FORGOTTEN & ALTERNATIVE CROATIA

On this tour we are exploring less know sites mixing them with some of the Croatian popular jewels while enjoying delicious local food and drinks and hanging out with fantastic people. Abandoned buildings, tunnels, underground bunkers, monuments, military bases, ancient ruins, and historical gems – those are the locations that will tell the story and guide you trough the turbulent history all the way to todays modern life.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Local, knowledgeable, fun, licensed tour guide
• Abandoned, forgotten and off the beaten path locations
• Private transfer in a comfortable vehicle with an English-speaking driver
• Perfect combination of nature, history, adventure and local life

ITINERARY:

DAY 1
ZAGREB

Depending on your arrival schedule, we will meet you at the arranged location and go for a welcome drink to get to know each other. If we will have time today, we can do a walking tour of Zagreb* discovering underground tunnels, parks and the core of the city with the beautiful architecture ranging from the 13th up to 21st century. You are going to find out what secrets lay beneath the streets, why is the canon shooting every day at noon and ride the shortest funicular in world. Free time. Overnight in Zagreb.

DAY 2
ZAGREB – PODGARIĆ – JASENOVAC – ZAGREB

After breakfast we are heading east to explore the amazing and turbulent Yugoslavian heritage and history by visiting the „Spomeniks“ – memorial structures and monuments built from the period between 1950 s and 1990s during Tito’s Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Their purpose was to honor people’s resistance and suffer during the WWII. Today those monuments can be found scattered all around the countries of former Yugoslavia. On our list for a day tour we have – Podgarić and Jasenovac.

Overnight in Zagreb.

*( if the walking tour of Zagreb will not be possible on DAY 1 because of a tight timing we will do it today)

DAY 3
ZAGREB – ŽELJAVA AIRBASE – PLITVICE LAKES – SPLIT

Leaving Zagreb behind and hitting the highway we are off to the ex-Yugoslavian military masterpiece – Željava

airbase – the biggest underground airbase in this part of Europe. Abandoned and forgotten it is waiting for some urban explorer such as us. Lunch in a local restaurant and then a visit to the Plitvice lakes national park. It is the oldest and most visited national park in Croatia, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Marvel at the network of crystal blue lakes with wonderful waterfalls of all sizes. Our way continues to Split, where you will have a free evening. Overnight in Split.

DAY 4
SPLIT – TROGIR – SPLIT

Today, we are spending our time in Split – the most beautiful city in the world. Getting lost in this wonderful city

exploring the ancient Diocletian´s palace and all its secrets. The plan is to grab the toe of Gregory of Nin for good

luck, stroll down the “Riva” promenade and just enjoy the “Split state of mind” ( aka. “fjaka” )*. In the evening we are going to a nearby city of Trogir for a walk and a dinner. Overnight in Split.

*fjaka – Croatian siesta but better

DAY 5
SPLIT – ŠIBENIK – ZADAR

After breakfast we are driving towards Šibenik – a picturesque city on the Adriatic coast. There, we will join a guided boat tour to St Nicholas’ Fortress – a proud sea guardian of Šibenik and UNESCO’s pearl within a protected natural area. Lunch is scheduled in one of the local restaurants, after which we will get lost in the narrow streets guiding us all the way to St.Mihovil fortress providing a stunning view. Saying goodbye to Šibenik we are continuing to Zadar for an overnight. Overnight in Zadar.

DAY 6
ZADAR

Spending the day in the wonderful city of Zadar, singing in St. Donat basilica, dancing at the sound of Sea Organ,

eating the BEST ice cream in the world and drinking the sweet cherry Maraska liquor. The ancient ruins are making this city a perfect mix of history and modern life. We will end the day at one of the most popular attractions here – “Pozdrav Suncu” – saying goodbye to the sun finding out why did Alfred Hitchcock say that Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world. Additional option: visit to Saltworks at Nin where the salt is not produced by the machines but by the sun, sea and wind. Overnight in Zadar.

DAY 7
ZADAR – PETROVA HILL – ZAGREB

We are leaving the coast and driving through beautiful countryside road to get to hidden Petrova hill where we will explore 2 unique and very interesting locations:

• An abandoned WW2 hospital in the woods
• The monument of the uprising of people of Banija and Kordun

In between we will have a delicious domestic lunch in a mountain house surrounded by untouched nature.

Happy, fed and full of impressions we are heading back to Zagreb

DAY 8
ZAGREB

Our last day again depends on you and your plans for departure. If you are in a hurry, we will drop you of at the

arranged locations. On the other hand, if you have some spare time, we will provide a list of options.

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 EXTRA NOTES:

• if you are arriving and departing from or to another city – no problem, we will alter the itinerary to fit it
• Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
• Itinerary can be altered – tell us your wishes and we will make the changes to suit you best

GENERAL INFO:

• Republic of Croatia: a Balkan country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, at the Adriatic Sea.
• Borders with: Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Italy (maritime border)
• Capital city: Zagreb
• Religion: 96% Roman Catholic
• Croatia is in the EU but NOT in the Schengen zone
• Currency: Croatian Kuna ( HRK ) – 1€ =7.40HRK
• Tap water: fresh to drink
• International airports: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka ( Krk ), Osijek, Pula, Zadar