PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC
Picture Croatia’s ancient walled cities — stone buildings and red tile roofs — sitting at the very edge of glistening turquoise waters. Exploring this Adriatic gem through its cuisine will reveal a country of contrasts. Eastern old-world traditions mingle with European sophistication. Right across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, Croatia was never as isolated as other Eastern Bloc nations, yet remained off the beaten path for tourists. Today, travel to Croatia offers the chance to explore the Adriatic coast and all its seafood abundance — oysters, lobsters — the exciting urban Dubrovnik, as well as sleepy, atmospheric villages of the hills — vineyards and the freshest meats and produce — all this is overlooked by many travelers. Our culinary journey includes a traditional truffle hunt, a boat ride to a private island and its oyster beds, as well as excursions to some of Croatia’s most iconic cities and Roman ruins. Cook alongside the welcoming local residents whose home-prepared meals reflect a diversity of Italian, Turkish, Hungarian and Austrian influences.
8-Day Croatia Culinary Tour Itinerary
Exceptional Experience
- Explore Dubrovnik, Split and Istria with visits to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Embark on an authentic truffle hunt in the beautiful Croatian countryside
- Enjoy wine tastings and walking tours through charming hill towns
- Peruse a market with our chef to gather ingredients for a traditional meal
- Taste fresh oysters, homemade bread and delicious wine on a private island
Well-known local Croatian specialty foods include Mljet lobster, Ston oysters, Kvarner scampi, Istrian truffles, veal and pork from Slavonia, turkey from Zagorje and Istria, Pag cheese and the Lika cheese skripavac, delicious Palacinke pancakes, extra virgin olive oil and pumpkin seed oil—and of course the wines. Croatian cuisine is marked by the abundance of the coast, the forests, and hills, as well as the cultural influences of its neighbors and its past. Much of the Dalmatian coast and the Istria peninsula was dominated by the Venetians for centuries, so when you join our Croatia cooking tour, you’ll enjoy strong Mediterranean and Italian influences.
DAY 1: Our Croatia Culinary Tour Begins in Dubrovnik
Welcome to Croatia, Europe’s Adriatic jewel. After passing through customs, you will exit the airport, where our driver will be waiting for you. The salty breeze and stunning turquoise waters will greet you as we make our way to our charming, historic seaside hotel where you can spend the afternoon at your leisure. Our Croatia culinary tour begins in the evening with a welcome dinner at an authentic Croatian restaurant in the heart of old town Dubrovnik.
Meals included: Dinner
Drive time: 30 minutes
DAY 2: Old Town Dubrovnik & Walking Food Tour
Today we explore Dubrovnik through a special walking food tour of the city. Equal parts history, food, and culture, this is the ultimate glimpse into Croatia’s most iconic city. You’ll wander through the historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries and palaces within ancient city walls transport you back in time. Along the way, you’ll sample local flavors and regional specialties, while perusing locally produced, artisanal products and uncovering the role of food in local traditions. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy by soaking in the atmosphere of Dubrovnik or relaxing by the sea at our hotel’s private beach.
Meals included: Breakfast, food tour tastings
DAY 3: Oyster Tasting on a Private Island & Transfer to Split
Today we say farewell to Dubrovnik and continue our Croatia food tour as we head up the coast. After a delicious breakfast, we’ll make our way to ancient Split. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Pelješac peninsula, an area known for its velvety, full-bodied red wines, long city walls, and authentic salt works. We’ll continue our drive, stopping in Ston for a boat trip to a local oyster farmer’s private island. After learning about the oyster-growing process, you’ll have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim while our host prepares a mouthwatering lunch of fresh oysters, homemade bread, and of course, wine. Upon arrival in our centrally located hotel in the city of Split, the rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Drive time: 3.5 hours
DAY 4: Diocletian’s Palace, Market Tour & Cooking Class
We start our day with an exploration of Diocletian’s Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient and impressive 4th-century Roman complex makes up about half of Split, a thriving city that is both ancient and modern. From there, we will immerse ourselves in Split’s exuberant culinary scene with a visit to the food markets. You’ll mingle with locals, peruse the vibrant stalls, and find fresh harvests for our upcoming cooking class. With the help of a local chef, we’ll journey to the Peškarija (the fish market), Mesnica (the local butchers), or Pazar (the vegetable market) to bring authentic Mediterranean recipes to life. The old town of Split and its surrounding islands will serve as your backdrop as we prepare, and enjoy, this delicious meal in an authentic Dalmatian home.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 5: Plitvice National Park & Transfer to Rovinj
This morning we will journey from Split to the delightful town of Rovinj on the Istria peninsula. We’ll stop at Plitvice National Park along the way, one of Eastern Europe’s greatest natural wonders and one of Croatia’s most stunning destinations. The Plitvice lakes are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and we’ll have a local guide to help us explore the shimmering turquoise lakes and majestic waterfalls before continuing on to our lovely boutique hotel in Rovinj. The Istrian peninsula is shared between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, with the largest portion belonging to Croatia. Istria is known for its truffles, vineyards and olive groves, as well as its Roman ruins and charming hill towns – of which Rovinj is arguably the most charming. You’ll spend the next two days of your Croatia food tour exploring Istria’s culinary and cultural delights.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drive time: 7 hours
DAY 6: Istria Truffle Hunt & Cooking Class
This morning we venture to the inner region of Istria for an authentic truffle hunt through the beautiful Croatian countryside, one of the highlights of our Croatia food tours. Local residents and their trained dogs will join us in the woods of Motovun along the river Mirna as we search for some of the finest truffles in the world. After working up an appetite, you’ll return from your exciting trek to enjoy a truffle cooking class. We’ll savor the lunch we have helped prepare before continuing on to the spectacular Medieval town of Motovun, one of central Istria’s best-known hill towns. Making sure you’ve got your fill of splendid views of the valley below, we’ll return to Rovinj with the rest of the evening free to relax.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Drive time: Minimum 2 hours, the actual time may vary
DAY 7: Visit to Pula & Wine Tasting
This morning we depart for a half-day excursion to Pula, where some of Croatia’s most impressive Roman ruins await. We’ll explore the famous Pula Arena, which is the sixth largest Roman amphitheater in existence, as well as the Forum, the Temple of Augustus, the Twin Gate, and the Gate of Hercules. Following our tour of the ancient ruins, we’ll journey to a lovely estate for a farewell tasting of authentic Croatian wines. Dinner tonight will be at your leisure, giving you a chance to savor your last night in Croatia.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drive time: 45 minutes
DAY 8: Croatia Food Tour Ends
After breakfast, you will head to the Pula airport for your return flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drive time: 40 minutes
Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during our Croatia food travel experiences, but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored to the interests of the group.
Note: This itinerary and package inclusions might be changed in time, subject to availability.