Croatia: Istria and the Dalmatian Coast

Croatia offers a spectacular coastline of tiny coves and beautiful islands, a rustic interior of medieval hilltowns, and a unique culinary realm where truffles and the seafood of the Adriatic meet the legendary pastas of Italy. We’ve woven together the many strands of this exquisite region on a journey filled with hill walks between undiscovered medieval villages like Motovun and rambles along the shores of sunny islands tucked into the deeply indented Dalmatian Coast, including the picture-perfect Venetian port of Rovinj, with its quayside cafes, and charming Mali Losinj, where pastel houses line the sheltered bay. Our journey begins in Slovenia’s jewel-like capital, Ljubljana, and ends in Trogir, Croatia, a World Heritage Site.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Ljubljana, Slovenia / Motovun, Croatia

After a walking tour of Slovenia’s enchanting capital, we head to Croatia for a hike through ancient vineyards to Hrastovlje, known for its extraordinary 12th century church, and onward to the fortified town of Gracisce, where time seems to stand still. Overnights are in Motovun, a spectacular walled hilltop town with genuine medieval charm and fantastic views across the ancient forests along the Mirna River, where prized truffles, both black and white, are found. Throughout our journey, we savor many culinary delights, from homemade prosciutto, fresh mussels, and local sheep cheeses to wild asparagus in season, along with fine Malvasia and Teran wines.

Days 4-5
Pula / Rovinj

We explore the medieval hill village of Groznjan, once a Venetian fortress town and now a thriving art community, then head to the coastal world of the Adriatic at Pula, with its immense Roman amphitheater whose amazing state of preservation makes the Roman world come to life. One of our hikes brings us through pine forests and little rocky coves with views down the coast. Overnights are in Rovinj, a dreamy town of Venetian-style townhouses, sunny quayside cafes, and colorful fishing boats set on a peninsula jutting into the sea.

Days 6-7
Cres / Mali Losinj / Veli Losinj

We ferry to rugged Cres, an island of stone villages surrounded by an azure sea. After lunch in this lovely setting, we hike from the medieval cliff-top village of Lubenice across hills scented with wild lavender and down to the bay at Martinscica. We also walk the lungomare (sea promenade) to Veli Losinj, a picturesque jumble of ancient houses set around a tiny harbor filled with fishing boats, then up to a ridge for magnificent island panoramas.

Days 8-11
Rab / Trogir

Aboard a private traditional boat, we explore the blue waters of Kvarner Gulf. For lunch, our boat crew will prepare a meal of fresh fish for us, and later we sail to the small Renaissance-era island of Rab, docking right near our hotel. Back on the mainland, we follow the wooded trails of Krka National Park, with its pristine waterfalls, towering cliffs, and bubbling streams cascading through winding canyons. Our explorations end in Trogir, a World Heritage Site whose Old Town of 15th century buildings is surrounded by the sea. Depart via Split on Day 11 or extend your journey in beautiful Dubrovnik.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated a Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. Our town and country walking trip features day hikes of 2-5 hours over often hilly and rocky terrain with many ascending and descending stairs. There are a couple of short downhills—one steep and exposed—on Day 2. Hiking poles and good boots are recommended for the rugged terrain. We carry just a daypack, and our luggage is transported for us by van, so it is usually possible to ride in the van if you want to opt out of a day's hiking. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 p.m.

Explanation of Trip Levels