Enjoy unique customs in the historic center of Rovinj, Croatia

Jewels of the Adriatic Sea: Croatia and Italy Tour

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Croatia, Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Rovinj

Suggested Duration

8 Days

The old world charm of Venice and the Istria Peninsula will sparkle like precious gems during your Italy itinerary along the shores of the Adriatic Sea.  Walk in the footsteps of the Roman Empire and in the wake of the Venetian Republic as you delight in a customizable experience of the photogenic woodlands and the crystal clear turquoise of the Adriatic. Ride a gondola along narrow canals and then stroll down the cobbled lanes of a medieval hilltop fortress. Sip wine from a family estate...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Experience the quiet drama of the Venetian lagoon with a private gondola ride along the secluded canals
  • Witness the gilded adornments of St. Mark’s Basilica, including the remarkable gold altarpiece crested with precious gems
  • Discover the chic boutiques, a preserved Roman amphitheater, and the home of Juliet Capulet while touring Verona, Italy
  • Wander the cobbled streets of the largest town on the Istrian Peninsula at Pula to find Roman ruins and a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian naval port
  • Indulge in the unique customs in the historical center of Rovinj, located on a former island that connects to the mainland
  • Visit the small hilltop towns of Groznjan and Momjan that overlook the lush valleys to enjoy the culture and sample the wine and olive oil on a family estate
  • Witness the grand palaces of Venice designed to impress visitors from around the globe while on a private cruise on the Grand Canal
  • Traverse the elegant seaside promenade of Opatija and dip into the refreshing waters of the Adriatic Sea in secluded coves

Detailed Description

The marvels of the Adriatic Sea embody prestigious histories and vibrant culture with opulent palaces and idyllic scenery. Enjoy an immersive 8-day Italy itinerary that will encompass Venice and the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia. Your journey will begin with your arrival at Marco Polo Airport in Venice. Your private transfer will escort you to the docks along the Grand Canal where you will board your boat. Relish a private tour of the waters of the Grand Canal to view the opulent palaces and remarkable bridges that demonstrate the city’s historic prosperity. You will disembark at your hotel then enjoy dinner in the comforts of a gourmet restaurant that will bring your first taste of Venetian cuisine.

Wake the next morning, and your guide will greet you at your hotel and escort you through the fabled beauty of St. Mark’s Square with the golden mosaics of the Basilica and the hidden chambers of the Doge’s Palace. Glide along the narrow and secluded canals of the city on a private gondola tour before indulging in the flavors of the city with a gourmet dinner accompanied by a glass of Prosecco. The following day, you will travel with your guide to the historical center of Verona to discover the ancient Roman artifacts, dramatic castles, and the home of Juliet Capulet from Shakespeare’s tragic love story before returning to Venice for the evening.

The next day, your private transfer will escort you away from the city on the lagoon and across the borders of Slovenia and Croatia to reach the seaside town of Rovinj. Settle into the comforts of your hotel that overlooks the Adriatic before embarking on a walking tour of the historical city center. Travel next to Pula, the largest town on the Istrian Peninsula, to explore the Roman amphitheater and medieval architecture. Explore the peninsula more the following day with a visit to the hilltop town of Groznjan.

Tour the fortress and quiet medieval streets before transferring to Momjan, and then stroll along a vineyard and olive orchard to learn about the history of wine and olive oil in the region. Sample the seductive flavors before returning to Rovinj. The next day will be at your leisure to bask in the beauty of Rovinj or traverse the marvels of the peninsula at your preferred pace. Visit the fishing village of Opatija or visit the castle at Pajin before your vacation concludes with your private transfer there to greet you at your hotel and escort you back to Venice, Italy for your flight home.  You could also extend your travel, so find inspiration from our other travelers as their travel reviews for Italy provide more ideas and inspiration.

Starting Price

$3,100 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.9 stars based on 7242 reviews.

Italy Tour Review: Wine Tour, Cooking Classes, Local Cuisine,...

Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.

Reviewed By Sherry G.

Italy Honeymoon Review: Rome, Sorrento, Cooking Class, Private...

This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.

My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.

Reviewed By Branson S.

Italy Trip Review: Sorrento, Cooking Class, Local Cuisine,...

The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.

Reviewed By Claudia R.

Italy, Greece Travel Review: Como, Bellagio, Wine Tour,...

The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.

Reviewed By Nisha V.

Italy Vacation Review: Florence, Rome, Truffle Hunt, Cooking...

Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.

When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.

She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.

The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.

Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.

If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.

Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!

Stephanie

Reviewed By Stephanie S.

Italy 25th Anniversary Travel Review: Positano, Sorrento,...

This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.

Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!

Reviewed By Mauro A.

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