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Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Explore Cosmopolitan Zagreb
Experience this emerging city with its art boom and culinary awakening
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Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Croatia – A Taste of Istria
Visit the historical heart of Croatia on this seven-day holiday to Istria. From Zagreb, explore an interior of rolling hills and ancient villages famed for vineyards and truffle hunting. Continue to the Istrian coast of Rovinj and Pula, home to fishing ports and old-world charm.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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2
Discover Truffle Hunting
Join a family on a truffle hunt in the Motovun forest.
3
Experience Brijuni National Park
Take a boat to Brijuni National Park, swim in the crystal clear waters and snorkel at Fish Bay.
4
Taste Istrian Wine
Take a wine journey through the Kabola and Kozkivic wineries.
Why we like it
This seven day holiday is perfect for anyone interested in the culture and history of Zagreb and the culinary traditions of Istria. From your base of Zagreb and Rovinj, this holiday packs a punch when it comes to experiences. For anybody with an interest in traditional farming, farm to fork dining, and the great outdoors, this holiday shines a light on those well-preserved traditions of this region.
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Day 1
Zagreb
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Day 2
Zagreb
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Day 3
Zagreb - Rovinj
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Day 4
Rovinj
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Day 5
Rovinj
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Day 6
Rovinj - Plitvice lakes - Zagreb
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Day 7
Zagreb
Day 1
Zagreb
Zagreb embraces the modern with its thriving arts, music and food scene but also celebrates its rich past and has a history dating back to Roman times.
Day 2
Zagreb
Day 3
Zagreb - Rovinj
Day 4
Rovinj
Situated on the Istrian coast, discover the sites and old fishing ports of Rovinj.
Day 5
Rovinj
Day 6
Rovinj - Plitvice lakes - Zagreb
Day 7
Zagreb
More details
Zagreb Walking Tour
Zagreb is a rare combination of a city that embraces the modern but never forgets its glorious past. The city is perfect for discovering on foot on a walking tour. Explore the winding lanes and alleys of the Old Town, with its fabulous open-air flower and produce market, terrific pastry shops, cafes, and boutiques.
Zagorje Castles
The fairy tale castles of Zagorje are located just half an hour from bustling Zagreb. A hilly region filled with Medieval and Renaissance fortresses and Baroque castles, the most famous being Trakoscan.
Truffle Hunting
You will be welcomed by the local family that first started truffle hunting in Istria and learn all about truffle hunting and different delicacies produced using the various truffles that get discovered. Join the family and their specially trained dogs, heading downhill through the steep Motovun forest where the largest white truffle in the world was discovered – and try your luck with the valuable black and precious white truffles.
Istrian Wine
Get to know the little known wine producing region of Istria where the tradition has been around since ancient times. Taste award-winning wines and homemade specialties in a range of picturesque natural settings. As many as 200 varieties are being grown across the four main wine regions and 39 of these are indigenous – making the wine scene here endlessly fascinating. The Korak winery is a family owned and run winery for several generations in the picturesque town of Plesivica. Here, Riesling is the most widely planted grape in this region.
Ulysses Theatre on Brijuni National Park
Aside from the spectacular beauty of nature that you will witness at Brijuni National Park, you will also have a chance to go inside the Ulysses Theatre which was co-founded by Croatian actor Rade Serbedzija. We can arrange tickets for the summer shows in advance.
Start planning your trip
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £2,700 Per person
When to travel
Croatia in January
January is a chilly time of year in Croatia, with snow falling inland, and occasionally on the coast too. Days can be sunny and pleasant though, and the scenery will be spectacular covered in snow.
Croatia in February
It’s generally mild on the coast, with Carnival heating things up in Rijeka. Expect wild costumes and parades, but you’ll need to book well in advance to get the best accommodation. It’s still snowy near Zagreb and a good time to put your skis on.
Croatia in March
A great time to visit Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Coast before it gets too crowded over the summer and it feels like the locals are still in the majority.
Croatia in April
Longer and sunnier days makes it a lovely time to explore the country, and you can experience the Easter celebrations. These include traditional processions, bonfires and costumes in the local areas.
Croatia in May
May brings gorgeous warm and dry weather throughout the country, whilst visitor numbers remain low. Winds can be less predictable though and the occasional storm can occur.
Croatia in June
The country heats up as summer gets into full swing. A great time to enjoy the beautiful beaches without the crowds. If you like outdoor activities, it is a good time to get out into the mountains.
Croatia in July
July and August is peak season, with both locals and tourists flocking to the coast to search for the cooler sea breezes. Temperatures can get close to 40C, making it a perfect time to enjoy the stunning white sandy beaches fringing secluded blue water bays. It is recommended that you book well in advance to secure the best accommodation, especially during school holidays.
Croatia in August
July and August is peak season, with both locals and tourists flocking to the coast to search for the cooler sea breezes. Temperatures can get close to 40C, making it a perfect time to enjoy the stunning white sandy beaches fringing secluded blue water bays. It is recommended that you book well in advance to secure the best accommodation, especially during school holidays.
Croatia in September
September sees visitor numbers drop significantly, whilst the weather cools off a little but remains warm. A great time to explore the cities and beautiful countryside without the crowds and searing heat of summer. It is also an ideal time for swimming, as the sea will have warmed up all summer.
Croatia in October
The start of low season brings cooler weather, making for ideal hiking temperatures. It is still possible to get very pleasant weather right throughout the month, but there is a chance that some facilities and accommodation will start to close.
Croatia in November
November is a very quiet month to visit Croatia, after the summer, but before the Christmas rush. You are unlikely to encounter snow making for easy travel, whilst you can enjoy the inland lakes and national parks surrounded by autumnal woodland colours.
Croatia in December
The run-up to Christmas sees the cities of Zagreb and others buzzing with markets and celebrations. Snow begins to fall in the mountains, offering skiing opportunities, whilst the coast remains milder.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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