HIGHLIGHTS OF CROATIA
ZAGREB TO DUBROVNIK croatia itinerary
Trip Style: Explore
HISTORIC SITES, PLITVICE LAKES HIKE & local experiences
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STARTING AT $4695 per person
Fully guided 8-day Croatia group trip
4-12 people
Pairs with our Montenegro itinerary
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STARTING AT $3295 per person
Fully planned & booked 8-day self-guided Croatia itinerary
Self-drive (car rental separate)
Minimum of 2 people
Trip highlights
Stay at charming B&Bs and local accommodations
Take city strolls in Zagreb & Dubrovnik with a local historical expert
Hike at Plitvice Lakes surrounded by pristine turquoise waters
Enjoy a wine tasting & charcuterie at a local village farm
Feast at a traditional Peka dinner experience
From Zagreb’s café-lined streets to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, this eight-day Croatia journey reveals just how much this small country has to offer. Follow a carefully curated route from continental Croatia through the forests and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes and south along the Dalmatian coast, discovering ancient cities, family-run farms, historic villages, and the landscapes that have shaped Croatian life for centuries.
Explore Zagreb with a local guide, wander the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes, and stroll through the Roman streets of Zadar and Split. Along the way, stop at a family-owned estate for a leisurely lunch featuring local olives, figs, wine, cheeses, and other Dalmatian specialties, learn how local initiatives are working to protect Croatia’s coastal communities and natural resources, and discover Ston, famed for its oysters and imposing medieval walls.
Your journey culminates in Dubrovnik, the legendary “Pearl of the Adriatic,” where you'll experience one of Croatia's most meaningful culinary traditions: a Peka dinner. Cooked slowly beneath a bell-shaped dome over an open fire, Peka is as much about gathering around the table and sharing stories as it is about the food itself - a fitting finale to a journey designed around the flavors, history, landscapes, and people of Croatia.
Book our 8-day Croatia Custom Dates itinerary year-round, starting at $3295 per person. We'll provide carefully selected boutique accommodations, detailed driving directions, thoughtfully curated experiences, and assistance with car hire so you can enjoy the freedom of a self-drive journey without having to plan every detail yourself. See all inclusions, itinerary details, and complete pricing in the drop-downs below.
Want to keep going? Extend your journey into Montenegro, where you'll explore the charming towns of the Bay of Kotor, kayak through Skadar Lake, and venture into the mountains of Durmitor National Park.
why this trip?
Croatia has no shortage of famous places to visit, but the magic is in how you connect them. This journey combines some of the country's most iconic landscapes with the more intimate experiences that help you understand the culture behind them. You'll see Plitvice and Dubrovnik, but you'll also sit down for lunch at a family-owned estate, learn about sustainable tourism from local advocates, taste wines and regional specialties, and share a traditional Peka feast in a Croatian village.
We've also intentionally chosen boutique accommodations and locally rooted experiences rather than treating Croatia as a series of sightseeing stops. Each part of the route reveals something different: Zagreb's eclectic cultural scene, the natural beauty of Plitvice, Zadar's ancient relationship with the sea, Split's layered Roman history, and the food and traditions of the Dalmatian coast.
And because this is a self-drive journey, you have room to make it your own. Spend more time wandering a historic city, linger over lunch, swim along the coast, hike, explore a fortress, or simply follow the road and enjoy the scenery. We take care of the research and logistics - including detailed driving directions and assistance with car hire - while you have the freedom to experience Croatia at your own pace.
For travelers with more time, Croatia also makes a natural gateway to Montenegro. Continue south into the Bay of Kotor and then inland toward Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Park for a journey that shifts from Adriatic coastlines to rugged mountain landscapes.
Travel with purpose. Every Traverse Journeys departure includes a contribution to a carefully selected Community Partner, supporting local organizations creating meaningful impact in the destinations we visit. For this trip, your booking supports Greensail, a Croatian initiative working with charter companies, marinas, and travelers to protect the Adriatic through pollution prevention, education, recycling, and reducing single-use plastics.
Testimonials
About YOUR Traverse Host
Alex Schmidt is an American with Croatian roots based full-time in Dubrovnik. In college she came to Dubrovnik during a semester abroad, and fell in love with the country of her heritage – and a local! After living in Ireland for a short stint, she returned to Croatia with her Croatian partner to live a peaceful life in the seaside village outside of Dubrovnik. She runs her travel blog and Instagram account, The Mindful Mermaid, and a boutique travel agency in Croatia with her partner.
Alex is passionate about Croatian culture and lifestyle, and loves to showcase the beauty of Croatia with guests. When she’s not traveling around Croatia, she loves to travel, hangout with her 2 dogs, and soak up the laidback “pomalo” life with friends along the Croatian coast.
Trip Inclusions
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Boutique 3 & 4 star hotels, B&Bs and apartment style accommodations
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GROUP TRIP:
Ground transport between each destination in comfortable, privately rented vehicles (Zagreb>Zadar>Split>Drubrovnik)
Airport transfers upon arrival in Zagreb and departure in Podgorica airport
SELF-GUIDED:
Car rental options provided
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Guided visits of Zagreb, Split and Old Town Dubrovnik to learn about their historical significance and unique qualities
Entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park with hiking & stop at Rastoke village
Visit to the seaside town of Zadar, an ancient Roman city full of unique hidden gems
Stopover in the historic village of Ston, known for its oysters, salt production and 14th century fortress wall
Built-in free time to visit museum & sites and soak in the Adriatic sea & sun
Wine tasting & charcuterie reservation
A Peka dinner experience, a Dalmatian tradition using seasonal vegetables and herbs cooked in a traditional ispod čripnje
A focus on fresh, local food throughout the trip including market stops, seasonal produce, seafood, and Croatian specialties
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GROUP TRIP:
7 breakfasts + 1 dinner
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GROUP TRIP:
Dedicated Traverse host throughout your trip
Visit with our local Community Partner to learn about ocean conservation + donation to their organization
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
Detailed Croatia travel itinerary with complete self-guided instructions, local recommendations, and cultural tips
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Extra nights in Zagreb or Dubrovnik
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International airfare
Car rental (self-guided); options can be provided
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guides and drivers
Alcohol or other drinks, unless specified
Required travel insurance
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Trip price based on double occupancy. You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room.
STARTING at $4695 per person - double occupancy
+$695 - single occupancy 'My own room' option
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Trip price based on double occupancy. Single rooms will require the single supplement. Minimum 2 people to book this tour
STARTING at $3295 per person, double occupancy
+$695 single occupancy
High Season Surcharge: June-July-August starting at approximately +$250 per person, final determined on confirmation
Holiday Surcharge: If your dates fall +/- 5 days around US Thanksgiving, December 25th, or January 1st there will be a holiday surcharge of approximately $250 per person, final determined on confirmation
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Car rental - Quotes provided on request for easy pick up in Zadar and drop off in Dubrovnik
Private driver for whole route (self-guided) - Price varies by group size and vehicle, starting at approximately $1295
Extra night Zagreb, pricing on request
FAQS
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Shoulder season in spring (March-May) and fall (Sept/Oct) is our favorite time to visit for fewer crowds and less heat. You can also visit in the winter if you don't mind a bit of rain!
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If you're tired or not feeling up for the Plitvice hike, there is an option to stay back at the information center café.
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YES! Some of the best travel is done by yourself and we have no doubt you’ll leave with friends!
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
