• Activity Level:  1
  • Comfort:  4
  • Departs From: Zagreb
  • Location: Zagreb, Opatija, Motovun, Rovinj, Pula, Split
  • Duration: 4 days (starts daily)
  • Availability: DAILY, April - October
  • CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Highlights

  • Great for combining with a cruise from Split
  • See the best of Northern Croatia
  • Zagreb, Capital of Croatia
  • Opatija, Croatian Riviera
  • Motovun, Historial Hill Town Town famous for truffles
  • Pula Amphitheatre
  • Rovinj, Historical Seaside Town
  • Departure Transfer to Split included!
Book now (obligation free) pay later

4 days from Zagreb, to Opatija, Motovun, Rovinj, Pula (Istria) and to Split

Enjoy the Istrian peninsula, the Mediterranean as it once was
Explore romantic hilltop towns, great wine and food, the world’s best olive oils and Istria’s secret treasure, the truffle.
It is not Italy, it is Croatia, probably the best of it. Some say Istria is even better than Tuscany!
Private Tour, Wednesday and Sunday departures listed, other days available upon request

Itinerary

Open-age Independent Tour. You will be on your own with just your own group, there is no Tour Escort and no public group departures. Double/twin rooms available. Solo travellers must book a room for solo use. Most triple rooms are a double bed with a single sofa-bed.

Our Independent Tour includes private vehicle transfers, hotels, breakfast and sightseeing tours with local guides. A great option to meet up with all cruises that depart from Split. Group size ranges from 2 to 20 passengers, but departures are guaranteed for all group sizes. Please note this 'independent tour' has no Tour Escort, it is a series of transfers and local guides so that all departures can be guaranteed even if there's just 2 passengers. Transfers and hotels are all booked for you as a package, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy your time in each city. Bed and breakfast included.

Ideal to combine with a cruise from Split:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/cruises/?departs=Split

Similar tour, 5nts:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/220/northern-highlights-tour-zagreb-istria-split-5nts/

Similar tour with Slovenia:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/325/zagreb-to-split-via-slovenia-private-tour-5nts/

===================================================================
INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
4 days from Zagreb, to Opatija, Motovun, Rovinj, Pula (Istria) and to Split to finish

INCLUDED:
• Three overnights in hotels including breakfast
• Lunch in Opatija
• Dinner with wine tasting in Roxanich Restaurant
• Truffles Dinner in Motovun area
• Coffee in Buzet.
• All transfers as per itinerary with air-conditioned vehicle

Sightseeing Tours Included:
• Sightseeing Zagreb, Opatija, Rovinj & Pula.
• Entrance fees to Pula Amphitheatre and Vodnjan Parish Church


NOT INCLUDED:
• Optional tours/activities
• Tips/gratuities
• Meals/drinks not listed


ITINERARY:

Arrival in Zagreb anytime and transfer to hotel. Check-in to your room from 14.00hrs. Passengers who arrive earlier can leave their bags at Reception until their room is ready. Late arrivals are possible.


Day 1 Arrival Zagreb (30 km)
Arrival in Zagreb, transfer to the hotel. Time at leisure followed by a walking tour of Zagreb, the medieval Upper Town, St. Mark’s church, its multicolour tiled roof, the Parliament and the government palace, and the Lotrščak tower, from which the cannon fires every day noon. A very mystical place is also Zagreb’s Stone gate, the most significant shrine in Zagreb. Take a ride on the funicular and visit the spectacular Zagreb Cathedral. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 2 Opatija – Motovun (250 km) (B, L, D)
After breakfast drive to Opatija, situated on the picturesque Kvarner Bay, which used to be the favourite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov and Isadora Duncan. Walk across the Angiolina Park named after the first Villa built for tourism purposes and along the legendary 130-year-old Franz Joseph sea promenade, with the Maiden with the Seagull statue and the oldest hotel on the Adriatic coast. Lunch in a local restaurant along the way. Continue to the Istrian coast along a scenic coastal road to the hotel in Motovun. Before dinner, a walk through the old town of Motovun is a must. Dinner is accompanied by wines from the hotel’s own wine cellar. Overnight in Motovun.

Day 3 Istrian Excursion (Rovinj - Pula) - Motovun (160 km) (B, D)
Time to get to know the Istrian Peninsula with a visit to Rovinj, perhaps the most beautiful city in Istriawith its unique location on a small peninsula with the St. Euphemia church dominating it. Hear the legend of St. Euphemia, a young Christian girl from Constantinople, which refused to give up Christianity, and was thrown to the lions. After the tour of Rovinj, continue to Pula, to visit the Amphitheater, better known as the Arena of Pula, once the site of gladiator fights. Built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the magnificent Colosseum in Rome. Visit the Vodnjan parish church. Dinner in a local tavern with delicious Istrian specialities with olive oil and truffles. Overnight in Motovun.

Day 4 Split (480 km) (B)
Before leaving Istria for Split, a coffee stop with an amazing view in the old town of Buzet is planned. Continue your drive along the coast to finish in Split. Transfer to Split Airport, Port or Hotel included, or if you prefer, return to Zagreb or Pula Airports.


B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
===================================================================

Accommodations

Great accommodations are provided.

Inclusions

  • INCLUDED:
  • Transportation
  • Guide
  • Wine tasting

Exclusions

NOT INCLUDED: Lunch Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our specific FAQ pages here:

Before You Go - General Croatia Info (general info for all travellers)

Before Your Cruise - General Cruise Info (for all small ship Croatia cruises)

Before Your Island Hopping Tour - General Info (packages combining hotels, ferries and transfers)

Before Your Private Charter - General Yacht and Gulet Charter Info (private charters)

 

Click here to see how the booking process works: https://www.discovercroatia.com.au/booking-process-how-to-book/

How far in advance do I need to book?

Cruises: For our weekly small ship cruises with guaranteed departures we suggest you book as soon as your plans are in motion. All cruises are extremely popular especially during peak season, which is June, July, August, September and these dates can be booked out up to a year in advance, especially September. One-way cruises are particularly sought-after and tend to sell out first, so please speak to us first to ensure your cruise choice is available before booking any flight arrangements.

Escorted Tours: Escorted Group Tours with guaranteed departures are also best booked as early as possible to ensure your place on the tour, as spaces are limited to a set number of passengers. Once the tour is full that departure is closed for new bookings.

Island Hopping, Self-Drive, Self-Guided Cycling/Hiking and Independent or Private Tours: Independent tours are available most days of the week at any time of year, so if you're booking late these are a great option. They can also start or finish on any day of the week, so can be a great alternative to the cruises (that mostly depart only on Saturdays). You can check out our Island Hopper Tours and our active tours for some examples. If you can't find what you are looking for please make an enquiry on any of our tours and let us know what you need. We love creating custom tours with our clients.

What do the different ship categories mean?

Please see our Ship Descriptions page here, for all the information on Ship Categories, Deck and Cabin Descriptions.

 

What is half-board? What meals are included?

Half-board (HB): This means that 2 meals a day are usually provided, mostly it will be breakfast and lunch on cruises, and breakfast and dinner on escorted tours. Each cruise or tour will have meals listed on the daily itinerary, so that you will know exactly which meals are included. Some lunches or dinners are swapped occasionally, so that you may enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience with your fellow travellers, such as a Captain's Dinner on a cruise, or a wine-tasting and lunch on an escorted tour. For the remainder of your meals you will be able to dine anywhere you choose and you will be responsible for the cost of those meals. Your Cruise or Tour Director will be happy to recommend a good value and trusted eatery nearby at every location, or you can explore on your own.

Bed and Breakfast (BB): This means that only breakfast is included in your holiday. Most of our Independent Tours include breakfast only, so that you are not beholden to going back to your hotel for lunch or dinner as you are going to be exploring on your own. We think that flexibility with lunch and dinner gives you the best option for exploring Croatia and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.

Full-board (FB) is occasionally offered on cruises as an optional extra, but we do not recommend you take the full-board option unless you are really sure about it. A lot of the joy of the cruise and tour experiences is to dine in local restaurants, 'konobas' (traditional pubs) and bars, so that you can meet the people who live and work there. Why come all the way to Croatia only to eat on-board for every meal? There are so many fabulous (and even some famous!) eateries. Get out there and taste them!

 

What type of transport is used on the Island Hopper Tours? Local ferries and vehicle transfers

Local ferries: Local ferries are used between the mainland and the islands where possible. Most of these ferries are fast ferries (high speed catamarans). Our Island Hopper Tours include all ferry tickets, as well as delivery of the ferry tickets to your hotel, when we come to pick you up to take you to the ferry port. In some towns, where some hotels are in the pedestrian zone close to the ferry port (like Hvar), then you will be met at the ferry and directed to your hotel, with luggage assistance if required. If your hotel is outside the pedestrian zone you will be met at the ferry and taken to your transfer vehicle, with luggage assistance if required.

Transfers: Most Island Hoppers have private airport transfers included, and private transfers to/from the ferry ports on the islands. Some transfers will be shared transfers if there are others going to the exact same hotel at the same time and it is a short distance.

How fit do I need to be for my holiday?

Relaxation/cultural cruises and tours: On-board your cruise ship, you will need to be able to negotiate gangways and stairs and be able to step from ship to ship as the cruise ships are moored next to each other sideways and sometimes you need to step across to the next ship. You will be walking mostly on the cobblestone streets through the iconic cities and towns of the region. The excursions are best-suited to those who are capable of walking on uneven surfaces as many old cities and towns have limited totally flat surfaces that can accommodate wheelchairs or walking-frames. Please contact us to ask about your specific circumstances, as we are happy to help plan for your needs as best we can. Assistance will be provided on cruise ships to help you navigate getting on and off, but there are a few limitations. Please ask.

Cycling tours: Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.

What happens if I can't attend an excursion?

It is possible to relax at your hotel, on the tour bus or on the boat at any time.

What happens if I can't cycle or hike a stage on an active holiday?

For cycling cruises: If you don't want to cycle it is possible to relax on the boat as it moves to the next port of call.

For cycling and hiking tours: If you don't want to (or can't due to illness or injury) cycle, hike or walk a stage, then we will make arrangements to have you transferred to the next stop on your itinerary so that you can continue with your holiday. Prices for transfers vary widely, so pricing will be provided on an 'as needed' basis only.

What equipment do I need?

Relaxation/excursion cruises and tours: You will need comfortable walking shoes, clothes for relaxing, your swimming costume, and a sunhat. Most cruises are fairly relaxed and casual clothing is fine for all meals, though you may want to take one nice outfit depending on where you wish to dine onshore.

Cycling cruises and tours: You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.

If you have any questions, just give us a call or email:

Call us or WhatsApp: +612-9212-1507
Email us: [email protected]

 

 

Discover Croatia logoCNTB Logo

Photos

Motovun
Motovun

Pula
Pula

Video

Make an enquiry Book now (obligation free) pay later

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Available Special Offer
UNAVAILABLE / SOLD OUT
Click on available dates (blue or red) for pricing
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Arrival Zagreb (30 km)
  • Day 2 Opatija – Motovun (250 km) (B, L, D)
  • Day 3 Istrian Excursion (Rovinj - Pula) - Motovun (160 km) (B, D)
  • Day 4 Split (480 km) (B)