Visit national parks and get to know the unique and diverse nature of Croatia. Discover the beauty and charm of Croatian cities and small towns and experience their history by walking along the narrow cobbled streets.

A self-guided tour is a tour without the assistance of a guide. We will fully prepare and organize your adventure, book suitable accommodation and show you the most interesting locations. Yours is just to follow the tour plan.

Zadar – Nature park Velebit – National park Plitvice – National park Krka – Šibenik – Klis – Split – Nin – Pag – National park Kornati – Nature park Telašćica 

10 days, 9 nights (9 overnights in Zadar)

THE TOUR PROGRAM:

Day 1: Arrival in Zadar
Arrival in Zadar with your own vehicle or you can rent-a-car upon your arrival to Zadar. Check in the accommodation and free time until the dinner. Welcome dinner at traditional Zadar restaurant, after dinner return to accommodation for overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Dinner at the restaurant at 7:00 pm

Day 2: Jeep safari
After breakfast, you will set off on a jeep safari along the longest Croatian mountain – Velebit, which separates continental Croatia from coastal Croatia, and at  the same time, the continental climate from the Mediterranean climate on the coast. Almost the entire Velebit Mountain is a protected area with two national parks, one nature park and two protected reserves. On Velebit you will see unique peaks recognized by the film industry who filmed some of the world famous films on Velebit. The most famous is certainly the film about the Indian chief Winnetou, who was filmed on Velebit on several occasions.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Breakfast 7:30 am, Mountain lunch around 2:00 pm
Activity: light, 8 hours
Transportation: 130 kilometers

Day 3: Zadar-National Park Plitvice Lakes-Zadar
After breakfast departure to the most beautiful Croatian National Park Plitvice Lakes. Sightseeing of the park for 3 to 4 hours depending on the crowd. Plitvice Lakes are one of the most attractive National Parks in the world and the only park in the world where tuff grow up to 90 centimeters in 30 years, while the world average is only a few centimeters. For this reason it was also called the Land of the Falling Lakes and the Land where the stones grow. After sightseeing Plitvice Lakes lunch in a restaurant “Lička kuća” at entrance 1. Later that day return to Zadar and free time until tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Breakfast at 8:00, lunch around 14:30
Activity: Easy, 11 hours
Transport: 250 kilometers, cca 3 hours car ride in both directions

Day 4: Free time
After breakfast, free time for exploring the city on your own. Stroll through the old town which spreads on a peninsula, surrounded by the sea. Climb the city walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoy the view of the harbor and head to the main city square. People’s square is the center of public life and the main meeting place for the citizens of Zadar. The city is adorned with another unusual Five Wells Square which is actually a large water cistern, built in the 16th century during the danger of siege by the Ottoman army. Visit the picturesque port of Foša where local fishermen held their boats, and be sure to pay attention to the Land Gate, which is known as one of the most beautiful monuments from the time of Venetian rule in Dalmatia. In the immediate vicinity, there is the first public park built in Croatia, Queen Jelena Park.
Through the main city street Kalelarga, head to the church of St. Donatus, which was built in the 9th century on the remains of a former Roman forum, whose structures are still visible today. Zadar’s Forum is the largest Roman forum built on the eastern coast of the Adriatic.
You should not miss the opportunity to listen to the unusual melody played by the unique Sea Organ and see the unusual installation Greeting to the Sun, which projects colorful light effects after sunset.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: breakfast

Day 5: Zadar-National park Krka-Šibenik-Zadar
After breakfast, visit the second most visited Croatian park, the Krka National Park. The Krka National Park is located near the historic town of Šibenik. The national park is dominated by waterfalls, lakes, remains of Roman aqueducts and camps and numerous forts from the 14th century. The Krka River flows through a 75 km long stone canyon and flows into the Adriatic Sea near Šibenik. Krka was proclaimed as a national park in 1985 and is best known for its waterfalls: Skradinski buk, Roški waterfall, Bilišića buk, Brljanski waterfall, Manojlovac and Miljacka waterfall. The second hydroelectric power plant in the world was built at the foot of Skradinski Buk 2 days after the hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls in 1895. After sightseeing, you will visit a nearby farmhouse where you will taste their products and have lunch. After the lunch a short drive to Šibenik. Šibenik is the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic and is located at the mouth of the Krka River. Šibenik’s Cathedral of Saint Jacob was built for over hundred years. It is special in that it is entirely made of stone. It is also unique in that it was created by positioning stone slabs and ribs without using any binder. After sightseeing of Šibenik return to Zadar and rest till tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Breakfast at 08:00 am, lunch at 1: 30 pm
Activity: Easy, 9 hours
Transport: 200 kilometers, approx. 2: 30h ride

Day 6: Zadar-Klis-Split-Zadar, Game of Thrones tour
After breakfast departure to the Klis fortress located at the top of a inaccessible cliff. The fortress had a historical significance in the defense of this area. Klis was the first Croatian capital and the royal capital of the Trpimirovic dynasty. Nowadays, it is booming again after being one of the premier locations for the Game of Thrones series, known in the series as the town of Meereen, the city where slaves lived. After the fort tour follows a short drive to Split. Split is the largest coastal city in Croatia, known for its rich historical heritage and Emperor Diocletian who built the palace there. Diocletian’s Palace is one of the most preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. Because of its size and the wealth it used to build, it was probably one of the triggers for the accelerated decline of the Roman Empire. In the Diocletian’s Palace the Western Roman Empire was extinguished by the murder of the last recognized Roman emperor Julius Nepot. After lunch return to Zadar and rest till tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Breakfast at 07:30 am, lunch at 1:30 pm
Activity: light, 11 hours
Transport: 250 kilometers, cca 3 hours car ride in both directions

Day 7: Free time
After breakfast at the hotel, free time for personal programs. If you love history, visit Zadar’s museums that will take you back in time. The Archaeological Museum in Zadar was founded back in 1832 and is one of the oldest and most important museums in Croatia. Next to the church of St. Mary you will find valuable treasure with the symbolic name “Gold and Silver of Zadar” preserved by the Benedictine nuns for more than 1,000 years, on the other side of the city is the Museum of Ancient Glass, the only cultural institution of such kind in the world, and there you can see a live demonstration of glass blowing.
Accommodation: hotel 4*
Meals: breakfast

 Day 8: Zadar-Nin-island Pag-Zadar
After breakfast departure to the town of Nin. Nin is one of the smallest cities in Croatia, but also one of the most important cities in Croatian history. The center of the ancient town is an islet, 500 meters in diameter, connected by two bridges to the mainland. In the sandy lagoon that surrounds it on one side of the town is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia, known as the Queen’s Beach, and on the other side of the city is an ancient saltwork, which still produces one of the best salts. Continue to the island of Pag. The island of Pag is known as Moon Island or Stone Island, and because of this it has the best cheese in the world. On this stingy karst grows only medicinal herb that is food for the sheep, and because of that is this the best lamb and cheese. Sightseeing of the small stone town of Pag and a visit to the Gligora factory, which has the highest awards in cheese production, you will taste several types of award-winning cheese, prosciutto and wine. After the tasting, we continue to the olive groves, and you will walk through the olive grove where some olives are over 1600 years old. After this walk  you will taste the oils of these unique olives. After the tasting, return to Zadar and rest till tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Breakfast at 08:00 am, tasting at 2:00 pm / decent lunch replacement
Activity: light, 11 hours
Transport: 170 kilometers, approx. 2:15 h ride

Day 9: Zadar-National park Kornati and Nature park Telaščica-Zadar
After breakfast, take a boat ride to the National Park Kornati and Nature Park Telaščica. National Park Kornati consists of 89 uninhabited islands and islets. The Kornati islands are the most indented group of islands in the Mediterranean. The name comes from the Latin word “corona” which means crown. According to legend, God wanted to crown His work on the last day of creation, so He created the Kornati from tears, stars and breath. Nature Park Telaščica is located in the southeast of Dugi otok. The park is known as the most protected port on the Adriatic, which is why, along the Kornati islands, this area has been named as a paradise for boaters. At the top of the western side of the bay extends the largest cliff in the Adriatic sea reaching 166 meters in height and going 85 meters deep into the sea. Nearby is the salt lake “Mir” which is known for its high salt content and medicinal mud. After lunch, take a walk through this magical island. Return to Zadar and free time until tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel 4 *
Meals: Breakfast at 08:00 am, lunch at 1:30 pm on the island in the National Park
Activity: light, 9 hours
Transport: 80 kilometers, cca 5:30 hours boat ride

Day 10: Zadar (END OF THE JOURNEY)
After breakfast, check out from the accommodation and free time in the city of Zadar until departure.
Meals: Breakfast at 08:00 am

PRICE:

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Accommodation in a 4 * hotel, 9 nights with breakfast
• Welcome dinner on the first day of the tour
• Lunch on the mountain during Jeep safari
• Cheese tasting in Pag (sufficient lunch replacement)
• Sojourn tax
• Tickets for the National Parks, Klis Fortress and Olive Groves
• Insolvency insurance
• Trip organization
•  VAT

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Flight to and from Zadar Airport
• Driver and transportation
• Rent a car service
• Tour guide
• Licensed guide in the National Parks and cities of Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Trogir
• Meals (8x dinner, 6-8x lunch, depending on the time of the arrival and departure)
• Tickets for churches and museums
• Personal consumption
• Travel health insurance