Croatia Photography Tour

Itinerary

Sunday, May 14

Depart US to Dubrovnik (DBV)

Monday, May 15 (D)

After arriving in Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and transferring to the hotel, the adventure begins!

We’ll start off by exploring the old city during an evening photo shoot. Dubrovnik is perched on the Adriatic Sea and its prosperity was historically based on maritime trade. CNN Travel rated it as one of the top ten medieval walled cities in the world built in the 14th and 15th century. After the shoot we’ll gather for our welcome dinner.

We’ll stay two nights at the stylish boutique Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. Location? Simply ideal: a quiet street in the heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, just off the main Placa Stradun!

Tuesday, May 16 (B, D)

Spend the day camera in hand, discovering Dubrovnik’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll explore its narrow streets, diverse architecture, street performers, and well-preserved medieval walls. Weather should be perfect this time of year with fewer travelers than later in the summer. Spring flowers will be blooming and grasses will be lush green.

Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. The city is filled with old buildings, such as the Arboretum Trsteno, the oldest arboretum in the world, dating back to before 1492. Also, the third oldest European pharmacy is located in the city, which dates back to 1317 (and is the only one still in operation today). 

We will have some free time for some sightseeing in the afternoon before meeting up for a late afternoon shoot. The medieval walls offer spectacular views of the city, sea, islands, and mountains, and we’ll use this vantage point to make the most of the light for some creative long exposures and blue hour shots. Overnight Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Wednesday, May 17 (B, L, D)

Get up early to capture the sunrise over the Adriatic coast from a city vantage point before we depart for the island of Hvar, or spend a leisurely morning enjoying the hotel.

We’ll take the scenic route along the coast and have many photo stops along the way. A short ferry ride brings us to the sunny island of Hvar, the queen of the Croatian Dalmatian Islands.

We’ll spend the afternoon and evening shooting the dense Mediterranean nature and  rich architecture of this charming town.

The four-star Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel is our home for two nights. Perched on the promenade and facing the old city centre, Adriana Hvarʼs most stylish boutique hotel boasts spectacular panoramic views of the town and the marina.

Thursday, May 18 (B, D)

We begin the day with a panoramic sunrise shoot before setting off for the western part of the island. Today we’ll photograph some of the most scenic places on the island including vast lavender fields, ancient olive groves, and traditional Croatian villages.

We’ll have some free time to explore, sunbathe and swim before meeting in the late afternoon to try our hand at creative seascapes and to experiment with long exposures. Overnight Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel

Friday, May 19 (B, D)

After breakfast and another chance to capture early light in the old town, we leave Hvar and take the ferry to Split. We will stay within the 1700-year-old monument of Diocletian’s palace. Split is a lively city and we will capture evening atmosphere on the main promenade called Riva. A dinner at one of Split’s fine restaurants. Overnight Diocletian Heritage Hotel

Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 (2B, 1L, 2D)

A chance to capture early morning light before we continue to our destination: Plitvice Lakes National Park.

The waters of Plitvice Lakes, flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers. This created natural dams, which in turn, have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves, and waterfalls. The forests in the park are home to bears, wolves, and many rare bird species.

These two days will be all about the lakes, waterfalls and caves in this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.

Here you’ll have the opportunity to try different photography techniques using tripods and long exposures as well as work on composition. Enjoy free time exploring Plitvice Lakes National Park alone before meeting late afternoon to make the most of the play of golden light and reflections in the water. Two nights at Pension Plitvice Ethno House

Monday, May 22 (B, D)

After an optional sunrise shoot at the lakes and a hearty breakfast, we travel onwards to the Istrian coast. We’ll make some scenic stops on the way and arrive in the popular tourist resort and fishing port of Rovinj.

Rovinj looks like it is being pulled out of the sea. It is the most Italian town in Croatia’s most Italian region, according to Rick Steves. He says, “Rovinj’s streets are delightfully twisty, its ancient houses are characteristically crumbling, and its harbor still hosts a real fishing industry.” After a sunset shoot in old town, we’ll overnight at Island Hotel Istra.

Tuesday, May 23 (B, D)

After catching the early morning light in Rovinj, we’ll drive to some of the many charming Istrian hilltop towns. We’ll see colorful old churches, vineyards and olive groves, and spectacular views of the entire region.

Upon returning to Rovinj, we do another evening shoot and soak up the atmosphere of its bustling harbor, winding narrow streets and lively squares. Overnight Island Hotel Istra

Wednesday, May 24 (B, D)

After some early morning photography and free time to shop or explore, we depart Rovinj for the city of Zagreb.

In Zagreb we can spend the early evening wandering and photographing street scenes and city architecture. Overnight at Esplanade Zagreb Luxury Hotel

Thursday, May 25 (B)

We bid farewell to Zagreb and Croatia, and transfer to the airport. We suggest an afternoon flight so you can enjoy the Esplanade Zagreb to the very end! Arrive home today or May 26th.