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Croatia & Italy: Dubrovnik to Venice

with Florence extension

Duration: 12 or 15 days
Group size: 15-38

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Uncover a treasure trove of culture and history along the Adriatic.

What do you get when you pair Croatia, one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, with Italy, one of the world’s most talked about destinations? A trip that seamlessly combines a laid-back coastal lifestyle with a historical legacy. Trace the Venetian empire’s influence over the region as you travel from Dubrovnik to the Istria Peninsula and on to Trieste and Venice.

Your tour package includes

10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
Guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Dubrovnik’s fortified walls
Ston
Ivan Meštrović Gallery
Diocletian’s Palace
Zadar’s Sea Organ

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Dubrovnik today.

Dubrovnik2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Dubrovnik

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Croatia! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik

Included meal: Breakfast

Set on a peninsula on the Adriatic, Dubrovnik’s massive walls have served as the city’s calling card for centuries. Today, you’ll take a guided tour of the historic locale.

Stop at a viewpoint to soak in panoramic views of the Old Town, coast, and nearby Lokrum Island
Pay a visit to the 13th-century Franciscan Monastery, which boasts the most extensive library in the region
Enter the impressive Rector’s Palace and the city’s ornate cathedral

Enjoy a free evening in Dubrovnik or add an excursion.

Scenic Dubrovnik Coast Cruise & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Split Region2 nights

Day 4: Split Region via Ston

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel north and stop on the Pelješac peninsula to visit the city of Ston.

View the city walls, which stretch for almost five miles and are some of the longest in Europe
Enjoy free time to explore the quaint, coastal city

Continue on to the Split region and sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Split

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a guided tour of Split, a coastal city with a local culture that seamlessly combines tradition and modernity.

Examine sculptures, drawings, and paintings at the Ivan Meštrović Gallery
Enter Diocletian’s Palace, an enormous third-century palace complex
View the monuments to the city’s varied cultural influences, including Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces, Venetian fortifications, and an Egyptian sphinx

Spend free time in Split or add an excursion.

Adriatic Trogir

Excursion (additional cost)

Istria Peninsula2 nights

Day 7 Istria Peninsula via Zadar

Included meal: Breakfast

As you travel to the Istria Peninsula, stop on the Dalmatian Coast to visit Zadar.

Join a local guide and walk along the seaside promenade
Listen to the sounds created when water and air are pushed through a one-of-a-kind Sea Organ
See the town’s ancient Roman ruins

After, continue on to the Istria peninsula.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Rovinj

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to the western coast of the Istria peninsula and join a local guide for a tour of the Venetian-style city of Rovinj.

Walk through Balbi Arch to enter the Old Town
Step inside the Baroque Church of St. Euphemia
Learn about the bell tower, which dominates the city’s skyline and resembles the one connected to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
Admire the unbeatable views of the Adriatic Sea

Enjoy free time on the Istria peninsula or add an excursion.

Pula, Istria Wine Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Trieste2 nights

Day 8: Transfer to Trieste & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Say goodbye to Croatia and travel to Trieste, Italy. You’ll meet up with a local guide and learn about the city’s multicultural history during a sightseeing tour.

Stroll through the Old Town and Austrian Quarter, passing through Unity Square
View the remains of an ancient Roman theater and pass by the Castello di San Giusto
Enter the Castello di Miramare, a striking waterfront castle built in the mid-1800s

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 9 Free day in Trieste

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Trieste or add an excursion.

Slovenia: Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle

Excursion (additional cost)

Venice2 nights

Day 10: Transfer to Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to Venice where you’ll board a water taxi, or vaporetto, and cruise along the Venetian Lagoon to your hotel.

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Venice

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic.

Step into the iconic St. Mark’s Square and enter St. Mark’s Basilica
View the stately Doge’s Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in the 1340s
Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge’s Palace and the New Prison
See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city’s most celebrated art

Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at tonight’s farewell dinner.

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

Excursion (additional cost)

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Florence.

Extension to Florence

Not ready to say arrivederci? Continue your trip in the Tuscan capital of Florence, where Renaissance beauty and really (really) good food are practically everywhere. Travel there by train, then enjoy sightseeing with a local guide.

Florence3 nights

Day 12: Train to Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Board a train and travel to Florence.

Please note: You will need to handle your own baggage during the train transfer.

Spend a free evening in Florence or add an excursion.

Florence Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Set off to see Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance, with a local guide.

Visit the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo
Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial site of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo
See the medieval Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria, the center of Florentine life

Enjoy a free afternoon in Florence or add an excursion.

Accademia Gallery

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 14: Free day in Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day exploring Florence or add an excursion.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers.

Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscan Hilltowns

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 15: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Tirena Hotel

This contemporary hotel is located in the Babin Kuk neighborhood. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a poolside snack bar. Nearby, you’ll...

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Atrium Hotel

This modern hotel is located in Split. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and indoor pool. Nearby, you'll find Archaeological Museum Split, the...

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Hotel Giorgione

This charming hotel is located in the Cannaregio district in central Venice. Guests enjoy a private courtyard, pool, and billiards area. Nearby, you’l...

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Valamar Crystal Hotel

This modern hotel is located in the center of Poreč along the Adriatic coast. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and outdoor pool. Nearby you’ll find Bru...

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Hotel NH Trieste

This modern hotel is located in the Borgo Teresiano neighborhood. Guests enjoy a restaurant, gym, and café-bar. Nearby you’ll find Piazza Ponterosso, ...

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Valamar Sanfior Hotel

This beachfront hotel is located on the eastern coast of the Istria Peninsula in view of Kvarner Bay. Guests enjoy an outdoor terrace, a wellness cent...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

Local weather

Florence, Italy

Weather averages

Today
High 63°F Low 47°F

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Weather averages

Today
High 60°F Low 52°F

Zadar, Croatia

Weather averages

Today
High 56°F Low 46°F

Venice, Italy

Weather averages

Today
High 51°F Low 45°F

Trieste, Italy

Weather averages

Today
High 50°F Low 40°F

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 3 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as stepping between boats and uneven docks.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Dubrovnik and depart from Venice (or Florence on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Water taxi rides in Venice are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a train ride from Venice to Florence.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

In Croatia, you may like to try traditional Balkan dishes, such as duvec (vegetables and meat), moussaka (eggplant and minced meat), sarma (minced meat and rice), and raznjici (grilled veal or pork). Almost every region of the country produces its own varieties of wine, each of which are quite delicious.
Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
Tuscany, on the tour extension, is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.

Electricity & air conditioning

Croatia and Italy operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Type C or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zone

Croatia and Italy are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the Croatian kuna in Croatia and the euro in Italy.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Dates & prices

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20202021

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2020