Rovinj, Croatia
Monterrasol Travel car private tour.
Private tour package 8 days in CroatiaPrices from €3,014 per person (off-season, based on 5 travelers). See table for other group sizes and seasons. Zadar to Istria and Central Croatia 8 days exploring tour. Gems of Croatia: Rijeka, Rovinj, Motovun, Pazin.tour ID: #233
all seasons tour
Tour summaryZadar to Istria and Central Croatia 8 days exploring tour. Monterrasol Travel car private tour. Gems of Croatia: Rijeka, Rovinj, Motovun, Pazin. This page describes details of the multi-day private car tour #233 offered by Monterrasol Travel. We, Monterrasol Travel, are an independent tour operator specialized in cultural and destination tourism. This sightseeing tour has been developed by Monterrasol Travel for private travelers based on our own experiences and belongs to the group of car tours with pre-designed itineraries. If you like this tour but you would like to change something, please do not hesitate to contact us and mention the ID number of this tour: #233. The custom itinerary will cost you nothing, it's free from our side. The tour will start in Zadar, Croatia, finish in Pula, Croatia, and will take 8 days (7 nights). During this tour you will visit such places and attractions as Ogulin, Dubovac, Ozalj, Stara Sušica (Stara Susica), Trsat, Rijeka, Buzet, Petrapilosa, Motovun, Poreč (Porec), Pazin, Rovinj, Bale, located in Croatia. Overall, with this tour you will visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 1 site from the UNESCO Tentative List (sites that were submitted to the World Heritage Committee, and are awaiting to consider for nomination, and therefore suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List). Additional informationWe will pick you up at any hotel or place, in or around Zadar. Drop-off is possible at any hotel or place, in or around Pula. We, at Monterrasol Travel, practice the Slow Tourism philosophy. That means that we work our tours at a gentle pace with no rush, allowing our clients to have a more authentic experience and a true exploration of each destination that features in our itineraries. Our tour prices include accommodation in 3-star hotels, which are usually not near historical centers with pedestrian streets. If you would like better accommodation in terms of location and quality level, please contact us. This tour can be booked by solo traveler as exclusive solo tour (the tour will be for you only, without other travelers in the vehicle). The price for 1 person reflects it. We provide for this tour a special discount for pensioners (seniors citizens). We recommend you consider traveling off-season. Advantages of traveling off-season. Photo galleryPhoto gallery of attractions involved in this tour. This tour starts from €3,014 Tour descriptionIntroductionJoin us on an 8-day exploring tour from Zadar to Istria and Central Croatia, crafted for mature travelers, solo travelers, and couples who love cultural aspects, cultural exploring, and scenic drives in an easy, not hurried way with no tight schedules. This year-round journey takes you from the Dalmatian hinterland through the green heart of Croatia to the enchanting peninsula of Istria, visiting the homeland of Nikola Tesla, fairy-tale castles, vibrant Rijeka, hilltop towns, coastal gems, and world-renowned UNESCO sites. From the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre in Smiljan and the Frankopan castles of Ogulin and Ozalj to the Trsat Castle overlooking the Kvarner Bay, from the unique Halubajski Bell Ringers museum to the hilltop towns of Buzet and Motovun, from the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec to the dramatic Pazin cave, and finally to the romantic coastal town of Rovinj – every day brings a new discovery. Experience cultural exploring at its best, all at a gentle pace with no rush. Day after day descriptionDay 1. We depart from Zadar and travel to the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre in Smiljan, birthplace of the famous inventor. We explore the museum dedicated to Tesla's life and groundbreaking work in electricity and engineering. We then continue to Ogulin to see Ogulin Castle (Castle of the Frankopans), a 16th-century fortress surrounded by a deep moat and connected to local legends. We visit the Heritage Ethnographic museum and the charming House of Fairy Tales, dedicated to the stories of Ivana Brlic-Mazuranic, Croatia's beloved children's author. We then visit Karlovac's Aquatika, the freshwater aquarium which showcases the diverse aquatic life of Croatia's rivers and lakes. After that, we will come to Karlovac for accommodation. Day 2. After staying in Karlovac, we travel to Dubovac to explore Dubovac Fortress, a well-preserved hilltop castle overlooking the town of Karlovac. We then continue to Ozalj to explore Ozalj Fortress, a medieval hilltop castle overlooking the Kupa River, once a seat of the powerful Zrinski and Frankopan noble families. After that, we will return to Karlovac for accommodation. Day 3. After 2 nights in Karlovac, we travel to Stara Susica to see the romantic ruins of Stara Susica Castle. We then continue to Trsat to see Trsat Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking Rijeka, famous for its sanctuary and panoramic views of the Kvarner Bay. We then explore the Shrine of Mary of God of Trsat (Catholic), a major pilgrimage site since the 13th century, known for housing the Holy House of Loreto – according to tradition, angels carried it from Nazareth to Trsat in 1291 before it moved to Loreto, Italy. We climb the Petar Kruzic stairway, a 17th-century staircase with 538 steps built as a vow for the victims of the plague, and visit St. Vitus Cathedral (Catholic) in Rijeka, a unique Baroque rotunda built between 1638 and 1725. We will stay in Rijeka. Day 4. After staying in Rijeka, we travel to The House of the Halubajski Bell Ringers, a unique museum showcasing the traditional carnival masks and bell-ringing custom of the Kastav region, recognized as intangible cultural heritage. We then continue to Buzet to explore this charming hilltop town, known as the 'town of truffles', wandering through its historical center and enjoying the views over the Mirna River valley. We will stay in Buzet. Day 5. After staying in Buzet, we travel to Petrapilosa to explore Petrapilosa Castle, a medieval fortress with a turbulent history of wars and reconstructions. We then continue to Motovun, one of Istria's most famous hilltop towns, to explore its cultural monument (UNESCO Tentative List Site) – the well-preserved medieval core with its Venetian Gothic buildings and town walls. We then visit a local winery where we enjoy a tasting of Istrian wines, particularly the white Malvazija variety, known for its fresh, floral character. We will stay in Motovun. Day 6. After staying in Motovun, we travel to Porec, a charming coastal town on the Istrian peninsula. We explore the Euphrasian Basilica complex (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 6th-century Byzantine church famous for its stunning gold-ground mosaics depicting the Virgin Mary and saints. We also explore the Euphrasian complex mosaic and wander through Porec's historical center with its Romanesque and Gothic buildings. After that, we will come to Pazin for accommodation. Day 7. After staying in Pazin, we explore this dramatic hilltop town, the capital of Istria's interior. We visit the Citadela historical landmark, the medieval castle that inspired Jules Verne's novel 'Mathias Sandorf'. We then explore Jama Cave (Pazin Abyss), a 130-meter deep vertical sinkhole where the Pazincica River disappears underground. We also visit St. Nicholas Church and enjoy a tasting at a local winery, sampling more of Istria's fine wines. We will stay in Pazin. Day 8. After staying in Pazin, we travel to Rovinj, one of Istria's most beautiful coastal towns. We explore its historical center with its narrow cobbled streets and colorful houses, visit the hilltop St. Euphemia Church (Catholic), a Baroque masterpiece with a towering campanile, and see Balbi's Arch, a 17th-century Venetian gate. We then continue to Bale, a charming medieval hilltop town, to explore its well-preserved historical center. Finally, we arrive in Pula, where our memorable journey concludes. ConclusionThis 8-day exploring tour delivers a wonderfully relaxed immersion into the cultural, historical, and natural splendors of Central Croatia and Istria, enriched by tastings of local Malvazija wine. We warmly invite you to travel with us – at a gentle pace, without hurry – to experience the timeless allure of Karlovac, Rijeka, Buzet, Motovun, Porec, Pazin, Rovinj, and their enchanting surroundings. This tour is provided by a company specialized in Croatia. Border crossing for this tripThis tour does not require border crossing. Money and paymentsIn each country of your trip you can use main credit and debit cards. You can use ATM to withdrawal cash or pay at purchase point with card. More information on currencies, payments, and use cards you can read on this our page: On the trip: currencies, payments, card use. Last reviewed: 3 June 2026 Tour itineraryTour starts in: Zadar, Croatia day 1: travel to Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre, visit Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre museum, travel to Ogulin to see Ogulin castle, visit Heritage museum (ethnographic) in Ogulin, visit House of Fairy Tales museum in Ogulin, travel to Aquatika to see Aquatika aquarium; travel to Karlovac for accommodation Tour finishes in: Pula, Croatia Planned distance of this tour: 689 km What is a good itinerary for a multi-day tourHow to understand if this itinerary is good for you? Read our advice: what is a good itinerary for a multi-day tour. If you like this private tour and itinerary but you would like to change something, please do not hesitate to contact us and mention the ID number of this tour: #233. We do not charge for development a custom car tour itinerary, it will cost you nothing. We will be glad to discuss with you the details of your future trip and plan it following your ideas and wishes. Visited places during the tourOur tour will pass several towns and places along the route. Each town and place has something to offer from a tourist's point of view. We will stop in each place and explore its attractions. The exact attractions for each place or town can be seen in the tour's itinerary. Here is the list of places visited during this tour, in the order they appear in the itinerary. Ogulin, CroatiaKnown for castle, cave, museum (heritage) Ogulin is a historic town nestled in the central part of Croatia. Ogulin became a significant military stronghold against Ottoman expansion during the sixteenth century. The most iconic landmark of Ogulin is the Frankopan fortress, a Renaissance castle from the early sixteenth century that still dominates the town center. Dubovac, CroatiaKnown for castle, museum, viewpoint Perched on a wooded hill above Karlovac town, the Dubovac Castle, former feudal stronghold, is a medieval gem blending history with panoramic views. Its strategic position and preserved architecture make it a key cultural landmark. Visitors explore its towers, museum, and serene surroundings, stepping into Croatia's storied past. Ozalj, CroatiaKnown for fortress, river Stara Sušica (Stara Susica), CroatiaKnown for castle Trsat, CroatiaKnown for castle, museum, stairway, viewpoint, catholic church, catholic pilgrimage center Trsat is an eastern hillside district of Rijeka, Croatia's principal seaport, dramatically positioned above the left bank of the Rjecina River near its mouth into the Kvarner Bay. This elevated neighborhood sits approximately 138 meters above sea level, dominating the city skyline and offering commanding views of the port and the surrounding Adriatic coastline. Rijeka, CroatiaKnown for coastal town, fortress, historical center, museum (natural history), seaport, stairway, catholic basilica, catholic cathedral Buzet, CroatiaKnown for brewery, distillery, hilltop town, historical center, medieval old town, museum (history), palace, viewpoint, waterfall Buzet is a charming medieval town perched on a hilltop in the northern part of the Istrian peninsula in western Croatia, former Roman outpost Piquentum. Buzet is known as the ＂City of Truffles＂ or ＂Truffle Capital of Croatia＂. Buzet provide unique combination of medieval hilltop charm, world-class gastronomy, and authentic cultural experiences. Petrapilosa, CroatiaKnown for castle, ruines Motovun, CroatiaKnown for gate, hilltop town, medieval old town, viewpoint, walls, winery + wine tasting, catholic church; cultural monument is a UNESCO Tentative List Site Motovun is a captivating medieval village perched high on a hill in central Istria, western Croatia, approximately 270 metres above sea level. It dominates the verdant valley of the Mirna River, surrounded by rolling vineyards and the famous Motovun Forest. This breathtaking setting, reminiscent of the iconic landscapes of Tuscany, makes it a prime destination for travellers seeking authentic charm. Poreč (Porec), CroatiaKnown for beach, coastal town, historic house, historical center, mosaic, promenade, walls, catholic basilica; basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; mosaic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Poreč is almost 2,000 years old town on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. Its major landmark is the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coast of Poreč has been one of the most visited tourist destination in Croatia. Pazin, CroatiaKnown for castle, cave, museum (ethnographic), tourist attraction, waterfall, catholic church Pazin is a charming historical town situated in the central part of the Istrian peninsula in western Croatia. Pazin occupies a strategic inland position, which has earned it the well-deserved nickname ＂the heart of Istria＂. The magnificent medieval castle is undisputed crown jewel of Pazin, and is the largest and best-preserved fortress in all of Istria. Rovinj, CroatiaKnown for coastal town, gate, historical center, marina, museum (heritage), promenade, viewpoint, walls, catholic church; museum (heritage) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Rovinj is a stunning coastal city located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. This picturesque settlement, once an island, is now a coastal gem connected to the mainland and is one of the most popular tourist resorts on the Adriatic coast, known for its scenic coastline and pristine forests. Bale, CroatiaKnown for cave, historical center, palace, catholic church Bale is a charming medieval village located in the heart of the Istrian peninsula, approximately halfway between the coastal cities of Pula and Rovinj. Bale offers an intimate and authentic glimpse into traditional Istrian life, with its compact historic core, with its cobblestone streets and stone houses, feels like a living museum. Tour mapTour starts in: Zadar, Croatia 
day 1: Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre museum; Ogulin castle; Ogulin, Heritage museum (ethnographic); Ogulin, House of Fairy Tales museum; accommodation in Karlovac Tour finishes in: Pula, Croatia Planned distance of this tour: 689 km Availability of this tourPlease check below for the availability of this private tour for a specific month and year. In addition, for this tour, a 30 days cut-off period is in effect. Of course, you are always welcome to contact us with questions about availability. Check availability for specific period:
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Price from€ 3,014
The min amount of people in this tour: 1 This private tour is available all year round. SRS means single room supplement. Prices above depend on the season. Read our pricing policy. Maybe you want?What the tour includes• transport with driver • transportation in car with air conditioner • the car is minivan by default • company's tour guide • English spoken driver and tour guide • tour guide all the time with you • transportation for your group only, no foreigners • accommodation in 3-star hotels or pensions • accommodation with breakfast only What the tour does not include• lunch and dinner • accommodation in single rooms • hotel tourist tax • professional tour guide • entry fees and tickets • flights tickets • ferry tickets • travel insurance • country visas Safe TravelsThe Safe Travels stamp allows travelers to recognize destination companies around the world that have implemented health and hygiene protocols that are aligned with WTTC's Global Safe Travels Protocols. Monterrasol Travel Private tours has implemented health and hygiene protocols. Monterrasol Travel is the Safe Travels company.  |
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