Towards the Sun

8 days

Pula and Rovinj, then the Kvarner islands: Cres, Lošinj, Susak and Krk with a wine stop in Vrbnik.

Istria and the Kvarner islands at an easy pace: Pula and Rovinj, then Cres, Lošinj and a boat to Susak, with a free day and a wine stop in Vrbnik on Krk before the way home.

Day by day

01
Home – Pula
Departure from home to Pula.
On arrival we move into our hotel. A welcome drink greets us. Then room allocation and buffet dinner at the hotel.
02
Rovinj – Pula
After breakfast we leave the hotel with our guide for Rovinj to visit this picturesque and romantic coastal town.
After the expert guided tour there is some free time, for instance for a leisurely coffee in the old town.
We then drive back towards Pula.
On the way a tasting of Istrian specialities awaits us, with traditional Istrian air dried ham, olive oil, cheese and wine. Afterwards we visit Pula, the former naval port of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The city is best known for its impressive Roman arena, the sixth largest surviving amphitheatre in the world.
On a walking tour we let the eventful history of this fascinating city inspire us.
Then we return to the hotel for a buffet dinner.
03
Cres – Lošinj
Today we say goodbye to Pula and drive along the east coast of Istria to the ferry crossing from Brestova to Porozina on the island of Cres.
On Cres a very special natural phenomenon awaits us: Lake Vrana. The lake is up to 76 metres deep and counts among the deepest freshwater lakes in Europe.
Cres is also one of the last habitats of the griffon vulture in Europe. The well known television series “Der Sonne entgegen” from the 1980s was filmed on the island too.
A swing bridge at Osor then takes us across to the island of Lošinj.
Unlike Cres, Lošinj is especially lush. The island delights with its subtropical vegetation and an impressive variety of palms, pines, agaves, oleander, citrus trees, sage and lavender.
In the evening, check in at the hotel and buffet dinner.
04
Mali Lošinj – Veli Lošinj
On a walk through the main town of Mali Lošinj and romantic Veli Lošinj we learn about the history of the old captains and seafarers.
Another highlight is the story of the Apoxyomenos, found in the sea not far from the island and today one of the most important archaeological finds in Croatia.
The afternoon is at leisure. Buffet dinner at the hotel.
05
Free day
Today we enjoy a relaxed free day on Lošinj.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s facilities, to relax by the sea or to explore the beautiful surroundings on a walk. Buffet dinner at the hotel.
06
Boat excursion to Susak
Today a full day excursion to the island of Susak awaits us, the only Croatian island with a pronounced sandy landscape.
We sail to the island on a traditional pirate ship. On arrival we take a walking tour and then have plenty of time for swimming and relaxing.
At midday we enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch on board.
In the afternoon we return to our hotel.
Buffet dinner at the hotel.
07
Island of Krk – Vrbnik – Opatija
After breakfast we drive to the Merag–Valbiska ferry and cross to the island of Krk.
Our island tour begins with a visit to the historic town of Krk.
We then drive to Vrbnik, known for the distinctive white wine Žlahtina.
In a rustic konoba a wine tasting awaits us, with tasty karst ham and piquant sheep’s cheese, a real treat!
After an interesting drive across the Krk bridge, which links the island with the Croatian mainland, and past Rijeka, we reach Opatija.
Here we spend our final night. Check in and buffet dinner at the hotel.
08
Homeward journey
After breakfast we set off on the journey home.
With many fine memories of the islands of Istria, Cres, Lošinj and Krk and of the fascinating Adriatic coast, an eventful tour comes to an end.

What is included

2 nights with half board in a selected hotel in Pula
4 nights with half board in a selected hotel on Lošinj
1 night with half board in a selected hotel in the Kvarner and Opatija area
Guided city tours in Rovinj, Pula, Cres, Mali Lošinj, Veli Lošinj and Krk
Tasting of regional Istrian specialities with Istrian prosciutto, olive oil, wine and cheese
Wine tasting in Vrbnik on the island of Krk
Boat excursion to the island of Susak, including a barbecue lunch