CROATIA

Day one: Depart USA

Day 2: Arrive Dubrovnik. Check into Lero Hotel or similar.

Hotel Lero is located near the beautiful beach at Miramare bay, just a 15-20 minute walk from UNESCO protected Old City of Dubrovnik.

Remainder of day at leisure at the beach and dinner in local restaurant featuring Croatian specialties, local wines and seafood!

Day 3: Sightseeing in Old Town Dubrovnik will have to wait a day! We are off on a private tour to Peljesac Wine Country 9:00am pick up- 9-5pm .

Head to the source of one of Croatia's best wine-growing regions with this private guided day trip from Dubrovnik to the rustic Peljesac peninsula. Stop at three family-run wineries, including the legendary Grgic winery, which has an acclaimed vineyard in Napa Valley, sampling wine along the way and learning about the characteristics of wine from the area. Stop for lunch and sightseeing in the historic town of Mali Ston at Bota Sare, a seafood eatery owned by a family of longtime oyster farmers. We will enjoy a sampling of oysters – raw, grilled or baked, and other fresh from the sea specialties! Note: Croatia is also well-known for its pasta dishes, so never fear non-seafood eaters!

7:00pm pick up in the lobby for our next adventure! An evening excursion from Dubrovnik to a Konoba Dubrava, a country restaurant just outside of Dubrovnik for dinner. Get introduced to rakija, a type of brandy popular in the area Indulge in a Dalmatian feast. Enjoy traditionally prepared lamb, pork, veal or octopus “under the bell” cooked over glowing embers.

Day 4: After a delicious Croatian breakfast, we will meet in the lobby to head into Old Town. We will walk the walls of Dubrovnik and enjoy wonderful views! It is about a 2 hour trek with cafes and shops to explore along the way. Next up: Taste of Dubrovnik Food Tour: Let’s enjoy learning interesting tidbits and historical facts about Dubrovnik while sampling authentic Croatian food (3 hours).

Enjoy the afternoon in Old Town! We will take the cable car up to Mt. Srd for the best views of Dubrovnik. Visit the Homeland Museum if you choose, hike back down and stop for multiple photo ops, (40 minutes) or ride the cable car back.

8:30pm Dinner close to our hotel.

Day 5 &6: Albania and Montenegro

After breakfast, our guide will pick us up for a drive down the coast to Albania.

Kruja Castle Leaving from Dubrovnik after your driver picks you up at your hotel, we will drive through the northern Montenegro and northern Albania - Shkoder, to our first sightseeing point - Krujë. A small town full of wooden houses, stone fortresses and an interesting mosque, Krujë is a symbol of the rich and diverse Albanian culture. We will visit Albanian national museum in the castle of Krujë, which held a strategic military position for Albanian resistance against the Turks in the fifteenth century. After a visit of the old town, we will enjoy an exclusive lunch in a traditional Albanian restaurant. Duration: 2 hours Admission Ticket Included Tirana East Gate Upon arrival in center, you will take a walk through central square near National museum. Duration: 2 hours Admission Ticket Included.

Shkoder Historical Museum The next destination is Schkodra, but along the route we will stop to see some of the 20th century bunkers that were designed by the Communist dictator Enver Hoxha to fit only one soldier at a time. Located on the large lake of the same name, and forming a border with Montenegro, Schkodra is one of the oldest and most important cities in Albanian history, as well as a main commercial city in the modern economy. Here you will witness a true blend of Eastern and Western culture and architecture from every period of Albanian history.

Our Tour Guide says:

“In general, we will do boat & sea fun (sightseeing cruise, cave, swim, snorkel, private beach), islands (walk, learn, taste, smell) then lunch (delicious local food), then a visit to my home on the island (mojitos on my terrace with the best view) and then back on the boat for more beach and sea.

As we cruise I will tell you about local wildlife, customs, history and way of life. I'm very knowledgeable about this region so you can ask me all kinds of questions.

We'll visit yet undiscovered places, skip the tourist traps and outsmart the crowd. The itinerary is made by me and is one of a kind. I offer you a high level of service and authentic local experience.”

Tour Inclusions:

Full day
Private boat tour (just your group on the boat)
Fuel
Local guide and skipper
Beer and wine, lots of it (high quality, no cheap stuff)
Water and juices
Fruit, cookies
Masks, snorkels and inflatables

Lunch: The restaurant is located at the family's house. The family has been living on the island for many generations.

The owner is a farmer, a grill master and an ex captain. He spends most of his time in the field, growing vegetables and taking care of olive trees.

The food is simple, yet delicious and plentiful (it's a 4 course lunch). Most of the food is locally grown on the island (veggies, olive oil, fish, wine). The tables are set in heavy shade on a terrace.

Lunch is composed of prosciutto and cheese, soup, seasonal salad, grilled meat or fish with locally grown vegetables, homemade sweets and coffee. Along it comes infinite amounts of locally made wine and rakija (strong spirit).

7:30pm The Last Hurrah: Off to dinner in Old Town Restaurant Rosario or similar.

CROATIA Trip Pictures

Day one: Depart USA