The Wine Roads of Croatia

9 days

Istrian malvazija, žlahtina from Krk, babić from Šibenik and Zagreb chardonnay, with Pelješac, Korčula and Plitvice.

Croatia by its wine regions: Istrian malvazija, žlahtina on Krk, babić around Šibenik, the Pelješac reds and Zagreb chardonnay, with Korčula, the Makarska coast and Plitvice between the cellars.

Day by day

01
Arrival – Poreč
Departure from home to Poreč, one of the best known and most popular holiday resorts in Istria. Check in at the hotel in Poreč and dinner.
02
Rovinj – Malvazija – Opatija
After breakfast we visit Rovinj. On an expert guided tour through the historic old town we get to know the most important sights and the special atmosphere of this picturesque coastal town.
Afterwards we sail from the harbour of Rovinj into the Lim fjord, weather permitting. The boat trip lasts about 1.5 hours. Drinks and pastries are included.
In the Lim fjord there is the option of lunch.
We then drive to the well known winemaker Matošević, where we enjoy a tasting of the typical Istrian grape variety Malvazija.
We continue to Opatija for an overnight stop.
Check in and dinner at the hotel.
03
Krk – Žlahtina – Zadar
After breakfast we drive across the bridge that links the mainland with the island of Krk.
We visit the town of Krk, which shares the island’s name, and then continue to Punat. From there we take a short boat trip to the monastery island of Košljun.
On the island we visit the Franciscan monastery and have the opportunity to see its three museums, the sacral, the ethnographic and the archaeological museum.
Afterwards we 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!
With plenty of culinary impressions and in good spirits we continue to Zadar for an overnight stop. Check in and dinner at the hotel.
04
Šibenik – Babić – Makarska Riviera
Another highlight of our tour awaits us today with the visit to Šibenik and to the Cathedral of St James, part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Afterwards we visit the Vinoplod winery. At a wine tasting with a light snack we have the chance to try, among others, the well known red wine Babić.
We then continue along the coast to the Makarska Riviera, where we move into our hotel for the next two nights. Dinner at the hotel.
05
Pelješac peninsula – Korčula
The Pelješac peninsula is one of the best known wine regions in Croatia. The vineyards on the sunny southern slopes benefit from an ideal Mediterranean climate and offer excellent conditions for viticulture.
Today we visit the town of Korčula, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of the famous world traveller Marco Polo.
On a tour of one of the well known wine cellars, Matuško or Vukas, we enjoy selected wines such as Dingač, Plavac and Pošip.
Driving through Ston we take the opportunity to try the region’s famous fresh oysters.
Then we return to the hotel for dinner.
06
Free day
Today is the day to take things easy and to shape the hours entirely as you wish.
Enjoy the hotel’s facilities, relax on the beach or take a stroll of your own along the coast.
Dinner at the hotel.
07
Syrah – Plitvice Lakes National Park
On the way to Plitvice Lakes National Park we visit a winery in the fertile hinterland of Zadar, known for its wines from the Syrah grape. During our visit we enjoy a wine tasting and a traditional lunch.
Well fortified, we continue to Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the best known natural wonders of Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On a walking tour of about three hours we discover the unique landscape with its turquoise lakes, waterfalls and wooded slopes.
Then check in at the hotel in the national park area.
08
Chardonnay and Riesling – Zagreb
Not far from the Croatian capital Zagreb, on the southern slopes of the Žumberak hills, lies the wine region of Jastrebarsko, known in short as Jaska.
The region invites us to get to know the variety of Croatia’s continental wines and to taste selected wines such as Chardonnay or Riesling.
In the afternoon we drive to Zagreb for a city tour. We discover the most important sights and the historic centre of the Croatian capital.
Then check in at the hotel.
To round off our tour we enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant and look back once more on the culinary impressions of our journey through Croatia.
09
Homeward journey
After eventful days on the wine roads of Croatia we say goodbye to this fascinating country.
With many fine memories, culinary pleasures and countless impressions we set off on the journey home.