A Tour Unique Like You

Land of Thousand Tales

Touring through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle Land of Thousand Tales

Touring through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle

WHY TRAVEL WITH US:

No two persons are alike, so why should we can recommend some from our own list tours be alike? This is why we make unique of favorite dining spots: from charming local customized itineraries so that your trip is taverns offering traditional specialties to classy made especially for you — be it just a day restaurants nested in superb locations. Whatever trip, cruise or walking tour, we will pay special you imagine as a perfect way of getting away attention to provide a high-level service. from the routine, be it dynamic activities like But, more importantly, we will do our best customized sailing trips, Adriatic cruises, scuba to break the mold of the traditional way of diving, panoramic flights... or more relaxed travel. Let’s say you do not want to settle for ones, like dining with a local family, with meals standard accommodation — we can find you a prepared from the fresh ingredients that you dream villa, stylish boutique hotel or humble helped them pick in their own garden... we will fisherman’s cottage with a vista to die for. be more than happy to organize it.

And if you are not satisfied with the regular list Because we at Tureta believe that you deserve of restaurants featured in travel guides, a perfect tour, unique just like you.

< Split, photo by Studio Romulic´. TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 01 The Land of Thousand Tales

Touring through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle

This journey presents the rich diversity of Croatian regions, combining the most important landmarks with the hidden gems of continental areas which few travelers have visited. If you prefer non-touristy, off-beaten-track tours, this one might be a real treat for you.

You will be visiting the well-known cities of Zagreb, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, but the true value of this tour lies in exploring the roads less traveled in Croatia’s delightful countriside.

SHORT ITINERARY:

Day 01, Zagreb - –akovo - Karanac Day 02, Karanac - Kneæevi vinogradi - KopaËki rit NR - Osijek Day 03: Osijek - Vukovar - Ilok Day 04: Ilok - Zagreb - Varaædin Day 05: Varaædin - Lepoglava - TrakoπËan - Krapina Day 06: Krapina - Motovun - Brtonigla Day 11: Plitvice - Zadar - Vrana Lake NR Day 07: Brtonigla - Groænjan - Momjan - Buje - Brtonigla Day 12: Vrana - Split - Solin Day 08: Brtonigla - UËka NP - Kastav Day 13: Split - Grab - Sinj Day 09: Kastav - Krasno, NP Northern Velebit - Gacka river Day 14: Sinj - Ston - Dubrovnik - Konavle Day 10: Gacka - Plitvice Lakes NP Day 15: Konavle - Sokol grad

• Admiring the Lipizzaner horses in –akovo • Tasting exquisit wines in Kneæevi vinogradi • Paying trespects to human suffering in Vukovar TURETA • Soaking up the atmosphere of the vibrant city of Zagreb • Watching women make the unique Lepoglava lace TOUR • Joining the hunt for elusive black and white truffles in Brtonigla • Finding some exciting art in Groænjan • Watching the scary Bell-Bearers of Kastav HIGH- • Hiking the slopes of Velebit Mountain • Experiencing the one and only Plitvice National Park LIGHTS: • Walking the ancient streets of Zadar • Visiting Split, a city that grew around a Roman palace • Exploring the tradition of Alka tournament in Sinj • Enjoying one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Dubrovnik • Joining a cooking class at a three-hundred-year-old estate in Konavle

02 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 03 A TALE OF LANDS ON THREE RIVERS A TALE OF NATURE AND ENDLESS VINEYARDS

DAY 01: DAY 02:

Let’s begin our Odyssey in the eastern Croatia You will learn about the story behind the You can visit the most significant wine region Even though the city has a charming patina where the Drava, Sava and Danube rivers procession and see young women perform in continental Croatia with abundant vineyards due to historic and economic reasons, separate the Croatian regions of Slavonia, in it in their elaborate folk costumes. and wine cellars esteemed for their age, its eclectic art-nouveau and art-deco villas in Baranja and Srijem from the neighboring size and the quality of their product. elegant boulevards proudly endure time. countries of Hungary, Serbia and Bosnia Visit a traditional farm where local folklore Of course, swirling glasses, sniffing and sipping -Herzegovina. ensemble will perform traditional dances and top-quality wines is a must. Pay a visit to the Museum of Slavonia housed songs for you; this is a non-touristy, traditional in the fortified old town. Accommodation in Visit the placid city of –akovo with a large and presentation. Meanwhile, you may watch or And now it is time to visit KopaËki Rit National a centrally located historic boutique hotel. elaborate neo-Gothic cathedral and admire participate in preparing local meals on open Park, a marshy area between the Drava and a former medieval mosque now surprisingly fire. Accommodation in traditional style houses Dunav rivers where birds nest and migrate. used as a church. This city is also renowned will be arranged. for its farm of high-bred Lipizzaner horses Enjoy a relaxing ride through swampy which are born black, but their hairs turn white channels, backwaters and lakes. Grilled carp in their youth. We will take you to the nearby matched with fabulous wine will be the village of Gorjani and its annual springtime specialty of the day. After a rewarding lunch, procession takes place which is now protected • Admiring the Lipizzane visit the city of Osijek, the metropolitan area • Tasting exquisite wine at as the cultural heritage of Croatia. horses at State Stud Farm of Slavonia and Baranja. Kneæevi vinogradi winery • Enjoying local dances • Visiting Osijek — the regional on a farm, while preparing center traditional meals on open fire • Venturing the exceptional Lipizzaner horses, photo by Studio Romulic´. Vineyards, photo by Studio Romulic´. Danube and Drava river marshes, cruising hidden water passages

04 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 05 A TALE OF ANCIENT HISTORY AND COURAGE A TALE OF A CITY WITH A MILLION HEARTS

DAY 03: DAY 04:

Visit the heroic city of Vukovar which endured Slowly you will reach the easternmost tip of It’s time to change the setting and leave Explore its streets with countless cafés and try significant damage during the Homeland war Croatia — the city of Ilok on the Danube river. eastern Croatia for its northwestern part. to absorb the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere in the 1990s. Scars can still be seen in people’s There you can visit the oldest active wine There you can stop the country’s capital of this charming Central European city. minds and on facades of buildings. cellar IloËki podrum and taste its exciting — Zagreb. With a population of one million, wines. it is nicknamed the City of a Million Hearts. Late in the afternoon you can continue As a contrast to this reminder of barbaric the trip northward, to the city of Varaædin, human acts in recent history, an exceptional To avoid any feeling of guilt, we will visit The street artists perform on the elegant bearing the cultural imprint of the Austrian archeological site with the remnants of one the old castle with amazing views as well. squares, couples relax in lush green parks. Empire. Overnight in a boutique hotel. of eldest European Neolithic and Early Bronze Return to Osijek. Age cultures can be found nearby, together Every day the official cannoneer fires a with the Museum of VuËedol Culture. cannon shot to signal noon, and a gas lamp lighter lights up two hundred fifty gas lamps to illuminate the historical Upper Town.

• Beginning a journey through • Refreshing your knowledge time in fascinating Museum of Baroque architecture of VuËedol Culture while strolling the streets • Swirling and sniffing your of Varaædin glass, tasting the golden • Absorbing the relaxed,

Ancient pottery, photo by Tureta. nectar of the sunbathed Colorful street of Varaædin, photo by Brch. easygoing atmosphere of Slavonian vineyards Zagreb’s elegant parks, streets and countless cafés

06 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 07 A TALE OF BAROQUE AND LACE A TALE OF TERRA MAGICA

DAY 05: DAY 06:

In the morning, you can explore the historical The Lepoglava lace is part of the intangible Depart to Istria, the large Northern-Adriatic Admire uninterrupted, breathtaking core of Varaædin, where elaborate Baroque cultural heritage of Croatia. peninsula and a region of its own, influenced 360° views of Mirna river valley from the architecture and the medieval castle are by the Venetian Republic, Italy and the ramparts. Motovun is surrounded by a forest exceptionally well preserved. A scenic drive Lunch and accommodation will be provided at Mediterranean in general. Istria is second where black and white truffles flourish. through the gentle hills along self-sustained an old estate with several beautiful traditional to none when it comes to culinary and farms will take you to TrakoπÊan Castle, the 19th-century houses. gourmet experiences and wine tours. Visit a local family of truffle hunters for three most picturesque of all the castles in Croatia. generations. They use specially trained dogs It dates back to the 13th century. The complex There are so many tales to tell and landmarks for that. You can join them for a truffle hunt with a lake, the English garden and a museum to see, so we need to be focused. and then learn how to prepare a homemade tell an inspiring story of the life of medieval Our aim is to explore Istrian culture, tradition pasta with fresh truffles. Late afternoon arrival aristocrats. and gastronomy. There are over twenty to a boutique wine & gourmet hotel. pocket-sized hilltop towns, each consisting We have another place of contrasts for you to of a few dozen houses and encircled by visit — the village of Lepoglava; it is infamous a wall with the church tower in the center. for its prison for hardened criminals, but it is Such towns provided shelter from the also home to unique, most delicate laces made • Admiring the unique laces Ottomans or pirates coming from the coast • Enjoying the view from by the patient hands of local women. made in Lepoglava during the turbulent medieval times. the walls of Motovun • Visiting the charming castle • Participating in a truffle hunt of TrakoπËan Pay a visit to Motovun, the most famous with specially trained dogs, of the hilltop towns. • Enjoying a night’s rest in preparing homemade pasta TrakoπËan Castle, photo by Studio Romulic´. adorable traditional oakwood View from Motovun, photo by Tureta. with fresh truffles houses

08 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 09 A TALE OF A CITY DEVOTED TO ART A TALE OF SCARY BELL-BEARERS

DAY 07: DAY 08:

Visit to another hilltop town - Groænjan. Proceed to a traditional tavern where Visit to the Nature Park of UËka Mountain This carnival bell-ringers are protected as As Groænjan was abandoned after the WWII, a slow-cooked five course meals, each paired Nature Park and walk-off the extra calories the intangible cultural heritage of the Republic the Yugoslavian government decided to invite with the matching glass of wine, will be served gained over the past days. Then we move of Croatia. Admire their masks, learn about artists there, who in the course of time turned for you. This experience will be a celebration to a northern Adriatic region called Kvarner, the carnival tradition and try to ring the bells the city into a Mecca for artists and art lovers of life at its best. with several islands, picturesque coastline yourself. - by opening numerous art galleries and art and mountains. colonies, establishing summer Jazz festival, Return to your hotel to relax, swim and Accommodation in a gourmet boutique hotel. music performances and theater plays. enjoy your pastime. Visit the town of Kastav, famous for its February carnival, when local men gather One should not leave Istria without visiting dressed in sheepskin, wearing scary horned some of the local wineries. Wine varieties masks and oversized bells tied around their and indigenous grapes are entirely different waists to chase away winter and conjure from the continental wines of Slavonia. a good harvest. The custom dates from You can visit the state-of-the-art winery in the pagan times and can be fully experienced the village of Momjan. only in winter. However, you’ll have a chance • Finding some exciting to see several men wearing costumes and • Visiting UËka mountain artworks in Groænjan hear their deafening roar and bells ringing on Nature Park • Indulging in delicious exclusive presentation for this occasion only. • Experiencing the deafening slow- cooked lunch of roar of the carnival bell- five-courses, each paired with -ringers and facing their scary

Groænjan, photo by Brch. a matching glass of wine Bell ringers in Istria, photo by Tureta. costumes

10 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 11 A TALE OF A MOUNTAIN OVERLOOKING THE SEA A TALE TOLD BY WATERFALLS

DAY 09: DAY 10:

Another scenic road will take you along the A local artisan cheese producer will prepare A visit to another national park: the largest, Depending on the position of the sun and part Adriatic coast, to the National Park of Northern (exclusively for Tureta’s guests) a picnic most famous and most visited of the seven of the day, the lakes seem to change the color, Velebit mountain. This exceptional national basket full of homemade goodies: cow & National Parks of Croatia — Plitvice Lakes ranging from green to turquoise or emerald, park does not receive that many visitors since sheep cheeses, homemade sausages, jams, National Park. It is a complex of sixteen lakes from blue to gray. The park is listed as the it is out of regular tourist routes. The mountain marmalade, forest honey, homemade bread, separated by travertine barriers, divided into UNESCO World Heritage site. ridge divides the coastal and continental organic eggs, forest herbs tea and the plum the lower part cut in a 70-meter deep canyon, Croatia, offering spectacular views of both brandy. and the upper part where the lakes are large Accommodation in the newly built wooden sides. This is an area of lush forests where and deep. cottages, or alternatively in the lavish luxurious bears, wolfs and deer roam. We’ll take the baskets along for a snack in the tree houses. stunning environment of the National Park. The park visit includes a hike across wooden Visit the highlights of the park with a park In the afternoon and after a good hike, we’ll pathways, a ride on the park train and a cruise ranger. The other side of the mountain belongs go to Gacka river, famous for its delicious on the electric boat. to an entirely different region — Lika, with its trout. Accommodation in a traditional hotel. Turkish influence. Lika’s gastronomy boasts cow and sheep cheese, kebabs, skewers, roasted lamb and potatoes. Due to lack of • Experiencing the one and only Plitvice National Park grapes in the area, the main ingredient for • Hikin the slopes of Velebit distilling a brandy are plums, hence the with its breathtaking Mountain National Park aromatic (and strong!) plum-brandy called waterfalls and crystalline πljivovica. • Tasting the local homemade lakes goodies on a picnic in • Accommodation in newly Velebit Mountain National Park, photo by Studio Romulic´. a secluded mountainous Plitvice Lakes National Park, aerial view, photo by Studio Romulic´. built wooden cottages, or in area within the National Park luxurious tree houses • Fishing trout at Gacka river

12 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 13 A TALE OF THE BEST SUNSET IN THE WORLD A TALE OF A PALACE THAT GAVE BIRTH TO A CITY

DAY 11: DAY 12:

The historic core of Zadar is entirely built on with a live presentation of traditional glass The city of Split is a gem in its own right. It Split is second biggest city in Croatia, a a peninsula. It was a former Greek colony, blowing techniques. Zadar ’s historic center was built in 295 AD when the Roman Emperor modern city and a ferry hub for hopping to the then a Roman town, and a Venetian port. is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site. Diocletian decided to build his vast palace neighboring islands. The historic core of Split You will stumble upon evidence of all these and retire there. The palace is admirably well is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site. Empires on every step. After Zadar you’ll have the option to either preserved and has been continuously inhabited kayak on the gorgeous Zrmanja River or visit since the Roman era. It is a mosaic of Roman, Accommodation in the nearby city of Salona, A modern era landmark is an art installation, Vrana Lake Nature Park. The accommodation Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance the birthplace of the Roman Emperor, the Sea Organ embedded in the seafront of the day is in the unique 17th-century residential buildings. The former Emperor’s in a boutique hotel situated at the important walkway, played by the rhythmic movement Ottoman fortification-turned-boutique mausoleum was later converted and still used archeological site. of the waves. Whether wind makes the waves, Heritage hotel - MaπkoviÊa Han. as a Cathedral. There is still an intact Roman or a ferry passes by, the Sea will play its The menu will include some Ottoman-style temple dedciated to god Jupiter, along with unique melody. It is a place where crowds delicacies and delightful sweets. countless Roman buildings and structures. spontaneously gather to relax, meditate or admire the sunset — the most beautiful in Walk through a maze of narrow cobbled the world, according to Mr. Hitchcock. streets, crammed with restaurants and shops. • Walking the ancient streets • Visiting Split, a city that for Zadar has an interesting Museum of Antique of Zadar Visit the grocery market, the fish market, centuries grew around glass where admirable artefacts gathered for • Kayaking on the Zrmanja the elegant Riva promenade with its iconic the Roman palace over three millennia are on display, River or visiting Vrana Lake palm trees. • Staying overnight in a Nature Park boutique hotel in Solin Zadar, photo by Studio Romulic´. • Spending the night in the Cellars of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, photo by Mrak. 17th-century Ottoman fortification, relishing Ottoman delicacies and delightful sweets

14 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 15 A TALE OF ARCADIA FOUND A TALE OF POETRY TURNED INTO STONE

DAY 13: DAY 14:

All the way along the Adriatic coast, the heritage of the Republic of Croatia. Then we’ll You are approaching the southernmost tip One-hour drive to Dubrovnik will give you just Dinaric Alps divide the coastal Croatia visit the town of Sinj where a famous battle of Croatia. On your way to Dubrovnik, you enough time to relax before the sightseeing of from its continental parts. For most of the between the Ottoman and Croatian troops can stop and visit Ston, a city on the Peljeπac this marvel, the Jewel of the Adriatic. Its mighty period between the 14th to 18th centuries, the took place in 1715. A jousting tournament called peninsula where all the wealth of Dubrovnik and spectacular walls fully encircle the old city, continental Croatia was governed by the Alka has been taking place there annually ever Republic came from - the salt from Europe’s with the renaissance city structures preserved Ottomans and its coastal cities by the Venetian since to commemorate the Croatian victory. oldest still-active salt works, in use since the entirely. And yes, it is listed as the UNESCO Republic that needed the ports to supply its The objective is to hit an iron ring with a spear Roman times two millennia ago. To protect the World Heritage site. Visit the main promenade, ships with fresh water and provisions. The while riding a galloping horse. Only local men source of their wealth, the longest European Stradun, the ornate Rector’s Palace, the culture of the continental Croatia all the from Sinj area can participate in the challenge, wall system was built in the Middle Ages, Customs House, the old port and, last but not way from Zadar to the south is profoundly with the skills and honor passed from fathers making the peninsula impenetrable from the least, the old city walls. As we are dedicated impregnated with Ottoman influence. To see to sons. mainland. Ston has yet another gem: oyster, to our mission to enable you to explore the this culture firsthand, we’ll go to the village of Explore the brilliant museum dedicated to the clam and mussel farms. We will take you countryside, you will be accommodated in Grab where picturesque watermills still roar, battle and the jousting game, as yet another on a short boat trip to savor on oysters just Dubrovnik’s countryside Konavle, in traditional making wheat and corn flour. protected cultural heritage of Croatia. Return harvested from the sea, as fresh as they can medieval stone houses. Your hosts will prepare to your hotel in Solin. be. This is only to open your appetite, because a traditional Dubrovnik-style dinner. The miller will prepare fresh doughnuts and we will then take you for a lunch in one of offer schnapps (rakija) as a traditional token of the finest seafood restaurants. appreciation, while the local folklore ensemble will perform — exclusively for you — the • Enjoying the traditional Peljeπac is an important wine region and • Visiting Ston’s salt pans, dances and songs protected as the intangible dances and unique singing home to indigenous full-bodied Plavac wine. the oldest continously active protected by UNESCO Alka jousting tournament in Sinj, photo by Studio Romulic´. Dubrovnik, photo by Tureta. salt pans in Europe • Exploring the unique tradition • Tasting fresh out of the sea of Alka tournament, held oysters and the on-board annually since 1715. boat wine tasting of spectacular full-bodied wines • Enjoying one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Dubrovnik

16 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 17 A TALE OF IDYLLIC LIFE

DAY 15:

Visit the Sokolgrad castle that proudly stands For those who like immersion in local culture, on top of a hill, guarding Dubrovnik from the we can additionally organize a private cooking south. class at a local family who have lived on a spectacular estate for over three hundred A fiddler will play traditional one-string years. instrument, while local women will present the embroidery from Konavle countryside region.

Medieval Sokolgrad Castle, photo by Yegorovnick. >

• Visiting Sokolgrad Castle • Enjoying the traditional folk tunes and admiring local handicrafts • Immersion in a hands-on Konavle countryside food preperation, photo by Tureta. cooking class at a spectacular estate in Dubrovnik’s Konavle countryside

18 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 19 The Land of Thousand Tales

Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle

We believe that there is no such thing as Come with us and we will show you the rich an ordinary trip. diversity of Croatian regions, combining the most important landmarks, like This is why every Tureta tour is different, breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park, carefully shaped to fit the needs and interests with the less known gems of continental areas of you, your family or the friends you travel which few travelers have visited - places like with. We can offer a turnkey operation from State Stud Farm of magnificent Lipizzaner start to finish, so you can relax and you do not horses in –akovo, for example. If you prefer have to worry about details — it is the job of non-touristy, off-beaten-track tours, this one our team and our partners: local expert guides, might be a real treat. You will be visiting the bus and car rental companies, greeters and well-known cities of Zagreb, Zadar, Split and hostesses, food providers, restaurants, hotels Dubrovnik, but the true value of this tour lies and boarding houses. All our guests receive in exploring the roads less traveled in Croatia’s detailed travel itineraries and event programs, delightful countriside. as well as complimentary gifts. Take our word for it, few destinations in the Every tour we organise is made specially for world can present so much cultural, natural you, because we regard our customers not and ethnologic diversity packed tightly in merely as passive observers, but rather as such a small country. active participants in memorable journeys.

< –akovo Cathedral, photo by Tureta.

TURETA d.o.o. A: Odranska 1, HR - 10 000 Zagreb T: +385 1 6011 648 E: [email protected] OIB: 58543430563 IBAN: HR8724840081105906453

20 TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle WE DID IT YOUR WAY.TURETA • Land of Thousand Tales / Touring Through Croatian Tradition - from Baranja to Konavle 21 tureta-travel.com