Zagreb & The Adriatic Highway Self-Drive

DAY 1 Zagreb
Driving distance: direct approx. 15km/20mins
Arrive in Zagreb airport and pick up your hire car to make your way into the capital city to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or to begin exploring or join the cafe culture with one of the better places for people watching being Trg Bana Jelacica, a popular meeting spot for locals.

Stay at: Hotel Jagerhorn (3 star) or similar

DAY 2 Zagreb
Your day is free to discover more of Zagreb. Split into an upper and lower town, with a very short and steep funicular between, this city was made for strolling. Along the way you will most likely find traditional stores making and selling hats, shoes, umbrella's and leather goods. The daily Dolac Market boarders the lower and upper town, selling fresh produce, handicrafts and cheap food. Or the Hrelic is a true market paradise. Croatia's largest flea market (open Wednesdays) sells all sorts of wares. From Katarinin Trg, admire the red rooftops over the city and see the famous street art, The Whale. Street art is common in Zagreb so keep your eyes peeled as you meander. Or perhaps take a day trip driving to Slovenia to visit Ljubljana to see the old city centre including the picturesque Baroque Town Hall, Robba's Fountain and the Three Bridges, returning via the picturesque Lake Bled with its fairytale castle.

Stay at: Hotel Jagerhorn (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 Zagreb - Plitvice
Driving distance: direct approx. 130km/2hrs
This morning, drive to Plitvice, perhaps stopping at Karlovac to see Dubovac Castle. Perched high on a hill, it offers spectacular views to the surrounding rivers and the caste itself is a very well preserved example of a feudal building. Another picturesque town to stop and visit is Rastoke, before arriving into Plitvice, the gateway to the National Park where you can see Plitvice Lakes, a beautiful system of terraced lakes and waterfalls, and a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. It is easy to spend an afternoon here wandering the walkways and taking in the spectacular beauty of this National Park.

Stay at: Hotel Jezero (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4 Plivice - Zadar
Driving distance: direct approx. 120km/1.5hrs
Today, head towards the coast to Zadar, which was the capital of Dalmatia for centuries. Travel direct or via the Samograd Caves (only visit on timed tours with guide) or nearby town of Gospic, home to the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre, birthplace of one of the world's foremost engineers and inventors and also the Lika Museum, a central collection of cultural, historical and art pieces from the region. In Zadar, spend the afternoon seeing the historical centre, a compact pedestrian zone, perfect to explore on foot as you discover the old walls built in 16th century by Venetians as a defence from Turks. Another interesting sites to visit are the 16th century Port Gate where the Venetian lion still guards the entrance, the Square of the Five Wells, Church of St. Donat and the Roman Forum. Be sure to visit the waterfront where you can see the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind in the world and “The Greeting to the Sun” light installation. The town is full of great restaurants packed in the centre which you can enjoy during your evening at leisure.

Stay at: Hotel Kolovare (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 5 Zadar - Trogir - Split
Driving distance: direct approx. 160km/2hrswith stop in Trogir
Make your way to Split today. We recommend travelling via Trogir, a town built on a small island and connected with the continent by a stone bridge. This small town is a real cultural treasure, with quaint, narrow streets to meander and also suggest a visit to the St. Lawrence Cathedral. Continue to Split, Croatia’s second largest city, which is a modern city built within and around the remnants of the world famous Diocletian’s Palace. Perhaps this afternoon, climb to the top of Marjan, formerly the residence of monks, for views over Split and then descending to one of the beaches for a refreshing dip.

Stay at: Hotel Slavija (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Split - Dubrovnik
Driving distance: direct approx. 230km/3hrs
This morning, walk around the impressive walls of the Diocletian's Palace and through many fascinating and unique sites. See the historical architecture of this beautiful place, the remnants of Split's Roman heritage; it's Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and perhaps the palace basement filled with market stalls. Continue down the Adriatic Highway to Dubrovnik, the indisputable Pearl of the Adriatic with an Old Town centre that is entirely listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stay at: Hotel Splendid (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 Dubrovnik
Spend your day in the most beautiful town of Dalmatia, Dubrovnik. Impressive 13th century defence walls enclose its UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town which centres around its main thoroughfare, the Stradun. During your stay, we suggest a visit to Rector’s Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column and Sponza Palace. When you run out of things to do, why not take a cable car to the top of Mt Srd for incredible panoramic views of Dubrovnik, or perhaps take stroll down the ‘Stradum’, the completely pedestrianised main street in Old Town where you’re sure to find plenty of cafes, shops and restaurants to try out.

Stay at: Hotel Splendid (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 Dubrovnik
Driving distance: direct approx. 21km/30mins
Your self drive holiday concludes after dropping off your vehicle at Dubrovnik Airport.

Meals included: Breakfast