Walking North Croatia's Islands & Lakes

Begin your adventure in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where grand Austro-Hungarian architecture meets leafy parks and lively cafe terraces. As many flights arrive late into Zagreb Airport, we have a welcome briefing tomorrow morning. Want more time in Zagreb? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a premier king room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

After breakfast, say bok (hello) to your tour leader and fellow travellers as we gather for the first time to get to know each other and hear more about the adventure ahead. Then, set out on foot to uncover the highlights of Zagreb's Upper and Lower Town. We pass grand squares, the colourful roof of St Mark's Church, and the lively Dolac Market, gaining insights into the city's past and present. The Upper Town retains its medieval street plan and gothic churches, while the Lower Town is a showcase of 19th-century architecture, with sweeping boulevards inspired by Vienna.

In the afternoon, we stretch our legs in Maksimir Park, one of the oldest public parks in Europe. Opened in 1794, it was designed in the English landscape style and is home to a baroque pavilion and Zagreb zoo. With tranquil lakes, shaded pathways, and protected wildlife to spot, including plenty of birdlife, it's a refreshing contrast to the city streets. Your tour leader then ensures a big Croatian welcome by arranging a group dinner at a local restaurant, where we enjoy our first taste of regional flavours. Upgrade to a premier king room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Bid farewell to Zagreb, as we transfer (two hours) to Plitvice Lakes National Park, among the most celebrated natural wonders in Croatia. A World Heritage site, it's home to a chain of 16 terraced lakes, connected by tumbling waterfalls. With our expert tour leader guiding the way, we walk wooden boardwalks and trails to admire the park's karst landscape and spot the varied wildlife. After, we transfer (three hours) by minibus to Krk island, staying in the picturesque seaside town of Malinska, our home for the next four nights. Upgrade to a superior double room with sea-side balcony – speak to your sales representative for more details.

A 20-minute transfer takes us to Vrbnik, a clifftop town famous for producing Žlahtina, a crisp white wine unique to this part of Croatia. Our circular walk passes through the vineyards where this indigenous grape grows, weaving between dry-stone walls and olive groves before reaching a viewpoint above the Adriatic. We end with a well-earned wine and prosciutto tasting back in Vrbnik, raising a glass with the winemakers and learning how they create their excellent produce. Upgrade to a superior double room with sea-side balcony – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Take the 30-minute ferry from Krk to neighbouring Cres, an island where centuries-old olive trees are still tended by local families. Our hike today follows stone-lined paths through these groves, with glimpses of the sea in the distance. Back in the small harbour town of Cres, enjoy free time for a coffee or perhaps a swim before returning to Krk for the evening. Upgrade to a superior double room with sea-side balcony – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Today is free to enjoy the wonders of Krk. You may wish to swim in one of the island's many coves, take a boat excursion, or simply relax in Malinska. For hikers, there's the option to follow the Paradise Path, an easy 6mi (10km) coastal trail linking Malinska and Porat. Passing pine woods, seaside chapels, and the stone Fumak Cross, the route offers plenty of shady spots and inviting swimming stops. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Head north (1hr 30min) to Opatija, once the favoured retreat of Viennese nobility. Here, we hike the Lungomare promenade, a seafront path built in the late 19th century as part of the area's transformation into a fashionable spa resort under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Our route takes us along the most beautiful section of the trail: from Opatija through Ičići and Ika to Lovran, where we pause for lunch. Known for its seafood taverns and atmospheric old town, it's a fitting finale to our coastal walks.

Later, we return by bus (two hours) to Zagreb, where we can enjoy a farewell dinner together – a chance to remember highlights of the tour. Upgrade to a premier king room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

You've walked among waterfalls at Plitvice, sampled wines in Vrbnik, and strolled the elegant promenades of Opatija, but now it's time to begin your return journey home. Alternatively, if you'd like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our wide range of extension options.