Aerial view of Rovinj in Istria, Croatica

Luxury Croatia

A secluded, private beach with a yacht in Croatia

Luxury Croatia

The hilltop town of Motovun, Croatia

Luxury Croatia

Istria and the Adriatic in Style

Days: 9 | From: $13,715/per person

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class boutique hotels.
  • Curated tours with excellent private guides.

This 5-star Croatia itinerary moves through two of the country's most rewarding regions. The trip begins in Istria, where you'll explore medieval hilltop villages, shop and cook from a local market, and hunt for truffles in the forests outside Buzet. A short panoramic flight then delivers you to Lošinj, a lush Adriatic island with secluded coves, sparkling coastlines, and Croatian cuisine.

Gretchen Traut Destination Specialist at Vaya Adventures

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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

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We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Bale, Istria
    4 nights: explore hilltop villages, rolling vineyards, try your hand at truffle hunting, and sample local delicacies
  • Lošinj
    4 nights: sail on a private yacht, visit Medieval villages, and swim on secluded beaches

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Croatia and Transfer to Istria

Welcome to Croatia! Your driver will meet you at Zagreb Airport for a private three-hour transfer south to Bale, a medieval hilltop village in the heart of Istria. One of Croatia’s most atmospheric regions, Istria is a sun-drenched peninsula jutting into the Adriatic, known for its Venetian-influenced architecture, world-class truffles, and exceptional local wine.

Accommodations: Meneghetti Wine Hotel, 4 nights

A Relais & Châteaux property set on a historic 19th-century agricultural estate near the medieval town of Bale in Istria, Croatia, Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery sits amid its own vineyards and olive groves, which remain central to the estate's identity. Restored in the early 2000s, the property produces its own wines and olive oil, and grows organic produce for its kitchens. There are two restaurants: the Meneghetti Restaurant, a garden-to-table dining room featured in the Michelin Guide, and the Oliveto Restaurant & Lounge Bar, a more relaxed, open-air option serving Mediterranean cuisine with views over the pool and vineyards. A beach club - at a separate location nearby - offers light seaside dining. The estate also has a spa, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, and yoga classes held among the olive groves. An outdoor sculpture exhibition is permanently on display.

Day 2: Pula Cooking Class

Spend the day in Pula, beginning with a walking tour of the city’s green market. You’ll explore the stalls, learning about Istrian food culture and local ingredients along the way. Afterward, you’ll head to a fully equipped kitchen where a local chef will guide you through making a traditional lunch from scratch.

Choose your preferred cooking experience from a menu of options: a traditional vegetarian or vegan Istrian class, Istrian ravioli (a delicate pasta dating back to medieval times), a traditional Mediterranean fish and seafood class, a fish filleting and grilling class, a peka class (meat or seafood slow-cooked under a čripnja on an open fire, an ancient Istrian method), or a class focused on truffles. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours at leisure.

Accommodations: Meneghetti Wine Hotel, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 : Rovinj, Motovun & Grožnjan

Spend the day exploring Istria’s hilltop towns and coastline with a local guide. The morning begins in Rovinj, where you’ll walk the old town’s cobblestone streets, taking in the colorful harbor-front buildings and the hilltop Church of St. Euphemia.

From there, you’ll continue inland to the medieval hilltop towns of Motovun and Grožnjan, both offering sweeping views over olive groves, vineyards, and rolling countryside dotted with solitary forts and church towers. You’ll learn about each town’s history as you wander through ancient streets lined with Gothic churches, medieval towers, and small galleries and cafés.

The day winds down with a visit to traditional wine cellars and a small wine museum, before settling into the tasting room of a charming farmhouse to sample local wine and olive oil.

Accommodations: Meneghetti Wine Hotel, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 4: Truffle Hunting

Today you’ll head to the forests outside Buzet, in the heart of truffle country, to join a professional hunter and his trained dogs on a truffle hunt through the Motovun forest. Along the way, you’ll hear the story of how truffles were first discovered here over 80 years ago and learn about their life cycle.

Afterward, you’ll sit down to a four-course truffle lunch at a local farmhouse. The meal begins with a spread of local cheeses, salami, and canapés featuring black and white truffle accompaniments, followed by scrambled eggs with fresh truffles. You can opt to join in the cooking or simply watch. The main course is traditional pasta with fresh truffles, prepared tableside, and dessert is warm fritule (traditional Istrian doughnuts) served with truffle-infused chocolate spread, homemade vanilla ice cream, truffle honey, and almonds.

Accommodations: Meneghetti Wine Hotel, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Panoramic Flight to Lošinj

This morning, trade the road for the sky on your way to Lošinj, boarding a small plane in Pula for a 15-minute panoramic flight over the northern Adriatic. The short hop offers aerial views of Istria’s coastline, clear blue waters, and the scattered islands below before touching down on Lošinj, your home for the next four nights.

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Alhambra, 4 nights

Open since 1908, Boutique Hotel Alhambra sits within the protected pine forest of Čikat Bay on the island of Lošinj, Croatia. The hotel's Art Nouveau and Neoclassical architecture reflects the era when Lošinj was a favored destination of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy. The hotel features a 7,104 sq. ft. spa with a heated indoor seawater pool, three treatment rooms, a Finnish sauna, a gym, and more. There's an onsite Michelin-starred restaurant that boasts an extensive 600-bottle wine list. Guests can also take afternoon tea in the library, join guided forest bathing sessions or yoga classes, go cycling, and end the day with a guided stargazing session on the beach. The hotel has a private jetty on the Adriatic.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 6: Lošinj at Leisure

Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Lošinj is known for its lush vegetation, clean air, and crystal-clear coves, making it ideal for cycling the coastal paths, discovering secluded beaches, or sampling local wine at a seaside konoba. Or, opt to unwind and enjoy the facilities at your 5-star coastal hotel.

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Alhambra, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 7: Private Boat Day to Susak & Ilovik Islands

You’ll set out from Čikat Bay aboard a private luxury boat for a full day on the water, visiting the sandy shores of Susak and the lush, car-free island of Ilovik. The day is spent at a relaxed pace: swimming and sunbathing in sparkling alcoves, with a leisurely lunch stop on one of the islands featuring local cuisine and sea views.

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Alhambra, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 8: Cres Island

Today, take a short trip to neighboring Cres Island for a day exploring its rugged landscapes, turquoise coves, and medieval villages. Stops include a cheese farm in Loznati for a tasting of handmade local cheeses, the Sheep Farming Museum in the hilltop village of Lubenice, and Cres’s first essential oil distillery, where you’ll tour the organic farm and have the chance to shop for cheeses, olive oils, essential oils, natural soaps, and herbal products.

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Alhambra, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 9: Departure

Say goodbye to Croatia and board a small private aircraft in Lošinj for a 55-minute flight back to Zagreb, with aerial views of the islands and coastline on the way out.

*Includes: Breakfast

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.

  • Head to Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Trogir to discover more of Croatia’s coast and iconic cities

  • Wander amongst the waterfalls and azure pools in Plitvice Lakes National Park

  • Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
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