Fly-drive

A sample of one of our interesting fly-drive itineraries, created after years of careful listening to what our clients desire and through our logistical knowledge and experience. However, the same itinerary is flexible in terms of number of nights spent in various locations, type of accommodation and routes so we would kindly ask you to express your personal ideas, preferences and budget – 'Tailor-made' itineraries are our specialty after all….!

Itinerary duration: 11 days (10 nights)
Car hire duration: 7 days

Itineraries:

• Day 1: Zagreb
• Day 2: Zagreb - Opatija
• Day 3: Opatija
• Day 4: Opatija - Zadar
• Day 5: Zadar - Split
• Day 6: Split
• Day 7: Split - Dubrovnik
• Day 8: Dubrovnik
• Day 9: Dubrovnik
• Day 10: Dubrovnik
• Day 11: Departure

Day 1: Zagreb

Arrival to Zagreb airport - after passing through passport control and customs proceed to Hertz rent-a-car desk at Zagreb airport and provide the transfer voucher to AT-Croatia representative.

Private transfer Zagreb airport – town centre hotel

Hotel Dubrovnik (4*), Zagreb
1 overnight in double bedroom
Service: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Zagreb - Opatija

After breakfast we recommend light walk and sightseeing around Zagreb city centre. Since hotel Dubrovnik is nicely located in the centre of Zagreb and overlooking the main square (Trg bana Jelacica) you will have enough time to visit all the main locations (the Zagreb cathedral, Dolac market and Tkalciceva street, Upper town, Ilica street…), before collecting your rented vehicle car in the nearby Hertz downtown office, this can also be delivered to the hotel reception at the agreed time.

Car pick-up
Location:

After sorting out car rental formalities, a member of Hertz staff will hand you a map of Croatia along with detailed directions on how to reach Zagreb-Rijeka highway A1/A6. You will need a couple of hours to reach Opatija. After getting off A6 at Rijeka, follow the signs for Opatija along the dramatic fly-pass and once you enter Opatija, follow signs for the hotel Milenij.

Hotel Milenij (5*), Opatija
2 overnights in double superior bedroom with sea view
Service: Bed and Breakfast

While staying in Opatija, we suggest visiting the nearby park Angiolina (horticulture monument with more than 150 different plants in which the 15th century church of St James is located) and stroll along the Lungomare promenade that connects Opatija with other small towns and resorts of the Opatija Riviera. As you walk along this hundreds of year old, famous and romantic path (11 kilometres long!) you will notice lovely 19th century villas from Austro-Hungarian period (now mostly turned into grand hotels).

Day 3: Opatija

Second day in Opatija could be used for relaxation: spending some time on Opatija’s beaches, ending the day in one of Opatija’s elegant restaurants along the promenade. However, if you are more of an energetic type we suggest doing a one-day trip to Istrian towns of Pula (with the famous Roman amphitheatre Arena), Rovinj and Porec (Euphrasian basilica). You can easily visit all of the mentioned locations if you decide to take the semi-highway known as the Istrian Ypsilon (just follow the signs for it after exiting the Ucka tunnel that is entered above Opatija by-pass). If you still have some time left, you could stop in Motovun, one of the most beautiful Istrian hilltop medieval towns before heading back to Opatija.

Day 4: Opatija - Zadar

After leaving Opatija and getting onto the A6, drive until Bosiljevo junction and head down the A1 in the direction of Split. You can get off the highway at Zadar 1 exit and then pass through Murvica towards the city of Zadar. Once you enter the city of Zadar, follow the signs to the centre (or poluotok, Croatian for peninsula). The hotel Bastion is located on the inside of the peninsula, overlooking the mainland and just after the pedestrian bridge connecting the two parts of the town centre.

Hotel Bastion (4*), Zadar
1 overnight in double superior room
Service: Bed and Breakfast

Since the drive from Opatija to Split could get a little bit tiresome, we recommend spending a night in Zadar. While in Zadar, make sure to visit its main attractions (largest researched Roman forum on the Eastern side of the Adriatic, beautiful Romanesque churches St Donat and St Stosija and two urban installations: Salute to the Sun and the Sea Organs) which are all located within walking distance from hotel Bastion.

Day 5: Zadar - Split

On the way from Zadar to Split, we suggest visiting two attractions: Krka national park and St James’ cathedral in Sibenik (which is enlisted in UNESCO world heritage list). After visiting Sibenik you can continue your route via the coastal road popularly known as ‘Jadranska magistrala’ and make an additional stop for lunch in Primosten, a lovely little Dalmatian town located on the islet which was connected to the mainland in the 16th century. After leaving Primosten you could make an additional stop in Trogir, but since it is located only 40 minutes away from Split, you could postpone your visit for the next day. Once you reach Split, follow the signs for ACI marina (turn right at the entrance to Split). You will pass the football stadium Poljud and Marjan tunnel shortly after that. When you exit the tunnel, turn left and follow the road until you reach Split promenade, popular Riva. Since hotel Marmont is located within the pedestrian zone you will have to call the reception to get someone to take the car and help you out with your luggage.

Hotel Marmont (4*), Split
2 overnights in double room
Service: Bed and Breakfast

Day 6: Split

After visiting Split’s historical centre (Diocletian’s palace, which is another protected monument in the UNESCO world heritage list) we suggest visiting the archeological site of ancient Salona (former capital of Roman province of Dalmatia) located in Solin and Trogir, whose old pedestrian town centre is also protected by UNESCO.

Day 7: Split - Dubrovnik

For the continuation of your drive to Dubrovnik, we would recommend taking ‘Jadranska magistrala’ which provides lovely views of the outlying islands Solta, Brac, Hvar and Korcula.. If you get tired, you can always stop in one of the resorts along the Makarska Riviera for a coffee break, whereas for lunch break we would warmly recommend one of the fish restaurants in Mali Ston. Don’t miss the chance to sample probably the best known local delicacy – Ston oysters. Before you continue your route to Dubrovnik we would also suggest visiting the old town of Ston, its famous salt pans and the town walls – which is the longest preserved fortification system and popularly known as the European version of the Great Wall of China!

Before entering Dubrovnik, cross the modern bridge of Dubrovnik and proceed to the second entrance to the city. After you get off the ‘Jadranska magistrala’ turn left at the first traffic lights and follow the signs for city centre and hotel Argentina.

Important to notice: Before heading towards Dubrovnik we strongly suggest that you have your passports ready for inspection, since you will be crossing the border with the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the town of Neum. The coastal line of Bosnia and Herzegovina stretches for some 20 kilometers so you will be met by border control once you re-enter the Republic of Croatia. We would also like to advise you to check all the details regarding the visa requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina, depending on the country that you are coming from to avoid any problems.

Hotel Grand Villa Argentina (5*), Dubrovnik
4 overnights in double room balcony + sea view
Service: Bed and Breakfast

Day 8: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is already a story for itself: known as the Pearl of Adriatic, it is a unique city-sculpture, a place where a man had turned the white Dalmatian stone into perfection. Although relatively small in size, the old independent Dubrovnik Republic has had a recognizable cultural, political and economic identity for some 600 years.

Since you will have a car at your disposal, we recommend you to postpone the sightseeing of Dubrovnik for the next day and spend this day for one-day trip to one of an other interesting destinations – island of Korcula, the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. All of these are located within 2-2,5 hrs driving from Dubrovnik but in different directions (Mostar – north, Korcula –west and Kotor Bay – east). Each of these destinations is attractive and interesting, but we would leave the decision on which one to visit to you, depending on your preferences.

Important to notice: if you decide to visit Mostar or the Bay of Kotor, we would like to advise you to check all the details regarding the visa requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro, depending on your passport.

Day 9: Dubrovnik

Car drop off
Location: Dubrovnik downtown office

Since Hertz rent-a-car office is located on the way from hotel Argentina towards the eastern entrance to the Old Town of Dubrovnik, you can sort out the car drop off formalities before starting your sightseeing tour around the city (you may also wish to complete this the evening before). We would recommend starting your tour from 'above', by visiting the famous ramparts of Dubrovnik, the ancient city walls from 13th century. City walls are almost 2 kilometers long and it will probably take you 2 hours to finish your tour. Please note that the ticket for the city walls is also valid for the fortress of St Lawrence, located outside the city walls, but it needs to be visited on the same day. After visiting the walls, you can grab a light lunch in one of numerous Dubrovnik restaurants and continue the tour according to your preferences. If you are interested in art, culture and history we suggest visiting one of many museums of Dubrovnik: The Rector’s palace (which was the seat of government in ancient Dubrovnik Republic), Maritime museum (which is testimony to the rich naval tradition of Dubrovnik), Ethnographic museum Rupe (also former granary hewn in stone) or one of the monasteries which possesses a rich collection of art works, paintings and religious ornaments. On the other hand, if you wish to rest from the crowd and relax and enjoy the nature, we recommend visiting the island of Lokrum where locals head for the day’s swim and its Botanical garden. The boat for Lokrum departs from the Old Town port approximately every full hour (the ride is only 15 minutes long).

Important to notice: Exact times and frequency of boat lines for Lokrum as well as the operating hours of the City walls and museums differ depending on the time of the season in which you will be staying in Dubrovnik. Therefore, we ask you to check the necessary details again before planinng your visit to mentioned locations.

Day 10: Dubrovnik

If you are already tired of the crowd in Dubrovnik, we suggest a half-day boat trip to the picturesque fishing village of Mlini or the town of Cavtat, where you can visit the house of the famous impressionist paintor Vlaho Bukovac or the mausoleum of Racic family, the artwork of the best known Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. After that, you can end the day by enjoying a cup of cofee on beautiful Cavtat Riva promenade before returning to Dubrovnik.

Important to notice: there are many companies offering the boat trips to Mlini/Cavtat and most of these are located in Dubrovnik Old Town port. The prices and departure times may differ, therefore we advise you to check the details before planning your trip.

Day 11: Departure

After completing check-out, prepare the vouchers for the airport transfer which you will give to your transfer provider, AT-Croatia Hertz rent-a-car representative. Of course, you may wish to extend your car rental by a couple of days and drive yourself to the airport which is less than half an hour away along the Jadranska Magistrala.

Transfer hotel Argentina, Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik airport

We wish you a pleasant flight and hope that you enjoyed your holiday.

Book your tailor made itinerary now with reservations@AT-Croatia.com !