3-Week Croatia and Italy Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Croatia And Italy itineraries
Compiled by
SteffCroatia and Italy travel expert at TourRadar
17 Days in the Balkans & Italy, incl. Dubrovnik and Rome
The 17-day route weaves through Croatia's coastal treasures and Italy's cultural capitals. Walk Dubrovnik's UNESCO walls, take refreshing swims at Elafiti Islands, and witness Plitvice Lakes' cascading waterfalls. The Italian leg features Venice's iconic gondolas, Cinque Terre's charming villages, and Florence's Renaissance masterpieces before concluding in Rome.
- Days 1-2
Dubrovnik & Elafiti Islands
Visit Dubrovnik's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Get to the city walls by 8 AM before cruise ships arrive. You'll need good walking shoes since the limestone streets can be slippery. On your second day take a boat to the Elafiti Islands from Gruž Harbor. The water taxi ride takes about 45 minutes. Take plenty of water and sunscreen since there isn't much shade on the islands.
- Days 3-4
Split
The coastal bus from Dubrovnik to Split takes 4 hours. Grab a seat on the right for the best ocean views. Visit Diocletian's Palace later in the day when it's less busy after 4 PM. A frequent visitor shares: "The morning market near the Silver Gate is fantastic for local cheese and prosciutto - go early before vendors pack up around 1 PM."
- Day 5
Plitvice Lakes & Zagreb
Start early for Plitvice Lakes. It's a 4-hour drive but worth it. Use Entrance 2 to avoid the biggest crowds on the wooden walkways. From there it's 2.5 hours to Zagreb. Watch the sunset in the Upper Town where they still light gas lamps by hand.
- Days 7-8
Ljubljana & Lake Bled
The train to Ljubljana takes about 2.5 hours. Stay near the Triple Bridge for convenience. Lake Bled makes a perfect day trip by bus (50 minutes). Boat rides to the island cost €14. A recent visitor suggests: "Skip the crowded castle and instead hike Ojstrica viewpoint for the best photos of the lake. It's steep but only takes 20 minutes."
- Days 9-11
Venice
Buses arrive at Piazzale Roma. Water buses cost €7.50 per ride but multi-day passes are good value for longer stays. The city is at its best early morning or after dinner when most tourists leave. Look for hotels in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio for better prices and a more local feel.
- Days 12-13
Cinque Terre
Stay in La Spezia and use trains to visit the five villages. Get a Cinque Terre Pass for unlimited train travel. Start with the easier Riomaggiore-Manarola path before trying harder trails. A regular hiker notes: "The path between Monterosso and Vernazza is challenging but offers the best views - start early and bring plenty of water."
- Days 14-15
Florence
Fast trains from La Spezia take 2.5 hours. Book museums online to skip long lines. Visit the Uffizi later in the day when crowds thin out. The Santa Croce area offers good access to sights but quieter evenings than around the Duomo.
- Days 16-17
Rome
Take an early train from Florence to make the most of Rome. Book Vatican Museums ahead for early access. Try the Palatine Hill entrance for shorter Colosseum lines. Spend your evenings in Trastevere where locals eat at authentic trattorias after 8 PM away from tourist spots.
15 Day Italy & Croatia Itinerary, incl. Rome and Split
Embark on a 15-day journey featuring 8 Croatian and Italian UNESCO sites. Stay at 4-star hotels like Albanopolis Tirana and cruise Croatia's islands. Highlights include Florence's Duomo, Venice's Palazzo dei Dogi, and Hvar's famous Carpe Diem beach club.
- Days 1-2
Rome
Start in the Eternal City with an evening to settle in. The next day visit the ancient sites early. Enter the Colosseum through the Gladiator's Gate and explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. One traveler shared: "Watching the sunrise over the Forum was magical, but bring comfortable shoes—there's more walking than you'd expect."
- Days 3-4
Florence & Tuscany
Stop in medieval Assisi and Siena on your way to Florence. Get to the Duomo by 8:30 AM to avoid the crowds. Take an afternoon walking tour of the Baptistery, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce. You can also take an optional trip to Pisa which takes about 3 hours round trip.
- Day 5
Bologna & Venice
Visit Bologna's historic center and walk under its medieval porticos. You'll get to try local specialties like mortadella and tortellini. In the afternoon take a 2.5-hour transfer to Venice where you'll stay in Mestre for better accessibility.
- Days 6-7
Venice & Tuscany
Start at St. Mark's Square before the crowds arrive. Visit the Doge's Palace then stop at a local bacaro for cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and prosecco. The next day travel through Tuscany's wine country with a stop in Montepulciano for wine tasting.
- Days 8-9
Rome to Tirana
You can take an optional full-day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast for 150 EUR. The next day fly to Tirana and take an evening walk through the Blloku district which was once only open to Communist party elite.
- Days 10-11
Montenegro & Dubrovnik
Take a 4-hour drive through Montenegro's mountains to UNESCO-listed Kotor. After seeing the medieval walls continue 2 hours to Dubrovnik. Spend the next day exploring before your cruise. Take the cable car up Mount Srd to watch the sunset.
- Days 12-15
Croatian Island Hopping
Your sailing journey includes Korčula (said to be Marco Polo's birthplace), Hvar with its lavender fields and ends in Split. A recent guest noted: "The island-hopping was the highlight—each port had its own character, from Hvar's buzzing nightlife to Korčula's quiet charm."
16 Day Italy, Slovenia & Croatia Itinerary, incl. Rome and Split
A 16-day adventure showcases Croatia and Italy's premier locations, from Rome's Colosseum to Split's ancient harbor. The itinerary encompasses 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Plitvice Lakes and St. Jacob's Cathedral in Šibenik. Guests rest in premium accommodations, with a historic boutique hotel in Split's main square.
- Days 1-2
Rome
Get an early start at the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain to avoid crowds. Visit Campo de Fiori's market in the morning while it's still quiet. The best time for the Colosseum is late afternoon when lines get shorter. Book the underground Colosseum tour well in advance since it sells out quickly.
- Days 3-4
Tuscany Region
Head south to Siena and visit Piazza del Campo early before tour groups fill the space. The medieval town of Monteriggioni offers a quieter experience. Stay near San Gimignano to easily access local wineries. Bring layers for cool Tuscan evenings. Visit wineries between 11am-2pm when your taste buds are most alert.
- Days 5-6
Florence & Pisa
Check if your visit coincides with Florence's free first Sunday museum entry. Get to the Accademia Gallery by 7:45am to be first in line for the 8:15am opening. Plan a day trip combining Pisa and Lucca. Start at the Leaning Tower early then spend your afternoon biking around Lucca's peaceful walls.
- Days 7-8
Venice
Explore Venice's winding streets in the early morning before crowds appear. Take the first 9am vaporetto to Murano for glass-blowing shows. Watch the sunset from the Palazzo Pisani rooftop. For the best local food experience try the cicchetti in Cannaregio's bacari between 6-8pm.
- Days 9-10
Lake Bled Region
Visit Postojna Cave in Slovenia but bring a jacket since it stays around 10°C inside. Take the first cable car up Mt Vogel for clear mountain views. Book a pletna boat to the island church before noon to avoid afternoon winds. Stop at Park Café for the original Bled cream cake.
- Days 11-12
Istria & Plitvice Lakes
Join an early morning truffle hunt in Motovun when the dogs are most active. At Plitvice Lakes get there for the 7am summer opening and start with the Upper Lakes trail. Wear good shoes on the sometimes slippery boardwalks.
- Days 13-14
Zadar
Watch the sunset at the Sea Organ for the best sounds. Visit the fish market by 7am to see local life in action. As one visitor shared: "The morning light on the white stone buildings and sound of the waves through the Sea Organ pipes created pure magic."
- Days 15-16
Split
Start your days early in Split to see Diocletian's Palace before cruise ships arrive. Join locals for their morning walks along Riva promenade. The fish market near the palace is most interesting between 6:30-7:30am when fresh catches come in.
