join your Local Expert for a memorable evening sightseeing walk through the marble streets of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and see the Rector’s Palace, St. Blaise’s Cathedral and the Dominican Monastery.
- Optional - Dubrovnik:
- Optional - Dubrovnik: With your included Dubrovnik Pass hike around the impressive City Walls and take in the mesmerising views of the myriad of red roofs and the dazzling Adriatic.
- Mali Losinj: Embark on an exclusive and immersive exploration of the Museum of Apoxymenos. Get to know the story of the 2000-year-old Greek bronze statue, perfectly preserved in the nearby seabed, and housed in the thoughtfully designed museum.
Short Description
See spectacular Croatia on this 2-Week guided tour including a week-long luxury cruise. Enjoy a mix of medieval and modern sightseeing with a Local Expert in Zagreb. See hundreds of waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, then journey to the Opatija Riviera for striking views of the Adriatic Sea. Hunt for truffles with a local farmer and his hound dogs in Istria. Explore the Museum of Apoxyomenos, allowing you unparalleled access to its 2,000-year-old Greek bronze statue. Savour oysters straight from the sea in the picturesque fishing village of Mali Ston, then tour the marble streets of Old Town Dubrovnik with a Local Expert. Later, choose to walk the city’s expansive walls or visit its world-class museums.
Theme
CulturalDestinations
CroatiaAttractions & Cities Visited
N/AActivities & Interests
CultureItinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Zagreb
Your Croatia luxury tour begins with a private chauffeur to your luxurious hotel. Tonight, dine on a selection of traditional Croatian dishes.
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel.
Dinner
Day 2: Zagreb Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Encounter Zagreb’s Ban Josip Jelačić Square. Ascend the Upper Town via funicular for panoramic views before continuing to the Opatija Riviera, once a favourite seaside retreat of the elite.
Hotel Ambassador Opatija
Breakfast
Day 3: Pula and Istria
Discover one of the best-preserved Roman Amphitheaters in the city of Pula. Experience the thrill of truffle-hunting at the family owned and operated Prodan Tartufi
Hotel Ambassador Opatija
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Plitvice Lakes National Park
At the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes, be mesmerised by the waterfalls and turquoise waters as you snake your way around the boardwalks. Continue to the charming seaport city of Split.
Hotel Park
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Board your Adriatic Cruise Relaxed Start
Soak up Split’s Old Town including the remains of Diocletian’s Palace before boarding your cruise ship for your week sailing the Adriatic. Voyage to Primosten, savouring a delicious dinner on board.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: The Islands of Kornati National Park and Telašćica Bay Relaxed Start
Sail through Kornati National Park’s maze of jewel-like islands past ruins and Roman villas. Swim in crystal clear waters before arriving in Telašćica Bay flanked by famous White Cliffs.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Mali Lošinj Relaxed Start
Cruise to the island of Lošinj touring Mali Lošinj town’s harbor and historic quarter. Enjoy a private tour of the Museum of Apoxyomenos, home of the preserved 2000-year-old bronze statue.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Explore Zadar Relaxed Start
Admire the Roman Forum, St. Donatus Basilica’s and Venetian city walls. Experience a symphony of sound from the Sea Organ.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Krka National Park Waterfalls Relaxed Start
At the acclaimed Bibich Winery indulge in Croatian wines and a tapas lunch. See the cascading waterfalls of Krka National Park’s and Sibenik’s 15th-century cathedral. Conclude with a Captain’s Dinner and live entertainment.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Admire Hvar Relaxed Start
Escape to the island of Hvar. Discover the island's archtiecture, natural beauty and history.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: The Golden Horn and Split
Morning cruise to Zlatni Rat, the most famous beach in Dalmatia, the Golden Horn. The beach has a unique and distinctive shape which changes depending on the wind and tide. Relax on deck as you cruise on to Split, upon arrival join your Local Expert for a guided tour.
Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Oyster Tasting and Dubrovnik
Savor fresh oysters in the fishing village of Mali Ston. Arrive at your historic hotel just outside Dubrovnik's city walls and view the Rector’s Palace, St. Blaise’s Cathedral and the Dominican Monastery with a Local Expert.
Hilton Dubrovnik.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Dubrovnik Your Way Relaxed Start
Stroll the city walls, taking in the red roofs juxtaposed against the blue of the Adriatic. Or, visit the Franciscan Monastery Museum or Maritime Museum. Tonight, raise a glass with an elegant dinner at local restuarant.
Hilton Dubrovnik.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Farewell Dubrovnik
Conclude your Zagreb to Dubrovnik tour with a private transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.
Breakfast
Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Luxury Gold.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click
"Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for
the final trip price.
28 Luxury Gold Travel Reviews & Ratings
Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast (Upper Deck, Small Groups, 2023 2024)
Company Reviews
Economy bronze not luxury gold
We have taken a total of seven trips with Tauck and A&K, we wanted to see Sakura and others were full, pricing wise you were slightly cheaper and we decided to try. II have never had 24 people on a luxury tour, there were no local guides, tour director was very poor at making even slight adjustments to the schedule, meals were horrible and took far too much time, Nirth of Japan was a total waste of time. Every single person in the group was disappointed with the entire arrangement. I think you took the money as a luxury trip and subcontracted with a mediocre operator in Japan and pocketed the difference. I am in a business and have no problem with profits, but it should be earned and deserved. What you provided, I could have done in less than half the money with a private tour for two or four. Most daylight hours were spent on a train or at lunch which gave very little time for any sightseeing. The hotels you provided were excellent. Your tour director was not aware that most of these folks were in their late 60s and 70s and she made them do a lot of unnecessary walking which could have been covered by smaller vans. In any case, if you really want some detailed and constructive feedback, I will be happy to chat with you. I know that no one will follow-up, but at least the offer is out there. Good luck with your future endeavors Read less
From an archeological perspective Egypt was most impressive
Over the duration of this 11 day trip 'Elegance of the Nile', we were dealing with at least 3 different tour directors.Obviously some were better than others, but consistency of leadership would have been preferable.
The staff and crew on board the Tosca Nile river boat cruise were exceptional. Their attentiveness, varied food menu and presentation and cleanliness with respect to housekeeping were superlative. This cruise was the highlight of the Egyptian trip.
Sadly ,the country lacks adequate sanitation facilities ,open markets are a feeding frenzy for local merchants of all ages to continuously harass tourists which produce the opposite desired effect of attracting a desired sale. The armed military presence at every possible junction can be unnerving if not prepared or advised of same in advance of a trip to a tomb or pyramid. This may be a function of the stability or lack thereof of the country , rather than a criticism directed towards the Tour Company.
LUXURY GOLD's "Majestic Japan" disappoints...
My rating is based on the following experiences/observations:
1.The size of the group was unquestionably MUCH TOO LARGE (initially set at a maximum of 20 participants, we ended up with 24); this large size made it difficult for one single guide to handle effectively, either logistically or in a timely fashion;
2.“Off to a wrong start”: our initial group meeting on the first night rather “set the stage” (unfortunately!) for the rest of the tour, so to speak. We gathered at 8 PM (which, due to jetlag, was already too late for many participants) for an immediate sit down dinner, with no introductions and no name-tags. It literally took a week to get to know everyone’s name! That evening, drinks were also supposed to be “on the house”, an opportunity to perhaps socialize. But then, the dining room was shutting down and we all had to leave!
3.Our guide was friendly and very polite but appeared unfamiliar with the itinerary; she had only a fair command of the English language and seemed to have minimal knowledge of many of the sites that we visited; as a result, GOOGLE was often our only source of information on specific locations;
4.Transportation on-board both the bullet train and various coach buses was in “economy class” instead of what everyone had assumed would be in “business class”. As a result, we experienced train compartments that were extremely crowded and difficult to navigate (especially with such a large group, and often at rush hours) and the seats on those regular coaches were much too close to each other and definitely uncomfortable;
5.None of the luncheons (sometimes offered as part of the tours) included any beverages except for water. Juices, tea, coffee, etc. were all extras….and had to be paid at the end of the meal. That just added more waiting time to our itinerary…
6.And be it due to the size of the group OR the inexperience of the guide...we WAITED!!! We waited (in line) to access the sites that we were visiting, we waited getting ON the bullet trains and buses, we waited getting OFF those same trains and buses, we waited to get into restaurants and get seated, we waited for people to pay for their beverages at luncheons, we waited for people to gather up back together…we just spent an incredible amount of time JUST WAITING!!! And suddenly OOPPS…we were running out of time and had to rush to our next itinerary stop/location…just to get there and wait some more!!!
7.The excellent write-up on the company’s website had all participants initially very excited about the trip, with great expectations of a memorable experience. Unfortunately, few of those expectations ever materialized.
8.On the plus side, the itinerary for the most part was very good. The hotel accommodations and meals were truly excellent! At that price point, however, we were expecting a much better experience…hence my current rating!
Magnificent
I had the most amazing vacation in Egypt with Luxury Gold. Absolutely everything was fantastic… all employees were wonderful, the food was good, the rooms were clean, I felt safe in a foreign country, our guide Mohamed Youssef was so knowledgeable and organized. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect vacation. Thank you!
Elegance of the Nile - Our Best Trip ever
Greetings,
The customer service from all the personnel of Luxury Gold was above expectations, specially the one we receive from Mohamed Youssif our tour guide. His knowledge about the Egyptian culture and his explanations of all the temples was exceptional. Glad to have him as our tour guide; he make our trip one of a kind.
Mohamed Youssif it was a great pleasure to meet you, thanks for make this trip our best trip ever.
Victor Abreu & Elia Carrion
Tony, the tour director was excellent.
Tony, the tour director was excellent. Informative and engaging. Destinations were well thought out and enjoyable. Would have liked a little more time to enjoy the properties at Kings Canyon and Alice Springs. Dave, the driver was excellent although he did a great job and we appreciated the shorter route, to Alice Springs, the ride itself was very bumpy and uncomfortable at times. Nonetheless would suggest keeping in as it reduces time on the bus. Driver Ashley in Sydney area was also quite good.
Details
Group Size
Small Group - 24 max
Maximum Number of People in Group: 24
Accommodations
- Esplanade Zagreb Hotel.
- Hotel Ambassador Opatija
- Hotel Park
- Rhapsody, Katarina Line.
- Hilton Dubrovnik.
Trip ID#:
luxury-G263UMZN19
Meals Included
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 10 Lunch (L)
- Istria: Learn about the aromatic 'black diamonds' and join a local farmer and his well-trained hounds to hunt for truffle, and sample a selection of salamis, spreads and cheeses prepared with this gourmet delicacy.
- Skradin: Specialists in boutique wine production, the Bibich vineyards are over 500 years old. With a deep devotion to the native grape and a strong respect for the land, the vintners of Bibich represent generations of family vintners. Taste some of the finest Croatian wines, paired expertly with tapas, for a true flavour of the region.
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By clicking «Send my questions» you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. An account will be created for you to track your submission and a temporary password will be emailed to you.
×
Now, Unlock Member Savings
Our Travelstride Select trips allow you and your travel companions to save up to $700. You wouldn’t want to miss that, right?
With your FREE membership you get to:
- Save up to $700 per person!*
- Access private deals and offers
- See personalized trip recommendations
- Save favorite trips
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By joining you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
You could save $ 600 per person on this trip!
