Sample Itinerary
(subject to change) Day 1 - Depart for Croatia
Day 2 - Arrive in Zagreb. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Optional walking tour for those with early arrivals. Day 3 - Zagreb (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Our guide will pick us up in the morning and show us around the local points of interest, including the Upper Town, Kaptol, St. Mark’s Church, the Parliament, Zagreb Cathedral, Dolac Market, and the Stone Gate, complete with a funicular ride. At the end of the tour we’ll go to a local restaurant for our Welcome Lunch. Return to the hotel. The afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner at Konoba Didov San. Overnight at Premier Hotel Astoria. Day 4 - Zagreb - Pula (B, L) Breakfast at the hotel. We will be leaving Croatia's big city behind today and heading to the coast--the Istrian coast to be precise. Pula, our final destination, is a favorite place in the Istrian peninsula and we will see why at the end of the 3-hour drive. Along the way, we will make two stops. The first stop will be for truffle hunting, a fun experience for the group followed by a beautiful truffle-based lunch. After everybody has had their fill, we will continue to the Brist Olive Oil Estate where we’ll walk the olive groves and taste the best of Istrian sun and land. At the end of this day, we will arrive in Pula. Check into the hotel; rest of afternoon and dinner at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Milan. Day 5 - Pula (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Our two-hour guided tour of the town’s best bits begins in front of the Arena (the Amphitheater), the world's sixth-largest Roman amphitheater. Built in the 1st century AD, it’s in better shape now than Rome’s Colosseum. Gory gladiatorial and sporting battles were once held here, but nowadays it hosts classical concerts, plays, and Pula’s annual film festival. We will enter the Arena, enjoy all its splendor and walk the underground passages once used by gladiators. Afterwards, we’ll walk around the Roman Forum, learning about the Temple of Augustus, the Gate of Hercules and the Arch of the Sergii. Once we’re finished with Roman history, we’ll wander through the old town, admiring its Venetian, Byzantine and Gothic architecture, such as the Communal Palace and the Castle. We'll also address Pula's more contemporary history and once successful shipyard. Lunch at Konoba Boccaporta. After lunch we will travel to Brijuni National Park. Veliki Brijun is the largest, most beautiful and most visited Brijuni island and a part of the Brijuni National Park. The mild climate and favorable geographic conditions ensured the continuity of human activity on the island from prehistoric times to the present. The journey includes a boat ride and a group guided tour by electric train on Brijuni islands. Dinner at a local restaurant in Pula. Overnight at Hotel Milan. Day 6 - Pula to Split (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. The city of Split awaits us today. We will also be driving along the coast of Kvarner Bay. To make the most of this journey, we will take a slight detour to visit one of Croatia's signature spots, Krka Waterfalls, and have lunch along the way. Check into the hotel. Dinner at Tiffany Restaurant in the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Peristil. Day 7 - Split (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. We will explore the inspiring city of Split with a local guide. We’ll be led through the UNESCO-listed 1,700-year-old Diocletian’s palace and the Cathedral of Saint Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural wonders on the Adriatic coast. We will also explore the ancient cellars and the square in the center of the palace. The stunning Roman temples will awaken the spirit of another time for us, as will the famous Golden Gate and the big statue of Grgur Ninski. This is the best way to get to know the incredible history of this ancient city center. We will have some free time to enjoy the city and then have light lunch on our own. In the afternoon, we will enjoy our cooking class. The cooking class will give you the opportunity to discover the best of the gastronomy that Split is offering. One of the specialities of this city is it's centrally located open market locally called 'pazar.' There you can find fresh fruit and vegetables as well as the best fish that has been brought to the marketplace the same morning by the local fisherman. With your private chef on disposal you will select the best groceries and prepare the delicious meals in a "Dalmatian way". After the preparation you will of course have the opportunity to enjoy the food. Overnight at Hotel Peristil. Day 8 - Split to Dubrovnik (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Our driver will pick us up at the hotel and we will begin our drive to Dubrovnik. We will also arrange for a stop on the Peljesac peninsula along the way for tasting some of Croatia's best wines and a boat ride combined with an oyster tasting and lunch. We will have captivating Croatian coast views practically door-to-door. Dinner at Starta Loza restaurant. Check in and overnight at the Hotel More. Day 9 - Dubrovnik (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Dubrovnik’s Center on foot. Today we will be exploring the elegant main streets and picturesque paths of Dubrovnik, with our own personal guide. This truly is one of the most beautiful medieval cities on the Adriatic. A walking tour of Old Town will take us to its elegant main street and most of its most important sights: The Franciscan Monastery, Onofrio’s Fountains, Sponza Palace, Orlando’s Column, the City Bell Tower, the Church of St. Blaise, the city’s patron saint, and Rector’s Palace, the seat of the Republic and the Cathedral. This is the perfect orientational tour of the Old town and will give us the best insight into the rich history of Dubrovnik. Lunch and afternoon on your own. Farewell Dinner at our hotel. Overnight at Hotel More. Day 10 - Depart Dubrovnik for the US. A driver will pick us up at our Dubrovnik accommodation and drop us off at the airport for your departing flight. End of Program |
Join culinary expert Joan Peterson and Croatia expert Joan Gillman on this extraordinary adventure in historic Croatia along the Adriatic Sea, with its multitude of Dalmatian coastal islands. Croatia is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, characterized by a diversity and wealth of nature, a unique cultural heritage and old world charm.
Experience a culinary and cultural adventure along the coastlines of Croatia, which is designed for the discriminating traveler who enjoys the artistry of food and meeting welcoming and friendly people. Croatia is among today's most fascinating travel destinations. If you have ever had it on your list of travel destinations, this is the time and the tour. 
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Joan Peterson, co-leader - Joan Peterson received her Ph.D. in Cell Biology/Electron Microscopy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1993 she began a second career. She started a publishing company, Ginkgo Press, and created the EAT SMART series of guidebooks designed for travelers and cookbook lovers. To date she has written or co-written 11 of the 14 available culinary guidebooks (Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, Morocco, Sicily, India, Peru, Norway, and Portugal). She has traveled extensively for many years, and leads culinary tours to Turkey, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Norway, Peru, Portugal, and Sicily.
Joan Gillman, co-leader - Joan Gillman has a BA degree in Art Education and Radio and TV (Indiana University) and an MBA (UW-Madison). She was the director of the Small Business Development Center at the School of Business at (UW-Madison). Following this, she became the Executive Director of the US Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, a national organization of University professors who teach Entrepreneurship, which is the US affiliate of the International Council for Small Business. This sparked her love of travel. The Executive Director position started out as a volunteer position, but included participation in a national and international meeting each year, which led to her working locally, nationally and internationally. She was a teacher in Hungary, Japan and Saudi Arabia, and worked with the Open Society to start entrepreneurship centers in Croatia, Bulgaria and Macedonia. Joan is excited to be making her 30th trip to Croatia!
Susan Chwae, host - Joan Peterson's business partner and daughter, Susan has a degree in Graphic Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the Marketing Director and technical advisor for Ginkgo Press and the EAT SMART series. Since 1997 she has provided all creative and marketing support for the EAT SMART guidebooks and the website. She has been assisting Joan or leading her own Culinary Tours since 2005.