Splendours of Croatia

Holiday Highlights

If you're looking for a holiday that combines history, culture and national parks, and staying in a four-star seaside hotel, our Splendours of Croatia holiday to Zadar is definitely the one for you. Encircled by islands, coves, beaches and bays, this ancient regional capital boasts Roman ruins, Venetian architecture, stunning medieval churches and a great choice of pavement cafes, craft shops and restaurants.

Duration

8 days

Price

from £1449

We stay in Zadar, which is at the heart of the coast and is one of the country’s most unique resorts. Known for its ancient history and breath-taking seaside location, you can soak up centuries in seconds just by strolling around. Amongst the traffic-free cobblestoned streets in the Old Town are ancient Roman ruins and historical churches, including the early-Byzantine St. Donatus’ Church and the Roman Forum.

Zadar's central square is essentially an outdoor museum, where you can find historic buildings like the 11th-century Church of St Lawrence and the 16th-century Clock Tower.

On the seafront, the resort is also home to two unique attractions, both of which were designed and created by architect Nikola Bazik; At first glance, the Sea Organ looks like a series of steps leading into the sea – it’s actually a huge musical instrument. There are hollow tubes underneath the marble steps that make music when the waves pass through them, creating a harmonica-like effect. The other is the Sun Salutation; it’s a 22m-wide circle set into the pavement filled with 300 multi-layered glass plates that collect the suns energy during the day which then produces a fascinating light show from sunset to sunrise with a complicated pattern of coloured lights across the floor. There are also smaller discs scattered across the plaza, which represent the solar system- both of these fascinating attractions need to be seen and heard more than once during your holiday!

Zadar's seafront has also been an inspiration for filmmakers and it’s not hard to see why - Alfred Hitchcock holidayed in Zadar in the 1960’s and he described the sunset over the Adriatic as the world’s best.

Admire the views from the promenade, relax on the beach and enjoy our programme of included excursions and visits on this unique, escorted holiday to discover some of the lesser known/hidden Splendours of Croatia.

Dates and Prices

Included in price

7 nights Half Board at the 4 star Hotel Kolovare in Zadar
Twin/double bedrooms with ensuite facilities
Guided walking tour of Zadar
Boat excursion to Kornati with lunch on board
Excursion to the Plitvice Lakes National Park
Excursion to Sibenik
Vineyard visit and wine tasting
Air-conditioned coach travel in Croatia
Return flights to Croatia
One piece of hold luggage and one piece of hand luggage per person
Transfers between airport and hotel
Services of a Mistral Tour Manager
ATOL Protected

— Sibenik —

— Zadar —

— Zadar Forum —

— Zadar Lighthouse —

— Old Town Zadar —

— Sibenik Old Town —

— Sibenik Harbour —

— Plitvice Lakes —

— Kornati Islands —

— —

Accommodation

4 star Hotel Kolovare, Zadar

The 4 star Hotel Kolovare enjoys a peaceful and picturesque seaside location near to the Old Town, which is around 15 minutes’ walk away along the seafront promenade. If you don’t want to walk into the centre, there is a local bus stop and a taxi rank just a few minutes from the hotel.

As soon as you enter the hotel you will find a large and bright lobby area with a lounge and bar where, on many days, there are drink offers at the bar.

The air-conditioned bedrooms all have a balcony and flat-screen tv and are furnished in a typical Mediterranean style. The en-suite bathrooms have a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Breakfast and evening dinners are buffet style and are taken in the main restaurant, which serves local and Mediterranean style cuisine. The hotel also has a well-stocked wine cellar.

Outside there is a swimming pool which is set in a spacious garden area. Surrounding the pool there is a large terrace where sunbeds and pool towels are free of charge and there is also a pool bar (seasonal).

With its prime location opposite the pebble beach and comprehensive amenities, the Kolovare Hotel ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all guests.

— Hotel Kolovare —

— Kolovare Hotel Pool —

— Double Bedroom —

— Double Bedroom —

— Twin Bedrrom —

— Bathroom —

— Reception —

— Restaurant —

— Lounge —

Dates and Prices

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Croatia: On arrival at Zadar or Split airport you will be met and transferred to our hotel, where we stay for seven nights with dinner and breakfast included every day.
Days 2 to 7: During our stay we have arranged a programme of four fabulous excursions, all taken at a leisurely pace. There are also two days at leisure when you can relax in the comfortable surroundings of our hotel or explore our resort and nearby attractions.
Introductory Walking Tour: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before later this morning we have a guided walking tour that includes some of the most important highlights of Zadar. We walk from the hotel along the promenade, by the pebble-fronted Kolovare Beach, to the old town. Strolling through the old town of Zadar, one of the most beautiful places in Croatia, you’ll feel transported back in time. There are several gates in the UNESCO listed, Venetian built city walls whilst surrounding the Roman Forum, built by Emperor Augustus, is the 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There’s also the imposing, 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus. The tour ends at the world's unique Sea Organ played by the waves. Sit down, relax and listen to the soft music of nature! The rest of the day is at leisure.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Home to a wide range of fauna and flora, the Plitvice Lakes National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The Park is a unique natural wonder with its 16 terraced crystal-clear lakes and 90 waterfalls. Over thousands of years, the bright turquoise waters washing over the limestone and chalk riverbeds created a series of natural dams which has resulted in a collection of waterfalls, caves and lakes, surrounded by thick forests. You can explore the park at your own pace - wooden walkways and bridges lead around the fringes of the lakes and waterfalls, giving some really spectacular views.
Cruise to the Kornati Islands including lunch: Set sail and while away a relaxing day cruising around the various islands and small islets of the Kornati Islands, which lie off Zadar. Some of them are eerily beautiful, desolate places, with a terrain full of caves and grottos, while others are home to vineyards, olive groves, and orchards that bring in a seasonal population of farmers to tend to them. Shaped like small droplets, the islands are lined up next to each other and form an almost surreal back drop in the sapphire-blue sea. A national park like no other, the Kornati Islands have charmed visitors for centuries with their remote “desert island” feel. Our excursion includes a lunch on board during the cruise.
Historical Sibenik and Wine Tasting: Amongst all of the towns on the Adriatic coast, Sibenik stands out due to its unique location, in a picturesque bay at the mouth of the Krka River. It was ruled over by the Venetians for 400 years, who built fortresses around the town and also the most significant historical and cultural sites of this ancient port. Among them is the most important symbol of all – the Cathedral of St. James which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. This truly charming town offers a glimpse into local Croatian life and culture - there's a real sense of authenticity in Sibenik that is hard to find elsewhere. Stop at one of the waterfront cafés on the promenade to enjoy the beautiful views, feel the sea breeze and simply relax and watch the world go by. On this relaxing excursion we will also visit a vineyard to sample some of the best wines of the region.
Day 8 - Fly back to the UK: At the appropriate time, we transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.

Dates and Prices