Zagreb to Dubrovnik: Parties & Plitvice Lakes

Welcome to Croatia’s capital – where river meets mountain and old meets new. Arrive at any time and for your first night out, after a short orientation walk head to one of Zagreb’s many trendy bars or beer halls with your CEO and group for drinks and a good time.

If you'd like to explore this city, consider booking a night or two of pre-accommodation.

• Cathedral of the Assumption: The Gothic Zagreb Cathedral is a must see for those who love architecture. Someone is definitely watching out for this holy site, it’s been damaged by invaders and earthquakes and somehow is still standing (using numerous repairs of course). Sitting atop a tall column is a golden statue or Mary, surrounded at the base by four angels. The exterior is covered in sculptures and reliefs while the inside has large pillars, stained glass windows, and paintings.
• St Mark's Church: Not far from St Mark’s Square in Zagreb, the Church of St Mark has some unique architecture features compared to most Gothic style churches. The roof is tiled in a pattern of colours, patterns, and the coat of arms of the city. The church interior is usually closed off to visitors, but take a stroll by to take a few photos of the exterior.
• Museum of Contemporary Art: Spend an hour or two wandering through the exhibits at this large, modern museum. The exterior was designed by the contemporary architect Igor Franić who submitted the unique design for the building to a competition held by the museum. The roomy interior isthe perfect place to escape crowds and take some time to reflect on the exhibits. When you’re ready to head back into the city try taking the slide exit!
• Museum of Broken Relationships: Whether you’ve just had a nasty breakup or are blissfully in love you can’t miss this unique museum. Memorabilia and stories from the ones that got away or were run away from are paired with individual’s stories. From hilarious to heartfelt the vibe of the mementos in the museum are worth checking out. Bring some tissues and stop at the museum café afterwards to recover with a glass of mulled wine and traditional pepper cookies.
• Croatian Museum of Naive Art: Stop by this small museum to see some of the work of Croatia’s Naïve artists as well as pieces from foreign artists. This style of painting is known for its simplistic, almost child-like rendering of forms and originated during the 18th century. While it’s believed that many artists who practice this style never trained as artists, this is rarely true. Vivid colours and interesting perspectives line the walls of this museum, a must see for art and art history buffs.

Transfer to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Explore the terraced lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails before settling in for the night.

• Cathedral of the Assumption: The Gothic Zagreb Cathedral is a must see for those who love architecture. Someone is definitely watching out for this holy site, it’s been damaged by invaders and earthquakes and somehow is still standing (using numerous repairs of course). Sitting atop a tall column is a golden statue or Mary, surrounded at the base by four angels. The exterior is covered in sculptures and reliefs while the inside has large pillars, stained glass windows, and paintings.
• St Mark's Church: Not far from St Mark’s Square in Zagreb, the Church of St Mark has some unique architecture features compared to most Gothic style churches. The roof is tiled in a pattern of colours, patterns, and the coat of arms of the city. The church interior is usually closed off to visitors, but take a stroll by to take a few photos of the exterior.
• Museum of Contemporary Art: Spend an hour or two wandering through the exhibits at this large, modern museum. The exterior was designed by the contemporary architect Igor Franić who submitted the unique design for the building to a competition held by the museum. The roomy interior isthe perfect place to escape crowds and take some time to reflect on the exhibits. When you’re ready to head back into the city try taking the slide exit!
• Museum of Broken Relationships: Whether you’ve just had a nasty breakup or are blissfully in love you can’t miss this unique museum. Memorabilia and stories from the ones that got away or were run away from are paired with individual’s stories. From hilarious to heartfelt the vibe of the mementos in the museum are worth checking out. Bring some tissues and stop at the museum café afterwards to recover with a glass of mulled wine and traditional pepper cookies.
• Croatian Museum of Naive Art: Stop by this small museum to see some of the work of Croatia’s Naïve artists as well as pieces from foreign artists. This style of painting is known for its simplistic, almost child-like rendering of forms and originated during the 18th century. While it’s believed that many artists who practice this style never trained as artists, this is rarely true. Vivid colours and interesting perspectives line the walls of this museum, a must see for art and art history buffs.

Travel to Split for an orientation walk upon arrival. Tonight, enjoy a Big Night Out with the group!

Entrance to the park is included.

Enjoy a visit to Diocletian's Palace. The rest of the day is free, opt to visit the famous Zlatni Rat beach on Bol, head to Trogir or the ancient ruined city of Solin, or experience the nightlife once the sun goes down.

• Marjan's Peak Visit: For spectacular views of the city, make sure to visit Marjan's Peak. The area has nice hiking and biking trails for those that want to embrace nature and escape the port town.
• Bacvice Beach Visit: Head to this local hot spot to soak up some rays or play in the calm waters. The sandy shores are often packed with rows of lounge chairs and umbrellas, but it's still a great place to spend some time if you’re looking to cool off. Visit some of the cafes along the waterfront, wade out into the shallow water, or rent a lounge chair and relax.
• Mestrovic Gallery: Filled with the incredible sculptures of Croatian artist and architect Ivan Meštrović, this gallery is beautiful inside and out. The gallery is housed in a villa designed by Meštrović as a summer home which overlooks a wonderful garden where you can view more sculptures and enjoy the breeze from the sea.
• Trogir Excursion: Take an excursion to the historic city of Trogir, where the Old City core is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Found in the centre of Dalmatia on the eastern coastline of Adriatic sea, this pretty seaside town is a great place to walk and explore.
• St Duje Cathedral Visit: The Cathedral of St Duje is said to be the oldest cathedral in the world, built around 305 AD. Climb up the bell tower for excellent views of Split and the surrounding port area. (15-40 HRK per person)

Take a morning ferry to Hvar. Upon arrival, opt to enjoy the beach, visit the Hvar Fortress, or enjoy an island-hopping boat cruise that stops at secluded coves around the Pakleni Islands. Return to Split in the evening.

• St. Stephen's Cathedral: Originally constructed over 400 years ago, St. Stephen's Cathedral still plays an important role in the lives of local residents. Located in Hvar's main square, step inside the cathedral to admire beautiful altar paintings and bas reliefs made during the Dalmatian Renaissance.
• Hvar Fortress Visit: Explore the 16th century fortress that looks over the city of Hvar. Tour the interior and see some of the artifacts on display like the canon. Climb hundreds of stairs to reach the top for an incredible panoramic view of the city, nearby islands, and the ocean.
• Pakleni Islands Boat Cruise : Enjoy a cruise that visits the Pakleni Islands, stopping at secluded coves along the way for swimming.

Travel to Dubrovnik. Enjoy an optional night on the town with the group. For great atmosphere with good music, check out the East/West Beach Club. It's one of the best nighttime party spots and attracts a good crowd during the day as well.

• Dubrovnik City Wall Walk: Head out on your own to explore the city's ancient walls. A trip to Dubrovnik isn't complete without doing this 2km (1.1 mi) walk. See highlights along the way that include Fort Minceta, Fort St. John, Fort Lawrence, Fort Revelin, and St. Luke’s Tower. There are three main entrances to the city walls, the principal one located by the Inner Pile Gates.
• Rector's Palace: Originally built in the 12th century, today's Rector's Palace is a cultural history museum with an intriguing past. A mix of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, it began as the seat of Dubrovnik's rector, becoming a place for merchants and citizens of the republic to gather by the 16th century. In the atrium, you'll find a statue of Miho Pracat, one such merchant who bequeathed his wealth to the city. Wander the galleries and admire paintings, sculptures and furniture from Croatia's past. Today the courtyard is a venue for music and cultural performances - and is often used as a filming location for shows such as Game of Thrones.
• Museum of Croatian War of Independence : Hop in a cable car to the top of Mount Srd and take in a bird's eye view of the walled city of Dubrovnik. Admire the vistas surrounding this ancient fortress perched above the Adriatic Sea, then make your way to the Croatian War of Independence Museum housed in a wing of Fort Imperial. Built to commemorate the war which lasted from 1991-1995, find artifacts such as documents, photos, military equipment, maps and other everyday objects from Croatians who lived through the siege. Pause for a moment at the memorial plaque, engraved with the names of those who died defending the city.
• Lopud Island Visit: Escape the city on a ferry ride to Lopud Island, part of the Elafiti Islands and home to one of Croatia's most stunning beaches, Plaza Sunj.
• War Photography Museum : The War Photo Limited gallery displays exhibits from leading photojournalists who cover recent and present conflicts across the world. Curated by photographer Wade Goddard, who covered the Balkan wars in the 1990s, the gallery is spread over two floors and aims to raise public awareness on the injustices and effects of war.
• Dubrovnik Sea Kayaking: It’s said that Dubrovnik is best seen from the sea as that’s the only way to properly admire the towering city walls. Paddle into the past and imagine how intimidating the fortifications must have been to invaders over the past 2000 years. Learn of the local history, explore the area around Lokrum Island, and check out a popular beach cave where you’ll have the opportunity to stretch your legs on the sand. Enjoy a refreshing snack, sunbathe, or snorkel before heading back to port with a new appreciation of this beautiful city.
• Franciscan Monastery & Museum: Take a wander through this Franciscan Monastery complex. Originally constructed as a public pharmacy in 1317, the Friars Minor pharmacy is the third oldest functioning pharmacy in the world today.
• Cable Car Ride: Get an amazing view of the rows of red roofs of Dubrovnik and the sea on a scenic cable car ride. While you slowly creep up the side of the mountain, look down on the winding streets and out to the nearby oceans. If you run out of time during the day hop on the cable car near sunset to see the tints of pink, red, and orange spread across the sky.

Depart at any time.

• Lopud Island Visit: Escape the city on a ferry ride to Lopud Island, part of the Elafiti Islands and home to one of Croatia's most stunning beaches, Plaza Sunj.
• Museum of Croatian War of Independence : Hop in a cable car to the top of Mount Srd and take in a bird's eye view of the walled city of Dubrovnik. Admire the vistas surrounding this ancient fortress perched above the Adriatic Sea, then make your way to the Croatian War of Independence Museum housed in a wing of Fort Imperial. Built to commemorate the war which lasted from 1991-1995, find artifacts such as documents, photos, military equipment, maps and other everyday objects from Croatians who lived through the siege. Pause for a moment at the memorial plaque, engraved with the names of those who died defending the city.
• Sea Kayaking: Head offshore by sea kayak to gain a different perspective of Dubrovnik and fully appreciate this gorgeous area. Tour around the city walls and take a loop around Lokrum.
• Rector's Palace: Originally built in the 12th century, today's Rector's Palace is a cultural history museum with an intriguing past. A mix of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, it began as the seat of Dubrovnik's rector, becoming a place for merchants and citizens of the republic to gather by the 16th century. In the atrium, you'll find a statue of Miho Pracat, one such merchant who bequeathed his wealth to the city. Wander the galleries and admire paintings, sculptures and furniture from Croatia's past. Today the courtyard is a venue for music and cultural performances - and is often used as a filming location for shows such as Game of Thrones.
• Cable Car Ride: Get an amazing view of the rows of red roofs of Dubrovnik and the sea on a scenic cable car ride. While you slowly creep up the side of the mountain, look down on the winding streets and out to the nearby oceans. If you run out of time during the day hop on the cable car near sunset to see the tints of pink, red, and orange spread across the sky.