Explore Istria, Croatia - A Culinary Gem in the Mediterranean
6 days | Starting at $3,975 | 2024 Sold out I
Now accepting early reservations for September 13- 18, 2025. 3 rooms remaining.
Explore a Culinary Gem in the Mediterranean
Istria, Croatia
Istria, Croatia is among the best places to visit in Croatia. It’s a region that promises to delight even the most seasoned travelers. Once part of Italy (many speak both Italian and Croatian), Istria is a mix of enchanting small villages reminiscent of Provence, the Italian lifestyle, and the mouthwatering cuisine of the Mediterranean.
Istria boasts breathtaking natural wonders, charming towns, ancient castles, and a vibrant cultural, food and wine scene. Picturesque harbors hug the rugged coastline's clear, sparkling water, and miles of wooded paths for hikers, bikers, runners or picnickers meander along a backdrop of verdant rolling hills dotted with tiny villages and farms.
In addition to its unspoiled beauty, Istria is renowned for its highly-prized olive oils and bountiful truffles. A new generation of Istrian wine makers are also getting noticed for their innovative variations on Rhone, Bordelaise and Tuscan varietals. This inspiring blend of delicious and intriguing ingredients make Istria a gem not to be missed!
Bliss Travels invites you to peek behind the curtain and experience what most tourists never get to enjoy -- genuine insider access. Deluxe regional accommodations, exclusive cellar visits and tastings with top wine makers, private chef meals, gourmet delicacies, and unparalleled access to the hidden treasures of the regions we visit are all hallmarks of the Bliss Travels experience. Wendy Jaeger's personalized, small group tours will introduce you to the real people, foods and wines of Istria.
Join us on the ultimate insider's adventure to Istria -- Europe's most exciting coastal region!
“OMG...stunning! Well done!!! Treats everywhere
I turn...WOW!...I’m not leaving!”
Bliss itineraries are different
Our itineraries continue to evolve because we are constantly looking for new and unique things to see and do. We tailor our trips to the travelers attending, and select events to best fit their preferences. Providing Bliss-only access to our private venues means we sometimes have to work around personal schedules.
What you see below is our best representation - before the trip is booked and we begin getting to know you - of what you can always expect from Bliss, and what our most popular events, menus and venues from past trips are. Every Bliss trip includes our private “Insider” excursions and events — there will be an exclusive wine-tasting, there will be multi-course chef meals and curated wine pairings, there will be excursions to must-see sites hosted by a private guide — but some of the dates and details may change. And we’ll be ready. That’s why we keep our schedules relaxed and leisurely!
“All of my expectations were exceeded…it was the best vacation of its type I had ever taken.”
Itinerary highlights
Private walking tours in ancient villages and of our Medieval town, including market visit
Visit to the Roman amphitheater, with private guide, and old town walking tour
Visit to local islands, ancient ruins and historical sites, all with our private guide.
Truffle tasting in the home of truffle hunters or truffle dinner with custom menu on cliffside, overlooking sea.
Visit and tasting with internationally-acclaimed olive oil producer
Boat transfers to the island beach for our small group with chairs and parasols - enjoy Croatia on the beach or private boat excursion and cooking lesson with beachside meal.
Historic walks, seaside hikes and boat trips
Gourmet food and wine highlights
A la carte breakfast (at your leisure) and a second gourmet meal with wines, daily
Gourmet welcome dinner at cliffside restaurant, with special menu of truffles and wine pairings
Exclusive tastings - wine, olive oils, market specials and local products.
Delicious picnic lunch with wine tastings from an exclusive vineyard
Exceptional gourmet farewell dinner of 4 courses.
The highlight of this trip is exclusive and our pièce de résistance! A private lunch by one of the top chefs in the region (who should be Michelin-starred, in our opinion) and his extraordinary menu
Here’s what you can always expect from Bliss
Food & Wine
Daily gourmet breakfasts in your hotel, at your leisure
Second gourmet, 3-course meal included each day, along with daily tastings featuring an exciting variety of local wines - from rare bottles to local favorites
Third daily meal on your own — free to make your own “Insider” discoveries!
All our private pairings and meals have custom menus and feature unique, hard-to-find bottles
Multi-course meals with curated wine pairings and celebrated chefs — often Michelin-starred!
Small Group Insider Access
Always small groups of 8 - 12
Genuine insider access - see, do and taste what most tourists never get to experience
Immersive experiences and events that cannot be replicated
Private guided tours always by private car or van, and driver - no commercial tours or buses!
Accommodations
Exclusive regional accommodations - only boutique venues and private owners
Personally vetted by Bliss Travels
Trip details
Croatia
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5 nights lodging in a luxurious, hand-selected seaside boutique hotel located in a picturesque Medieval town
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Standard Luxury Room
$3,950 per person - (non-refundable rate)
$4,200 per person (partially refundable rate)
Solo Supplement of $180 per night standard room
Upgraded Luxury Room with View (Town Square or Seaport)
$4,350 per person - (non-refundable rate)
$4,500 per person (partially refundable rate)
Solo Supplement of $190 per night luxury room
Price includes all of the above (as well as planning services) and prices are per person double occupancy for the 5-night trip.
Note: there is a cash discount of $100 per person from all rates if paid by check.
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Every traveler is free to arrange their own transfers or we can help.
Our average prices are approximate to help you to determine costs. Please be aware that some transfer costs are included in the group rate. Individual transfers - approximate costs:
To/from local ports - TBD (range of $75+ per person)
To/from Zagreb airport or Venice (city) (3 hours) $160 per person each way (minimum 4 people) $125 per person each way (minimum 6 people)
To/from Split airport (4.5 hours) $245 per person each way (minimum 4 people) $175 per person each way (minimum 6 people)
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By paying the deposit all travelers agree to the terms and conditions in our standard contract release. All travelers are required to sign this contract release and return via email with deposit. Clients who are traveling together can sign jointly on one copy.
All prices are subject to change until deposit and confirmation are received for each specific traveler.
Partially refundable rate for 2024 Croatia Trip
These rates allow each client to cancel their trip for a refund of all but your initial deposit as long as cancellation is made in writing and received by Bliss Travels 75 days prior to that travelers’ departure from the US. The refundable amount is whatever the traveler has paid towards the above trip price other than the $1500 per person deposit. Excluded from this refund offer are any add on days, transportation or tickets, banking or on-line banking fees and any special transfers that were arranged just for you.
This offer applies only to the partially refundable rate and this rate requires an initial deposit of $1,500 per person. The regular deposit of $1,000 does not apply to this offer.
All other payments need to made on time and in full to be refundable.
Late payments void this offer. Email requests for refund must be acknowledged to be valid.
Please note: this is NOT travel insurance and no exceptions can be made to the above deadlines. Please obtain travel and health insurance - we recommend this to all travelers.
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Airfare and trains and anything not specifically listed in the itinerary as included. Anything marked "optional".Order of itinerary items may change. The above is a template to outline inclusions and the level and type of trip offered.
The above is a general overview of our possible inclusions. This trip is private. Each trip is different and the itinerary is based on season, traveler preferences and specific travel dates.
Train tickets and airfare not included.
Rooms with views and room upgrades are assigned based upon order of deposit received and date of request (once deposits have been paid). No upgrades are assigned upon request without having a deposit on file with us.
To hold a spot on this trip, please make a deposit as outlined above. Nothing can be held without a deposit.
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
“Thanks again for a marvelous Croatian adventure. We returned with olive oil, of course, but more importantly: broadened insight into a new part of the world (and new wine) for us.”