Croatia, Montenegro & Albania:
Food & Wine Tour
From small-group & private tours to cooking classes, private transfers, the best hotels, and accommodations – we curate the most incredible authentic experiences through Europe for the entire family.
Want us to plan it for you? Click the button below to get started!
Day 1
Zagreb, Capital of Croatia
Firstly you arrive in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, anad more than a 1000-year-old city.
Private transfer to your hotel and check-in. After a long trip hotel amenities will help you to relax and rejuvenate for further days to come.
In the afternoon get ready for “Welcome dinner” in a traditional local restaurant where food is prepared according to original recipes from the 16-century. The owner is very passionate about food & wine pairing so you are in good hands to have the best food & wine experience there is.
Day 2
Zagreb, Capital of Croatia
Secondly your day will start with a magnificent cup of coffee in the oldest coffee shop in Zagreb situated on the main square overlooking the statue of Ban Jelacic. Croatians are very sensitive about the coffee and coffee drinking in local coffee shops and it is part of the culture.
Then indulge in morning sightseeing with a local guide to explore the city.
Visit Museum of Broken Relationships, a physical and virtual public space created with the sole purpose of treasuring and sharing people’s heartbreaking stories and symbolic possessions. It is a museum about you, about us, about the ways we love and lose.
In the early afternoon, departure to the region Croatian Zagorje, an area of chocolate-box enchantment: miniature wooded hills are crowned with the castles they seem designed for, and streams tumble through lush vineyards.
Visit a local winery. During the visit, you will get a chance to participate in a traditional harvest and learn the wine-making process. Dinner and wine tasting with traditional folklore and music in a winery.
After dinner departure back to Zagreb.
Day 3
Discover Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
After breakfast departure to National Park Plitvice Lakes.
The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species.
Take a walk with a local guide through this heaven on earth. Enjoy the scenery of beautiful waterfalls and untouched nature. And don’t forget to make a wish under the largest waterfall as it is supposedly making your wishes come true.
After visiting NP Plitvice, we will have a traditional dinner in a local restaurant – Licka Kuca.
Continue to Zadar, the city voted to be the best European destination for 2015, city monument, surrounded by historical ramparts, a treasury of the archaeological and monumental riches of ancient and medieval times, Renaissance and many contemporary architectural achievements such as the first sea organs in the world.
Day 4
Zadar, Croatia
After breakfast meeting with the local guide and Zadar sightseeing.
While walking with your guide through the city of Zadar you will get to discover the ancient Forum, a symbol of the city-church of St. Donat, St. Anastasia, monuments and palaces, you will learn all about the rich history of this beautiful old town.
Tour the Land Gate and city walls, Square of Five Wells, People’s Square, and of course the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun. Walk along the waterfront with the sounds of the sea organ, which is unique in the world, will make your experience complete.
According to Albert Hitchcock, Zadar is the undoubtedly city with the most beautiful sunset in the world and you will have a chance to be a part of it.
Enjoy your dinner in one of the restaurants in the old city of Zadar.
Day 5
Discover National Park Kornati, Croatia
In the afternoon embark on a boat and soon sail around National Park Kornati.
This archipelago consists of 140 islands covering an area of 114 square miles (300 square km), with most of it declared a National Park – and with its natural beauty, numerous coves, and crystal clear blue waters, it’s easy to see why.
Enjoy the beautiful sunset on your way back to Zadar.
Day 6
Split, Croatia
After breakfast departure to Split, the second-largest city in Croatia and the city that has all: Roman ruins and grand museums alongside fashionable cafes and trendy shops.
Our journey through ancient history starts with the fact that the Roman emperor Diocletian was born in a nearby important Illyrian center and the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia – Salona. He ordered to build thus one of today’s most preserved palaces of that time in the nearby town Split.
With a professional city guide, we are continuing our journey and sightseeing the 1700-year-old Diocletian`s Palace in Split, imagining how the life of Diocletian was like, within the walls of the palace. During the tour, we stop by to see the Cathedral of St Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural wonders on the Adriatic coast but also the ancient cellars, Peristyle in the center of the palace, Roman temples (today Christian ones), the famous Golden Gate and the big statue of Grgur Ninski.
On this walking tour, you will get to know Split and its history in an interesting way.
After Split sightseeing lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, embark on a catamaran and sail to island Korcula.
Subsequently rich in vineyards, olive groves, small villages, and harboring a glorious old town, the island of Korčula is the sixth-largest Adriatic island, stretching nearly 47km in length. Dense woods led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina (Black Korčula). Quiet coves and small sandy beaches dot the steep southern coast while the northern shore is flatter and more pebbly. Tradition is alive and kicking on Korčula, with age-old religious ceremonies, folk music, and dances still being performed to the delight of an ever-growing influx of tourists.
Check in to the hotel.
Day 7
Korcula, Croatia
After breakfast meeting with the local guide and morning sightseeing of old town Korcula.
The old medieval town of Korčula is like a miniature museum, surrounded by walls and towers. The magnificent architecture strongly attracts each visitor, as well as its residents.
The Statute of the Town of Korčula surprisingly dates back from 1214 and is one of the oldest codes in the Slavic world, which shows the structure of life and a highly developed awareness of the inhabitants of that time.
The highlight of the sightseeing will be the birth house of Marco Polo.
In the evening we are taking you to the famous ranch for a dinner. The food at the ranch is homemade, prepared from fresh good quality ingredients, the atmosphere is tranquil, people are friendly and kind, the decor is eye soothing, and there is an overall relaxing feeling lingering around the place. This genuine Mediterranean ambient has even enchanted some famous guests, such as Bill Gates or Bernie Eccelstone.
After dinner return back to the hotel.
Day 8
Wine and Oysters, Croatia
After breakfast departure to Dubrovnik, one of the world’s most stunning destinations, both in terms of its cultural heritage and as a holiday destination.
The city has often been referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” because it was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 as a city of rich culture and history. The Old Town of Dubrovnik is accordingly surrounded by 1,970 meters of city walls – over the centuries they served to protect the city from various threats and today are the city’s greatest attraction.
On your way to Dubrovnik stop at peninsula Pelješac, undoubtedly famous for the best Croatian wines. Wine tasting while in one of the most famous Croatian wineries.
After that wine tasting, continue to Ston, a medieval little town whose history reaches back as far as the 14th century. Overall it’s a small town with the longest stone wall in Europe (5,5 km), with narrow quiet streets, noble ancient houses, and traces of ancient cultures.
Regardless the bay of Mali Ston is famous all over the world for the quality of its oysters. Unquestionably clean seas offer the bay of Ston the ideal conditions for growing high-quality oysters. Thereafter oyster tasting in a local oyster farm. After that oyster tasting, continue to Dubrovnik.
Day 9
Dubrovnik & Elaphiti Islands, Croatia
After breakfast meeting with the local guide and Dubrovnik sightseeing.
The local guide will take you to the most wonderful and hidden streets of the city. Explore Dubrovnik City Walls (UNESCO HERITAGE SITE) and enjoy a unique view of the Old Town of Dubrovnik including its narrow streets and small squares.
In the afternoon embark on a boat and explore the Elaphiti Islands.
Since ancient times, the islands were a place of comfort, vacation, and delight. All this due to well-preserved nature, clean and clear sea, sandy beaches, beautiful pine forest, olive gardens, numerous promenades and footpaths. Those are the scenes that remain forever in people’s memory and landscapes that make the people come back again. Also, you will enjoy a tasty dinner on a boat.
Day 10
Day at Leisure in Dubrovnik, Croatia
After breakfast day at leisure.
In the evening departure to traditional Dalmatian restaurant so-called “konoba” where you will be able to try “peka” – a baked dish with meat and vegetables made in a pot or a tray, and the pot placed into the embers of a fireplace.
Day 11
Montenegro
After breakfast departure to Kotor, a city steeped in tradition and history, with remarkable scenic views.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the old city was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is filled with medieval architecture and historic monuments. Extending over four kilometers, the city walls that have protected Kotor for centuries lead up to the fortress of Saint Ivan.
Meeting with the local guide to enjoy Kotor sightseeing.
Continue to Budva, a small coastal city of some twenty thousand inhabitants. Sandy beach along Budva of some 20 km is treated as one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Budva’s pearl is most certainly Old Town, more than 2.500 years old, a treasure of Montenegrin cultural heritage. Narrow streets covered in stone, fortifications that surround it, museums, galleries, and sacred objects – a treasure that each day attracts a large number of visitors.
Hotel check-in and free time to relax.
Day 12
Lake Shkodër & Kruje, Albania
After breakfast departure to Kruje, Albania.
On the way to Kruje stop to see Lake Shkodër — also called Lake Scutari. Lake Shkodër and Lake Shkodra — lies on the border of Albania and Montenegro, the largest lake in Southern Europe. It’s got it’s name after the city of Shkodër in northern Albania.
Also, we will stop and see Rozafa castle – it is a castle near the city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130 meters (430 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the Bojana and Drin rivers. Shkodër is the capital of the Shkodër County, and is one of Albania’s oldest and most historic towns, as well as an important cultural and economic center.
Continue to Kruje and hotel check-in and a free afternoon.
Day 13
Kruje and Tirana, Albania
After breakfast departure to the ancient town of Kruje and visit the ethnographic Museum.
Kruje is a small, ancient and historic town in Albania. The history of the town is connected with the name of the national hero of Albania. Known as Georgi Kastrioti Skenderbeu, who fought against the Ottoman invasion. This picturesque town is situated on the slopes of mount Sari Saltiki at a height of 560 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountain peaks. It offers stunning views of the surroundings.
On the street of the old town of Kruje, leading to the castle, since the times of Skenderbeu, there is “Old Bazaar”. Here you can buy Albanian Souvenirs, beautiful jewelry handmade rugs and embroidery. Likewise silver filigree and copper products, handicrafts made of alabaster, traditional clothes, and antiques.
After Kruje sightseeing lunch in the restaurant.
Continue to the capital of Albania – Tirana, ascent by cable car to the mountain Dajti, where you can see all Tirana from height (1613 m).
Tirana has a great location: on one side it borders the mountain Dajti, on another – coastal plain. Mentions of Tirana as a city date back to 1614, when the Turks, in honor of the victory over Persia, decided to establish a city here. Tirana was proclaim the capital only in 1920.
After Tirana sightseeing departure back to Kruje.
Day 14
Albanian Riviera, Appolonia Ruins & Saranda, Albania
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive along the panoramic view of Albanian Riviera. Passing on the way: Durres, Kavaja, Lushnjë, Ardenice, Fier, Vlora, Orikum, Llogara, Himara, Dhermi, Porto – Palermo, Borsh.
On the way to Saranda, we will stop in Fier to see the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ardenica or simply Ardenica Monastery. It is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, distant ten kilometers north of Fier, Albania. Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the Siege of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti.
On the way, we will also see Appolonia ruins. The ancient city of Apollonia is situated in southwestern Albania, about 13 miles from the city of Fier. The fascinating landscape of the archeological park, which has been preserved in an exceptionally intact condition. Comprises a successful combination between the beauty of monuments and nature, attractive through its long history, in an atmosphere of relaxation and meditation. Its foundation took place immediately after the foundation of Epidamnus – Dyrrachium and quickly became one of the most eminent cities of the Adriatic basin, which was more frequently from the other 30 (thirty) cities bearing the same name during Antiquity. The city lay in the territory of the political communion of the Taulantii and it was Apollonia of Illyria
Continue to Saranda, the “southern gate of Albania”, located in the South-West of the country. The history of the city of Saranda is from the distant past. It was first mentioned in written sources in the II century BC as Onchesmus. The modern name of the city comes from the name of the monastery from the Byzantine period. In the Greek language, “Agios Saranda”, which means “40 Saints”.
Check in to a hotel and free time to relax. The highlight of the day is dinner at Likurs castle. The castle was built in 1718 during the times of Ali Pasha.
Day 15
Butrint & Tepelena, Blue Eye National Park, Albania
After breakfast check out and departure to Butrint.
The ruins of the ancient city of Butrint are one of the most important archaeological finds in Albania. According the legend, the founders of the ancient city were the Trojans who fled from the destroyed Troy. As in search of a new homeland. It was not earlier than the 8th century BC. In 1992 excavations of Greek and Roman cities include in the list of world heritage of UNESCO.
Next stop – the natural spring “Blue Eye”. Crystal clear water in the spring has a blue color, hence the name. Today the spring is in the status of a National Park and it is under state protection. In a second from the spring comes out 6 cubic meters of cool freshwater.
After inspecting the spring – lunch at the restaurant on the banks of the river Bistrica.
Departure to the town museum of Albania, Gjirokastra. Scientists still have not come to a consensus on the issue – 4 or 1 BC. In 2005, UNESCO also included Gjirokastra in the list of world heritage sites. After the Gjirokastra departure to Berat.
On the way stop for dinner in the town of Tepelena. The history of the town Tepelena is closely in connect with the name of Ali Pasha of Tepelena. Likewise a political and military figure of the mid-18th to early 19th centuries. As a result of long political and military efforts, he managed to become the de facto ruler of Albania. But also some parts of Greece, despite the fact that he formally recognized the authority of the Turkish Sultan. The story of the man attracted the attention of French writer Alexander Duma-father. Who used it in the novel “the Count of Monte Cristo”.
We will have a folklore night in Berat. Experience local culture and meet local people. Great time to be part of the culture in Albania.
Day 16
Berat, Albania
After breakfast departure to the Fortress of Berat.
It is a fortress built on a 260-meter cliff and is the world’s only fortress on the territory of which still live people. Here is the Church of St. Mary, in which there is a museum of a famous Albanian painter Onufri.
Continue through the old center of Berat. The town-museum, included in the list of UNESCO heritage, is known as the town of a thousand windows. Peculiar architecture, the presence of balconies, and large windows give the impression that these houses have no doors, and the houses are on each other.
Lunch will be served in the Castle Park restaurant. Departure back to the hotel and free afternoon.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Croatia?
Work with Olegana to customize your trip and start creating memories! Click the button below and meet with Anna to plan your trip to Greece.