Heritage & History Tour of Croatia with Bob Jerin
Join Robert Jerin, for this custom designed exploration of Croatia's history & heritage
October 2 -12, 2010.
"Interesting People of Zagreb" - Tour Review
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Zagreb, Croatia
Upon arrival to Zagreb airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 2: Zagreb
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark's Church, St. Catherine's Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament and the Government Palace. This afternoon and evening is free to explore the many historic sites of Zagreb, enjoy the lovely city parks, such as the Botanical Garden, Zrinjevac Park or Maksimir Park. Or maybe we want to do some shopping. Some may wish to visit Mirogoj, Zagreb's main cemetery that has been selected as one of the most "beautiful cemeteries in Europe". Built in the first part of the 20th century Mirogoj is an architectural gem where many historic figures now "rest". Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Zagreb
Today we have planned an optional excursion to the "craftsman's" town of Samobor. Located in the Zagorije (over the hill) region north of Zagreb, Samobor has many traditional craft shops including the renowned Tuk Samobor Crystal. Samobor is also well known in Croatia for several culinary specialties. For lunch you may opt for one of the many local restaurants or cafes, such as Gabreku 1929, a restaurant that serves the local specialties They have a wonderful assortment of Palacinke (Croatian crepes). We will travel to Samobor the "way the locals do". This should prove to be an interesting and fun outing. Breakfast and dinner at hotel.
Day 4: Zagreb
Today we will visit the Croatian National Archives which houses many ancient documents, including parish records. For those who wish to do family research you may want to spend some time here. While at the archives we will meet with members of the Croatian Genealogical Society. The archive building, built in 1911, is beautiful example of Secession architecture. After our visit to the archives we may wish to take an optional tour of the nearby Croatian Ethnographic Museum. This museum has collections of many folk items such as folk dress, home crafted furniture and other items which are examples of those of our ancestors. Or this day may be used as a free day to take an optional trip to your ancestral village, there is nothing like the feeling you get when you walk the same paths as your ancestors. Breakfast and dinner at hotel.
Day 5: Zagreb, Karlovac, Opatija
In the morning we meet your tour director, Alen Miocevic, at our hotel and travel to Ozalj. Situated on a limestone bluff, above the peaceful Kupa River (one of the cleanest rivers in Europe), the Old Castle is the symbol of Ozalj and the heart of its historical development. The castle houses a collection of historical items from Ozalj, including folk dress and a display of photos of emigres who went to America. Traveling through the Kupa Valley we come to the City of Karlovac, which was built in the 16th century as in a unique city six-pointed star with a purpose of defence against the Turkish invaders. The fortress was built on a Zrinski family estate, beneath the Old Town of Dubovac, and in honor of its founder, Austrian archduke Karlo, it was given the name Karlovac or Karlstadt. The renaissance core of the town, was the best of contemporary architecture of its day with fortification walls, palaces, squares, military buildings and churches. On the central city square is the Baroque style church of the Holy Trinity. Next to the church there is a Franciscan monastery with a collection of religious art. We continue west passing near the route of the old Austrian King Charles Highway passing Bosiljevo, Delnice, Vrbovsko and Fuzine. We will end the day at Opatija, located on Krvarner Bay. Opatija was the first resort in Croatia, which catered to Austrian and Croatian nobility. This evening we enjoy dinner at the local restaurant and will be serenaded by local musicians.
Day 6: Krk Island
Today we venture to the island of Krk, which has been inhabited since before the 10th Century BC. Our first stop will be at the town of Krk for an orientation tour. Krk town has a wonderful market where many local souvenirs are available including miniature ceramic Dalmatian houses by a local artist, Jose Velhir. We then continue to the town of Punat, where you will see how the local olive oil is produced and enjoy samples of this wonderful olive oil. In the town of Punat take a taxi boat to the charming island Kosljun with the Franciscan monastery and folk arts museum. We will see examples of the ancient Croatian script, Glagolica. Returning to Krk Island we will enjoy a wine tasting with lunch at local Konoba. In the afternoon return back to Opatija with a stop at Trsat, the old fort located above the City of Rijeka. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Opatija.
Day 7: Travel to Plitvice national park
In the morning we travel to the National Park of Plitvice lakes. We will enjoy a walking tour of this natural wonder, series of 16 lakes that cascade one into another in a numerous, graceful waterfalls and streams. The forest is a national park and UNESCO protected treasure where we will see one of Europe's last remaining stands of uncut woods. Words cannot describe this natural wonder, which was featured on the US Public TV Special, "Land of the Falling Lakes", where some of the last European brown bear are found, along with other wildlife. In the afternoon return to Opatija for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Pula and Rovinj
Traveling to the south part of the Istrian Peninsula, our first stop will be in Pula. This seaside town has been important since before Roman times, with the best preserved Roman Coliseum, the 6th largest in the world. We will see other remnants from Roman times including, August's Temple, antique City Walls, the Golden Gate and other monuments from the past. Pula has a local market that is very interesting and the largest in Istria. Pula was the main naval base for the Austro-Hungarian Navy playing a large roll in WW I history. The Von Trapp family (of Sound of Music Fame) whose members were officers in the Austrian Royal Navy, lived in Pula for many years. George (Capt Von Trapp) was born at Zadar Croatia and Agathe von Trapp was born at Pula. Auguste Von Trapp's grave is located at the old Austrian Navy Cemetery at Pula, where the family made their home until Austria lost WW I. Pula is also the birthplace of American PBS TV cooking show host, Lydia Bastianich. After some free time we continue to the old fishing town of Rovinj, which was ruled by Venice for more than 500 years. It is famous for its narrow streets, small squares and old palaces, built in Venetian style. The baroque church St. Euphemia, the protector of the old and fishermen, dominates the town. We can see the 1500 year old sarcophagus with relics of the Saint. From the church terrace it is possible to admire a miraculous view over The Rovinj Archipelago. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Opatija.
Day 9: Motovun, Groznjan, Piran
Travel to the picturesque town of Motovun, lying on a small hill above the River Mirna. Take a short walk up to the hill on the narrow streets of the town and take a walk around the 12th century city walls. Motovoun, which is the birthplace of American race car driver, Mario Andretti, is a typical example of Venetian colonial architecture and is well known for truffles. Each year Motovun hosts an International Film Festival. We then continue to Slovenia to the city of Groznjan, whose written history dates back to 1102 when it was a property of the Aquilean patriarchs. Monuments recovered on the neighboring hills testify about vivid activity of this area in agriculture and trade in the port on the river Mirna. After some free time in Groznjajn travel to Slovenia and the seas side resort Piran. Enjoy a short orientation tour of the town before dinner in local restaurant with music entertainment. Overnight at hotel in Piran.
Day 10: Venice
Transfer to Venice airport for your flight home.
Departure Dates and Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Per Person in Twin | Single Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Oct 2010 | 12 Oct 2010 | $ 1,889 | $ 385 |
Included Features
- Accommodations in first class hotels: rooms with private facilities
- Service charges and hotel taxes
- Buffet Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Lunch on Kirk Island
- Touring by modern motor coach
- Luggage handling in hotels (1 piece per person)
- Visit to the Croation National Archives
- Walking tour of National Park - Plitvice Lakes
