Classical Croatia
Although most famous for Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the Liburnians and Illyrians were active well before the arrival of the Greeks and eventual envelopment by the Roman Empire – and Game of Thrones!
This programme can easily be shortened to include archaeological sites and museums specific to your areas of study.
Day 1 Early start to visit Central Pula (Polai/Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola/Iulia Pollentia Herculanea), a significant port under Octavian with an impressive amphitheatre, Porta Aurea (financed by Salvia Postum in honour of her dead brothers), Arch of Hercules, Odeion, Forum, Temple to Augustus, Dirke Mosaic and Porta Gemina. Lunch at the lovely port of Fazana (Mediaeval with early Christian Churches) before transferring to Brijuni Islands National Park, once Tito’s holiday retreat. Hiking Boots are definitely recommended today! Full Day at Zadar (Liburnian Zara) where the traffic free streets follow the original Roman street plan. Visit the Archaeological Museum, Augustan Roman Forum, Church of St Donatus (built of Capitoline spoils), marble columns, watch tower, aqueduct remains, Byzantine churches and Roman Glass Museum. Situated in a Lagoon linked by two C6C stone bridges, Illyrian Nin (Aenona) shows evidence of Roman habitation in villas, mosaics, Capitoline Temple and underwater harbour workings. The museum’s Roman collection also includes two C11th Condura Croatica boats and a copy of part of the C1st Serilia Liburnica boat. The key to the tiny C9th Church of St Anselmo “the smallest cathedral in the Christian world” may be requested here. Full Day Split Vid for amazing Archaeological Museum of Narona built atop and around the Augustaeum with 17 Statues of the Imperial family, including Germanicus. The hypermodern award-winning edifice contrasts surprisingly well amid the traditional village houses. Walk to rear of village constructed of cannibalised Roman Masonry and Epigraphic Stele. Free time to explore the City Walls, Old Town, Cathedral, Churches, Forts and Palace of Dubrovnik before transferring to the Airport for UK Flight Feel free to contact us to tailor your own tour. 01342 324727 Optional Extras:
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Flight to Zagreb. Coach transfer to Pula via Zagreb Archaeological Museum.
Pula Hotel and Evening Meal.
< Porta Aurea, Pula
< The Temple of Venus and the Roman Villa, Bay of Verige, Brijuni Island
A small train will convey you to Dinosaur footprints and fossilised eggs, Roman Castrum, St Mary’s Basilica, Bronze Age Hill Fort, Villa Rustica, Temple, small Roman textile instillation and Antiquarium, all set on the fabulous Verige gulf.
Pula Hotel and Evening Meal via Nezakcij (Nesactium) daylight hours permitting.
< Monkodonja
An exciting drive to Petrapelosa Citadel in the Brancana Canyon.
Visit Umag, built upon the foundations of a Roman seaside resort; the town retains its network of narrow streets within the remains of town walls, defence towers and archaeological museum housed in the mediaeval town fortress.
Return via the Bronze Age Citadel of Monkodonja
Pula Hotel and Evening Meal
< Zadar
Zadar Hotel and Evening Meal
Evening seafront stroll to take in the Salutation to the Sun and Sea Organ
< Salona – Roman wall
Lunch en route
Access to the Archaeological Site of Salona is via the Manastrine Necropolis. Fortified City Walls enclose early Christian Basilica, Thermae, well preserved stretch of Roman Road (exposed drainage system) leading to Porta Caesarea and the Amphitheatre beyond.
Not to be missed is the small Archaeological Museum (named Tusculum after Cicero’s Villa) and attached replica Roman Garden constructed of spolia beneath an attractive loggia.
Trogir Hotel and Evening Meal
Evening walk to explore the ‘Riva’ of this tiny island, orthogonal Hellenistic marble paved street plan and mediaeval buildings of C3rd BC Greek Tragurion. 
< Diocletian’s Palace, Split
Diocletian’s Palace is Split, the city being built in and around the archaeological shell.
Walk the Cardo, discover the 4 Gateways (Gold, Silver, Iron and Bronze; the latter leading to the basement & impressive foundations of Diocletian’s Central Hall), Peristyle Courtyard and Diocletian’s octagonal Mausoleum guarded by an Egyptian Granite Sphynx. Wander the marble paved maze of narrow streets noting how later inhabitants have adapted the ancient remains into a living entity.
Lunch in the nearby open-air fish and veg market or on the palm fringed ‘Riva’ before visiting the Archaeological Museum with its exhaustive sarcophagus & mosaic collection
Trogir Hotel and Evening Meal< Archaeological museum, Narona
Walk across the river to the Church of St Vitus and one of the oldest full immersion outdoor Baptismal pools in Europe.
Slow transfer by traditional Neretva Canal Barge, via quiet canals and backwaters to a riverside restaurant for lunch. Enjoy the peace and quiet of local flora and fauna in their local habitat.
Dubrovnik Hotel and Evening Meal
< Dubrovnik
< Asseria, Dalmatia
< Kairos Relief
< Croatian Apoxyomenos