Endless Romance in Croatia: 10-Day Honeymoon Vacation

Istria is affectionately known as “Croatian Tuscany,” and you will quickly understand why upon your arrival at the airport. Your transfer will greet you at baggage claim and escort you to your hotel in nearby Rovinj. The heart of Rovinj is a place to fully surrender to the soothing energy of a slow, cozy, Old-World ambiance with cobblestone streets lined with old architecture and remains from Roman and Venetian times. In the evening, your Croatian gastronomy adventure will start with a mouthwatering dinner at a local restaurant focused on fresh, locally grown ingredients, famous Istrian wine, and traditional recipes.

After breakfast, you will begin your exploration of Istria starting at Pula. The streets are lined with magnificent remains of mighty Roman and Austrian empires, including the amphitheater overlooking the sea, creating a gorgeous stage balancing architecture and environment. In Poreč, you will find a picturesque town situated on a peninsula, steeped quaint cobblestone streets, and Venetian era buildings. At Motovun, you will have stunning views, breathtaking ancient architecture, and an exclusive truffle lunch paired with delicious Istrian wines in the dreamlike acropolis overlooking the vineyards, olive groves, green forest, and quiet river.

Set off this morning for a truly wonderful day halfway between Split and Zagreb in Croatia’s hinterland. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a fairytale landscape decorated with 16 lakes interconnected with approximately 90 spectacular waterfalls. The lush greenery frames the dazzling display of water to accentuate the pristine allure. You can walk along the 18 kilometers of wooden footbridges and pathways to enjoy the crystalline lakes and majestic waterfalls. The tranquility of the perfectly turquoise water, misty cascades, and bountiful shades of green are the perfect embodiment of nature at its finest.

While Zadar is rich with cultural heritage from Roman times and the Middle Ages, strolling around the streets of Zadar, full of ancient architecture, is still a classic delight. You can wander along the famous Byzantine church and Landward Gate. The Belltower of St. Anastasia offers lovely panoramic views of St. Donatus, Velebit mountains, and the ancient Roman Forum before basking in the spectacular sea to watch a beautiful sunset. The sound of the Sea Organ will fill the air with mystical music along the Sea Promenade, capturing the definition of romance.

Today you will embark on a romantic cruise to a private island. As the boat slowly drifts along the Riva, you can enjoy the beautiful views of Zadar rising above the deep blue sea. As you reach the diversity of islands and islets around Zadar, there is nothing more relaxing than laying on the boat and listening to the sound of the waves. You can spend time enjoying the soothing wind on your face set beneath the endless blue sky. On your private island, relax in the sun on a secluded beach where you can reset and refresh.

You will check out of your hotel and take a short ride to Split, a city buzzing with exuberant tradition and modernity. Your private walking tour will reveal some of the most iconic places of the ancient town and its fabled history. Diocletian’s Palace hosts narrow streets that possess unsurpassable charm and beauty. The Cathedral of Saint Domnius on Peristil was built in the 4th century as the Imperial Roman mausoleum. Once on the island of Hvar, you will enjoy Renaissance architecture, inspiring cultural heritage, and vibrant Mediterranean nature with the rest of the day at leisure.

Today you have a full-day excursion of Hvar with an emphasis on the island’s unique wine. The visit will start in the town of Hvar and continue to the Stari Grad Plain, where you can see the vines and picturesque village of nearby Jelsa. You will bask in tremendous flavor during a wine tasting in an understated boutique known for pairing homemade bread and rich cheese with local wine. Take in the spirit of southern Dalmatia with a klapa singing performance before you have the special treat of a traditional lunch in an old, abandoned village.

You will continue to the Jewel of the Adriatic at Dubrovnik. En route to Dubrovnik, you could stop at Mljet National Park to wander the forested walking path and view the saltwater lakes. After checking into your hotel upon arrival in Dubrovnik, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Simply walking the city streets or taking in the view of the walls awakens a sense of awe. As you discover the stunning panoramas across Old Town and the shimmering blue Adriatic Sea, you can absorb the picturesque ambiances as genuinely marvelous and breathtaking.

After breakfast, you can plunge into the imaginative legends inhabiting Dubrovnik’s majestic medieval town ambiance as the city comes to life on a walking tour with your expert guide. As you walk through Old Town, you can find the main thoroughfare lined with the historic Rector’s Palace and looking to the dreamlike City Walls. You will continue on an afternoon cruise to the Elafiti Islands, where Dubrovnik’s aristocracy would escape from the city. Elafiti will introduce you to the most sophisticated Mediterranean lifestyle exuding from the aromatic myrtle, laurel, and cypress trees.

In the morning, you can once more enjoy Dubrovnik’s famous City Walls as they overlook the azure Adriatic Sea, surrounding islands, and meandering yachts. The scene may last as one of the most iconic images of Croatia. The historic grandiosity of the walls may radiate like a fantastical landscape before your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby. You will continue to the airport for your flight home, bringing an end to your romantic and alluring honeymoon in Croatia.